Boeing Film Shows Attacks On Muslims

Telegraph Online ^ | 02/12/02 | Michael Patterson

[joesnuffy]

Boeing film shows attack on Muslims By Michael Paterson (Filed: 02/12/2002)

A promotional film made by Boeing that shows an attack on a fictional Islamic city has been condemned as "irresponsible" and "insensitive" by Muslims.

The film, titled "The Army - Objective Force: Realising the Vision", is being shown to British firms to promote the next generation of battle technology.

It shows buildings being blown up by unmanned aircraft and tiny high-speed robot tanks. Mosques are clearly seen in the film, which resembles a video game and features a heavy assault in the year 2016 on a fictitious town called Takkbu.

A narrator says the new technology, heavily reliant on satellites, aims to eliminate all collateral damage. Mosques and hospitals are given as examples of buildings that must not be hit.

Boeing, which has a multi-million dollar order from the Pentagon to provide technology for America's Future Combat Systems programme, is attempting to interest British companies in sub-contracted work. It is likely that the Ministry of Defence will eventually adopt parts of the programme.

An industry representative said he was "taken aback" by the presumption that America's future wars would be against Islamic countries and found the film "distasteful".

Iqbal Sacranie, secretary general of the Muslim Council of Britain, said: "This is very insensitive. It endorses a strong feeling prevailing among Muslims that this so-called War on Terror by America is a war on Islam. A film like this is irresponsible."

However, a Boeing spokesman said: "This is not about West against East. The technology is part of a new type of warfare; one in which gathering information is critical."

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[Chad Fairbanks]

I don't know why we CAN'T hit mosques... htey hit our churches all the time...

[azhenfud]

Being CIVILIZED has a large part to play in that....

[gridlock]

Aw Shucks. Wouldn't want to offend anybody.

Islam, after all, is the Religion of Peace.

[MrB]

It endorses a strong feeling prevailing among Muslims that this so-called War on Terror by America is a war on Islam

Most of us think the same.
Islam declared war on the (more successful) Western culture a long time ago.
Islam can civilize itself and live in the modern world - or be destroyed.

[TomGuy]

Maybe someone will put the film on the net. It might make interesting viewing.

[Chad Fairbanks]

Screw civilized... To our enemies, it is a weakness to be exploited... They must come to know fear and terror, or we'll be fighting this scum for decades to come...

[sharktrager]

They had to choose somebody to attack, and whoever it was will be pissed. May as well use somebody who's already pissed at us.

[Destructor]

"A promotional film made by Boeing that shows an attack on a fictional Islamic city has been condemned as "irresponsible" and "insensitive" by Muslims."

Apparently, they missed the point of the film.

[Always A Marine]

In my opinion, Boeing shows incredible sensitivity toward Muslims by presuming that any will be alive in 2016.

[wjcsux]

If the shoe fits...

[Kenton]

I can't wait for this to come out as a video game.

[norton]

"An industry representative said he was "taken aback" by the presumption that America's future wars would be against Islamic countries and found the film "distasteful".

Not to worry,

The sequel takes place in France.

[Hatteras]

I have a relative that was a contracts negotiator for Boeing/McDonnell-Douglas in St. Louis. My kids would always get some pretty cool sales videos (Blue Angels' tapes, C-17 tapes, Tomahawk and Harpoon missiles, Notar helicopters, etc...) and corresponding 8x10 pics w/ personalized Blue Angel autographs to hang on their walls.

They do show their wares in very convincing fashion.

[Prodigal Son]

I don't know why we CAN'T hit mosques... htey hit our churches all the time...

No one says we can't.

Places of worship become valid military targets once combatants enter them and use them to attack us. A church is free game at that point and presumedly so too would a mosque be. There is no law or rule that states a church (place of worship) can never be hit. At least that was the way I understood the rules of combat when they were described to me by my commanders when I served.

[azhenfud]

That's the distinction of "civilized" I was looking for, had intended. Thanks....
Az

[Fry]

"If the shoe fits.."
Actually, the correct phrase is "If the shoe-bomb fits..."

[Chad Fairbanks]

Well, I've never claimed to be civilized... ;0)

[Issaquahking]

I'm with Anne Coulter on this one...." I'll believe it's a religion of peace when they quit killing people".