Coney Island has new Waterboard Thrill Ride

[sabra]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/atomische/2738486654/



I saw this Guantanamo-themed sideshow yesterday while taking my mom and nephew on a Coney Island tour. On the outside, Spongebob says 'It Don't GITMO Better!' with Squidward as the interrogator. On the inside is a robotic waterboarding scene you can see for a dollar. Today I see it's an art installation by Steve Powers, and reviewed in the New York Times. Unfortunately I didn't have a flash and it was too dark for photos of the scene inside.

[spanone]

1. we are truly a sick freakin' nation.....we not only thumb our noses at international law.....

we make a thrill ride out of it.....oy

[mrreowwr_kittty]

2. It looks like this was meant to be an art exhibit.

If so, it might be thought provoking.

[Freddie Stubbs]

3. 2004: 'Wack The Iraq' Game Causing Controversy

'Wack The Iraq' Game Causing Controversy

Players Shoot Paintballs At Human Target

POSTED: 7:24 am EDT August 10, 2004
UPDATED: 11:51 am EDT August 20, 2004

WILDWOOD, N.J. -- A boardwalk game with a catchy name is causing controversy at the Jersey shore.

The game is called "Wack the Iraq" and is located on the boardwalk in Wildwood.

Players shoot paint balls at live human targets dressed as Iraqis.

Figures of Saddam Hussein and Osama bin Laden adorn the arcade.

The game is creating mixed reactions. "I think it is very inappropriate and offensive to the Iraqi people," said Kristen Steele from Hershey, Pa.

more: http://www.nbc10.com/news/3636863/detail.html

[Solly Mack]

4. NYTimes article

Coney Island Sideshow Has Guantánamo Theme

"If you climb up a few cinderblock steps to the small window, you can look through the bars at a scene meant to invoke a Guantánamo Bay interrogation. A lifesize figure in a dark sweatshirt, the hood drawn low over his face, leans over another figure in an orange jumpsuit, his face covered by a towel and his body strapped down on a tilted surface.

Feed a dollar into a slot, the lights go on, and Black Hood pours water up Orange Jumpsuit’s nose and mouth while Orange Jumpsuit convulses against his restraints for 15 seconds. O.K., kids, who wants more cotton candy!

In interrupting a day at the beach with scenes of the United States government’s rougher practices, Mr. Powers is being deliberately provocative. “What’s more obscene,” he asks, “the official position that waterboarding is not torture, or our official position that it’s a thrill ride?” "

[Solly Mack]

5. kick

cuz