3/04/2008

Why I'm A Dirty Hippie...

Actually, I keep myself reasonably clean and I probably wouldn't come across as a hippie based on my appearance. I use "dirty hippie" jokingly as a blanket descriptor for anyone with worldviews that piss off conservatives.

Anyway, I was watching another 60 Minutes report about a defense prototype that is basically a ray gun. It provides an effective method of crowd control without permanently injuring anybody. The technology is interesting. If it can prevent more innocent death, I think it's a positive step, provided it isn't misused. What I found curious about the testing in the piece was that they felt the need to stage a mock battle with people posing as peace activists. It just seems odd to me that this would be the logical target of a weapons system like this. It's basically saying that people who want world peace need to be defeated.

It made me think how cool it would be if, some day, the leaders of this world decided to act non-violently towards each other, so that the people who wanted more war were the ones who'd have to march in the streets in protest. They'd be the ones who were marginalized and made to feel unpatriotic. People like us who want to live in a peaceful world would be the ones calling the shots. Wouldn't that be sweet?

10 comments:

Splotchy said...

provided it isn't misused

That is one major caveat.

And don't forget about the strobe that makes you vomit.

We truly live in a golden age.

Some Guy said...

Splotchy- Absolutely it's a major caveat. Knowing what I know, I'd say the chances it'd be exploited would be strong. I realized my original post made it sound like I am a fan of the ray gun. Let me be clear, as someone who considers himself a pacifist, I'd prefers no weapons at all, but as long as we continue to use them, I'd prefer we use the ones that don't kill or maim.

Moderator said...

If only you could get this on a bumper sticker or tshirt. I found the "60 Minutes" piece pretty interesting, too.

Frank Sirmarco said...

You're a pinko, Chris.

Let me get my ray gun...

Dr. Monkey Von Monkerstein said...

Hells yeah, that would indeed be sweet.

Micgar said...

yeah it would be like: "awright, awright, just what in the hell do you think you're doing, Mr Mongomery Gentry? Huh!? With all your marching and yelling-'we want war, we want war!' Yeah, ya dirty warmonger! You make me sick!"

Distributorcap said...

i being a pessimist in many ways do not believe any of this would be peacefully used...

vikkitikkitavi said...

I watched this story and I also found it interesting that their target was a group of peace protesters.

But this is the same government who said our #1 enemy right now is "eco-terrorism." I'm not kidding. Eco-terrorism.

Unknown said...

Along those lines Chris, when I was traveling in the Chillmobil, we had a sticker that said:

"It will be a great day when schools get all the funding they need and the Navy has to hold a bake sale to buy an aircraft carrier"

I thought that was priceless..

Clarion Content said...

Damn straight!! The pro-war types should have to march in the streets to get the rest of us to buy into their hype.

Ray guns, whoa.

How's about this for an evil new weapon?!? Worse yet, it has been adapted for commercial purposes.