Waterboarding Explained

Torture and human rights abuses are never acceptable, ever, under any circumstances. And I mean any. There are ethical and moral ways of treating prisoners and prisoners of war. Just think of the world's abhorrence over the Abu Ghraib prison photographs of prisoners being humiliated and mistreated. Waterboarding is inhumane and inappropriate under any circumstances. End of story.

Treating people, even prisoners, even alleged terrorists, in a humane fashion, like you would wish to be treated, is never the wrong thing to do. As Gandhi said: "An eye for an eye leaves everyone blind."

EX-AGENT BACKS 'TORTURE' TECHNIQUE

A former CIA agent who was part of an interrogation team were public with his account yesterday saying the waterboarding of a top al Qaeda figure was approved at the top levels of the U.S. government.

John Kiriakou, a leader of the team that captured top terror suspect Abu Zubydah, said waterboarding worked - it forced Zubaydah to talk in less than 35 seconds.

Waterboarding is a harsh interrogation technique that involves strapping down a prisoners; covering his mouth with plastic or cloth and pouring water over his face.

The prisoners quickly begins to inhale water, causing the sensation of drowning.

Critics say the technique is torture.

AP