proves that America is just like everyone else and proves my point. Our cherished notion that we are special is just justification for jingoism.

I agree that we've now gone much further and regressed perhaps to the dark ages or at least before the concept of cruel and unusual punishment and the English Bill of Rights of 1689, the English Treason Act of 1790 and its revision of 1814. Up until that time prisoners could be hanged, drawn and quartered for certain crimes.

IMHO, much of our new acceptance of torture has more to do with punishment. Sure they wanted information but waterboarding 183 times in a month sounds more like punishment to me.

The next question: how long will it be before torture is routine in jails, prisons and other correctional facilities. The tazor is being used more and more. Think of the power of torture to "correct" someone's behavior.