Tom Morello, Pearl Jam And Others Protest Guantanamo Torture

With their campaign having recently been kicked off on October 22, New Security Action and a handful of famous musicians and bands are protesting against Guantanamo Bay.

Several musicians are signing an open letter to Congress to close Guantanamo and end torture. They include: Tom Morello, Trent Reznor, Pearl Jam, R.E.M., Rise Against, The Roots, Michelle Branch, Rosanne Cash and many more.

The organization spearheading the campaign aims to stop the torture at Guantanamo as its been stated the military prison plays music at "near ear-splitting volumes" to torture detainees. Some of the bands that have been said to have their music played include Rage Against The Machine and Nine Inch Nails.

Rage Against The Machine guitarist Tom Morello was just one of the few to state their displeasure for the military prison and their torture methods.

"Guantanamo may be Dick Cheney’s idea of America, but it’s not mine," he said. "The fact that music I helped create was used in crimes against humanity sickens me – we need to end torture and close Guantanamo now."

Find out more at New Security Action's website.

Comments

[lukegjpotter]

Let all Guantanamo Prisoners out, we need more terroist attacks!!
WTF, those people are in there for a reason!

[tom1thomas1]

^^^yeah it's not some suit and tie *******s choice to stick anyone in a hole like that. it really would get to me badly if they played Pink music to me all day as well

[JordanDH]

lukegjpotter wrote:

Let all Guantanamo Prisoners out, we need more terroist attacks!!
WTF, those people are in there for a reason!

Yeah, only America can commit crimes against humanity. When other countries do it, that's when it becomes a bad thing.

[Black Star]

Haven't they already planned to shut it down?

Besides, I don't believe Dick Cheney has any part in the administration anymore.

[Restlesscow]

lukegjpotter wrote:

Let all Guantanamo Prisoners out, we need more terroist attacks!!
WTF, those people are in there for a reason!

Yeah... Have a look at how many people who have been in Guantanamo were found to be guilty.

[98Timberwolf]

A little ironic that they use RATM?

[cky_rocks]

They're TERRORISTS! Who the hell gives a shit if they're being tortured. Nothing against these guys but really, stop crying.

[Theman5]

98Timberwolf wrote:

A little ironic that they use RATM?

I was thinking the exact same thing.

[ZeGuitarist]

cky_rocks wrote:

They're TERRORISTS! Who the hell gives a shit if they're being tortured. Nothing against these guys but really, stop crying.

I give a shit. They're people.

Nobody, not even a terrorist, deserves to be treated like anything less than a human being. And nobody, not "even" the USA (as if you're even better than the rest of the world), has the right to treat anyone like that.

Also:

Restlesscow wrote:

Yeah... Have a look at how many people who have been in Guantanamo were found to be guilty.

This.

Btw, checked.

[slaptasticdave]

I thought that african american guy who's always on those news shows said he was going to end torture. Was he just saying things so people would like him?

[JordanDH]

slaptasticdave wrote:

I thought that african american guy who's always on those news shows said he was going to end torture. Was he just saying things so people would like him?

I think he meant it, but is trying to do it without offending anyone so that people like him.

[Marky-Boy]

cky_rocks :
They're TERRORISTS! Who the hell gives a shit if they're being tortured. Nothing against these guys but really, stop crying.

this is real people were talking about people like you and me, but who cares its alright as long as America can torture people, if the rest of the world says anything they're terrorists,

for f*** sake

[brantley23]

what does Morello mean when he says "the music i helped create was used in crimes against humanity"? What is he talking about specifically?

[98Timberwolf]

brantley23 wrote:

what does Morello mean when he says "the music i helped create was used in crimes against humanity"? What is he talking about specifically?

Here:

'The organization spearheading the campaign aims to stop the torture at Guantanamo as its been stated the military prison plays music at "near ear-splitting volumes" to torture detainees. Some of the bands that have been said to have their music played include Rage Against The Machine and Nine Inch Nails.'

That's pretty screwed up, if you ask me. I would be pretty pissed too if I were Tom or Trent.

[Gordo12]

brantley23 wrote:

what does Morello mean when he says "the music i helped create was used in crimes against humanity"? What is he talking about specifically?

Read again. The music that was played at Gitmo was RATM and NIN and those two bands associate it with torture.

[Aidan93]

98Timberwolf wrote:

That's pretty screwed up, if you ask me. I would be pretty pissed too if I were Tom or Trent.

I saw Tom in a club last year and he talked about this for a while. to say he was pissed would be an understatement.

[Rufusftw]

From an english point of veiw i think it is time these musicians stopped playing politics and made some damn good music instead of making arse ol's of themselves all i can say is there life ends a bit similar to u2 full of crap and sucks to bits. America makes no crimes for keeping the country safe go U.S.A

[JordanDH]

From an equally English point of view, that didn't make any sense.

[XtractionProces]

To be honest, what you consider being done to them inhuman, you'll think "wait a minute, they're monsters! Why did we let them go?" when America gets bombed...

If anything, they should just say that the music should not be used for torture. It's there for a reason. If a terrorist attack occured tomorrow, what would you say? They're human? Don't make me ****ing laugh.

[pootoob]

Rufusftw wrote:

From an english point of veiw i think it is time these musicians stopped playing politics and made some damn good music instead of making arse ol's of themselves all i can say is there life ends a bit similar to u2 full of crap and sucks to bits. America makes no crimes for keeping the country safe go U.S.A

That's the biggest load of crap I ever heard. This exact reasoning is why NO-ONE likes America anymore.
Besides, hardly anyone in Gitmo actually commited a crime, where's your constitutional rights now?

[Lead Zeppelin]

cky_rocks :
They're TERRORISTS! Who the hell gives a shit if they're being tortured. Nothing against these guys but really, stop crying.

this is real people were talking about people like you and me, but who cares its alright as long as America can torture people, if the rest of the world says anything they're terrorists,

for f*** sake

They are not like us they are evil and they took people's lives

[Vicryl 2.0]

Lead Zeppelin wrote:
They are not like us they are evil and they took people's lives

not everyone in there is guilty aswell. some have been just sweeped up by soldiers because they unable to distinguish enemies from noncombatant civilians. here's some words coming from a an Ex-Bush official:

"It did not matter if a detainee were innocent. Indeed, because he lived in Afghanistan or Iraq and was captured on or near the battle area, he must know something of importance,"Lawrence B. Wilkerson said

now is that right? its ok to torture any suspecting terrorist as long as America is safe? and what about those innocent prisoners...seven years theyve been tortured and all because theyve been wrongfully accused. there a reason why terrorist aimed to hurt America. reasons that help create those advances that spurred 9/11 and such....

[Nor'Easterbass]

you're all tools. do you KNOW how ridiculous their MEDICAL facility is? be serious ppl. if they were being brutally tortured as often as whoever would like you to believe, then why the f$%k would they put like a mini 24-hour hospital in there?

[Stratogibson]

pootoob wrote:

Rufusftw wrote:

That's the biggest load of crap I ever heard. This exact reasoning is why NO-ONE likes America anymore.
Besides, hardly anyone in Gitmo actually commited a crime, where's your constitutional rights now?

Nobody likes the U.S. cause they always have to stick their nose in other people's buisness. They always brag and gloat about how they are the best and everybody else is second rate. The U.S. government has been backstabbing and crooked for decades and profit is the motive for all of the wars....what's sad is I'm american and I unfortunately see that type of stuff everyday....hopefully the people that are innocent get out.

[ZeGuitarist]

XtractionProces wrote:

To be honest, what you consider being done to them inhuman, you'll think "wait a minute, they're monsters! Why did we let them go?" when America gets bombed...

Not torturing terrorists =/= letting terrorists go.

If a terrorist attack occured tomorrow, what would you say? They're human? Don't make me ****ing laugh.

*laughs*
It certainly wouldn't make me go: "hey, we should torture them!"

Checked.

[TokoBali]

Trent Reznor and Michelle Branch co-signing a letter? That's a first.

[Rokeman]

Some people are missing the point here. If you create beautiful music that means a lot to you and others, would like someone to use it to torture people?

Also, shutting down Guantanamo doesn't mean that all the people will be free to go, they'll just be kept in a more humane way somewhere else.

[Bronko]

Please stop watching FOX News.

Guantanamo is wrong, do you think you guys have a constitution, that people fought with their lifes for, to be treated like crap?

It is the most important thing for a civilization to uphold the human dignity for everyone, otherwise you're not any better then terrorists and should not deserve to be considered a human culture or civilization.

Btt: It is outrageous that music from artists who speak out against violation of human rights is used to commit crimes against humanity. The people who are responsible for this should face charges.

[Rufusftw]

It is nto wrong to detain terrorists, there doing a GOOD thing it is GOOD that everyone is safe.
The only people who wan't these people out are people stuck their own arses.

['93]

its not wrong to contain terrorists but to turtue them is just not needed and completely stupid

[The Chauffeur]

Richycinsideme2 wrote:

lukegjpotter wrote:

Let all Guantanamo Prisoners out, we need more terroist attacks!!
WTF, those people are in there for a reason!

agreed +1

ohhh man, you're totally transfigured

[Freedomfight3r]

Coming from someone who holds Morello's and Reznor's music at very high levels, this absolutely sickens me. And a quote for those of you who thinks this is okay: “He who trades liberty for security deserves neither and will lose both.”- Thomas Jefferson

[Slap-happy]

The main point of the matter is that many of the detainees in Guantanamo haven’t even been proven guilty. They are being held without the right to representation or trial with little to no proof that they have any involvement, be it direct or indirect, with any terrorist organisation. This alone makes a mockery of any judiciary system or right to trial – many of the inmates are there purely because of being in “the wrong place at the wrong time.”
Couple this with the fact that the likes of Tom Morello, Trent Reznor and Pearl Jam are making music that is in no intended for this purpose and I think you’ll find that there is legitimate cause for concern.
Close the place and get the prisoners into better facilities. Perhaps then there may be a better chance of telling friend from foe.

[JordanDH]

Slap-happy wrote:

The main point of the matter is that many of the detainees in Guantanamo haven’t even been proven guilty. They are being held without the right to representation or trial with little to no proof that they have any involvement, be it direct or indirect, with any terrorist organisation. This alone makes a mockery of any judiciary system or right to trial – many of the inmates are there purely because of being in “the wrong place at the wrong time.”
Couple this with the fact that the likes of Tom Morello, Trent Reznor and Pearl Jam are making music that is in no intended for this purpose and I think you’ll find that there is legitimate cause for concern.
Close the place and get the prisoners into better facilities. Perhaps then there may be a better chance of telling friend from foe.

Yeah, what he said. Seriously, it's ****ing spot on.

[bwd]

From having been torchered by beings using the same methods as the terrorists, I can tell you, their kind are not human, and don't deserve anything but a quick send off to hell.

[tannhauser_dent]

bwd wrote:

From having been torchered by beings using the same methods as the terrorists, I can tell you, their kind are not human, and don't deserve anything but a quick send off to hell.

Torchered http://www.nightgear.co.uk/images/p/l/1/1219/Surefire-Torch- Surefire-G3-flashlight-Black.jpg

[tannhauser_dent]

bwd wrote:

From having been torchered by beings using the same methods as the terrorists, I can tell you, their kind are not human, and don't deserve anything but a quick send off to hell.

Torchered http://www.nightgear.co.uk/images/p/l/1/1219/Surefire-Torch- Surefire-G3-flashlight-Black.jpg

[theAccursed]

And here I am thinking that to be an artist (musical or otherwise) you need a high degree of empathy.

Maybe terrorists should start exploding weddings over here? When jets do it over in Afghanistan it's not labelled a terrorist attack and so maybe Americans would have more sympathy for them if they start fighting the way we do (by killing civilians but then saying that we didn't mean to).

[Quinlan]

I smell fallacious arguments here EVERYWHERE. To all you people arguing about America being great or terrible step back. Can you explain your opinion without using something you heard somewhere, or with some form of hard proof other than "he's wrong, because I think this, therefore I'm right" Everyone who hasn't even read into this can't honestly have a personal opinion, because what you've read has gone through all the news, government and group filters that twist what's really going on. All these false dilemmas and slippery slope arguments that claim shit that isn't even related to the topic make me sick. Arm yourselves with knowledge! Then maybe you can come back and make a coherent argument that won't piss off other people.

That being said, I believe the use of these artist's music for torture is wrong, as well as tortue in general. I respect all of the artists signing the document, but I also note they're not asking for the release of all those prisoners, just the cease and desist of the abuse of their music. I don't really know what should be done with the facilities at Gitmo, but short of releasing people who may or may not be terrorists, there really should be a better way of doing this.

[Shustermeister]

If they really want to torture people, they should be using the new Creed CD.

[Shustermeister]

(Mainly because of Stapp...Tremonti's awesome, but 24 hours of blaring Stapp is torture)