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Alright I confess that I have watched previous seasons of the show 24. I guess the last two if I recall correctly. I think at one point and time it appealed to that slightly twisted part in all of us that maybe linger a little to long at the scene of an accident or feel compelled to wait around and watch the train wreck. I can't do it any longer though. My intent is not to judge those that may, for one of the many things that our great Constitution gives us is the personal liberty to watch or not watch what we please, but do consider.

I admit the show had one or two moments (and no I am not referring to any of those ones involving power tools). For example at the end of last season when the U.S. Marshals arrested the president of the United States on orders from the Attorney General. That makes for a good constitutional debate if nothing else. However Jack Bauer is actually quite despicable.

He has the audacity to sit there and defend his practices of torture in front of the Senate and then drone on about how much he loves his country. God help this country if there is someone as psychotic as Jack Bauer running around drilling through fingernails in the name of protecting the American people. Don't you get it Bauer your existence only proves the terrorists have won. The fact that you can justify it in your own sick twisted little world of excuses actually disgusts me. Jack Bauer not withstanding let's talk about the various governments we've had on this show...I mean please! If we ever had elected official half as corrupt as these jokes the United States as a country would have long since fallen. I honestly believe no one could be as corrupt as these people.

The first of two final straws for me tonight was Bauer sitting there all smug and proud of himself and he explained how effective his tactics are. Sure Jack you go right ahead and do whatever it takes yeah great and what does that make you? It makes you no better than those you claim to be triumphantly protecting us from. You're ex-military I'm wondering do you not take an oath to defend and protect the Constitution? In fact you do and I couldn't think of a bigger violation of that oath than you being aloud anywhere outside of a maximum security prison cell. You didn't take an oath to protect the American people Jack you took an oath to protect the Constitution of the United States, I can think of no more perverse act to perpetrate upon that sacred document than your various "whatever it takes" scenarios.

The second of those straws was when Ms. FBI caved almost instantly. Really? You can "handle" Jack Bauer hu? What happened to your laws, your procedures? Sure throw them all out the window hey why not I mean it's not like you took that same oath or anything...OH WAIT...YOU DID!!! Yeah you're not at all like the CTU nope. I mean she didn't even blink sure Jack just torture the guy whatever laws, rules, rights, the rule of law, the constitution, the Geneva convention, yup just sweep all that aside. Your own analysts can't even prove at this point that there is any threat or breech and you are completely willing to take a power drill to the fingernails of the Constitution in the face of a not even defined yet threat? Bravo bravo to you.

Lastly I'd like to call out Kiefer Sutherland and the producers of this show. I hope you're all proud of yourselves. You have people in the REAL United States Senate actually saying torture is okay if there is a "24" type scenario. You and your little show have actually made torture seem ok to Americans who watch I mean hey Jack Bauer will save us all who needs the rule of law right? Who needs that quaint little concept. You perpetuate the myth in the name of "drama" and "fiction" that torture works and it works every single time in a matter of minutes as long as Jack Bauer is administering it. The fact of the matter which makes it all even worse is that expert after expert from the CIA to Military, etc. have said torture doesn't work and is unreliable. Great. Thank you for this wonderful addition to American culture. Bravo to you all as well.

How far the principles of this country have fallen when we raise up such despicable acts as "entertainment". I'd like to close this little diatribe with a few lines from a quaint little document known as the Constitution of the United States of America.

Before he (the president) enter on the Execution of his Office, he shall take the following Oath or Affirmation:--"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."

Amendment IV

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

Amendment VIII

Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.