New Riot Control Microwave Weapons May Be A Cause For Concern

[norml]

New Riot Control Microwave Weapons May Be A Cause For Concern

August 26, 2005 4:30 p.m. EST



Andrea Moore - All Headline News Staff Reporter

Washington D.C. (AHN) - U.S. Forces are scheduled to begin using a Star-Wars-style ray gun in Iraq next year for more effective riot control. The "active-denial system" fires a 95-gigahertz microwave to cause heating and intolerable pain in less than five seconds.

The idea is that people caught in the beam will try to move out of it rapidly and therefore break up the crowd.

Although the Pentagon classifies the weapon as "less lethal," New Scientist magazine reported that participants playing the part of rioters in field tests were told to remove glasses and contact lenses to protect their eyes.

“What happens if someone in a crowd is unable for whatever reason to move away from the beam,” asked Neil Davison, coordinator of the non-lethal weapons research project at Britain’s Bradford University. “How do you ensure that the dose doesn’t cross the threshold for permanent damage? Does the weapon cut out to prevent overexposure?”


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http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/2250176420

[hedda_foil]

1. Ya think?

[indepat]

2. Is this the neocon version of liberty, freedom, and democracy? Wonder

if this weapon will be used on the home-folks should a little civil disobedience flare up?

[norml]

3. "Rioters" Become "Freedom Fries"

[Deja Q]

11. Not fried. Grilled from within. Just like your Haier microwave oven does

only larger.

[wli]

5. they've already been deployed for the WTO/FTAA/RNC affairs

They were merely never fired.

[OneBlueSky]

4. you know the country is on the wrong track when more effort . . .

and money are devoted to developing new weapons than to figuring out ways to resolve conflicts peacefully . . .

[wli]

6. word is they're rolling out numerous fancy crowd control weapons

It seems theyr'e a lot more interested in hurting hippies (in reality, peaceful demonstrators) than even winning the wars they're going about for conquest. Very odd.

[htuttle]

7. That thing is going to make my tinfoil hat all sparky!

It might make your watch really hot, too.

[meow2u3]

8. Just put tinfoil over a bike or motorcycle helmet

It also is great for reflecting sunlight and heat

[Igel]

9. Which option do you prefer for riot control in areas

where peace hasn't been declared?

(1) Bullets.
(2) Microwave weapons.
(3) Tear gas.
(4) Batons, with extensive hand-to-hand combat.

Well, (4) is unsuitable for all sorts of reasons.

(2) apparently is unacceptable.

(3) is illegal under international law.

That leaves (1), the choice of the merciful the world over.

Of course there are rubber bullets (which can be lethal), and water cannons (difficult to truck across deserts), and bean bags (which also might do double-duty as Red Cross packages). But mostly, we hear of crowds being shot at, complain, and then deny any alternative.

[norml]

10. Rubber Bullets

I went to a party at the local county jail
All the cons were dancing and the band began to wail
But the guys were indiscreet
They were brawling in the street
At the local dance at the local county jail
Well the band were playing
And the booze began to flow
But the sound came over on the police car radio
Down at Precinct 49
Having a tear-gas of a time
Sergeant Baker got a call from the governor of the county jail
Load up, load up, load up with rubber bullets
Load up, load up, load up with rubber bullets
I love to hear those convicts squeal
It's a shame these slugs ain't real
But we can't have dancin' at the local county jail
Sergeant Baker and his men made a bee-line for the jail
And for miles around
You could hear the sirens wail
There's a rumor goin' round death row
That a fuse is gonna blow
At the local hop at the local county jail
Whatcha gonna do about it, whatcha gonna do
Whatcha gonna do about it, whatcha gonna do
Sergeant Baker started talkin'
With a bullhorn in his hand
He was cool, he was clear
He was always in command
He said Blood will flow;
Here Padre
Padre you talk to your boys...
Trust in me -
God will come to set you free
Well we don't understand
Why you called in the National Guard
When Uncle Sam is the one
Who belongs in the exercise yard
We all got balls and brains
But some's got balls and chains
At the local dance at the local county jail
Load up, load up, load up with rubber bullets
Load up, load up, load up with rubber bullets
Is it really such a crime
For a guy to spend his time
At the local dance at the local county jail
At the local dance at the local county jail
Whatcha gonna do about it, whatcha gonna do
Whatcha gonna do about it, whatcha gonna do

Seriously, your last unlisted option of using things like rubber bullets, bean bags, and water cannons would be what I would choose to use, rather than real bullets or microwave weapons.