Authorities..for GOP convention _ a 150-decibel 'megaphone'

[Nambe]

NEW YORK (AP)

Forget the megaphones. Police will have a much more high-tech -- and louder -- option to make themselves heard over the din of Manhattan traffic and noisy protesters outside the Republican National Convention.

It's called the Long Range Acoustic Device, developed for the military and capable of blasting warnings, orders or anything else at an ear-splitting 150 decibels. ..

Bill Dobbs of United for Peace and Justice, which has planned a massive anti-war demonstration on the eve of the convention, called the sound system "a potential Big Brother nightmare."

Police "are trying to use technology and machinery to control every aspect of life on the street, rather than relax a little and let a part of democratic society unfold," he said. ..
Use your Head

Put a Lid on It!

[Rose Siding]

1. They are killing democracy

It's the first time the device would be used against a "civilian force" but is has been test driven:

The military, which has used the machines in Iraq, bills them as a "non-lethal weapon" designed to disperse hostile crowds or ward off potential foreign combatants by delivering prerecorded warnings in several languages and, if needed, an earsplitting screeching noise. But police insist the latter feature won't be used at the convention.
---------------

[Mika]

21. Look how well these things have worked in Iraq

n/t

[Malva Zebrina]

27. Maybe that is the idea and the goal

Bush said it would be easier if he were a dictator.

[ElsewheresDaughter]

39. can we say "CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT"? "CLASS ACTION!!!!

[Rose Siding]

41. Never has the term been more appropriate

What a nightmare.

[Almost_there]

53. Why class action lawsuit?

Actually, something like this, as much as I hate to think of its dumb possible uses, would be a crap load better than water hoses, horses, or thugs with batons.

150 DB's is enough to literally make you think of nothing but pain, sort of like some of those intense lights, but, I think they are pretty good measures. Being a New Yorker, I will NOT be happy if the crowd starts to break things, and if this thing is used to settle a law breaking crowd in a SAFE manner, well, its a good thing.

I HATE riots and looting, and they wind up hurting the cause more than helping it. If there are 20,000 rioters during this convention, do you really think this will help Kerry's cause, or, just make his supporters look like a fringe bunch of nuts and people to be feared, alienating the center?

~Almost

[tlcandie]

56. Let me tell you about a really simple solution and NON-Lethal as well!

Turn the government and this country back over to the American people! When the people have control again then there will be no need for crowd control and taking away of rights.

Funny, I never noticed the protestors with Martin Luther King needing these types of crowd control; albeit, they did use them irregardless.

There are way too many in the business of controlling crowds who believe the citizens of the US are the enemy!

Just like in Iraq, things go really bad when people feel abandoned and used.

I see hardly anyone with power addressing the root causes of the world's nightmares atm.

[Almost_there]

59. I totally agree with you, tlcandie...

I'm simply not one to advocate violence, and this isn't a tool to break up a peaceful demonstration, where people are doing sit ins etc. This is a non movable perimeter device. It would would be used to keep people away from something, not to "fire" willy nilly into a crowd like a hose or a spray of bullets.

I am simply stating that if the crowd gets violent, and if store fronts are broken, lamp posts climbed in an effort to topple, cars flipped, then this thing would be a fair alternative to use.

I cannot advocate violence to protest violence, it is the most insane argument in the world. Turning this protest violent would so undermine the cause of peace as to be incalcuable. Don't you think that the Repubs would just LOVE to see protestors trying to attack the stores, the anarchists in black masks throwing Molitov cocktails, and then the crowd being disbursed by a new gadget thought up to control unruly crowds? It would be totally playing into their hands!

News Flash at 11! Democrat Protestors cause hundreds of thousands of dollars in damage, 350 arrested as NY's Finest use new non-lethal device to calm crowd.

Seriously, the world's nightmares as you put it have been going on since the first person found that a rock was good for smashing another person in the noggin, and have just gone downhill from there. For this weapon to be used to the protester's advantage, the protests must be peaceful, pointed, and orderly to a degree. The NYPD knows (and I'm sure they've been instructed by the Mayor and other repubs) that if they use it on a calm crowd it would make the protest a thousand times more powerful than it could ever be, showing them to be the ones that lost control.

~Almost

[tlcandie]

61. I agree with you in some ways because there are always those

who like to make disturbances and cause scenes. Mostly those people are not a part of the peaceful protestors. The 60s and 70s proved that moles got in and caused almost all of those issues.

I don't trust our government and I know too well how a lot of officers feel about the citizens anymore. And I do not like feeling like a lab rat in an experiment.

How can this government use stuff against its citizens, much less anyone else, without bringing it before the people first? Everything is done so hush hush and secretively that it's just insane!

I don't think people should have to be afraid to stand up for free speech and their rights. And I think that the NAFTA protests in Florida and now this will do exactly that!

What else is next? If you read one of the linked articles you will see where they have an even newer Non-Lethal Weapon that will actually cause pain that they are playing with!

I don't like it one bit! It's like with all the medications the release on the people without long term testing and then come back and so, "Oh, sorry, but now you might die." You know those instances!

I guess there's just too many unknowns for me to be comfortable with this situation! If it was proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that there was no damage and the control was 99.99% then I might reconsider, but they can't do that.

[akitamata]

63. 20,000 rioters?

You are a plant or a dupe. I have read of 250,000+ demonstrators, NOT rioters. What you are doing here is condoning a rightwing/police-state smear tactic. I am not surprised that you are willing to swallow the load of garbage about the coming of rioters and anarchists to NYC, as your nation has become incapable of independent and realistic thought. "America, the stupid", shame on you for tarring all your fellow citizens with the brush of state-imposed criminal suspicion. I am so proud to be a citizen of another country...akita

[markses]

2. I thought Bush would give his speech over a megaphone

:eyes:

[coalition_unwilling]

3. So in addition to helmets, bandannas, Vaseline

Protestors need to bring good, high-quality ear plugs.

[DUreader]

4. I think AP is downplaying the potential harm of LRAD

I don't think ear plugs are enough to protect you from the pain

Instant headache is my guess

[coalition_unwilling]

6. Yes, maybe headphones are more on order

Each measure of repression they develop will provoke an equally effective counter-measure, to paraphrase Mao (out of context).

[DUreader]

9. I doubt that will be enough, it is not just a speaker, more audio-laser

I believe it is,or can be, 'directed' sound and feel like getting punched in the head

[LifeDuringWartime]

11. yeah right

the kind of earplugs youd need to protect your ears again 150 decibels have to be custom molded, and the most protection ive seen is -40dB. prepare to fork over $300+!

http://www.etymotic.com

the ER-20 model is great for concerts. it can make it sound like youre listening to your home stereo, but with a giant subwoofer

[Thor_MN]

29. Both the foam "in the ear" and the headphone type

with both, you'd probably hear more through bone conduction and through your mouth.

[arwalden]

42. Vaseline?

[htuttle]

43. For tear gas, etc...

It can protect the skin on your face, but wipe off the vaseline after you get hit with it!

Nowdays, I think just rinsing with clean water after getting sprayed is more common.

[arwalden]

44. That Makes More Sense Than What I Was Imagining...

... I was thinking that one might "douse" in Vaseline to keep from being easily apprehended in a brawl or scuffle. Or... greasy wrists to easily slip out of handcuffs or zip-ties.

-- Allen

[smirkymonkey]

66. Or to make the A** F***ing that we are getting from our government

a little more comfortable.

[LauraK]

5. There are laws protectiny us from this very thing!

Decibel levels are regulated to protect us. 110 comes to mind. I'll check.

[Hobarticus]

14. YES!

Absolutely, LauraK!

Some sharp lawyer needs to get on top of this NOW!

[_NorCal_D_]

7. Hmmm

It looks like this 'megaphone' could be used as a weapon as well:

US brings new weapon to Iraq


Tuesday 09 March 2004, 15:11 Makka Time, 12:11 GMT


The US military is about to add a controversial new weapon to its huge arsenal in Iraq. But in contrast to other armaments, this one does not shoot or explode. It screams.

A defence contractor announced securing a million dollar deal to supply the First US Marine Expeditionary Force with a so-called Long Range Acoustic Device, or LRAD.

The manufacturer has borrowed some of its technology from modern pest-control devices that shoo away mice and other rodents with the help of ultrasound.

While LRAD can boom commands, it can also deliver a shrill 145-decibel tone over a distance of more than 300 metres, causing splitting headaches, pain, panic and even hearing loss.


http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=721082#721104

[htuttle]

8. But, but...what if they accidentally aim it at Tiffany's?

That would be a lot of expensive glass to break!

Seriously, have they considered the effects of something like this in the closed-in artificial canyons of New York City? It would be quite different than out in the open desert.

[Boat Guy]

10. Imagine The Irony --

-- if the images we see coming out of NYC that are of the Police Department shattering shop windows...

"We Had To Destroy 7th Avenue In Order To Save It."

[yardwork]

65. Police have done it before. Remember when they firebombed

a whole neighborhood in Philadelphia to get one group of squatters out of a building? Burned down buildings all up and down the block.

[LifeDuringWartime]

12. i cant imagine how this would be legal

somebody is going to suffer MASSIVE hearing loss, which is 100% irreparable. i hope they sue the shit out of the NYPD and win. i'm a musician, so my ears are one of my most important possessions.

[Alpharetta]

13. the police will be too close

they won't be able to run it at the maximum setting unless the police have withdrawn.

so if the police withdraw, I suggest you do the same.

[anarchy1999]

15. Sorry to say this, but I've been expecting this for some time now.

Every since I learned of the damnable existence of it and how it could potentially be used for crowd control.

I really am worried for what is going to take place in New York, I don't think any of us are truly prepared for what the authories intend to make happen.

[BlueCollar]

16. I'm sure that the GOP

has secured the appropriate permits for violating city sound codes

[Eric J in MN]

17. Someone needs to get a court order to regulate this (nt)

nt

[LifeDuringWartime]

18. information on decibel levels

good ol' google ;)

http://www.lhh.org/noise/decibel.htm

Points of Reference *measured in dBA or decibels



0 The softest sound a person can hear with normal hearing


10 normal breathing


20 whispering at 5 feet


30 soft whisper


50 rainfall


60 normal conversation


110 shouting in ear


120 thunder




Home



50 refrigerator


50 - 60 electric toothbrush


50 - 75 washing machine


50 - 75 air conditioner


50 - 80 electric shaver


55 coffee percolator


55 - 70 dishwasher


60 sewing machine


60 - 85 vacuum cleaner


60 - 95 hair dryer


65 - 80 alarm clock


70 TV audio


70 - 80 coffee grinder


70 - 95 garbage disposal


75 - 85 flush toilet


80 pop-up toaster


80 doorbell


80 ringing telephone


80 whistling kettle


80 - 90 food mixer or processor


80 - 90 blender


80 - 95 garbage disposal


110 baby crying


110 squeaky toy held close to the ear


135 noisy squeeze toys



Work



40 quiet office, library


50 large office


65 - 95 power lawn mower


80 manual machine, tools


85 handsaw


90 tractor


90 - 115 subway


95 electric drill


100 factory machinery


100 woodworking class


105 snow blower


110 power saw


110 leafblower


120 chain saw, hammer on nail


120 pneumatic drills, heavy machine


120 jet plane (at ramp)


120 ambulance siren


125 chain saw


130 jackhammer, power drill


130 air raid


130 percussion section at symphony


140 airplane taking off


150 jet engine taking off


150 artillery fire at 500 feet


180 rocket launching from pad



Recreation



40 quiet residential area


70 freeway traffic


85 heavy traffic, noisy restaurant


90 truck, shouted conversation


95 - 110 motorcycle


100 snowmobile


100 school dance, boom box


110 disco


110 busy video arcade


110 symphony concert


110 car horn


110 -120 rock concert


112 personal cassette player on high


117 football game (stadium)


120 band concert


125 auto stereo (factory installed)


130 stock car races


143 bicycle horn


150 firecracker


156 capgun


157 balloon pop


162 fireworks (at 3 feet)


163 rifle


166 handgun


170 shotgun

[tlcandie]

19. When this regime first let out the info about this weapon many here

at DU noted/suggested it WOULD be used for the RNC convention in NY. Be forewarned it IS LETHAL!

All the police have to do is move behind it as it is a directionable. Additionally, they will already be wearing sufficient ear plugs I'm sure.

The noise is I suppose too high for windows to break? I'm sure they've already tested this as there's LOTS of info about the dangers of it on children, expecting mothers, elderly, those with epileptic seizure issues, neuro damage, etc.

[LifeDuringWartime]

22. wow

any info on the manufacturer?

[Mari333]

23. Designed by American Technology company

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5359306/site/newsweek/



http://www.atcsd.com/


Company Contact Information
13114 Evening Creek Drive S.
San Diego, CA 92128
Phone [phone]
Fax [phone]
www.atcsd.com


and here is their management team

Elwood G. Norris, Chairman
Kalani Jones, Chief Operating Officer
Jim Croft, Sr. Vice President of Research & Development
Carl Gruenler, Vice President of Military Operations & Interim Chief Accounting Officer
Bruce Ehlers, Vice President of Engineering
Robert Putnam, Public and Investor Relations

[Mari333]

20. There will be veterans protesting there, old women, children,

this cannot be used. It cannot.

[tlcandie]

24. Links with info...

http://www.defense-aerospace.com/cgi-bin/client/modele.pl?prod=38802&session=dae.4695470.1092955015.QSUrh8Oa9dUAACgL344&modele=jdc_1

<snip>
LRAD can issue a verbal challenge with instructions in excess of 300 yards in a focused beam, and follow up with a warning tone to influence behavior or determine intent. Recorded messages can be selected and transmitted over LRAD in multiple languages. Used in land-based roles for military operations other than war, LRAD will support missions including crowd control, area denial of personnel including checkpoint operations and clearing buildings.
<snip>

http://www.freshnews.com/news/other-tech-areas/article_17222.html?American+Technology

<snip>
ATC's proprietary and patent-pending LRAD is a highly directional long range hailing and warning device that communicates clearly in a narrow beam at greater than 500 yards over water and 300 yards over land. LRAD supports the efforts of the armed services and Homeland Security agencies to defuse potentially hostile or dangerous situations by communicating voice instructions, plus reinforcing them and influencing behavior with a highly irritating warning tone. LRADs are being employed to determine the intent of an individual or individuals approaching members of the armed forces and the installations, assets or vehicles guarded/operated by them.

LRAD is safe when used properly, to both those in the beam and the operator. LRAD has been evaluated by an independent test lab, field tested, with operational practice set to perform within the guidelines of National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH, www.cdc.gov/niosh/98-126a.html, and scroll down to Table 1-1) for combined noise exposure source levels and durations. It has been erroneously reported in some media that LRAD can produce 145dB at 300 yards. At 300 yards, LRAD's highest sustained source level, the warning tone, is 105dB (or about the same level as stereo headphones at high volume). Verbal messages have a lower dB level based on the acoustic characteristics of the device. The oscillating and piercing LRAD warning tone is designed to be very annoying (similar to the effect of a very loud smoke detector).

LRAD's source level is scalable for different situations through the use of a volume control dial. It is electronically limited to 120 dB at 1 meter from the device in normal operations (about the intensity of a police car siren), with an override key to allow higher dB levels (up to 146 dB sustained at 1 meter from the device, or about the source level intensity of an air raid siren). The higher intensity may be needed for longer ranges and high ambient noise situations as decided by the commander in the field.
<snip>



http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20040302.gtnoise0302/BNPrint/Technology/

<snip>
If crowds or potential foes don't respond to the verbal messages, the sonic weapon, which measures 33 inches in diameter, can direct a high-pitched, piercing tone with a tight beam. Neither the LRAD's operators or others in the immediate area are affected.

The devices "place distance between the Marine and their threat, giving him/her more time to sort out a measured and appropriate response," Lt. Col. Susan Noel, force protection officer for the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force, said in an ATC statement announcing the contract.

Mr. Gruenler compares the LRAD's shrill tone to that of smoke detectors, only much louder. It can be as loud as about 150 decibels; smoke detectors are in the 80 to 90 decibel range.

"Inside 100 yards, you definitely don't want to be there," said Mr. Gruenler, adding that the device is recommended for a range of 300 yards or less.

Hearing experts say sound that loud and of that high a frequency — about 2,100 to 3,100 hertz — could be dangerous if someone were exposed to it long enough.

"That's a sensitive region for developing hearing loss," said Richard Salvi, director of the Center for Hearing and Deafness at the University at Buffalo. "The longer the duration, the more serious it is."

Mr. Gruenler concedes that permanent hearing damage is possible if someone were exposed to the sound for lengthy periods.

But he said the high-pitched tone is to be used only for a few seconds at a time.
<snip>

Also, it appears another nice piece of equipment is on its way really soon... according to the GlobeandMail linked article...
<snip>
Another such weapon, to be tested in the field soon, is the Active Denial System. It seeks to repel enemies with a painful energy beam.
<snip>

http://www.atcsd.com/pdf/LRAD.pdf

So, it's looking like protests and such will be a thing of the past really soon, unless you do EXACTLY as they say! :cry:



Sorry, I don't know how to do the short links. :(

EDIT: Not having any luck atm trying to find the warnings from someone besides the military or investors/inventors...will keep trying!

[Moderator]

34. tlcandie

Per DU copyright rules
please post only four
paragraphs from the
copyrighted news source.


Thank you.

DU Moderator

[htuttle]

25. Somebody should bring some big parabolic dishes....

...and bounce the damn thing right back at them!

[LifeDuringWartime]

33. YES!

a satellite dish would work, no?

[htuttle]

35. Not sure

I was thinking it would have to be something like acrylic. The material should probably have some sound dampening properties so most of the sound vibration is reflected off the dish, instead of vibrating it. Like one of those parabolic microphone dishes, but a bit larger.

You might want to change the shape of the dish also, to more efficiently reflect the sound, as opposed to focusing it into a space a few feet in front of the dish. Maybe someone who actually managed to pass calculus can figure that one out.

:shrug:

[tlcandie]

36. I think previously someone also suggested hearing aids that were

wired a specific way. I can't recall who that was though.

[ParanoidPat]

45. Phase cancellation, reverse the wires to the microphones.......

.......in the hearing aids and the output will be 180 degrees out of phase from the original thereby 'phase canceling' the original waves by about the amount the of amplification put out by the aids. :evilgrin:

[tlcandie]

46. Thanks for coming to the rescue ParanoidPat!

YOU were the one I recalled hearing this from!

:hug:

[struggle4progress]

64. And a beer to you, too, for correctly predicting this turn of events ...

... in your post #33 in the thread
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=721082#726817


:toast: :beer:

[Almost_there]

54. It wouldn't work...

I don't think it would work because the dish would have to be solid mounted. As soon as the sound wave hit it, your hands would shake, abosrbing the waves, and not redirecting anything, but, simply creating a harmonic.

[mimitabby]

26. boy, this smells like a huge law suit

noise over 115 dB can result in hearing loss after a very short time.
I can't believe they're going to use it on american citizens!!

[Mari333]

28. Im not even surprised...not even surprised...

welcome to Fascist Amerika.

[Bombero1956]

30. imagine

the police who have no contract with a Republican mayor for over 2 years will help that mayor control the very people who have their best interest at heart...oh the irony.

[tlcandie]

32. Police? I believe it will be military who will be using this ..

or special units who have been trained by the military. I could be very wrong. We've seen a crossover from police to military at NAFTA in Florida. Also, don't forget the hired gun types.

[smirkymonkey]

68. If this happens, Bloomberg is toast!

The backlash from this will be massive.

[tlcandie]

31. Geneva Convention link regarding Non-Lethal Weapons...

http://www.geneva-forum.org/Reports/20040311b.pdf


EDIT: Here's an interesting link...

http://www.xenophilia.com/str_technology.htm

<snip>
This is the same focused sound technology we told you about that can beam voices so they seem to come from inside your head. Such a device might be used to make you think you were crazy, for example.

Norris tried out the acoustic beam at a mall near his office and passers-by all stopped to listen when the sound was aimed at them. "That is absolutely amazing," said one woman, "it sounds like the sound is inside your head."

In 1994 Newsweek printed " ...Sources tell Newsweek that the FBI consulted Moscow experts on the possible use of a Soviet technique for beaming subliminal messages to Koresh. The technique uses inaudible transmissions that could have convinced Koresh he was hearing the voice of God inside his head."
<snip>



EDIT: Yet another interesting link...
http://www.datafilter.com/mc/nonlethalWeapons.html

<snip>
A weapon which could intrude into the brain of an individual represents a gross invasion of their private life. The idea that these new systems could be created in the next several years should be cause for significant discussion and public debate. On July 21, 1994, Dr. Christopher Lamb, Director of Policy Planning, issued a draft Department of Defense directive which would establish a policy for non-lethal weapons in the United States. The policy was intended to take effect January 1, 1995, and formally connected the military¹s non-lethal research to civilian law enforcement agencies. The government's plan to use pulsed electromagnetic and radio frequency systems as a nonlethal technology for domestic Justice Department use rings the alarm for some observers. Nevertheless, the plan for integrating these systems is moving forward. Coupling these uses with expanded military missions is even more disturbing. This combined mission raises additional constitutional questions for Americans regarding the power of the federal government to use military systems in domestic police actions. In interviews with members of the Defense Department the development of this policy was confirmed. In those February, 1995, discussions, it was discovered that these policies were internal to agencies and were not subject to any public review process. In its draft form, the policy gives highest priority to development of those technologies most likely to get dual use, i.e. law enforcement and military applications. According to this document, non-lethal weapons are to be used on the government's domestic "adversaries." The definition of "adversary" has been significantly enlarged in the policy: "The term 'adversary' is used above in its broadest sense, including those who are not declared enemies but who are engaged in activities we wish to stop. This policy does not preclude legally authorized domestic use of the nonlethal weapons by United States military forces in support of law enforcement." This allows use of the military in actions against the citizens of the country that they are supposed to protect.
<snip>

[DU GrovelBot]

## PLEASE DONATE TO DEMOCRATIC UNDERGROUND! ##

==================
GROVELBOT.EXE v3.0
==================



This week is our third quarter 2004 fund drive. Democratic
Underground is a completely independent website. We depend almost entirely
on donations from our members to cover our costs. Thank you so much for
your support.

[ElsewheresDaughter]

37. here's a pic of the device and what it is capable of doing to you

Dubbed "The Sound of Force Protection" in a company brochure, the devices can broadcast sound files containing warning messages. Or they can be used with electronic translating devices for what amounts to "narrowcasting."

If crowds or potential foes don't respond to the verbal messages, the sonic weapon, which measures 33 inches in diameter, can direct a high-pitched, piercing tone with a tight beam. Neither the LRAD's operators or others in the immediate area are affected.

The devices "place distance between the Marine and their threat, giving him/her more time to sort out a measured and appropriate response," Lt. Col. Susan Noel, force protection officer for the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force, said in an ATC statement announcing the contract.

Gruenler compares the LRAD's shrill tone to that of smoke detectors, only much louder. It can be as loud as about 150 decibels; smoke detectors are in the 80 to 90 decibel range.

"Inside 100 yards, you definitely don't want to be there," said Gruenler, adding that the device is recommended for a range of 300 yards or less.

Hearing experts say sound that loud and of that high a frequency -- about 2,100 to 3,100 hertz -- could be dangerous if someone were exposed to it long enough.

"That's a sensitive region for developing hearing loss," said Richard Salvi, director of the Center for Hearing and Deafness at the University at Buffalo. "The longer the duration, the more serious it is."

Gruenler concedes that permanent hearing damage is possible if someone were exposed to the sound for lengthy periods.

But he said the high-pitched tone is intended to only be used for a few seconds at a time.

[tlcandie]

38. I have several concerns...

1) More people will probably be within the 100 yard range than 300

2) What if someone looses track of time and leaves it on too long?

3) What if someone using it gets way pissed and decides to give it a TAD longer timer because he doesn't like the crowd? I mean it's not like you will see real damage.

4) This has never been presented to anyone, other than in secret, before being used on US citizens.

5) Where are the tests for what it will do to those who are elderly, very young, unborn, neurologically impaired, etc.?

I'm sure there are more, but that is all I can think of atm!

[ElsewheresDaughter]

40. CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT!!!! ...that's what i will do if the evil bastards ..

use a weapon developed for war on it's own citizens :grr:

[AngryWhiteLiberal]

49. Nice little "Hitler moustache" on the inventor...how appropriate. n/t

eom

JB

[AngryWhiteLiberal]

47. Wasn't this acoustic WEAPON just tested out in Iraq as a crowd control dev

I guess those of us who are planning on exercising our CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS in NYC will now have to pack a pair of earplugs.

This makes me sick. Fascists...

JB

[tlcandie]

48. You will need more than earplugs and yes the articles stated

it was taken to Iraq and tested first! Comforting, no? Wonder if they used it in the prison or Gitmo?

[AngryWhiteLiberal]

50. Where do the airport runway workers get those headphone protectors?

Thanks for the clarification. Looks like I'm going to need more personal protection gear...any thoughts on where to purchase the type of headphones used around airport runways?

JB

[tlcandie]

51. Sorry, I do not. You might check ParanoidPat's reply further up the

thread about rewiring a hearing aid!

[clown]

52. Decibels are logarithmic

I remembered reading something about decibels being measured on a logarithmic scale, and found the information below:

The result of this logarithmic basis for the scale is that increasing a sound intensity by a factor of 10 raises its level by 10 dB; increasing it by a factor of 100 raises its level by 20 dB; by 1,000, 30 dB and so on.


Now, this site says that a jet plane 100 feet away is 130 decibels, this machine goes to 145-150, a difference of 20, am I right in saying this machine is capable of being 100 times louder than a jet plane that is 100 feet away?

Edit: Here is the link to the site where I got that information
www2.sfu.ca/sonic-studio/handbook/Decibel.html

[LifeDuringWartime]

62. 100 times louder!?

how is that possible from such a small device :wtf:

[shanti]

60. you read my thoughts

i was wondering if it had been tested in iraq yet...:scared:

[Politicub]

55. Amendment I

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

Fucking fascists. This is getting dire, folks. King George's regime can't take away our right to peaceably assemble and protest. It is the birthright of every American citizen and one of our most cherished freedoms.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

57. File for a Stay against its use. Pre-emptive lawsuits

Claim the device causes injuries, operators aren't properly trained, device hasn't be properly tested, testing at an open base is different from echoey New York canyons.

Environmental impact statements?

Effects on people inside buildings? (Collateral damage)

What protection will police officers have?

Get their union involved.

Effects on media equipment?

[Just Me]

58. I used to think that I lived in a "civilized" society,...

,...then, the ultra-wacko-imperialists took charge.

I wonder if those earplugs for swimmers will help to treat the symptoms of this failing democracy?

[slinkerwink]

67. I'm deaf....this won't have an effect on me

[smirkymonkey]

69. Go Slinkerwink!

:bounce:

[slinkerwink]

71. If all the protesters flee from that loudspeaker, I'll be the one left

standing out there, with my hearing aid off. I'm determined to protest, come hell or high water!

[Hawkeye-X]

70. Me too.

Deaf DUers, unite!