If He’s Not a Torturer, Why Is He Wearing a Mask?

Photo used under a Creative Commons license by flickr user <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21842149@N05/">nobt</a>

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HuffPo has a Playboy writer voluntarily trying to endure 15 seconds of waterboarding. He makes maybe 5 or 6. In the prelim, he asks the heavily masked ‘technician’ (who appears to be military but displays no rank and insignia. For you civilians: That’s HUGE) if waterboarding is torture. Nope, it’s “invoking an existing fear.” Which fear? “Drownding” (sic). Torture would be “invoking blood, physical pain.” OK, so how how does waterboarding work? “You’re going to want to breathe, but you won’t be able to breathe.” When the guinea pig tries to summon his yoga training, his torturer says confidently, “That won’t help you here.”

Nah. It’s not torture.

So what’s up with hiding his face?

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Whatever you choose, know that you’re supporting more independent, investigative journalism in a time when we need it most.

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