The politics of '24' are fine -- on TV

[RamboLiberal]

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/05133/503763.stm

I hate watching television with my wife, especially when one of my favorite programs is on. Every now and then, she gets it in her head that being the source of argumentative chatter is good for our relationship. When one of my shows offends her finely tuned sense of reality, I'll hear about it.

Earlier this week, the espionage drama "24" really put a bee in her bonnet. After wandering into the living room, attracted by the sound of people shouting, threats and automatic gunshots in the recap from the previous week's episode, my wife settled into a permanently critical lotus position on the sofa. "Oh, come on," she said, apropos of nothing. "You're being manipulated. This show doesn't reflect your politics."

Well, no it doesn't, but if reflecting my politics were the sole criterion for settling down in front of my big screen at the end of a long day, what could I possibly watch in good conscience? But her point seemed to be that I was cheering for characters who, if anything, embodied George Bush's approach to terrorism in post-9/11 America. It was simply another opportunity to call me a hypocrite before the first commercial break.

I'm a fan of 24 - but Tony Norman sure spells out my dilemna as well on watching 24. But, hey at least a Dem President had to return to save the bacon of the country and who I believe is supposed to be the Repuke VP elevated to Prez.

[Vyan]

1. It would appear

That the right wing heartily agrees with Tony Norman's wife.

http://mediamatters.org/items/200505040003

Nationally syndicated columnist and Fox News host Cal Thomas inveighed against the Army's new interrogation manual, which explicitly forbids abusive techniques made infamous by the Abu Ghraib prison scandal, by citing an example in which torture proved effective in interrogation: an episode of Fox Broadcasting Co.'s espionage drama 24.

In his May 2 nationally syndicated column, Thomas summarized an episode of 24 in which the show's protagonist, counterterrorism agent Jack Bauer, defied a court order obtained by an "ACLU-type lawyer" and tortured a suspect in order to learn the whereabouts of a terrorist with a nuclear weapon. But before Bauer could act on the information, a Secret Service agent arrested him, allowing the terrorist to escape.

Vyan

[Forever Free]

2. That article COMPLETELY sums up my attitude

concerning "24". Its a high-paced thrill ride from start to finish and many aspects of it are exaggerated. I'm sure most of the actors don't agree with all the actions that they are paid to perform and neither do I, but still its an engrossing and compelling drama nonetheless. Kiefer Sutherland is an incredible actor. Jack Bauer, in my mind, has surpassed James Bond, as the coolest government agent.

I'm watching Season 3 on DVD right now. It is absolutely AMAZING. I've been on the edge of my seat for the past 8 episodes.

[oppositionmember]

3. I agree.

"24" is excellent drama. The moral choices are compelling. What would any of us do in such extreme situations? What would FDR do? What would John F. Kennedy do? One of the casualties of the Bush administration has been the ability to clearly consider such moral dilemmas, because there is no longer any truth as such, only expediency, ego and greed. Great leaders grapple with moral issues; bad leaders sidestep them and concentrate on concealing their actions and justifying them by any means or if that fails intimidating and silencing their critics.

[CJCRANE]

4. When was Season 1 written?

I get the impression that Jack Bauer was written as an extreme character from the beginning to make the show exciting rather than from any political motivation.

A touchy-feely liberal secret agent just doesn't make for a good action show.