300 as a propaganda piece?

To start, I have NOT seen 300, but I plan to see it this weekend or sooner.

It has been reported in the Boston Globe that some audiences outside of the United States feel that 300 is a thinly veiled propaganda piece, supportive of the US war on terror.

According to these arguments, it is either a.) justification for more blood in Iraq - I.E. the notion that the sacrifice of the coalition forces is worth it because they are somehow "holding back the tide" of radicalism there, or b.) a way to dehumanize the people of Iran, because in case you didnt know, Persia = Iran, and the first step in warfare is to dehumanize your enemy.

Now, I dont put much stock in either of these two assessments, but they did get me thinking. They made me think of other media that DO strike me as propaganda, which are mostly war games for consoles and PC.

Take for instance (and this is just ONE example, hopefully someone else will post others), the new Mercenaries game for ps3 and/or xbox 360. Is it a coincidence that the game takes place in Venezuela? Or is this a way of preparing the American people for military action against that country, who's elected leader Hugo Chavez called President Bush "el diablo"?

Are there any Venezuelans on these forums? How do you feel about the new Mercenaries game?