Sifter

President Bush ushered through a law on treatment of terrorism suspects last week. Some argue the vague language regarding what cannot occur will pave the way for misinterpretation and abuses. Many have used the word “torture” to describe possible abuses, especially given incidents at Abu Ghraib and Guantánamo Bay. Torture has been used over the centuries and, according to the New York Times, in 2004 was still being used in more than two-thirds of the world’s countries. Here are some popular and notable methods:

Castration: It happened to William Wallace—go rent Braveheart if you don’t know who he was.

Crucifixion: Needs no explanation.

Iron Maiden: Listening to this band could be considered torture by some. But it’s also a device. Built in the 19th century, it was a box, shaped like a woman, and when the victim got inside and the doors were closed, spikes skewered him. Some say one was used during Saddam Hussein’s rule in Iraq.

Scalping: The American Indians and white settlers did this to each other up until the 19th century.

Waterboarding: The psychological act of blindfolding a person and making them believe they are drowning. Could already be in use on terrorism detainees.

Whipping: Probably the most common method of torture, whipping was common practice in the United States during slavery.