That's it, I'm officially and utterly sick of the US debate over the prosecution for torture.

That waterboarding is supposedly not torture seems to be the unique argument of the right against prosecution.

I have a big problem with that. It's not because they re-branded torture with Enhanced Interrogation Techniques that it suddenly becomes something else.

Do they even know what torture is ?

A reminder, just in case:

...any act by which severe pain or suffering, whether physical or mental, is intentionally inflicted on a person for such purposes as obtaining from him, or a third person, information or a confession, punishing him for an act he or a third person has committed or is suspected of having committed, or intimidating or coercing him or a third person, or for any reason based on discrimination of any kind, when such pain or suffering is inflicted by or at the instigation of or with the consent or acquiescence of a public official or other person acting in an official capacity. It does not include pain or suffering arising only from, inherent in, or incidental to, lawful sanctions.

- UN Convention Against Torture

Arguing that waterboarding does not constitute torture according to this definition is laughable. If you still feel like arguing that it's not, I have the perfect forum for people like you.

But what about other interrogation techniques ?

According to ABC News, former and current CIA officials have come forward to reveal details of interrogation techniques authorized in the CIA. These include:

1. The Attention Grab: The interrogator forcefully grabs the shirt front of the prisoner and shakes them

2. Attention Slap: An open-handed slap to the face aimed at causing pain and triggering fear

3. The Belly Slap: A hard open-handed slap to the abdomen. The aim is to cause pain, but not internal injury. Doctors consulted advised against using a punch, which could cause lasting internal damage

4. Long Time Standing: This technique is described as among the most effective. Prisoners are forced to stand, handcuffed and with their feet shackled to an eye bolt in the floor, for more than 40 hours

5. The Cold Cell: The prisoner is left to stand naked in a cell kept near 50 degrees Fahrenheit (10 degrees Celsius)

6. Waterboarding: The prisoner is bound to an inclined board, feet raised and head slightly below the feet. Material is wrapped over the prisoner's face and water is poured over them. Unavoidably, the gag reflex kicks in and a terrifying fear of drowning leads to almost instant pleas to bring the treatment to a halt

7. Wikipedia

It's somehow like arguing that you can't prosecute a thief because he did not steal a car.. but a SUV.

Next time I'll get a ticket for speeding I'll try argue that I wasn't speeding but, merely enhancing my velocity.

This whole debate over whether or not it constitute torture is just a big show to keep our attention away from the real issues.

And the Obama argument ? Bullshit.

We can't change the past, we should move on ? Bullshit.

We often see in the news that an old man will be tried or deported because he committed war crimes when he was a Nazi officer or prison guard sixty years ago.

If we can't change the past, why aren't we moving on ?

I have only one thing to reply to president Obama;

Sure we can't change the past, but your present actions and how you manage this situation is shaping our future. The next president might see your actions (or inactions) as an open door to escalate this non-sense without fearing eventual repercussions.

You can't change the past, but you can make sure it will not happen again.

Just stop the show already.