I Know The Feeling
by Blake on Oct 22, 2009 at 15:36 Opinion, Political
I have read where a bunch of musicians are upset that their “music” was used for torture, or to “enhance” torture. REM , Nine Inch Nails, Roseanne Cash, and Bonnie Raitt have all protested the use of music in this way. But there’s a problem- what is the definition of “music”?
I mean, some of what I hear these days sounds like some people whipping cats- and that is, I would guess the “good stuff”, or at least the stuff that radio stations play. It is really hard to tell the good music from the dreck- perhaps they manicure the fingernails that are dragged across the chalkboard. Regardless, the minstrels are pissed.
A coalition of high-profile musicians has endorsed a Freedom of Information Act request to learn which songs the U.S. military and security agencies used during interrogations and torture of detainees, theWashington Post reportedThursday. The group includes Rosanne Cash, Nine Inch Nails frontman Trent Reznor, former Rage Against the Machine guitarist Tom Morello, and members of Pearl Jam, R.E.M. and the Roots.
“I think every musician should be involved,” Cash said. “It seems so obvious. Music should never be used as torture.” She said she felt “absolute disgust” when she heard that military personnel had blasted songs for hours and days on end to “enhance” interrogations. “It’s beyond the pale. It’s hard to even think about.”
politicsdaily.com
Oh gosh, I know- it’s just disgusting that these people should be called musicians- after all, their true calling has caused these terrorists real pain. So obviously they are talented at doing that at least- causing pain, that is- music, maybe not so much.
Let’s face it Roseanne, if music was soothing and pleasant, it would not be any good for torture, so we really have to thank all of you punk, grunge, heavy metal and other “alternative” musicians for providing the means to make these scumbags scream and weep, until they tell all. Now that’s cool.
After all, providing pleasure for people, well, that’s boring, but pain? You musicians may have stumbled into a new niche- “Pain/Rock”. Just what I needed.
In a statement, REM said: “We have spent the past 30 years supporting causes related to peace and justice. To now learn that some of our friends’ music may have been used as part of the torture tactics without their consent or knowledge, is horrific. It’s anti-American, period.”
Other artists to sign up to the coalition include Jackson Browne, Steve Earle, Roseanne Cash, Billy Bragg, Bonnie Raitt and Rage Against The Machine.
On behalf of the campaign, the National Security Archive in Washington is filing a Freedom of Information Act request seeking classified records that detail the use of loud music as an interrogation device.
bighollywood.breitbart.com
Yo, Trent, Bonnie- newsflash- it’s not just your friend’s music that has been used- it is also yours. Because let’s face it- you pretty much suck as musicians. I know, because when I come home (and I live in a rural section of Texas) I still have to listen all too often to your music, and those of the people mentioned above, and believe me, I know why they picked your “music” to enhance the torture experience- they have little else to do but put the CD on and walk away.
Even through five acres of woods, the horrible screeching sounds of your noise come through, disturbing the wildlife, as my drunken (and quite possibly meth- addicted ) neighbor turns the volume up to 11 to cover his lasting disappointment after yet another day of beating his old lady and changing tires at the local tire shop.
So I know why they use the noise- I can no longer bring myself to call what you do music- it is not- but apparently CD sales are brisk at Camp Delta.
Thank your lucky stars that somebody’s buying what you are shoveling-
Or you’d be back asking if someone wanted fries with that.
[tip]If you enjoy what you read consider signing up to receive email notification of new posts. There are several options in the sidebar and I am sure you can find one that suits you. If you prefer, consider adding this site to your favorite feed reader. If you receive emails and wish to stop them follow the instructions included in the email.[/tip]
Tags: eminem, gitmo, musical interrogations, terrorists
While I agree that the definition of music depends on the taste of the person listening, I can only think of one way the music would actually be torture.
If it is played at 85 dBA TWA (or higher levels exceeding the corresponding exposure times) then it can cause hearing loss. If it is played below this level then it is fine.
Most concerts that these musicians who are complaining perform have sound levels well above 85 dBA so the question is:
When we go to their concerts, are they torturing us?
As an aside, they should play Toby Keith’s Taliban Song and The Angry American over and over and give them the lyrics translated so they know exactly what he is saying.
I am guessing if the music didn’t consist of several small animals vocally objecting to their treatment, plus the sound of a phlemmy throat being cleared repeatedly, these terrorists wouldn’t think it was music anyway- but why should we care about if these people feel badly about listening to western music.
The thing that I find hilarious is the fact that some of these “artists” are actually surprised that their music might be un- listenable, even truly classified as a torturous instrument.
Just hearing some of their music makes me want to hurl- but then I always was a sensitive soul. My fragile psyche wants order, a melody, hell, a plan when it comes to music- not just noise, but make it sound like something other than a junkyard at midday.