IT SURE IS - AT 7:40 P.M. ET:  Talk-show host Erich "Mancow" Muller volunteered to be waterboarded, in effect to prove it wasn't torture.  His request was accommodated.  He went through it, and concluded it was torture.  He lasted only six or seven seconds before signalling to stop.

A stunt, obviously.  And the host came out of it very sober about this technique.  And it teaches us a lesson:  Waterboarding isn't funny.  No knowledgeable person thinks it's a joke.  Those of us who believe it must remain an option argue that it should be used only as a last resort, and only in extreme circumstances.  That seems to be the way it was used the few times it was employed by the Bush administration.

No more talk-show stunts.  Former Vice President Cheney discusses enhanced interrogation techniques in a mature, restrained manner.  As it should be.

May 22, 2009