We Are The Enemy
Mar 3rd, 2008 at 9:58 am by Susie
This ran on 60 Minutes last night, and you really need to see this to believe it:
The “Active Denial System” is a non-lethal “ray gun” which zaps its target with super high-frequency radio waves. In other words, it’s a crowd control device. Gee, now I wonder how the government would use something like that?
Perhaps we have a little clue in the Pentagon’s demonstration video, which they aired as part of last night’s segment. The clip shows a group of people carrying signs that read “Love For All,” “End The War” and “World Peace.”
Now check the transcript of Martin’s voice-over describing this scene:
The targets at the base are people, military volunteers creating a scenario soldiers might encounter in Iraq, like angry protesters advancing on American troops, who have to choose between backing down or opening fire. Off in the distance, half a mile away, the operator of the ray gun has the crowd in his sights.
David Martin and 60 Minutes Producer Mary Walsh must be either incredibly stupid or on the Pentagon’s payroll. “End The War” and “World Peace” placards are a scene from Iraq? Really? This looks less like a scene from Iraq than a scene from America.
This certainly tells us everything we need to know about who the Pentagon views as the enemy. And it speaks volumes about the incurious stenography offered by 60 Minutes reporter David Martin and producer Mary Walsh.
It may be “non-lethal”, but it does cause pain. Sure, they were quick to point out how the pain stops immediately once you move beyond its range, but my first thought was that it would be used to herd a crowd and contain it. Once the hippies are corralled just keep pushing the button. Tasers are “non-lethal” too remember. Yea, right.
It’s a mob-control device. What it could do to prevent IED attacks, snipers, kidnappings, or a suicide bomber in a crowded market I have no idea. Also, it seems to me that a fine wire mesh, say embedded in your clothing, would block the effect entirely, and it would be useless in an area where there are lots of buildings and cross-streets, say a city. It’s typical of the deep thinking at the top levels of the military/intelligence bureaucracy: technology will solve all our problems. All we have to do is get the enemy to mill around in a big open field for a couple of hours while we bring one of these things in.
The cheerleading coverage of this last night was sickening. “What a great non-lethal weapon to have in our arsenal!” “Its biggest problem is that it’s non-lethal, and no one wants to use a weapon that doesn’t kill people in the war theater,” etc.
We know who they really developed that for. People who question what their government does.
Die for your country, or die by your country. Now you have a choice.
What a GREAT substitute for water boarding, but with no wet mess!!! WHO is going to stop them from abusing it?
Raytheon makes a smaller table top model, perfect for prison (ab)use. Google Raytheon Silent Guardian for the specs.
Why use mock peaceful protesters in their clip? What a chilling example, people exercising their First Ammendment Rights!!! Can’t let THAT continue.
Google Electronic Harassment to see how this technology is already being abused. Atlanta-Attacks.com tells one lady’s story.