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Videogame Character Threatens National Security?

Posted by simoniker on from the sonic-the-jailed-hog dept.

Watchful Babbler writes "Apparently, 'the lead item on the government's daily threat matrix one day last April' was clear and definite: a reclusive millionaire had formed a terrorist group with the intent of launching chemical weapons attacks on Western cities. The White House was notified and the Director of the FBI briefed as the government raced to find information. But then, according to USNews.com, a White House staffer decided to Google for information on suspected threat Don Emilio Fulci and found him -- in a video game - Sega's action title Headhunter. No word on exactly which sources and methods came up with this gem, but word in the E Ring is that Fulci had issued the cryptic warning, 'You have no chance to survive make your time'."

4 of 396 comments (clear)

  1. Is it me.... by WarlockD · · Score: 5, Insightful

    ... or is terrorism winning?

    It certainly feels like evey time we get a false positive we panic.

    1. Re:Is it me.... by stratjakt · · Score: 5, Insightful

      The poster says the lead item on the government's daily threat matrix, in quotes as though he was quoting the article, which says no such thing.

      Keep in mind the nature of the source, sort of a tongue-in-cheek political gossip column as well.

      Some guy phoned in a tip, some low-level FBI grunt kicked it up the chain - as is his job. It was later found to be a hoax and thrown out. There was no panic or mayhem.

      This happens all the time, everyone from assholes to crazies phone in to report bad guys from movies, etc. I remember reading an article about the rash of calls law enforcement got after Silence of the Lambs came out - people actually thought Hannibal Lecter was a real guy.

      --
      I don't need no instructions to know how to rock!!!!
  2. Re:Notice how the date is in April? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Could it be that you are all being had? Did anyone here bother to cross-examine the validity of this story or do any research? I guess when Slashdotters take things on faith they *must* be right because, well, that's just how the world works. Facts are facts because they fulfill our wildest fantasies.

    *sigh*

  3. Re:Again an example... by corbettw · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Of a very knee-jerk reaction to security here in the US

    Knee-jerk in what way? I don't remember Fulci being placed at the top of the Most Wanted List. Was there an APB put out for him? Did Bush get in front of the microphones and say we had a new, greater, enemy in the war on terror? No, some nutjob phoned in a "tip", and after it went through various channels someone discovered it was a hoax. It happens all the time, nothing to see here, move along.

    --
    God invented whiskey so the Irish would not rule the world.