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Iraq 'Fear Factor, hosted by
Iraqi reality-TV hit takes fear factor to a another levelBy Neil MacDonald, Correspondent of The Christian Science Monitor This man understand Arab psychology and Arab sensibilities very well. BAGHDAD - Forget the worm-eating contestants on "Fear Factor." And don't look for teen singers trying to become the next "Iraqi Idol." Here in Iraq, reality TV has a grittier visage. How do I get this channel? I'd love to watch these asshats being treated like the human scum they are. In one recent opening scene of "Terrorism in the Grip of Justice," viewers see a group of tired, scruffy men sitting on bare ground, squinting in the glare of floodlights and waiting to confess. The camera then pans to Abul Waleed, the mustachioed, red-bereted commander of the elite Wolf Brigade police squad. Waleed is addressing about 30 terrorism suspects hauled in during Operation Lightning, a massive Iraqi-led sweep (now in its second week) aimed at rooting out car bombers and other insurgents in Baghdad. His men look very happy with him. He is a fearless leader. "Grip of Justice" dominates the 9 p.m. to 10 p.m. time slot in Iraq - at least anecdotally. There are no Nielsen ratings here. Almost like "The Lone Ranger" when I was growing up. It's broadly popular and considered a key tool in fighting the insurgency. But critics say the show violates prisoner rights by publicly humiliating suspects before they are proven guilty. Awwwww. Where is the nano-violin? As domestic detainees, these men are not covered by Geneva Convention rules for prisoners of war. Heh. Kewler. Posted by: Brett 2005-06-07 |
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