I am confused, not about whether waterboarding is torture or not – it is – but about why it’s described as ‘simulated’ drowning?

 Surely having water poured down your throat and possibly into your lungs is drowning.

Nothing simulated about it.

Malcolm Nance, a US security expert familiar with waterboarding as a counter-insurgency training technique, said:

‘Let’s not mince words – waterboarding is out and out torture, and I’m deeply ashamed that President Bush has authorised its use and dishonoured the USA’s reputation.’ (Amnesty International)

Here’s the powerful, elegant and pseudo-slick-ad by Amnesty, STUFF OF LIFE