Waterboarding, Yet Again

So US attorney general Michael Musakey has refused to investigate possible CIA waterboarding. I don't think this surprises anyone -- or if it does, it shouldn't.

There has been a lot of hemming and hawing about whether waterboarding is an "enhanced interrogation technique" or whether it's flat-out torture. John McCain, who has personally endured horrific torture, says that it's torture, but what does he know? All of the chickenhawks who stayed home during the Vietnam and Korean wars know way better than he does.

Recently, a poster on the Straight Dope Message Boards, having heard all of the arguments pro and con, decided that there was one way to settle the issue in his mind. And so, in search of real knowledge that cut through the rhetoric, he subjected himself to waterboarding.

You can read his graphic account of his experience here.

For those too lazy to click the link (and I highly recommend that you do) here is his conclusion:

Waterboarding is, without a doubt, horrific torture. Or in his words:

"It's horrible, terrible, inhuman torture. I can hardly imagine worse. I'd prefer permanent damage and disability to experiencing it again. I'd give up anything, say anything, do anything." "It's torture. No question. Terrible terrible torture. To experience it and understand it and then do it to another human being is to leave the realm of sanity and humanity forever."

And on that cheerful note, I'm off to bed!