Air Force chief: Test weapons on testy U.S. mobs
 

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Nonlethal weapons such as high-power microwave devices should be used on American citizens in crowd-control situations before being used on the battlefield, the Air Force secretary said Tuesday.
The object is basically public relations. Domestic use would make it easier to avoid questions from others about possible safety considerations, said 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 paid for research into nonlethal weapons, but he said the service is unlikely to spend more money on development until injury problems are reviewed by medical experts and resolved.
Nonlethal weapons generally can weaken people if they are hit with the beam. Some of the weapons can emit short, intense energy pulses that also can be effective in disabling some electronic devices....


http://edition.cnn.com/2006/US/09/12/usaf.weapons.ap/


So no more criticism of George Dubya or else :)


(Surprised the AF is spending money on this)

I would nominate the Democratic National Convention as the best venue for these field tests....starting with any speech by Hillary Clinton or John Kerry!:E

Is that 'cos most of the Republican party act like they've already been subjected to non-lethal weapons? I suspect one or two of them may use them at home :E

I think you should take advantage of the 'Special Relationship' and I offer the TUC conference as an alternative, be quick!

Turn it off if Hillary arrives in her bikini, turn it up if Kerry turns up in his, and max the bloody thing if Cherie steps out from behind the curtain...