Posted: 8/3/2004 4:42:42 AM EDT
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www.cnn.com/2004/TECH/science/08/02/directedenergyweapons.ap/index.html Can't wait for the first Disruptor Ray's to go on sale at The Sharper Image. 
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Who are you kidding? Us dirty-ass civilians will never be allowed to buy stuff like this. It's for the children. Just imagine how many thrusts per squeeze you can get out of one of these things. |
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It all started with Tesla. The .mil's been looking into these things for *quite* some time - even longer if you're a tin foil hatter. Here's a program that I always had a stiffy for: www.de.afrl.af.mil/Factsheets/SHIVA.html Go, go, Shiva Star! Although DEWs are UFC (uber-friggin' cool), the caveat to all this is that, eventually (i.e. once all those pesky int'l laws and human rights issues are "safely" out of the way), these things could be used on We The People by our own .mil and/or .gov.
Disabling, rather than killing, a metric buttload of civilians goes over a lot easier on the evening news. A repeat of our Kent State or China's Tiennenman Square would have many ppl up in arms. If they were all just "incapacitated," Joe & Jane Six-pack wouldn't even get up from the couch over it. And *that* is why it's [eventually] more desirable to disable rather than to kill. |
 They will be used against us. They will not be used on the Border to stop invading Aztlaners. They will be found to have lasting permanent effects in some cases (which will then be blown exponentially out of proportion by the media and the leftists). They will not be legally allowed for Joe-sixpack to ever posess no matter how cheap the technology gets. They will get into the hands of our enemy shortly after their development and used against us both in war and in terrorism. The technology will be given to China too. Lethal versions will probably be produced first, but not publicized. This technology will be coupled with UAV and UGCV technology to make quite a kickass military/government/LEO force to "keep the peace". The future's so bright I gotta wear shades! 
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Wow, Mac, I hadn't seen your post until today (goin' through some old ones). You sure as hell did fix it for me! I hadn't wanted to be so fatalistic by saying "will," lest someone accuse me of sporting the tinfoil beanie. Ultimately, though, you're right. It will be used on us, not the ppl who "need" it. "I got a crazy teacher, he wears dark glasses" (also from the song - I think they were talking 'bout your smilie). |