Spring Break
UNH is hub of Pentagon's 'non-lethal' weapons research program
Derek Price
Issue date: 4/25/08 Section: News
"If I had to choose between a hand gun and a potentially non-lethal weapon, I would take the non-lethal weapon," Tim Pirdan of the UNH's ROTC Wildcat Battalion said. "That's what it comes down to out there."
But to others, such as Elizabeth Wolff, a journalist for New Hampshire Indie Media and social justice activist, the tools developed here represent a darker reality: a tempting new set of means to assert power over people who would exercise their right to assemble and speak freely. They warn of a host of unintended consequences for public safety and health and the potential, in the wrong hands, for these weapons to apply physical torture on a wide scale. For these reasons, human rights watchdogs have pressured the military to be more open about the weapons in development.
Mark Garlasco, a former Pentagon Chief and the current military analyst for Human Rights Watch, said he has concerns about this new technology and how it is used.
"The onus is on U.S. Military to show that they are going to use these weapons properly," said Garlasco.
STUFF OF COMIC BOOKS
Many of the weapons under development in the non-lethal weapons program - on computer screens at UNH and on proving grounds around the country - sound like the stuff of fantasy. Many are designed to trip-up, annoy and repulse crowds, such as a water-based, biodegradable, slippery goo that can be used to prevent people and vehicles from crossing bridges or entering restricted zones.
"The only problem is that you'd need a lot of this stuff to cover a bridge or a pathway, and soldiers don't want to lug fifty pounds of liquid goo around," Shwaery said. "So we've thought about using a remote-controlled flying robot to carry and deploy the stuff."
The gizmo sitting on Glenn Shwaery's desk is the brainchild of UNH researchers - a weapon that Shwaery said may someday be in the hands of U.S. police and military. Like a spitting cobra, the high-powered laser is able to lock on to and follow a person's retinas to deliver a flash of light that will make its target see spots for about 30 seconds.
But to others, such as Elizabeth Wolff, a journalist for New Hampshire Indie Media and social justice activist, the tools developed here represent a darker reality: a tempting new set of means to assert power over people who would exercise their right to assemble and speak freely. They warn of a host of unintended consequences for public safety and health and the potential, in the wrong hands, for these weapons to apply physical torture on a wide scale. For these reasons, human rights watchdogs have pressured the military to be more open about the weapons in development.
Mark Garlasco, a former Pentagon Chief and the current military analyst for Human Rights Watch, said he has concerns about this new technology and how it is used.
"The onus is on U.S. Military to show that they are going to use these weapons properly," said Garlasco.
STUFF OF COMIC BOOKS
Many of the weapons under development in the non-lethal weapons program - on computer screens at UNH and on proving grounds around the country - sound like the stuff of fantasy. Many are designed to trip-up, annoy and repulse crowds, such as a water-based, biodegradable, slippery goo that can be used to prevent people and vehicles from crossing bridges or entering restricted zones.
"The only problem is that you'd need a lot of this stuff to cover a bridge or a pathway, and soldiers don't want to lug fifty pounds of liquid goo around," Shwaery said. "So we've thought about using a remote-controlled flying robot to carry and deploy the stuff."
The gizmo sitting on Glenn Shwaery's desk is the brainchild of UNH researchers - a weapon that Shwaery said may someday be in the hands of U.S. police and military. Like a spitting cobra, the high-powered laser is able to lock on to and follow a person's retinas to deliver a flash of light that will make its target see spots for about 30 seconds.
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 18
Thomas Jefferson
posted 4/26/08 @ 11:00 AM EST
Police State 2008!
Just what they need...a gun that seeks out and burns my eyeballs when I'm exercising my rights.
"I don't give a goddamn," Bush retorted. (Continued…)
Jim DeFilippis
posted 4/26/08 @ 10:17 PM EST
Well, let's see. This is sponsored by the Pentagon, which I assume means its for the military. The last time I checked, the military's primary role in this country is not to put down demonstrations. (Continued…)
Thomas Jefferson
posted 4/28/08 @ 3:09 PM EST
"Well, let's see. This is sponsored by the Pentagon, which I assume means its for the military. The last time I checked, the military's primary role in this country is not to put down demonstrations. (Continued…)
Ockham's Folly
posted 4/28/08 @ 3:59 PM EST
I admit I'm a bit leery of this research, but not because I fear abuse directly from the people currently pursuing it. It just seems to me like something that can lead to far worse technologies in the future. (Continued…)
Thomas Jefferson
posted 4/28/08 @ 4:56 PM EST
"Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely." Lord Acton
Do you honestly think the organization with the most power in the world is good and pure?
"It just reinforces an age old concept: we the citizens must remain vigilant to help insure that new technology is not used to further attack and destroy our kin, across the Earth. (Continued…)
Dirk Diggler
posted 4/29/08 @ 2:14 AM EST
Wow, if you are going to repeatedly post paragraph after paragraph of barely intelligible rantings, please don't borrow the name of an actual intellectual. (Continued…)
Jim DeFilippis
posted 4/29/08 @ 2:50 AM EST
Don't waste your breath. He's a loon. I've seen a lot of videos of this type and all it proves is that propaganda comes in many forms. It's an unavoidable consequence of free speech. (Continued…)
Ken Mikelinich
posted 4/29/08 @ 10:43 AM EST
I think Glenn is doing a great job of attracting government research dollars to the institution. Yes, they may be DoD dollars, but remember many of the tangential scientific discoveries from such research benefit us today. (Continued…)
Jason Allard
posted 4/29/08 @ 11:18 AM EST
"Yes, they may be DoD dollars, but remember many of the tangential scientific discoveries from such research benefit us today. Take for example the Internet that we use today. (Continued…)
Jim DeFilippis
posted 4/29/08 @ 1:16 PM EST
I'm pretty sure I said our system is far from perfect.
However, anyone who thinks we need a revolution is a lunatic. Please tell me how we have it so bad? Am I the only one who magically escapes oppression every day? And enough with the flouride bull$#!t. (Continued…)
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