From Alternet:
"24" is back on Fox TV -- the hit show starring Kiefer Sutherland, which premiered Sunday night, once again features at least one big torture scene in every episode -- the kind of torture the Bush White House says is necessary to protect us from you-know-who.
The show is much more convincing than the White House at making the case for torture; its ratings have gone steadily up over the last five years, while Bush's ratings have gone steadily down.
The fast-pace, intense drama that is '24' is increasing its ratings across the country. The latest show demonstrates a nuclear bomb detonating inside the United States. It would be a nightmare come true if this actually happened though for now it frightens viewers and similar episodes grip its viewers on a weekly basis. Interestingly enough, TIME/CNN recently reported that Vice President Dick Cheney is a fan of the show.
MSNBC asks if '24' promotes torture and spreads fear:
Of course the show is entertainment yet is this what constitutes drama on television these days? As more and more people see acts of torture portrayed on their television screens it desensitizes viewers to the despicable acts that so many condone. Television has certainly numbed people to the effects of violence for some time now, this seems to take it to the next level.
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