The Venezuelan Solidarity Network is none too happy with the setting of Pandemic Studios developed Mercenaries 2: World In Flames, reports Gamespot. They join Venezuelan politicians in their distaste for the tyrant-overthrowing shooter based in their country of choice.

To wit, the VSN has decided to take it to the top! Or at least the most recognizable name sitting on the board at Elevation Partners, U2 frontman Bono. The Elevation group has invested heavily into Pandemic and certain Venezuelans are concerned that the game will "deepen an already antagonistic relationship between the U.S. and Venezuelan governments."

They add "Millions of Venezuelans fear an invasion from the U.S.; knowing that a company that works for the U.S. military has created a game in which their country is completely destroyed will increase those concerns."

Now, maybe I'm just overly rational and think these folks are spinning their wheels, but you can decided for yourself after reading the impassioned letter to Mr. Vox after the jump. Michael McWhertor

Mercs 2 has Bono under fire [Gamespot]

Dear Bono,

We hope that this letter finds you well. We applaud your efforts to erase the plagues of debt and famine from our planet and hope 2007 will bring new energy and advances in these struggles. We write with the hope that, while addressing these significant international issues, you will also use your considerable influence in a matter that is closer to home - a violent video game that has the potential to increase tensions between the U.S. and Venezuela while promoting violence in our communities.

Our faith traditions motivate us to confront the international debt problem that robs human dignity and calls us to counter the culture of violence that pervades our society today. The celebration of violence in much of our media, music and video games is poisoning our children. Games such as "Mercenaries 2" only serve to deepen the alienation that already exists in our society, creating fear that drives people away from each other. As people of faith, we are called to a different way of life. "Mercenaries 2" is an extremely realistic and vicious game in which the player leads a mercenary team to kill a "power hungry tyrant" that has taken control of oil supplies in Venezuela. Images of downtown Caracas are depicted as being completely destroyed during the game, and any "people" on the streets are to be killed.

Pandemic Studios, a company in which your investment partnership has financed hundreds of millions of dollars, is the creator of this game. Behavioral science research demonstrates that playing violent video games increases the likelihood of aggressive behavior, particularly in children and youth. A game like "Mercenaries 2" in which the player assumes the role of killer in scenes that appear very life-like is even more likely to provoke aggressiveness. Of equal concern is the fact that the game inevitably will provoke increased tensions between the U.S. and Venezuela. Pandemic Studios has made a similar training game for the U.S. military. This fact is not overlooked by Venezuelans, who see this as further evidence of U.S. government hostility toward their country.

We ask that you do whatever is necessary to see that "Mercenaries 2" is pulled from stores and not sold anywhere. We also ask you to reconsider your investment in a company that glorifies violence and militarization. Most of our organizations have reconsidered past investments in companies involved in life-draining activities and have reoriented our investments to support more life-encouraging companies. We hope that you will consider the same. We feel your connection with this game detracts from your image as a human rights defender. In the end, to paraphrase a statement of yours, we all know that history, like God, is watching what you do. We look forward to your response and would welcome a meeting to discuss these concerns further.

In Peace,

Marie Dennis,
Director, Maryknoll Office for Global
Concerns, Washington, DC

Rabbi Michael Lerner
Editor, Tikkun magazine, Berkeley, CA

Rev. A David Bos, Presbyterian
Minister and founder of Interfaith
Community Ministry Network,
Louisville, KY

Fr. Joe Nangle, OFM
Pax Christi USA Ambassador for Peace,
Washington, DC are