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Test nonlethal weapons on U.S. citizens, official says
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/chronicle/4182615.html ^ | Sept. 13, 2006, 12:51AM | By LOLITA C. BALDOR

Posted on 09/13/2006 6:42:45 AM PDT by rightgrafix

WASHINGTON - Nonlethal weapons such as high-power microwave devices should be used on American citizens in crowd-control situations before they are used on the battlefield, the Air Force secretary said Tuesday.

Domestic use would make it easier to avoid questions in the international community over any possible safety concerns, said Air Force Secretary Michael Wynne.

"If we're not willing to use it here against our fellow citizens, then we should not be willing to use it in a wartime situation," said Wynne.

"(Because) if I hit somebody with a nonlethal weapon and they claim that it injured them in a way that was not intended, I think that I would be vilified in the world press."

The Air Force has funded research into nonlethal weapons, but he said the service isn't likely to spend more money on development until injury issues are reviewed by medical experts and resolved.

Nonlethal weapons can weaken people if they are hit with the beam.

Some of the weapons can emit short, intense energy pulses that also disable some electronic devices.


TOPICS: Government; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: airforce; banglist; donutwatch; dumbass; govwatch; libertarians; microwavedevices; neofascist; nonlethalweapons; notajoke; openmouthshovefoot; wot
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To: rightgrafix

Shows you exactly where we rank in their minds... foreign opinion first, American lives second.


61 posted on 09/13/2006 7:53:14 AM PDT by Teacher317
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To: Individual Rights in NJ

The military should be finding ways to use feathers to fight with.
Of all the crap I have ever read, this is got to be the no. 1 insane idea I have ever encountered.
General Patton said, we have got to kill these son's of bitches, because if we don't they are sure as hell going to kill us.
An enemy is an enemy and, to me, how I destroy him is my objective.
How long have we, the United States been trying to appease these Muslim Slime country's? It just isn't going to happen.
The left thinks talking to appease these people will stop them from wanting to kill us, bull s@it.


62 posted on 09/13/2006 8:05:51 AM PDT by buck61
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To: rightgrafix
I think that I would be vilified in the world press."

That's gonna happen anyway, you pansy.

If we are at war..on the battlefield, then a concern that the enemy might be hurt in an unintended manner, or fear the "media" won't like it, is just plain wrong headed.

63 posted on 09/13/2006 8:08:26 AM PDT by Mad Dash
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Comment #64 Removed by Moderator

To: Teacher317
Shows you exactly where we rank in their minds... foreign opinion first, American lives second.

Our Government seems to be moving towards the tyranny our Forefathers foresaw.

65 posted on 09/13/2006 8:15:06 AM PDT by Mad Dash
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To: rightgrafix

The first subject of LTL weapons are always the ones who will be using it. Before a single taser/pepperball is fired, cops and soldiers test them out first on each other.


66 posted on 09/13/2006 8:19:03 AM PDT by Killborn (Pres. Bush isn't Pres. Reagan. Then again, Pres. Regan isn't Pres. Washington. God bless them all.)
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Comment #67 Removed by Moderator

Comment #68 Removed by Moderator

To: rightgrafix
That idiotic wuss is high in our military's chain of command? Dump him and replace him with a warrior!!!
69 posted on 09/13/2006 8:26:27 AM PDT by TXnMA ("Allah": Satan's current alias...)
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To: rightgrafix
"If we're not willing to use it here against our fellow citizens, then we should not be willing to use it in a wartime situation," said Wynne.


70 posted on 09/13/2006 8:29:47 AM PDT by murphE (These are days when the Christian is expected to praise every creed but his own. --G.K. Chesterton)
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To: rightgrafix

This guy is an idiot. The internationals might not like us? What a PC, illogical, head up his arse military person. Oh, but it's ok to "experiment" on Americans?


71 posted on 09/13/2006 8:32:24 AM PDT by khnyny
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To: Individual Rights in NJ
Double yep.

I'd have said it myself, but there really is no need.

The 2nd is kind of like the person who knows karate: he has no need to fight every insult.

72 posted on 09/13/2006 8:32:27 AM PDT by Mad Dash
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To: rightgrafix
devices should be used on American citizens in crowd-control situations before they are used on the battlefield, the Air Force secretary said Tuesday.

and will he be first in line for testing? yeah right

73 posted on 09/13/2006 8:39:50 AM PDT by stuck_in_new_orleans
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To: rightgrafix

"Honest Leadership?" Let's be real honest, shall we:


74 posted on 09/13/2006 8:42:06 AM PDT by andy58-in-nh
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To: rightgrafix

Unfreaking real. I suspose lethal weapons should be tested on American citizens also? Then I suggest that idiot for starters.


75 posted on 09/13/2006 8:59:16 AM PDT by TexasRepublic (Afghan protest - "Death to Dog Washers!")
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To: All

Many here don't understand the purpose of LTL weapons. They are not to be used on Taliban columns or in Fallujah. They are for pacifying a restless/agitated population without the use of force. PErfect for the looters in Baghdad or to quell a riot because the people are jobless and have no power.

I'm glad we have an alternative to shooting at anyone who looks at us cross-eyed becuase he's having a bad day.

The General doesn't seem to know that we already test it on US citizens (servicemen to be exact) but then again, LTL isn't exactly the domain of the USAF.


76 posted on 09/13/2006 10:13:51 AM PDT by Killborn (Pres. Bush isn't Pres. Reagan. Then again, Pres. Regan isn't Pres. Washington. God bless them all.)
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To: Individual Rights in NJ

FReepers think that LTL is for mollycoddling terrorists. Nothing could be further from the truth. Imagine if there was a riot at food distributions centers because people were starving. Should we just mow them down with machine guns or actually subdue them with LTL?


77 posted on 09/13/2006 10:18:24 AM PDT by Killborn (Pres. Bush isn't Pres. Reagan. Then again, Pres. Regan isn't Pres. Washington. God bless them all.)
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To: Mark-in-Kentucky
"If we're not willing to use it here against our fellow citizens, then we should not be willing to use it in a wartime situation."

W...T...F?

Indeed, you have captured the essence of any sane reaction to this statement.

78 posted on 09/13/2006 10:32:27 AM PDT by OneWingedShark (Q: Why am I here? A: To do Justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.)
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To: rightgrafix

Test 'em on Wynne.


79 posted on 09/13/2006 1:01:33 PM PDT by LibWhacker
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To: ClearCase_guy

Bump. Words mean things, to quote the Maha Rushie.


80 posted on 09/13/2006 1:03:21 PM PDT by BeHoldAPaleHorse ( ~()):~)>)
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