Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 18, 2010 13:52:08 GMT
Terrorists? If terrorists wanted lasers, believe you me, they would GET lasers. If they want them, they already have them, and they are certainly a lot more powerful than that pocket-sized doo-hickey.
Don't worry about terrorists getting lasers. It's far easier for them to access the basic components of high explosives from Home Depot and park them in downtown NYC.
And as for idiots, they will always be idiots. Trying to keep them away from dangerous objects is an exercise in futility.
Trying to limit people's access to anything "scary" is just the mindset that leads to nanny-state. If you tell your child "NEVER TOUCH THIS SWORD! IT'S DANGEROUS!" and try to keep it out of their reach, whats the first thing they're going to do when you're not around? Teach them it's use, and it's dangers, and you produce a responsible individual. Playing keep-away just causes frustration and increases the mystique of something. Teaching removes the mystery and makes for MUCH less chance of them doing something stupid. Fool-proof, no, but NOTHING is.
I hate to get political, but it sickens me. You see something you can't think of a reason for YOURSELF to own, and you think it should be legally controlled. But someone mentions making swords illegal/controlled, and suddenly you're all up in arms.
Ask average joe, and he probably doesn't think there's a reason for anyone to own a sword.
I vaguely remember a parable from my childhood. I can't recall the specifics, but in the course of the story, the protagonist was approached for help by several other characters in turn. The protagonist refused, saying that helping THEM didn't benefit HIM. Then, when HE needed help, there was no one around to listen.
The moral, in relation to this? If you allow a laser (that can BLIND someone) to be outlawed, then you relinquish your right to complain when someone decides to do the same to something YOU hold dear (like that SWORD, which can cut a person in half).
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 18, 2010 14:53:51 GMT
Yeah but I can't bring down a plane with a sword and I can't easily conceal a sword. This kind of laser is a way to cause anonymous terrorist acts. Yeah sure you can get plastic explosives whatever but you are more likely to get a laser through airport security. I can think of a number of reasons to own one, I outlined a few. I just think it is ridiculous that they release this to the open market, it is asking for trouble.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 18, 2010 14:56:31 GMT
Not every step forward in science is done in a strict, well-funded government laboratory. There really aren't very many at all that are. If traffic safety is your goal, what about rocks? Or watermelons or pumpkins or just about anything else from, say, an overpass... cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Canada/2010/06/11/14348241.html...or car batteries... Or a gun and your child? Or a stick and your child, or...? Yeah but I can't bring down a plane with a sword and I can't easily conceal a sword. This kind of laser is a way to cause anonymous terrorist acts. Yeah sure you can get plastic explosives whatever but you are more likely to get a laser through airport security. I can think of a number of reasons to own one, I outlined a few. I just think it is ridiculous that they release this to the open market, it is asking for trouble. But a box cutter will do the job. Or a sharpened piece of plastic, aka, a shiv. Going to restrict people's access to either plastic or box cutters? After all, not allowing fingernail files on planes really does make them safer. Ever stop to think how many people you could kill with your car? And now that I think about it, when was the last time YOU got a laser pointer through security at the airport? You really don't think they'd stop and ask you what this 9 inch long by 1.4 inch diameter metal device in your carry-on is? Sure looks like a pipe-bomb on an xray machine to me. That'd be a quick way to the rubber glove. QFT You can not protect people from themselves.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 18, 2010 15:19:52 GMT
Yeah but I can't bring down a plane with a sword and I can't easily conceal a sword. This kind of laser is a way to cause anonymous terrorist acts. Yeah sure you can get plastic explosives whatever but you are more likely to get a laser through airport security. I can think of a number of reasons to own one, I outlined a few. I just think it is ridiculous that they release this to the open market, it is asking for trouble. You can bring down a plane with a shiv. I'm pretty sure that's all the hijackers had on 9/11. They weren't carrying guns or lasers... For crying out loud, it's not the "Amazin' Lazer". For those who don't know/remember, this was a fake product of a fake commercial on Saturday Night Live sometime in the 90's. The laser blasted away yard trimmings and was a household dream. Then they started listing off how dangerous it could be, and that it was made out of 100% recycled plastic materials, and that you shouldn't point the Amazin' Lazer at people or pets, you shouldn't bring it on an airplane, and "On second thought, don't buy the Amazin' Lazer!" It's dangerous. It can blind and singe flesh. It doesn't kill on contact, vaporize your brain, or cause you to explode. It can cause harm, but it's not a man-stopper. It's not a crowd-control device. It wouldn't make for an effective weapon for offense or defense. Yeah, someone can blind you with it while you're driving. They can do the same with a cheap pointer, as I stated before. It probably won't be permanent because " At close range, this Class 4 beam will cause immediate and irreversable retinal damage." On top of that, try painting a nickel size target at 10 feet with a laser pointer. Now do that while you're both moving, and with at least one layer of automobile glass in between. The way some people are reacting to this, you'd think it was a high-power, laser, pulse-rifle bring marketed to children. I might very well purchase one.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 18, 2010 16:07:13 GMT
why not educate yourself? It might save you some embarassment. www.wired.com/autopia/2008/04/big-safety-risk/Now take into account that these lasers are like 100 times more powerful. I don't think it is a high powered laser pulse rifle at all but I do think they are extremely dangerous, regardless of burning people or whatever, it is dangerous. You go ahead and purchase one, that is your prerogative.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 18, 2010 16:36:11 GMT
why not educate yourself? It might save you some embarassment. www.wired.com/autopia/2008/04/big-safety-risk/Now take into account that these lasers are like 100 times more powerful. I don't think it is a high powered laser pulse rifle at all but I do think they are extremely dangerous, regardless of burning people or whatever, it is dangerous. You go ahead and purchase one, that is your prerogative. Well ya got me. A laser can indeed blind and disorient someone operating an aerial vehicle. Better outlaw them and everything else that can be used to cause harm. Brings to mind "trucker bombs". Urine-filled bottles tossed out the window of moving tractor trailer because stopping to pee costs time, and time is money. These have been documented as the cause of vehicular damage and accidents. My point? We must outlaw bottles. If beverages didn't come in bottles, truckers wouldn't be able to pee into em and hurl em out the window. All liquids shall be served in Capri-Sun style pouches. Who knows how many lives would be saved?
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 18, 2010 16:42:12 GMT
The way some people are reacting to this, you'd think it was a high-power, laser, pulse-rifle bring marketed to children. I might very well purchase one. If it was they'd be arguing in its defense based on the 2nd Amendment.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 18, 2010 16:49:19 GMT
"Pilots have reported temporary blindness from searchlights and spotlights..." THIS IS AN OUTRAGE! Where are these idiots getting these powerful tools of illumination?! What if the terrorists got their hands on these devilish atrocities?
|
|
|
Post by Cottontail Customs on Jun 18, 2010 17:08:12 GMT
this just pisses me off to no end!! where do you draw the line with banning? ? they just busted a bunch of NY sports and camping shops for selling gravity knives. they are banned. folding knives that can open with a flick of the wrist. because some idiots and thugs stabbed some people they are now illegal to sell or own by anyone in NY. F'ING ridiculous!!! if I wanted to hurt or kill someone badly enough I could do it with a pencil or a broken piece of glass or even a G*D DAMN rock off the street. an idiot is an idiot regardless of what weapon might be available to them. let's ban everything that could potentially hurt somebody, humans are not to be trusted and can't decide for themselves if something is dangerous because of some lunatics that could stab you with a sharpened d*ldo if nothing else were available. steak knives, pens, pencils, metal rulers, nails, sharpened sticks, letter openers, nail files, forks, keys, etc., etc., etc. ALL DEADLY WEAPONS (in the hands of a complete douche) I say that if nobody stops this madness we will soon have to walk around naked wearing only oven mitts and moccasins so we can't hurt ourselves. ridiculous!
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 18, 2010 17:30:08 GMT
"Some people...you just can't reach...."
I can't believe that you're comparing an item that can PERMANENTLY blind someone (whether purposely or not)...from range, completely anonymously (which is one of my main points here)...to a pocket laser, or a rock thrown from a moving vehicle. Chances are...the person behind you on the freeway will SEE you throw a rock at another vehicle, and take appropriate action. This chance of being caught is a major deterrent for the majority of people (note I didn't say ALL people). Remove the likelihood of being caught, or the chance of consequences...and it's going to happen FAR more often. See the internet for proof of that.
The making of and owning of swords is based on a tradition, many martial arts, as well as a love of beauty (art expression). By the way...the UK DID ban katana, so it's not exactly out of the realm of reality. These reasons by the way, are the reasons I make them myself. What tradition or art form do you base a laser with the ability to permanently maim someone on? Star Wars? WTFE lol.
Now, I'm going to say this again...a bit more clearly. I didn't say they shouldn't be available. I didn't say they shouldn't be sold. I said they should be legally controlled in the form of registration, age restriction, and a background check. You can't protect the stupid from themselves...but you should do what you can to protect others from the stupid.
The only OTHER thing we could do is make them illegal entirely...which isn't out of the realm of reason. You can own a gun, but not a fully automatic right? Is this the right path? I don't know myself. I guess, unfortunately...we'd have to see how many people were blinded or burned after legally controlling them first. Sucks to be those people...but it's the price we've paid for many of our rights.
Now please, stop acting like I said they shouldn't be sold anywhere at all and that we should all be protected from ourselves like 4 year olds. Nowhere did I even imply that. My 4 year old is well aware of what my swords are capable of, as well as any other bladed object. My 3 year old is as well. My 12 year old will barely touch a kitchen knife of her own volition...based on an experience she had when she was younger (involving someone else, not her). She's been taught they aren't overly dangerous unless used irresponsibly...but prefers not to touch knives anyway.
Again, to make it very clear. I'm not saying they shouldn't be made or marketed, just that they should be controlled.
Cris
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 18, 2010 18:54:47 GMT
Hm. Yeah, they sound kinda dangerous. I can't say I like the idea of them being available to just about anyone, even if they do look like Star Wars lightsabers.
Still, all in all, they are at least less dangerous then guns.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 18, 2010 19:17:12 GMT
Hm. Yeah, they sound kinda dangerous. I can't say I like the idea of them being available to just about anyone, even if they do look like Star Wars lightsabers. Still, all in all, they are at least less dangerous then guns. Yeah, in the physical sense they're less dangerous for sure. It's the fact that they're silent, and that you're virtually anonymous in the using of it that makes them truly a danger in my opinion. I just got back from taking my wife to work today. I use the freeway for 30 miles, round trip. Our freeway has photo radar every other mile or so. You can go precisely 70mph. If you go 71mph, you get flashed. Now, I have something of a heavy foot...and after dealing with too many of those stupid tickets...I now set my cruise control at 69mph as soon as I leave the onramp. I'm usually still going slightly faster than others...but nothing excessive. I've never been pulled over by the Highway Patrol for that speed, though I've been on the freeway with them in the past. Well, today I had a carload of brats in a 'pimped out' Mazda 6 wagon get on my bumper so quickly I didn't even have time to change lanes for them. So rather than move over, which I would normally do...I just stayed in my lane, and tapped my brakes (enough for the light to flash, not enough to slow down) a few times to let them know to back off. No dice, they swerved like I was slamming on my brakes...then swerved back over the other way onto the SHOULDER of the freeway to pass me. When they got next to me they swerved like they were going to hit me, then the passenger pointed his hand out the window (like his index finger was the barrel of a pistol) at me, and mouthed 'bang'. I could have reached out and touched his hand, they were so close. Then they sped up to pass, and cut me off so close I had to slam on my brakes and swerve in order not to be hit. Now, tell me...if one of those little punks had one of these lasers...that I wouldn't have been the target? And, before you think 'how convenient' about my little story here...take a drive on a Phoenix freeway. Behavior like this is the norm if you don't accomadate EVERY single person wanting to do 95mph between the photo radar stations. 20 something jackasses in lifted trucks are as bad or worse than the gangs in ricers and crotch rockets. Yeah...I think legislative control/registration should be required at minimum. Cris
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 18, 2010 19:41:44 GMT
I would be with steckfretman and Frank the bunny on this one, a while back in this area some sh1t head threw acid at his ex-wife WHILE HE WAS IN HIS TRUCK WITH THEM, and his kids got hit with the acid and burned Once again proving that people out to hurt others will find a way to do it, no matter how stupid. If I wasn't broke, I would be snatching up one of those lasers before the same people that want to take away guns hear of this and make it so no one can own one. The ideas to register them sound good until you see how that first step is often the one that starts a path to firearms eventually being confiscated Maybe I should sell my BKS Fantasy Leafblade slot I know that laser would sure be fun to use on fire ants Evil little bastards deserve to die
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 18, 2010 20:07:28 GMT
I would never buy one simply because of the temptation for me to do stupid things with it would most likely be too hard for me to resist.
|
|
|
Post by Cottontail Customs on Jun 18, 2010 20:20:45 GMT
the simple point I was trying to make was that one thing inevitably leads to another. restrictions, control, registrations lead to total control and banning by someone else making decisions for us. it's hard to be selective about these things and often the powers that be don't know how to deal with or don't want to bother with the details/intricacies of it and declare a total ban to save themselves the trouble. it is also a sad fact that these decisions often have more to do with money than with protection. you can drink till you puke in a pub but you can't bring the bottle or can outside because? you can drink yourself to death but you can't smoke a joint. you can hack off your arm with a sword but you can't own a folding knife, conceal-ability, you couldn't hide a sword if you tried hard enough? a whack job with intent could ruin it for everyone. so on and so forth, someone didn't want to bother dissecting the details and just threw a huge blanket over everything? DEA agents and government officials on the take would loose too much money if pot was legal? (not going political here, just painting a picture)
you start with trying to select the few out of the bunch but where do you draw the line so it doesn't get out of hand. "Demolition Man" might just be a stupid Stallone movie but there is bit of truth in it as there is in many futuristic movies and literature. burn the books that "they" deem dangerous or unsuitable for "you" to read. it all starts with a small measure of control pg13, TVMA, x to the y & up the z, it will undoubtedly lead to pgtvzero.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 18, 2010 20:40:15 GMT
the simple point I was trying to make was that one thing inevitably leads to another. restrictions, control, registrations lead to total control and banning by someone else making decisions for us. it's hard to be selective about these things and often the powers that be don't know how to deal with or don't want to bother with the details/intricacies of it and declare a total ban to save themselves the trouble. it is also a sad fact that these decisions often have more to do with money than with protection. you can drink till you puke in a pub but you can't bring the bottle or can outside because? you can drink yourself to death but you can't smoke a joint. you can hack off your arm with a sword but you can't own a folding knife, conceal-ability, you couldn't hide a sword if you tried hard enough? a whack job with intent could ruin it for everyone. so on and so forth, someone didn't want to bother dissecting the details and just threw a huge blanket over everything? DEA agents and government officials on the take would loose too much money if pot was legal? (not going political here, just painting a picture) you start with trying to select the few out of the bunch but where do you draw the line so it doesn't get out of hand. "Demolition Man" might just be a stupid Stallone movie but there is bit of truth in it as there is in many futuristic movies and literature. burn the books that "they" deem dangerous or unsuitable for "you" to read. it all starts with a small measure of control pg13, TVMA, x to the y & up the z, it will undoubtedly lead to pgtvzero. Agreed. The government goes too far...but you're forgetting it's OUR responsibility to correct them if they do so. If you want the control, but it isn't being done as you or others believe is appropriate, it's your right and responsibility to do something about it. You can't just blame the government for you allowing them to do as they see fit. The key word is 'allowing'. The day you go and fight it...and fail, is the day you earn the right to complain. Anyhow, in the meantime I have to be on the lookout for every freaking idiot with a cylindrical object of an appropriate size, right? In the meantime...any idiot who thinks owning a 'real light saber'...and it would take an idiot to think it's a real light saber...can possibly blind someone due to either ignorance or malice? I'm sorry man, I'm all for less government...but in some respects...more government is NECESSARY. For example...they just abolished the requirement that you have a license to carry a concealed firearm in Arizona. Totally retarded in my opinion. How hard was it to have to take a freaking gun safety class, and register yourself in order to carry a gun in your pants or jacket? People have already died because of it. I wonder...if any of the people (or their family) that have been shot and killed due to not knowing someone was armed...would be for more, or less gun control...in the form of that law being reinstated. I own guns, my whole family does...and you bet your ass I'd have been willing to take that class and obtain a license if I had a burning need to walk around not only armed, but armed without others knowing. The rest of my family feels the same. This falls under the same category imo. Also...my 'you' is general, not aimed at you specifically Frank. You're just the one that brought up government in that context is all =D. Cris
|
|
|
Post by Cottontail Customs on Jun 18, 2010 21:06:42 GMT
oh, I know man, my U's are also nonspecific. it's so hard to tell sometimes if someone is typing with anger or direction lol.
no offense intended to anyone but, are we so naive to think that we actually have that much control in our Government? I by no means consider myself a conspiracy theorist but I'm also not blind deaf and dumb. and although I'm not marching up to the white house I'm still entitled to express my opinion. how many of these types of rules and regulations are in place strictly because of the effort to save money in litigation and not for any concern about public safety? do you (general you) honestly think that Joe official really cares that little billy will get his eyes burned out or is he more concerned that billy's mom will point the finger at him causing him to loose the next election and be forced to give up his cushy job and padded pockets.
this is of course leading back to not being able to buy and own a Katana in the states which would be devastating for me simply because I love them so much and has become a big part of my happiness in life. not all of us can afford to join a Dojo (UK license and such) or have the skills to make our own
|
|
|
Post by randomnobody on Jun 18, 2010 21:23:19 GMT
I'm surprised this hasn't been locked for politics, but I guts none of the mods are being argued with this time so it doesn't count. Good to see it's settled down, though.
My own stance is neutral, I can't say that I care either way, but I can't really see any reason to have one. Granted, I can't think of as many reasons not to
Scientifically, I say neat. Practically, I say whoopdie-doo.
I'd leave this with "you kids have fun" but considering the toy...
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 18, 2010 21:37:24 GMT
Oklahoma is a concealed carry state, but we could become an open-carry state soon. I am in favor of that, for the following reasons 1. you can see who's armed 2. It saves me the money by not having to pay for the permit, and not have to buy a new gun, I can carry my 1800 something colt 38-40 sixgun, which there is no way in heck I could conceal except in winter
|
|
|
Post by Cottontail Customs on Jun 18, 2010 21:45:33 GMT
yeah sorry about that, seemed to get off topic of the "toy" and onto the principle behind the whatnot and soforth. shiny burny lasers are cool, Lucas can bite me!
no anger was included in my statements (except the part about Lucas biting me, found above) and "statements" should not be confused with "state" or thereby indicating United States and possible ties to anything else remotely political. the daily show rocks! Howard Stern Howard Stern baba booey baba booey!!!
|
|