The ‘24′ Political Fiasco Continues
Let me get this right out there at the beginning, I don’t consider myself a Republican or a Democrat. Like I said before, I have become quite disillusioned with the way things are run in this country, and it’s because of this insane way all politicians have with pointing out problems that really aren’t the problems they should be dealing with.
If you Google 24, then go to news, you’ll see tons of articles talking about ‘fallout’ because of the show.
I think 24 handles sensitive material quite well. If you look over the seasons 24 has employed all sorts of nationalities as terrorists, even Americans. As we know from experience with the show, there’s about 7 or 8 more hours of Fayed, until we actually find out who is behind these attacks, which I’m betting will have American ties.
The writers of 24 also deal with tension very well. In the premiere a man was racially profiling Ahmed (Kal Penn) because he thought Ahmed was a terrorist based on his religion and nationality. He was right, however he was right for the wrong reasons, and still turned out to look like a racist.
There’s another character who is head of an Islamic Organization who is wrongfully imprisoned, but still feels like he can help by staying at the detention facility and trying to figure out if any of the men are actually terrorists.
People in the President’s administration are seen as racists as they try to pass legislation to intern all people of Middle Eastern origins. They aren’t glorified for what they’re doing. We know as an educated audience that these people are crazy for wanting to do something like that because it is against everything America stands for.
I’m sick of the politicians that think they need to be my babysitter. They need to tell me what’s right and wrong. They need to watch over me, because I can’t do that myself. It’s ridiculous. How about they worry if I’m going to have Social Security when I’m retired.
24, politics, Jack Bauer, Kiefer Sutherland
January 19th, 2007 at 9:24 am
How about they worry if I’m going to have Social Security when I’m retired.
Chuckles.
January 19th, 2007 at 9:40 am
I’m from the UK and I have only started watching 24 from season 5. I would say that 24 is anti-war and anti-US foreign policy. Part of the reason why the show is so good is because it is political dynamite.
Season 5 was about how the US administration tried to manipulate the world’s opinion, by the release of a nerve agent, to justify securing oil in the middle east by force. This is exactly the same as the whole WMD nuclear debacle that culminated in the war in Iraq. You can quite clearly see where the writers got the plot for season 5 from.
Season 6 is less certain. There have been lots of nice references to how the government is using the threat of Terrorism to justify breaking civil rights laws. For example, Guantanamo bay - unlawful holding of suspected terrorists with no proof and no trial per se. Lots of references to mistreatment of political prisoners in season 6. (President’s sister’s boyfriend).
Terrorists getting their hands on dirty nuclear weapons is not too far fetched a plot. Nuclear materials tracking is something that the world is going to have to crack down on (excluding bombing Iran).
Also, I think you misinterpreted the quote: “I long for the day we can go back to when the show is the fantasy it was designed to be�. I think it means that the show is based on a possible reality, and that it does indeed scare Kiefer.
However I do still think the show is anti-war. I would say the show is against Bush’s current policies, and is pro-democrat. I think this is an entirely good thing too!
(copy of my post in other thread)
January 19th, 2007 at 12:54 pm
Eric’s comment is a perfect illustration of how people interpret things through their worldview. Other’s watch the show and get a totally different impression than Eric.
I think this shows again that 24 is really good storytelling that deals with relevant issues in our world today. Just like people can look at one fact and draw different and contradicting opinions, people can watch 24 and interpret it in all different ways.
I don’t think the show has any political agenda. If anything it’s anti-agenda. What it shows us through it’s complicated web of storytelling is that things aren’t always black and white. Sometimes things happen in the world and people have to make decisions that aren’t always good.
January 19th, 2007 at 1:40 pm
Good point of view.
I was reading just today through digg that the muslim community have voiced their concern over the portrayal of Terrorists in 24. ( http://theedge.bostonherald.com/tvNews/view.bg?articleid=177501 ) Another example of differing worldview and opinion.
Yes, 24 is good storytelling. Much like Tom Clancy novels, only on TV. Fictional but with a basis in reality to make them all the more believable and compelling.
January 19th, 2007 at 2:57 pm
I would have to agree… today i was reading a related article on CNN.com, one quote from it was “i’m affraid that people won’t be able to tell the difference between fantisy and reality” … what is that? Of course people can tell the difference. if they can’t then any show they watch is going to be a problem, not just twenty four. i really feel people are trying to exploit it’s popularity, to further their own platforms.