Running the numbers at 0.1 statute miles (528 ft or 176 yards), this works out to 250mW being the maximum eye safe laser power at that range. Conversely it'll be about twice that distance for a 500mW laser. Again this assumes a nominal beam divergence of 1.5mrad, quite a typical number for the average, run of the mill, high power laser pointer.
Yes, if you crash and burn it won't matter that the laser didn't burn your retina to start with. However that was not my point. I do realize it is your point! I did, however, want to clear up some of the bad physics assumptions being put forth in the thread.