Christopher Hitchens, a supporter of the US led wars of aggression in Iraq, vehemently defended the "extreme interrogation" tactic of waterboarding as not being torture. His critics said that if water boarding is not torture, then why does Hitchens not go and experience it himself.

To the surprise of many, he actually agreed and was subjected to water boarding by veteran Special Forces who have been trained in water boarding.

He lasted just under 15 seconds before cracking.

Quoted from the Guardian "But the Hitch's thoroughly empirical conclusion is simple. As Vanity Fair's title puts it: "Believe me, it's torture.""
[ http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/jul/02/humanrights.usa ]


There are two types of water boarding (to my knowledge) in use. One method is heavy towel over face with water poured on it. The other is cellophane over face followed by heavy towel and water poured on it.

According to the CIA, the longest anyone has ever lasted under waterboarding, was Khalid Sheikh Mohammed at about 2 minutes 30 seconds before cracking. I imagine to Khalid, it felt like an eternity.


The following link is the videotape of his water boarding session with an interview and commentary.

Warning: Video may be disturbing or offensive to some
http://www.vanityfair.com/politics/feature...ens_video200808

Dang. That guy had the balls to test out his claims. Good man, I'd say.

I never knew that this existed until just now when I read the article and saw the video. I brings tears to my eyes. We as americans trying to prevent terrorism need to stop being terrorists as well.

Is there any kind of movement to stop this?

There is a loose movement and it revolves around Cheney & Bush and their entire administration being prosecuted for war crimes, but it's not going anywhere because the administration & Congress are actively/passively blocking it.