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Stars Demand Bush 'Music Torture' Files
Time for torturers to face the music, say celebs
By Mary Papenfuss
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Posted Oct 22, 09 2:55 AM CDT
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(Newser)
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A coalition of celebrity musicians is demanding the release of Bush administration documents revealing how music was used to torture Guantanamo Bay inmates. Songs from Metallica, The Real Slim Shady, and the Star Spangled Banner, among many others, were blasted all day for days on end to rattle prisoners, inmates have revealed. "The fact that music I helped create was used in crimes against humanity sickens me," said Tom Morello, formerly of Rage Against the Machine. "We need to end torture and close Guantanamo now."
Rosanne Cash called the technique "beyond the pale," saying it "absolutely disgusted me." Dozens of musicians are supporting a demand for the records filed by the nonprofit National Security Archive. The "request is crucial for learning about the United States' past, present and even future use of music as a torture technique," said an NYU law professor, who added that such techniques are a violation of UN regulations.