Cheney "Water Boarding, Yes or No?"

October 27, 2006

The White House denies Cheney hailed “water boarding (1)."

The White House said Friday that Vice President Dick Cheney was not talking about torture technique known as "water boarding" when he said dunking terrorism suspects in water during questioning was a “no brainier.”
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(1) Water Boarding is a type of torture used in coercive interrogations or for punishment. In modern practice it simulates drowning and produces a severe gag reflex, making the subject believe his or her death is imminent while ideally not causing permanent physical damage.

The practice has garnered attention and controversy in the early 21st century when reports charged that the Bush administration had authorized its use in the interrogations of U.S. War on Terrorism detainees.


President Bush said Friday the United States does not torture prisoners, commenting after Vice President Dick Cheney embraced the suggestion that a dunk in water might be useful to get terrorist suspects to talk.