[Peace-discuss] Re: [Peace] Ask producers of "24" to stop promoting torture (Human Rights First on-line petititon)

[Barbara kessel]

Thanks, Stuart. I had not received this (yet). I did want to sign it and
pass it on to Quakers and to the Interfaith Alliance. Barbara

On Thu, Jan 15, 2009 at 11:14 AM, Stuart Levy <slevy at ncsa.uiuc.edu> wrote:

> I've just signed this petition.  Thought others here might want to, too.
>
> Date: Thu, 15 Jan 2009 02:18:09 GMT
> From: Human Rights First <Communications at HumanRightsFirst.org>
> Subject: Ask Producers of '24' to Stop Promoting Torture
> To: Stuart Levy <slevy at new.math.uiuc.edu>
>
> Dear Stuart,
>
> The 7th season of "24" began Sunday on The FOX Network. The
> program is essentially an hour long, prime time advertisement
> for torture.
>
> Please join us in signing a letter to the Executive Producers
> asking them to show torture in a more responsible manner.
>
> http://action.humanrightsfirst.org/campaign/ptt_stop_torture/
>
> The first four episodes of the program, which aired on Sunday
> and Monday nights, appear to be designed to prove that those who
> are on the front lines in the struggle to stop terrorism
> understand that torture is an effective and necessary tool.
>
> Watch our review of "24" - a 3-minute video that examines the
> first four episodes of Season 7.
>
> http://action.humanrightsfirst.org/campaign/ptt_stop_torture/
>
> Here are some of the plot points:
>
> * An FBI agent who is presented as adamantly opposed to torture
> drops her opposition soon after she is put in charge of an
> investigation to stop terrorists from killing thousands of
> Americans.
>
> * Jack Bauer, the hero of the show, delivers a passionate
> defense of his use of torture while hero music plays in the
> background. Later a U.S. security agent tells Bauer that "it is
> wrong" that some people question Bauer's use of abusive
> interrogation tactics.
>
> * Several torture scenes depict torture being used by Bauer and
> other "patriots" who supposedly have no other choice. Every time
> the good guys use torture terrorists immediately provide
> information.
>
> Obviously many of the more than 12 million people who tuned in
> for the opening episodes are sophisticated enough to understand
> that this is just TV. But the relentless promotion of torture by
> "24" has already had an impact. Military educators report that
> "24" is one of the biggest problems they have in their
> classrooms and junior soldiers - even interrogators at
> Guantanamo Bay - have copied techniques they have seen depicted
> on the program, according to information gathered by journalists
> and Human Rights First.
>
> We are concerned about the impact of "24" abroad as well. The
> first six seasons were re-broadcast in dozens of countries
> (including a number of countries in the Middle East) where the
> program has undoubtedly reinforced negative stereotypes about
> U.S. forces and the way they treat detainees.
>
> At a time when President-elect Obama is considering action that
> will close the door on the sorts of abuse that Bauer specializes
> in, we are urging "24" to stop promoting torture.
>
> Please join us in sending a letter to the Executive Producers of
> the program that encourages them to begin showing torture in a
> more responsible fashion.
>
> http://action.humanrightsfirst.org/campaign/ptt_stop_torture/
>
> Sincerely,
>
> David Danzig
> Director, Primetime Torture Project
>
> PS We have made a training film for use in military classrooms.
> The film features interviews with real-life interrogators who
> explain that torture may work on TV but it won't work in the
> field. Every time we show the film to soldiers, sailors and
> marines in training they ask the same questions. "If Bauer's
> techniques don't work, what does? How do you 'break' a hardened
> terrorist and get him to talk?" To answer these questions as
> fully and powerfully as possible we have decided to make a
> second training film that will also feature real-life
> interrogators talking about their methods rather than commenting
> on Bauer's. Please support the production of this film. Those
> who contribute $250 or more to production will have their names
> listed in the credit portion of the film.
>
> https://secure.ga1.org/05/etn_ptt/n71xCl4d1GgrC?
> --------------------------------------------------
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