Waterboarding is drowning

Jarrett

Apt and accurate comments from reader Susan M.: The print press continues to use this phrase: “….waterboarding, which simulates drowning…..” (from AP). I sent this note to them - you should too when you see it used!!: Water Boarding or Chinese Torture is not simulated drowning. By definition when you fill someone’s lungs with water they are drowning. If and when they die because of this filling they have drowned. When you do it on purpose international courts and conventions recognize that you have tortured. Your use of the words simulated drowning glosses over the fact that now a case can be made for high officials to be tried for war crimes. In the future you should not use simulated drowning as it is drowning, just not quite to the point of death usually.

The text is from the poem “QUADRENNIAL” by Golden, reprinted with permission. It was first published in the Poetry Project. Inside front cover photo by Golden.
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