More of the Same

It recently came to my attention that US involvement in Afganistan is using Rock music with a view to forcing the Taliban from hiding. Actions such as these are not new: as former inmates of Guantanamo Detention Camp have been eager to tell us. But what we can garner from this is that there is still a disrespect for the music and the writers inherent in the US armed forces.

Will playing this music help end the war on terror? If so should it be allowed?

There is evidence to suggest that playing music, particularly of the metal variety, at loud volumes does have an impact on people. However as this is used as a form of torture in certain detention camps worldwide should there not be a limitation to which it should be used? The Guardian refer to civilians being in the direct vacinity of the din: is the US winning the war on terror here or just creating more sympathy for the Taliban movement. A country that will resort to any means to deal with a terrorist cell surely only aids the cause - this can be seen in the rise in support for the IRA in post 1916 Ireland. The fact that this method is currently being used as a form of torture too only adds to its negative connotations as we can assume if producer, method and means are the same, then the expected result must correlate.

The use of music with subliminal messaging during the various wars the US has waged has created a divide in the industry. Now, music with pro-war leanings is reserved to Governments and pseudo-facist conservatives while the rest remains independent, critical and free-thinking. The use of Metallica, Thin Lizzy and at worst Rage Against the Machine not only undermines this, but undermines the ability of individuals everywhere to have their music expressed in a fashion that is not contradictory to the purpose intended. As there is a violation of freedom of speech in some respects, perhaps our American friends, so fond of this freedom, can cease this torturous habit.

Despite the assurances of some army officials that this policy will stop, there seems to be little hope on the horizon that this form of abuse will end. More of the same.