Compare and contrast

Sounds like one of those essay questions on a final, doesn't it?

This morning, for your entertainment and edification, we offer two videos. This first is a Republican effort using the imagery and style of the television series "24" that is every neocon's masturbatory fantasy--where laws can be bent in the name of a higher good and torture may be a necessary thing.



The next is an answering take-off on the first put together by Crooks and Liars:



Your task, should you choose to accept it, is to compare and contrast these messages. Explain which you are more inclined to believe, and why. Double-spaced, 14-pt, maximum two pages.

h/t to mcjoan at Daily Kos for the second video and Glenn Greenwald at Salon for the first one. Greenwald includes clips and season trailers from 24 so you can check out the inspiration.

If you are really inspired you may, for extra credit, compare and contrast what the White House says about the Protect America Act of 2007 and what the ACLU says about it. You may consult John Dean if you wish. Charlie Savage at the Boston Globe discussed it when it was passed.

This is an open-book test. Google away.

--the BB