Norwegian MP caught playing war games in parliament

http://abc.net.au/news/newsitems/s773452.htm ^ | 1-30-03

[Jimmyclyde]

MP caught playing war games in parliament

A Norwegian member of parliament apologised on Thursday for playing a war game on his pocket computer while legislators around him debated the possibility of a real war in Iraq.

Trond Helleland, a member of the ruling Conservative Party, was caught on a national television camera playing the game during Wednesday's debate about whether Norway would take part in any US-led military action against Iraq.

Mr Helleland, who leads a parliamentary committee, said he was sorry he had been tempted to try out the new game as he was checking his handheld PC diary for the day's meetings.

"I realise it was very stupid of me. I will not do it again," he told Reuters.

"I had obviously turned off the sound."

[CJ Wolf]

I wonder what the game was, and can I get a copy.

[Iwentsouth]

Hope it was Americas Army =)))

[JohnnyZ]

Trond Helleland, a member of the ruling Conservative Party, was caught on a national television camera playing the game during Wednesday's debate about whether Norway would take part in any US-led military action against Iraq.

He was probably bored out of his gourd. How the hell hard can it be (especially for a conservative) to decide whether to take down Iraq? He should have said so, too . . .

[LTCJ]

There's a good Viking.

[corkoman]

Americas Army ROCKS. actually I am a little concerned about the number of hours I have clocked.

They have produced an excelent team-based battle sim. And its free - go figger.

I doubt its on a PDA - the bandwidth thing and all.

[Ancesthntr]

So, what's the problem? If he already knew his stand on the issue, or was tired of listening to some old windbag droning on, what did he miss? I play games on my Palm all the time when I'm on line at the bank, grocery store, etc. At least you can convert totally wasted time to something moderately enjoyable.

[Adder]

It was a WAR GAME!! Don't ya see? A member was PLAYING WAR. How freakin insensitive and mean spirited! Oh the horrors! Oh the agony! [sarcasm/off]

[struwwelpeter]

Too bad they couldn't put "Medal of Honor: Frontline" on a Gameboy or Palm Pilot. Then he'd show the krauts a thing or two!

[frednorman]

I've posted a link to the photos of Helleland playing this war game in Parliament on my weblog: fredriknorman.com. Enjoy! :-)

[RedWhiteBlue]

Interesting blog, Fred.