[youtube -rVRK64Aa2Q]

The Chicks can’t hide their disgust at the lack of support they received from other country performers. “A lot of artists cashed in on being against what we said or what we stood for because that was promoting their career, which was a horrible thing to do,” says Robison.

“A lot of pandering started going on, and you’d see soldiers and the American flag in every video. It became a sickening display of ultra-patriotism.”

“The entire country may disagree with me, but I don’t understand the necessity for patriotism,” Maines resumes, through gritted teeth. “Why do you have to be a patriot? About what? This land is our land? Why? You can like where you live and like your life, but as for loving the whole country… I don’t see why people care about patriotism.”

Some excellent comments and quotes at Wiz Bang.

And an appearance by Al Gore – what a bonus!

Just as the documentary developed as a potent force within the film industry, Bogost is among a growing number of designers who develop video games that focus and comment on the world’s social and political ills.

“I’m not against fun. I like to play the same video games everyone else does. But I don’t believe that video games have to be fun,” Bogost said. “I think they need to be given the opportunity to bother and disturb us.”

Howard Dean already took advantage of the video game campaign strategy:

The Howard Dean for Iowa Game - launched at Christmas 2003 to help Dean supporters understand grassroots outreach and to encourage them to participate in pre-caucus campaigning in Iowa or in their local area. Commissioned by Dean for America, the game was the first ever official U.S. Presidential Election game.

So if the current crew of presidential hopefuls were to come out with their own campaign video games, what would they be?