NPR said that waterboarding was used during the Inquisition

[usregimechange]

They said it today about 5:15 central time. Did you guys hear? Can anyone confirm this? Also they said it was used during other times in history. Anyone recall or even better have the text of what she said?

I have often asserted that the Right wing would take us back the the dark ages but I never thought they would have such success.

[Gregorian]

1. That was also made during a discussion on Keith Olbermann.

AND it was used by the Japanese during WW2, after which they were PROSECUTED for using it.

It's illeeeeeegal!

[usregimechange]

3. That was it, thanks. But she said one other I think...

[fishnfla]

2. Yes McCain pointed that out during a GOP debate

it really is ironic that we are actually debating this issue at this time in history

[usregimechange]

4. here...

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=15886834

[AuntPatsy]

5. So was the human stretcher I believe? And their point? My God, what exactly

do they wish to be held acceptable as far as age old torture techniques ?

[cali]

6. I think their point was that it's long been used as torture,

and that the Inquisition is infamous for the use of barbaric torture techniques. I didn't hear it, but I highly doubt that NPR is advocating torture.

[usregimechange]

7. They weren't advocating it, what did I say that made you think that?

[AuntPatsy]

9. I think you were responding to me, read my reply to Cali.

[AuntPatsy]

8. I would hope not but I just cannot be sure, I honestly know people

personaly who would make your blood boil with what comes out of their mouths when discussing torturing so called terrorists.

[cali]

10. It's NPR. I think they're not terribly good anymore, but

I think I can assure you that NPR is not advocating torture. People you know my advocate it, but that's not the same thing.

[pansypoo53219]

11. and geogrie will say-

but the spaniard dudes didn't care if you actually drowned or not!

[Hekate]

12. At least the Inquisitors were honest enough to call what they did "torture"

So did the authors of the Malleus Maleficarum ("Hammer of Witches"), which was of German origin. The techniques they describe are horrific, and they don't mince words about what it is.

The particular torture of repeated drowning goes back at least 500 years, and in the 20th century was prosecuted specifically as a war crime.

Americans who are speaking out against torture now are trying to make it stop. It has no place here or anywhere under our aegis. "Cruel and unusual punishments" are expressly forbidden by our foundational documents.

Gods, what have we become? I have feared for years that our country is in danger of losing its very soul.

Hekate

[Generic Brad]

13. And it was morally wrong then too