Blatant propaganda

[Kat Kanning]

Note who paid for the ad.


Group airs ad on 24, hoping to influence debate on Patriot Act

MIKE DORNING / Chicago Tribune | February 5 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 in the midst of 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 real-life 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.

Moments before on the TV show, Bauer had just gained a crucial lead on the nerve gas after threatening to cut out the eyes of a turncoat White House aide in league with terrorists.

The ad, which may air again during future 24 episodes broadcast in the home states of Republican senators who have raised questions about the Patriot Act, is an unusual example of an interest group so closely meshing political persuasion and fictional entertainment.

"The producers of this ad are playing off fictional fears to create pressure for their point of view on legislative reality," said Peter Hart, a Democratic-leaning pollster. "I think it's unique."

The maneuver comes at a time when American culture increasingly confuses the boundaries between fact and fiction and between politics and entertainment. Author James Frey made up significant parts of his popular drug-addiction memoir A Million Little Pieces, and Oprah Winfrey, the nation's most popular talk-show host, initially defended him for it. Comedy shows masquerade as newscasts. And comedian Stephen Colbert has popularized the word "truthiness," defined as concepts one wishes or believes to be true, rather than actual facts.

Political consultants and campaign analysts contacted Wednesday said the placement of the Patriot Act commercial on 24 could well be a sign of things to come.

Some political consultants see the thematic tie-in of the Patriot Act ad as a logical extension of the concept of product placement, an increasingly common practice in which manufacturers pay to insert their products into movies and television shows.

"What you're seeing is a bit of the future. I think you'll see more blending of messages," said Evan Tracey, chief operating officer of TNS Media Intelligence/CMAG, a media research firm specializing in politics.

The Patriot Act commercial was paid for by an ad hoc conservative group whose public supporters include many prominent former Bush administration officials and is housed at a hawkish Washington think tank, the Center for Security Policy.

The ads feature Debra Burlingame, sister of one of the pilots on American Airlines Flight 77, which was hijacked and flown into the Pentagon Sept. 11, 2001.

In the commercial, Burlingame says the Patriot Act "gives our government the tools" to stop terrorists, but some senators believe they can "safely weaken" the law. She urges viewers to press for extension of the law as the words "What if they're wrong?" and "Our lives depend on it" flash on the screen.

[Eli]

We really need a libertarian TV studio.  Someone call John Stossel for suggestions for a pro crew.  This is just disgusting.  I've never seen the show, I don't watch cop shows or gov shows, but I've heard it is very engrossing.  This is truly troubling.  Which network runs 24?

[Kat Kanning]

Fox.

[Lloyd Danforth]

There are or were a short time ago, a lot of pro government shows:  Alias, 24, E-Ring, West Wing, The woman president show?  Never watch them!
NCIS uses the WOT for story lines as does Law and Order, but, they don't suck too bad.
I like all of the CSI's for the forensics.
Pat K turned me on to Boston Legal.  Funniest Law show I've ever seen!

[aries]

So these mindless saps that are actually influenced by this probably don't know how to email or call their reps anyway. They probably vote straight ticket republican (or democrat), if they vote at all, then whine about things like how there are too many abortions or how you can't smoke in restaurants anymore.

[Fluff and Stuff]

Fox.

I thought the son of the guy incharge of Fox was a libertarian?

[Lloyd Danforth]

Perhaps, but, a capitalist, first!

[Kat Kanning]

I thought the son of the guy incharge of Fox was a libertarian?

What does that have to do with anything?  Do your parents do whatever you tell them?

[Dreepa]

24 is a good show.
I have tivo so I don't watch commercials.
Time to write the Center for Security Policy a letter.

[Russell Kanning]

Do you think they will listen? .... or label you as an insurgent?

[Kat Kanning]

I hate those labels, you can never get the glue off of you after they've stuck you with one.

[Kat Kanning]

Wow, check out this propaganda.  Get them while they're young

http://www.nsa.gov/kids/

[Dreepa]

wow!!

Oh course now they are all tracking out IP addresses now that we clicked on it.