Those are not the same thing.

Agreed.

They're not even remotely similar beyond both involving brain surgery.

I was attempting to give an example of other ways in which I might find torture more palatable if I were modified first.

Ah, OK.

Right, which is why this argument isn't actually a straw-man and why ice9's post is useful.

Hah, yes. Sorry, I thought you were complaining it was actually a strawman :/ Whoops.