Very rarely, if ever, is the situation that black and white. For the sake of argument though, I will honestly answer your question. Yes, I would, if I knew the lives of that many people were at stake, and that one of the people I was torturing had the answers to questions that could save their lives. I wasn't saying that it is never a technique that can be useful, and I wasn't advocating its complete removal, but I disagreed with you downplaying the severity of what it means to be water boarded. It hurts, a lot, and it is incredibly terrifying.
When I was in training, I was used as the demonstration victim, with CS gas--it was horrible. I was surprised, and very very shook up.
Later we had another course on the range, where we would be hit with CS. I had no choice, but to employ the training, and do it.
I have been held underwater by waves, and scared there as well. I volunteered for that.
And like I mentioned, I went through fraternity hazing which younger crybabies now call their mothers and the police, over.
We volunteered for that as well, and had the chance all along to walk away.
