Hi Everyone,

                Maximum PC is a popular national magazine for technology enthusiasts.  The August 2009 issue carries a “gaming” column entitled, “Experiencing the Army.”  The column begins, “I’d like to thank my local Army-hating, left-wing peace-creeps.  If it wasn’t for their shrill protest outside the Army Experience Center in Franklin Mills, Pennsylvania, I might never have known that one of the best gaming facilities in the region is only half an hour from my house.  And completely free!”  The columnist, Thomas McDonald, goes on to describe the dozens of high-tech computers and games that the AEC provides.  He tells the reader not to be concerned about the recruitment component of the AEC’s practices.  He says, “There’s no recruitment pitch unless you ask for one.”

                This is obviously outrageous.  I have written a letter to the editor, and I have pasted it in, below.

                Unfortunately, this article is not currently available online for you to read.  The magazine is available at newsstands.  The magazine’s Web site is at www.maximumpc.com, if you want to check for the article at a later date.  It will likely post on August 1.  There has been some discussion on the site’s message board about the article.  This can be found at

http://www.maximumpc.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=982464&sid=8bf93b843effb784aa42779fe70fe932

                The magazine does publish a number of letters to the editor each month.  If you would like to write to the editor, Will Smith, you can email him at comments@maximumpc.com

                The magazine requires that you provide your full name, city of residence, and phone number, although they do not seem to print more than your name.

                Below is the letter I emailed to the magazine.

Peace,

Bob

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To The Editor:

                It is fun to play games.  It is great fun to play computer games.  In his recent column, “Experiencing the Army,” Thomas McDonald describes the war simulations that children can play at the Army Experience Center in the Franklin Mills Mall.  He goes on to state, “This is not some kind of high-tech spider web designed to lure the young, dazzle them with World at War, and make them sign up for a tour of duty.”  Sadly, Mr. McDonald is incorrect.  The AEC is a recruitment center.  It is staffed by more than twenty trained Army recruiters.  The Army’s own press release (8-29-2008) refers to the children who visit the AEC as, “potential recruits.”  Army literature (AEC Fact Sheet) boasts, “The AEC leverages the success the Army has had with its interactive and online marketing campaigns and offerings.”  One of the AEC’s recruiters recently described the AEC as, “the future of Army recruiting.” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WOdgK4t9OaQ

                Children as young as thirteen can play the games at the AEC and can speak with the staff of recruiters.  Children visiting the AEC are required to register and provide contact information.  They swipe their ID cards before playing the various games, so a record is kept of their activities.  The AEC is one of the Army’s most “productive” recruitment centers.  It misrepresents the Army experience.  It trivializes violence.  It glorifies war.  It teaches children that war is fun.  Yes, computer games are great fun.  War is not fun.  The Army should not present it as such.  As the clergy, veterans, and peace activists proclaimed, “War is not a game.  Shut down the AEC.”  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Utr1QCVVb9E

Bob Marcus