Musicians blast using tunes to torment (artists imitate parody)

Washington Times ^ | October 23, 2008 | Audrey Husdon

[Sergeant Tim]

Some of those musicians -- Nine Inch Nails and Rage Against the Machine -- say their music has been played at ear-splitting level to torment terror suspects and coerce confessions at the detention facility. Other petitioners want to know whether their works have been used in such capacity, including R.E.M., Pearl Jam, Jackson Browne and Billy Bragg. "The fact that music I helped create was used in crimes against humanity sickens me," said Tom Morello, former lead guitarist for Rage Against the Machine, an industrial rock band whose song "March of the Pigs" has been linked to torture tactics at the detention facility at the U.S. Naval Base Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. "We need to end torture and close Guantanamo now," Mr. Morello said. Based on interviews and declassified documents, a spokeswoman with the National Security Archives says acts whose music is known to have been used covers the musical gamut -- from AC/DC to the Barney theme song, Marilyn Manson to Neil Diamond, Tupac Shakur to Sesame Street, Limp Bizkit to Christina Aguilera. And the Bee Gees. ... But Debra Burlingame, a director with the national security policy group Keep America Safe, called the musicians' effort "pathetic." "This is a preview of what the Gitmo defense attorneys are going to do with these hard-core terrorists in federal court. This torture narrative will completely eclipse justice for the 3,000 victims," said Mrs. Burlingame, whose brother was a pilot killed the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. ... "It's almost laughable to think that heavy metal bands like Nine Inch Nails and Rage Against the Machine have a moral authority on national security issues," Mrs. Burlingame said. "They're worried about torture of hard-core terrorists? This is really something I would expect to read in the Onion."

[Sergeant Tim]

Poor musicians. Apparently, the CIA played their music to annoy al Qaeda's killers into providing information needed to prevent further terrorists attacks. I can sympathize; my ears are still annoyed from a 1969 concert by Black Sabbath.

[BenLurkin]

"Rage Against the Machine" is a crime against humanity.

Just my opinion of course.

[tamster]

If they were serious about torture they would play Barry Manilow.

[Sergeant Tim]

My bad (typo). Audrey Hudson is the reporter.

[Sax]

And, no joke the list include the Meow Mix jingle. I can’t believe that they’ve compromised the sanctity of the meow, meow, meow, meow, meow, bit with something as petty as national security. Bastards!

[Mr. Jazzy]

Dear Artists,

F.O.

[truthguy]

Some of those musicians -- Nine Inch Nails and Rage Against the Machine...

To call Nine Inch Nails and Rage Against the Machine musicians is violence against the English Language. Those guys should be called noise makers. I'd rather listen to my washing machine than either of those groups. They are beyond awful.

[Yardstick]

Rage Against The Machine are a bunch of angry Marxist douchebags. They openly supported violent 3rd world Marxist groups like Shining Path in South America. So they don’t have any credibility here. In fact, it’s kind of delicious that their music was used to torment America’s enemies.

[Psycho_Bunny]

Shouldn’t there be a lot more quotes around the words “artists”, “music” and “work” in this article?

[Blue Jays]

A cool America-loving musician (like Ted Nugent) would totally wear that distinction like a badge of honor!
It's a cool factoid, yet these sissies are upset their music was used for something genuinely good. Such crybabies.

[saganite]

“The fact that music I helped create was used in crimes against humanity sickens me,” said Tom Morello, former lead guitarist for Rage Against the Machine,

LOL. He really thinks he created music? Oh my!

[rustyboots]

Music?? There hasn’t been any real music put out since the early 80’s. Since then 98% of what is today called music is just LOUD noise.
They torture me with their whining. They should feel happy that someone a use for their noise.

[Psycho_Bunny]

The military is more than welcome to use my Big Beat, BOOM!Headshot.

[circlecity]

Actually, the “artists” may have a point here. Making anyone listen to Rage Against the Machine, at any volume, is stretching the limits of human cruelty. I mean....where do we draw the line?

[saganite]

You’re wrong but if you’re referring to the rock genre you’re right. Personally, I haven’t listened to rock in ages (get it?)

[nagdt]

While nine inch nails and rage against the... elude me...

Terrorists would have quickly submitted to questioning with a relentless assault of “Sweet Caroline...bah bah bah...Good times never seem so good...”

LOL... we ought to make them listen to Barbra Striesand “Evergreen” over and over again. They’d probably start saying “I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America...”

[Dr.Zoidberg]

You know girls, if you’re in such a snit that your product was used correctly, perhaps you should stage a protest somewhere.

Yeah, that’ll make a difference.

[ThomasThomas]

I regret that I don’t play good enough to be this bad.

or should that be...

I regret that I don’t play bad enough to be this good.

[Tzimisce]

Some of those musicians -- Nine Inch Nails and Rage Against the Machine -- say their music has been played at ear-splitting level to torment terror suspects and coerce confessions at the detention facility.

So can the Frat Houses that blast your music every Friday and Saturday night sue you for crimes against humanity?

"The fact that music I helped create was used in crimes against humanity sickens me," said Tom Morello, former lead guitarist for Rage Against the Machine, an industrial rock band whose song "March of the Pigs" has been linked to torture tactics at the detention facility at the U.S. Naval Base Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

HA! I told everyone that 'Rage Against the Machine's music was torture! Now I have a QUOTE from one of the guys who made it!

"We need to end torture and close Guantanamo now," Mr. Morello said.

Course it would be simpler and easier to just fire these "musicians"...

Based on interviews and declassified documents, a spokeswoman with the National Security Archives says acts whose music is known to have been used covers the musical gamut -- from AC/DC to the Barney theme song, Marilyn Manson to Neil Diamond, Tupac Shakur to Sesame Street, Limp Bizkit to Christina Aguilera. And the Bee Gees. ...

Of course, if these people made better music it wouldn't be "torture" to listen too...

"They're worried about torture of hard-core terrorists? This is really something I would expect to read in the Onion."

If they're worried about torturing terrorists (like Bill Ayres, the ELF freaks, the ALF losers) maybe these guys should just stop touring altogether.

[popdonnelly]

What do they expect the interrogators to play, Mozart?