Replies

I had this idea, which will probably reenforce my reputation as a bit of an eccentric in the unlikely event that anyone were to take it seriously -

Back in my former life as a NH State Trooper, I had occasion once to chat with an old German "Master Blaster" demolitions expert at a construction site I happened to be held up at while he made his "shot".

I asked him about the warning sign instructing motorists to "Turn Off 2-Way Radios" approaching the site, and why I needed to shut my Police Cruiser's radio off.

He explained that just having the unit turned on was not a problem, really, but that in the event I was to transmit over it, and in the unlikely event that the standing wavelength of the frequency I was transmitting on happened to match or be a certain multiple or fraction of a length of nearby det wire, the wire might pick up enough of an electrical charge by "induction" to prematurely fire a cap or charge.

He then proceeded to touch off his charge in a granite ledge about 150 yards away - and let me push the plunger of the old-fashioned detanator, something I had long wanted to do.
I had asked him about how far the debries from the blast would travel, and he pointed to a spot on the pavement about 15 feet from where we were standing - "Aboot Zere." he said quite matter-of-factly.

So when he gave the word, I hit the plunger; the road under us bucked, and dirt, rocks, and rubber blasting mats flew up in the air in a most delightful manner. As some of the boulders headed back our way, I began to get a little concerned... but not Old Heintz.

As the smoke and dust began to settle, a rock about the size of a golf-ball rolled up and stopped - right on the spot the old Deutchlander had pointed out.

"Mach Gutt." He said.

Any way... as I see the pictures of dead and mangled Israelis being carted off from the scene of the latest Islammokazi (I think I just invented that word, by the way, but please feel free to use it if you like) hit, I can't help but wonder what might be done to defend people from these murderous whackkos.

So how's this?;

Do the explosive vests these buggers use contain a certain length of wire as part of the detonation system?

Might a highly directional antennae be rigged to a powerful radio transmitter that would emit a short burst of microwave energy (just under what would cause tissue damage) in a range of frequencies apt to match a fraction or multiple of one of those wires? Sort of like an EMP generator, only portable and aimable.

When Security spots a suspicious character skulking around in the open, perhaps enroute to or looking for a target, they aim this "Radar Gun" thing discretely and "zing" him with a burst of radio energy.

Shucks; it might work with car-bombs approaching a checkpoint, for all I know.

If he's innocent, no harm done (except perhaps his walkman); if he's PLO (or whatever) wearing a boom-belt, then his wires catch induction and he is, as they say, "Hoist on his own petard".

Or "Splattered in his own Jihhad?"

Then set up a corridor of cement barriers - perhaps baffled at the ends, through which people (like bus passengers boarding) pass at intervals, sending laptops or electronic equipment they don't want toasted around (after inspection).

When Muchmed the Martyr goes through, an installed transmitter - perhaps tripped by a laser beam - transmits and "ZAP - KABLOOIE"; the blast is directed upwards away from security personel and bystanders.

"Cleanup in Isle 7!"

Yeah; I know - it's a whacky idea. I'm full of 'em!

I just hope somebody comes up with an effective defense for these things - the sooner the better.