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We Waterboard, You Decide

Posted Feb 26, 2008 by William March

Updated Mar 4, 2008 at 10:11 AM

“Decide for yourself what waterboarding is all about!!!” is the tag line.

If that idea intrigues you, you can watch an actual demonstration this evening outside the Mons Venus strip club on Dale Mabry Highway, say the producers of “The Bleepin’ Truth,” a local public access and online talk show.

The show, produced and moderated by Chris Kimitsos, features talking-head discussions of national and local issues. But it’s less sedate than most such shows—the talking heads have been known to throw chairs. Joe Redner, local adult entertainment magnate, proprietor of the Mons Venus and frequent candidate for local government offices, is an occasional guest.

“To debate and write and discuss is great, but to see with your own eyes the intensity of torture up close and personal is a once in a lifetime event,” Kimitsos said in an email. “There will be no rehearsing, no do-overs, just one take and one act—don’t miss it.”

The waterboarding will take place at 6 p.m. says the show’s web site. “We have been advised by military personnel too keep this experiment as safe yet as real as possible,” it adds.

The victim, said Kimitsos, will be Dennis Ruppert, a personal trainer and self-defense teacher in South Tampa.

“He knows what the procedure is all about, he’s had some training, and he’s up for it,” said Kimitsos. “He knows how to clear his lungs and cough it out.

“He’ll tap out when he needs to. Waterboarding goes a little further than we’re going, obviously but we’re going to push the limits.”

Kimitsos said medical personnel will be standing by in case.
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Update: Kimitsos said Ruppert he lasted “more than a minute.” Then a volunteer from the local Creative Loafing magazine tried it and lasted approximately two seconds, Kimitsos said.