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Denver police stock up on pepper weapons
Denver police are stocking up on guns that fire a pepper spray-like substance instead of bullets - a less-lethal weapon used to disperse crowds - in advance of the Democratic National Convention.
The department recently ordered 88 Mark IV launchers and projectiles at a cost "in the low six figures," the company that makes the weapons stated in a news release Monday.
The request was for delivery in advance of the DNC, according to Louisville- based Security With Advanced Technology Inc.
The convention, scheduled for Aug. 25 to 28 at the Pepsi Center, is expected to draw thousands of protesters to sites throughout Denver.
The city received a $50 million federal grant for security. A senior adviser to Mayor John Hickenlooper has said the city plans to spend up to half that amount on equipment, with the rest going to pay officers.
But the city has refused to disclose how it is spending the money, prompting the American Civil Liberties Union last month to file a civil lawsuit.
The court filing alleges the city is violating the Colorado Open Records Act.
City officials say releasing the information is "contrary to the public interest" because it could disclose important tactical information, potentially jeopardizing security.
A city spokesperson could not be reached for comment Monday. Meanwhile, speculation about what the city is buying has run rampant.
Some organizers of protest groups believe police are buying extended-range Tasers and weapons that incapacitate people with high-intensity sound.
The Mark IV weapons the city ordered recently fire plastic balls filled with powder that's "like a combination of cayenne pepper and baby powder," the manufacturer said.
It can be fired from up to 100 feet away, said Ben Cook, director of Veritas, a subsidiary of Security With Advanced Technology.
The balls burst open on impact. While the powder will incapacitate a person like pepper spray, it doesn't cause some of the more severe reactions, Cook said.
-Sara Burnett
Rocky Mountain News Denver police are stocking up on guns that fire a pepper spray-like substance instead of bullets - a less-lethal weapon used to disper... more -
Veterans from 1960s chemical tests press for help
WASHINGTON -- Lawmakers and veterans of secret Cold War-era chemical and germ tests on military personnel demanded help from the Bush administration Thursday, but they got no satisfaction.
Officials from the Pentagon and Veterans Affairs Department said there was no need for legislation to guarantee health care and benefits to the veterans. Thousands of servicemembers were exposed, often without their knowledge, to real and simulated chemical and biological agents, including sarin and VX.
The tests were conducted at sea and above a half-dozen U.S. states from 1962-1973 to see how U.S. ships would withstand chemical and germ assaults and how such weapons would disperse. WASHINGTON -- Lawmakers and veterans of secret Cold War-era chemical and germ tests on military personnel demanded help from the Bush ... more -
Cosmic Chips: Doritos Search For Alien Customers
by Nicole
The manufacturers of Doritos in the UK are hoping to turn billions of aliens on to the brand by beaming a television commercial into space. The snack company is asking members of the public to participate in the project by shooting their own 30 second spot. The producer of the best ad will receive £20,0000 ($40,000) and have their commercial played on terrestrial, and extra terrestrial TV.
The commercial will be beamed into space via a 500 MHz ultra-high frequency radar at a space center in Norway. The signal will be aimed at the Ursa Major constellation, which is a solar system similar to our own 42 light years away from. The project is being undertaken with the help of the European Incoherent Scatter Scientific Association (EISCAT), which operates high tech radar systems.
"Broadcasting an advert extra-terrestrially is a big and exciting step for everyone on Earth as up until now we have only tended to listen out for incoming transmissions," said EISCAT director Professor Tony van Eyken in an interview with The Daily Mail. "If there were to be any response, it would change the face of humanity instantly.
Though the Beatles' song "Across The Universe" has previously been sent into space by NASA, Eyken hopes with his organization's help the first ever commercial to be beamed into space will be more potent. "With the transmission technology and planning we are employing there is a much greater chance that the Doritos advert will potentially be seen by billions of aliens."
"If passing aliens pick up the message and invade earth looking for tasty snacks, don't blame us," says a Doritos spokseman. "If the first word the aliens say when they land in their spaceship is Doritos, we will be delighted."
While we admire their sense of adventure, The Daily Mantra is concerned that with ingredients like Yellow 5 and Red 40 (both colorants derived from yummy coal tar), and additives such as disodium phosphate, disodium inosinate and disodium guanylate (Mmmn!), any aliens that intercept the commercial will think it's part of a chemical warfare plot, and blast our planet into the next dimension. We therefore strongly urge Doritos to reconsider the wisdom of their interstellar marketing strategy.
http://www.dailymantra.com
by Nicole ... more -
Agent of suffering
A third generation of Vietnamese are suffering deformities caused by US chemical warfare and still Washington refuses to accept responsibility.
To accept US responsibility for Agent Orange could expose Washington to claims relating to the use of napalm, phosphorous bombs and various My Lai-type massacres. A third generation of Vietnamese are suffering deformities caused by US chemical warfare and still Washington refuses to accept respon... more -
Chemical warfare survival
Sure, it's most likely NOT going to happen in our day... but still, doesn't hurt to know a thing or two about what to do in case it does. Besides that, like it says in the article, stuff happens - what if a chlorine truck bites the biscuit on the expressway in front of your house? Good stuff here... Sure, it's most likely NOT going to happen in our day... but still, doesn't hurt to know a thing or two about what to do in case it do... more
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'05 Use of Gas by Blackwater Leaves Questions
Blackwater says it was permitted to carry CS gas under its contract at the time with the State Department. According to a State Department official, the contract did not specifically authorize Blackwater personnel to carry or use CS, but it did not prohibit it.
"It is not allowed as a method or means of warfare," said Michael Schmitt, professor of international law at the Naval War College in Newport, R.I. "There are very, very strict restrictions on the use of CS gas in a war zone." Blackwater says it was permitted to carry CS gas under its contract at the time with the State Department. According to a State Depart... more -
Nam Prik Pao Chilli Sauce Shuts Down Part Of London
A Thai restaurant's spicy sauce causes a response from the Hazardous Area Response Team, and parts of Soho to be closed off.
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White Phosphorus
A look at a documentary examining the U.S. military's use of alleged chemical weapons in Fallujah.
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White Light, Black Rain
I was able to catch some of this documentary today before I came to work. I suggest you do not do the same. This is heart/gut/mind wrenching stuff here. I was able to catch some of this documentary today before I came to work. I suggest you do not do the same. This is heart/gut/mind wre... more
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Chemical Weapon Destruction Progress Report
Russia and the US have been working on destroying their stockpiles of chemical weapons agreed to in 1997, but they have a ways to go. To be honest, I'm pleasantly surprised that we would have agreed to such a treaty. Then again, I guess 10 years ago President Bush wasn't yet our president... Russia and the US have been working on destroying their stockpiles of chemical weapons agreed to in 1997, but they have a ways to go. ... more
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Chemical Weapons
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Chemical Weapons
