bummer, the military's ray gun is delayed.

[cynatnite]

ARLINGTON, Va. - For years, the U.S. military has explored a new kind of firepower that is instantaneous, precise and virtually inexhaustible: beams of electromagnetic energy. "Directed-energy" pulses can be throttled up or down depending on the situation, much like the phasers on "Star Trek" could be set to kill or merely stun.

Such weapons are now nearing fruition. But logistical issues have delayed their battlefield debut — even as soldiers in Iraq encounter tense urban situations in which the nonlethal capabilities of directed energy could be put to the test.

"It's a great technology with enormous potential, but I think the environment's not strong for it," said James Jay Carafano, a senior fellow at the conservative Heritage Foundation who blames the military and Congress for not spending enough on getting directed energy to the front. "The tragedy is that I think it's exactly the right time for this."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20050709/ap_on_sc/directed_energy_weapons

What does it mean that 'the environment's not strong for it'? Like the environment doesn't like radiation or something?

[Mythsaje]

1. Wow.

Talk about potential.

I think what it means by "the environment's not strong for it" they're referring to the general social climate...people are more worried than excited about its potential. It's too new, too sci-fi, for some folks. Especially for some military minds that are rather hide-bound and traditional in outlook.

Just a guess.

[cynatnite]

2. getting it to the battlefield so quickly bugged me

I'm not entirely convinced of it's safety, either.

When tasers came out, and for years later, I thought they were safe for everyone. Now we know differently.

What said about the evironment makes sense.

[Mythsaje]

3. It might be iffy, safety wise.

But it's still probably better than filling the air with bullets.

[TheGoodCitizen]

4. ZAP

:dilemma:

[TheGoodCitizen]

5. ZaaaaaaaP

This one's the real deal....

[unhappycamper]

6. The environment Carafano is referring to is the social environment.

Wanna scare the shit out of yourself?

1. Google: crowd control technology
   
2. Read four or five links of whatever pops out of Google
   
3. Read Army Regulation 210–35, Civilian Inmate Labor Program. Link:
   http://www.army.mil/usapa/epubs/pdf/r210_35.pdf
   

I don't think it's much of a stretch to put these things together. Slipping on my :tinfoilhat:, this technology and civilian inmate camp infrastructure need to be in place when the draft riots start.

[TheGoodCitizen]

7. You don't need a "tin foil hat"

I am kind of tired of hear that "tinfoil hat" shit all the time... not to poke my finger at you or anything. I'm just telling you IT'S OK! :tinfoilhat:

(edit: poor grammar)