Does torture include any psychological discomfort?

J. Harden, clearly the torture that results in horrible disfigurement and death is worse. But, as TerenceC points out, waterboarding is still torture and we’re not supposed to do ANY of it.

I don’t disagree with the point your making. However, it isn’t the point. Torture as defined by the US government, International Law, The Geneva Convention, and even the US Army Field Manual was inflicted on these people. It’s against the law whether it’s a poke in chest, an insect enema, water-boarding, or having to listen to Barry Manilow (maybe that one’s my own definition of torture). It isn’t a question of the degree of torture, that only helps obfuscate the issue and allow those responsible to avoid responsibility for their actions. That’s the real issue, and no amount of “deflection” should be allowed to minimize what was done in the name of the people of the USA.

Torture is torture is torture.

Really? You mean you’d be no more outraged had we disembloweled him or given him a blowtorch enema? I’m not suggesting torture works or is morally or legally acceptable, but surely the calm, rational voice of moderation & centrism recognize the fundamental difference between poking someone in the chest with their finger and cutting off fingers. You’re talking about a difference in pain by orders of magnitude. I don’t see how you lose any ground in the argument by recognizing the obvious.

O’REILLY: “You’re in the no-spin zone here on The Factor. Joining us now is Colonel Sam Flagg, a former interrogator with the CIA. Thanks for joining us on the program, Colonel Flagg.”

FLAGG: “I’m here for America, Mr. O’Reilly–and don’t you forget it!”

O’REILLY: “Colonel Flagg, about this ‘waterboarding’ we keep hearing about. I’m holding a one-gallon water jug. Is this considered a ‘pour’…?”

FLAGG: “Well, Bill, a liberal commie traitor would probably consider that whole jug an entire pour–but God-fearing, red-blooded Americans know that the jug you’re holding, that would probably be considered several pours…”

O’REILLY: “Okay, well here’s a pint sized milk bottle–”

FLAGG: “We don’t use milk, Mister–only water. We won’t waste good American milk on terrorists. They don’t need strong bones to fight for the American dream, like our American children do.”

O’REILLY: “Okay, well then, how about this 12-ounce bottle of Crystal Light? How many pours is that?”

FLAGG: “Crystal Light? Sounds like some kind of Commie elixir!”

O’REILLY: “Well, it’s strawberry-kiwi flavor, so… it is pink in color…”

FLAGG: “Pink?!?! I knew it!! Damn COMMIES!! They’re in cahoots with the terrorists!!”…

Does that mean that the 183 is all there was, or does that mean that other months may have more “pours”.

Also, even though this means there was less than 183 sessions and that is better, one is too many.