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 First on the right arm. Then in the middle of the back.
The extra degrees weren't provided by the sun, but by a new device that holds promise for dispersing unruly crowds without bullets or bombs.
Not that I was unruly, mind you, just curious whether it works.
It does.
It's called the Active Denial System, and it sends an invisible beam of energy at a person. Once the beam penetrates the skin's surface, molecules begin to vibrate. As they do, the temperature quickly rises and the person bolts.
Defense contractor Raytheon, anticipating big sales to military and law enforcement agencies, had a scaled-down, green-beam version of its denial system at a technology demonstration held recently in suburban Washington.
Raytheon's product is called Silent Guardian and it makes you feel as though you're the ant under some kid's magnifying glass.
The immediate and natural reaction is to get out of the way. And you do.
A much wider beam would hit many more nerve endings and cause much more discomfort. But no injuries if used properly, according to Raytheon and the Defense Department.
I could still feel the sting as I walked away from Raytheon's booth. Not at all bad, though, when you consider the alternative.
[Associated Press; by Richard
Lardner]
Copyright 2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This
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