U.S. Aims to Deploy Tactical Lasers in Iraq (aim at drivers checkpoints)

[RamboLiberal]

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-laser18may18,0,1297257.story?coll=la-home-headlines

The U.S. military is deploying a laser device in Iraq that would temporarily blind drivers who fail to heed warnings at checkpoints, in an attempt to stem shootings of innocent Iraqis.

The pilot project would equip thousands of M-4 rifles with the 10 1/2-inch-long weapon, which projects an intense beam of green light to "dazzle" the vision of oncoming drivers.

"I think this is going to make a huge difference in avoiding these confrontations," said Lt. Gen. Peter Chiarelli, the commander in charge of day-to-day operations in Iraq. "I promise you no one -- no one -- will be able to ignore it."

But so-called tactical laser devices have been controversial in the past. A protocol to the Geneva Convention bans the use of lasers that cause blindness, and human rights groups have protested previous U.S. attempts to employ such weapons.

[MadMaddie]

1. Thats brilliant blind the drivers so they are incapacitated while

driving...then if the driver loses control of their vehicle they will get shot...can this get any more insane....?

[Kutjara]

2. But, if even the low-powered lasers...

...used in CD players and laser pointers 'can cause permanent eye damage and blindness', how the hell can the military lasers only 'temporarily' blind? I fear that the ones in Iraq will be just as safe as 'depleted' uranium was supposed to be. But, I suppose if its a choice between that and being riddled with bullets, I'd probably choose blindness.

[Orsino]

13. And White Phosphorus stings, temporarily.

Just until the affected limb falls off.

[htuttle]

3. Mirrored Sunglasses? Check.

:eyes:

[grytpype]

4. Red goggles? Check.

[One Honest Guy]

5. My guess is that they will use both the laser and gunfire.

Both at the same time, so there is less chance of a driver maneuvering and directing the car (car-bomb?) at the troops.

"attempt to stem shootings of innocent Iraqis." <-- Bullshit!

[ConcernedCanuk]

6. Ahhh - that outta bring on them flowers and candy we been waiting for

.
.
.

Iraqis will be SOOOO grateful

[daleo]

7. Would a blinding weapon be allowed under Geneva Conventions?

I am reminded of some WWI gas that blinded soldiers, which was one of the reasons gas was outlawed. Not that Bush cares about the Geneva Conventions.

[Dogmudgeon]

8. Why not just GET THE HELL OUT OF IRAQ?

Talk about overlooking the obvious.

What are these military planners smoking, anyway?

--p!

[eagler]

15. We need to be shouting this louder and louder!

nt

[pinniped]

9. Geneva Convention, never heard of it.

A protocol to the Geneva Convention bans the use of lasers that cause blindness, and human rights groups have protested previous U.S. attempts to employ such weapons.

[truthisfreedom]

10. temporarily my ass.

let bush try it.

[leftchick]

11. Laser 'optical incapacitator' issued in Iraq

http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/meast/05/18/iraq.lasers.reut/index.html

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -- The U.S. military has given troops in Iraq a laser device to temporarily blind drivers who ignore warnings at vehicle checkpoints, the Pentagon said on Thursday.

Army Lt. Col. Barry Venable, a Pentagon spokesman, defended its use as legal and said the devices were intended to prevent civilians from being shot.

"There have been numerous incidents that tragically have resulted in civilian deaths" in which drivers approaching U.S. military checkpoints have failed to heed warnings from troops, who in some cases have opened fire, he said.

The U.S. military is fitting some M-4 rifles used by U.S. forces in Iraq with a tube-shaped device that is about 10 1/2 inches (27 cm) long that shines a laser beam. Venable stressed that the devices do not cause permanent blindness.

[Julius Civitatus]

12. ...and blinding the drivers of motor vehicles would avoid problems, right

This is surreal, in a criminal kind of way

[BreweryYardRat]

14. Mmm-hmm.

You want to stop drivers...have tire spikes rigged on a retractable system all along the road (off-road too) for a solid 500 feet. If they try to run/hit the checkpoint, have someone raise the spikes. Then, while they're immobilized, figure out what the deal is. Not that hard.

[madmark]

16. i suppose blinding is an improvement from being shot with an M16 or

50 cal machine gun; but its just a another reminder, can we get the fuck out of there already. Im tired of Iraq being the 51st state; i want to secede.

[Nihil]

17. Shows the mindset of the "leaders" and their supporters.

They are trumpeting their intention to commit yet another series
of war-crimes and no-one gives a fuck.

Every soldier who operates this device as intended is committing
a war-crime and should be prosecuted along with every person in
the chain of command up to Chiarelli (at least).

But as they are American troops, nothing will happen ... except
for the reprisals of course (watch for prisoners to be returned
without their eyes) ... although there will be much bleating in
the media about "unexpected levels of hostility to 'peacekeeping'
troops" ...