[DogByte6RER]

The first season of "24" was killer and I was hooked onto the series after the first season. I still remember my jaw dropping when Nina Myers was revealed as the mole, and my jaw dropped even further when Nina murdered Jack's wife at the season's final episode.

As much fun as "24" is to watch, it IS just brain candy for me. As someone who works for the federal government, there is just no way that any government agency could respond so quickly (like Jack Bauer does) to the show's rapidly changing crisis situations.

I say this by training and experience. However, I also do relate to the many turf battles and incompetencies that are also inherent within government bureaucracies on 24.

I suppose what makes the Jack Bauer character so fun to watch is his ability to cut through and disregard red tape and government regulations to get the job done to save America.

The simple truth is that the federal government is much like a locomotive engine. It is very slow to start and respond but once it has somebody or something (i.e., bank robbers, al-Qaida, Saddam Hussein, tobacco, taxpayers who mess up on their 1040s, etc.) in its target it is also virtually impossible to stop. Don't believe me? Try being audited by the IRS.

There is also a bit of irony because much of the public loves the cavalier way that Jack Bauer disregards protocol and procedures, yet in real life we would all cringe if the government hack at the local DMV, Social Security office or the tax collector were to also adopt Jack Bauer's techniques and efficiency.

Just think if we had a Jack Bauer on duty on Sept. 10, 2001 or if he were on duty taking charge after Hurricane Katrina? I think Jack Bauer represents America's fantasy of what everyone wishes the federal government could and would be. The truth is that the government will 99.9% of the time fall way short of Jack Bauer's high standards.

[Wormwood]

There is also a bit of irony because much of the public loves the cavalier way that Jack Bauer disregards protocol and procedures, yet in real life we would all cringe if the government hack at the local DMV, Social Security office or the tax collector were to also adopt Jack Bauer's techniques and efficiency.

Many fictional heroes tap into our private fascist power fantasies.

I think that's just human nature.

[Dr. Scarpetta]

[psjones]

There's that one episode in season 2 where Jack tells George Mason something along the lines of "the problem with you guys is that you want to get the job done but don't want to get your hands dirty".

[silent_jonny]

I think Jack Bauer represents America's fantasy of what everyone wishes the federal government could and would be. The truth is that the government will 99.9% of the time fall way short of Jack Bauer's high standards.

When has the government in 24 ever met Jack's standards? He's forever going outside, under or above the bureaucratic red tape to do his job.