NPR: Torturous: Don't Waterboard Me, Bro

Torturous: Don't Waterboard Me, Bro

Filed under: News

Back when President Bush nominated Mike Mukasey as the next U.S. attorney general, it looked like the former district judge would sail through the Senate confirmation process. A few weeks and a few dodged questions about what exactly constitutes torture later, things are getting a bit sticky.

At issue is whether the process of waterboarding, which you probably think you've heard more than enough about. But have you seen it happen? I hadn't, until I clicked on this kind of amazing video piece by Kaj Larson of Current TV. (Bonus: Larson talks about why he did it.)

I don't know if waterboarding is officially torture or not, but I can say that I sure as hell wouldn't want it done on me.

Make your point at current.com

Luke Burbank

12:17 PM ET | 11- 1-2007 | permalink

Comments (Send a comment)

"I don't know if waterboarding is officially torture or not"

Yikes! Luke, the Dark Side is seductive, but you must resist the urge to wade in it.

Waterboarding is torture.

http://intelligence.senate.gov/070925/akeller.pdf
http://hrw.org/english/docs/2006/04/06/usdom13130.htm

Sent by Brian | 1:39 PM ET | 11-01-2007

One can only guess what is going through people's brains when they are put in these types situations.

Would be curious to know if anyone in the scientific community has researched how the brain responds to the extreme-stress brought on by waterboarding.

Sent by Will G | 2:40 PM ET | 11-01-2007

Clever title folks, but there's something about torture that beggars levity.

When I was young, I used to read a lot of these books of trivia and lists (some may recall, in fact, "The Book of Lists"), One of these books included a laundry list of various torture techniques used by nations throughout the world (as reported by Amnesty International). I don't even have the words to explain how angry I am that our country has decided to join that infamous list.

I don't blame 24 with their innovative ways of killing/maiming enemies of the state, I don't blame Saw for their on-screen grotesqueries...

I blame a government that forgot somewhere along the line that - if they wish to create the facade that we always wear the white hats - they should not dip into their enemies' book of tricks.

Sent by Drew | 2:58 PM ET | 11-01-2007

Thank you for posting this video. That is one of the worst things I have ever seen. I knew what waterboarding was but to see it done sheds a whole new light on my understanding.

It is definitely torture. I find it interesting that some say it is necessary on the fight against terrorism. But isn't torture a form of terrorism? So in escense, when our country uses waterboarding aren't we then acting as terrorists?

Sent by Hannah | 2:34 PM ET | 11-03-2007

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