Believe Me, Its Torture

1. Is waterboarding still used today?
2. Is waterboarding torture?
3. Does the treatment of waterboarding actually help the Special Forces?

2. Is waterboarding torture?

Is Waterboarding torture?

Christopher Hitchens article “Believe Me, Its Torture” tells the crazy experience he had “waterboarding.” Hitchens suffered a fear of drowning and wanted to overcome it, so he decided to “torture” himself and do a waterboarding treatment. When being tortured you are usually being punished, forced to say information, or seeking revenge. Overall, I think it is any type of physical or mental pain. The treatment of waterboarding is a very harsh and dangerous way Special Forces used for “Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape.” Although, is waterboarding considered torture? As Hitchens explained his experience being smothered by a damp cloth breathing in and out water and suffering from panic and claustrophobia, I would definitely consider that to be a form of torture. Most torture is obviously not upon request, but for Hitchens case, it was. Even though he knew what he was getting himself into and allowing it to happen, I still consider it torture because he was put through a struggle to live. When anything can lead into death or severe pain, it is most definitely torture. He stated an entry from the contract that said waterboarding is a dangerous activity; people receive permanent (physical, emotional, and psychological) injuries and even death (respiratory and neurological). It is shocking that Hitchens who is not in the Special Forces would put his life in jeopardy to get over a fear of water. I could see why the Special Forces would use the technique of waterboarding to help them practice to survive in any type of horrifying situation, yet I believe people should not be aloud to water board if they are not involved in any sort of Special Force. My reason being is people should not intentionally allow them to be tortured because it is wrong in all ways. Especially for people who are not in the best health; for instance, Hitchens with his smoker lunges. I could not imagine waterboarding or even think of what is going through people’s head while receiving this torture.