"24", Propaganda and Olbermann

I and others have been dismissed several times around here by ardent fans of "24" when we label it as fascist, right-wing, fear-mongering propaganda.  I've been told over and over "it's just TV".  Well, right now, Olbermann is discussing this very issue on his show, and I recommend you catch the repeat if you're missing it now.  Particularly if you're a fan of "24".  More below

I watch all sorts of entertainment - even "Top Chef" for God's sake - and I make no claims for most of it as art.  I even watch some shows on Fox - notably "House".   But images and narrative on TV have tremendous power, and "24" I believe is deliberately using that power to pump up the volume on the fear of terrorism in this country.

Yes, I know there are morally torn heroes, and torture doesn't appear to work very well and the villain last season at least was a corrupt President.  But the underlying message of the show is fear of terrorism amongst us, and the necessity for extra-legal activities, like those of Jack Bauer, to truly protect us from the evil brown men (and women) or really anyone with a funny accent.  It has a softening up effect on the commitment of ordinary citizens to the rule of law and civil liberties, and I maintain it's intended to.  

I'm not telling anyone not to watch anything - but I think you have to ask yourself some hard questions about devotion to a show whose opening hours this season featured terrorist attacks, including a nuclear explosion, in this country, the solution to which no doubt will be more Jack Bauer reckless disregard for anyone's civil liberties to "defend" our "freedoms".  Yeah, right.