[DB]

Not true.

Milliwatt levels can damage the retina.

It depends on atmospheric conditions as to how much beam spreading and attenuation there is.

50 watts of power over a two millimeter diameter area is very powerful. That would badly burn your skin and likely cut through it if it were passed over it slowly.

[ableChair]

It depends on atmospheric conditions as to how much beam spreading and attenuation there is

Exactly. I don't see a 50 watt (or less) laser fired through 5 miles of atmosphere not dissipating at least an equal amount of energy in heat. Doesn't pass the sniff test.

[luvie]

You Guys are soooo anteletical--but I'm tellin' you I can just visualize "Dude, there goes a plane--let's just try it on them and see what happens" (snicker, snicker)