Quote Originally Posted by Hlleonard View Post
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it seems to be more psychological than psychical to me but I have not been water boarded so I don't know, doesn't seem any worse to me than putting a bright light in his face and yelling at him for 10 or 12 hours.
It's both. The physical trauma of a near drowning sensation causes reduced will to resist. The fear of having to endure that sensation again makes compliance a less painful alternative.

Ever hear someone say "Answer me or I'll hold you down till you bubble"? Same thing.