Watch '24' tonight, get brainwashed by BushCo at the commercial break

[xray s]

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-0602020207feb02,1,3039869.story

A `truthy' time to debate the Patriot Act?

By Mike Dorning
Washington Bureau
Published February 2, 2006


WASHINGTON -- Jack Bauer, the fictional counterterrorism agent on the Fox Network's popular "24" show, hasn't actually waded into the debate on civil liberties versus terrorism surveillance as Congress considers making changes in the USA Patriot Act. But during the most recent episode of the white-knuckle TV drama, viewers in the nation's capital saw a message drawing on the show's themes that was intended to influence real-life political debate in a highly unusual way.

During a commercial break while the fictional Bauer was desperately searching for canisters of deadly nerve gas that had fallen into the hands of terrorists, viewers saw an advertisement questioning the wisdom of senators who would "weaken" the Patriot Act. "What if they are wrong?" the commercial asked. It marked a blurring of Hollywood fantasy with political reality that represented a sharp departure even in the no-holds-barred world of political campaign advertising....

The ad, which may air again during future "24" episodes, is an unusual example of an interest group so closely meshing political persuasion and fictional entertainment....

The Patriot Act commercial was paid for by an ad hoc conservative group whose public supporters include many prominent former Bush administration officials. It is housed at a hawkish Washington think tank, the Center for Security Policy. The group, the Coalition for Security, Liberty and the Law, includes among its public supporters former Atty. Gen. John Ashcroft; former Solicitor General Ted Olson, whose wife died in the Sept. 11 attacks; and former Deputy Assistant Atty. Gen. John Yoo, who wrote a since-repudiated legal memo arguing that President Bush was not obliged to follow international conventions against torture....

[boobooday]

1. Is the brainwashing only during the commercial breaks? n/t

[Webster Green]

2. I think not...

They are trying to get everybody used to the new American pastime......torture.

[xray s]

4. absolutely

and now they are directly linking the fears generated by the show into public policy

[FreedomAngel82]

9. Ding ding

[xray s]

3. no

it's on Fox.

[xray s]

5. the only redeeming thing about the show

the president looks like a Nixon clone, but acts like he has W's brain.

[Catch22Dem]

7. Is it not the black guy any more?

The guy with the BOOMING bass voice? I can't think of his name all of a sudden, but he was in Major League too. I love that guy. Wait, I remember, it's Dennis Haysbert. Is he not the president anymore?

[cornermouse]

6. Well, yes and no.

The President is a pretty weak and slimey character. (Sound familiar?)

His wife is an alcoholic (hmmm...) who was on her way to a mental institution, but after things fell apart and she went back to her apartment, I think we might find out she's actually a Lady McBeth.

[FreedomAngel82]

8. Pure manipulation and brainwashing

How disgusting.