right-wing asshat changes his mind, earns my temporary respect

[rivendellrose]

Right-Wing talk-show guy gets self water-boarded on air to prove that water-boarding is not torture. After enduring for 7 seconds, decides it is, in fact, absolutely torture.

Well, duh. Still, I have to give him credit for being willing to a) test it out for himself rather than just being a self-righteous dick without any experience, and b) having the guts to publicly change his tune. Maybe this will convince some of his right-wing nutjob listeners, too.

And while I'm at it, The Church of Scientology is set to go on trial for organized fraud in France, accused of "systematically seek[ing] to make money by means of mental pressure and the use of scientifically dubious "cures"."

It's a good day to be sane, apparently. ♥

Comments

[alto2.livejournal.com]

I saw that waterboarding video and thought it was fascinating. Christopher Hitchens, I think, voluntarily underwent it, with pros, a year or two back and came to the same conclusion. Yes. There's video of that as well, if you're curious. I haven't seen that one, but the article is well worth your time.

[rivendellrose.livejournal.com]

I saw a reference to Hitchens doing the same, but hadn't seen the original - thanks for the link!

[alto2.livejournal.com]

You're welcome. I do wonder just what the heck Mancow thought it was before he tried it--like getting dunked in a pool??

I also meant to say earlier that I hope the Scientologists get what's coming to them--they deserve a good legal loss so the rest of the world can jump on the precedent.

[rivendellrose.livejournal.com]

Goodness only knows what he thought. :P That's why I was so pleased to see it was someone like this doing the experiment - obviously if a member of the liberal media did it would just be because we're all soft-hearted weenies who hate America, right? But now that one of their own is the one saying that it's "absolutely" torture, maybe they'll shut up and listen.

And a big "heck yes!" on the Scientologists. If we're lucky this precedent might really help all the people who try to fight back against them.

[velleitas.livejournal.com]

Ah.. that is pretty awesome, actually. I'm not sure how you can conclude that it's not in the first place, but I'm impressed that he had the brains to put his money where his mouth is.