Rock musicians are banding together to protest use of their music—played loudly and incessantly—to torture war prisoners. US interrogators have bragged about breaking detainees by endlessly playing the same pulsating music for months. "Plenty lost their minds"—not just to Eminem, but Sesame Street songs and Barney's I Love You—a former prisoner tells AP. The tactic is used on detainees at Guantanamo and in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The tactic, authorized in 2003, is intended to "create fear, disorient and prolong capture shock," said the commander who approved it. "I wouldn't want my music to be a party to that," said a horrified Sesame Street musician. Not everyone agrees. Drowning Pool's bassist said he's honored his music "could be used to quell another 9/11." The protesting musicians plan to hold moments of silence at concerts to raise awareness about the tactic.
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