06.03.10

Cult of EMP Crazy: Magic suitcase to fix everything

Posted in Crazy Weapons, Extremism at 10:30 am by George Smith

Overnight, tales of the electromagnetic pulsing suitcase begat the cure for everything on American borders.

This due to the well-known phenomenon in which journalists never have to see anything work or even consult the long and whack history of such claims to proclaim the future has arrived.

“[The stupidity and ignorance] of Americans has long been a topic of hilarity in Europe,” wrote Paul Fussell in BAD, DD’s book of the week.

It’s an explanation.

However, one thing Fussell closed his book with was one of the things that was not BAD in 1991. And apropos this post, today it’s just sad.

“Some things, indeed, range from good to VERY GOOD, like the American open borders when they’re not being compromised by follies … and the American assumption that its citizens are free, and indeed are practically invited, to travel the world,” he wrote.

Sadly, on the electromagnetic pulsing briefcase — which still has not been properly used to assail Wall Street — from the political blog known as The Hill:

Two Texas congressmen want the government to consider using new technology at the border that would allow law enforcement officials to remotely disable the engines of boats and vehicles they are pursuing.

Republican Michael McCaul and Democrat Henry Cuellar said in a statement Tuesday that the so-called electromagnetic pulse (EMP) device – which fits inside a suitcase – generates electric fields that can disable electronics …

“This is cutting-edge technology to meet the spectrum of 21st century threats facing our borders and ports of entry. Technology like this puts one more tool in the toolbox for our federal law enforcement at the borders. It’s empowering equipment to combat illegal activity.???

The device fits in a case developed by Applied Physical Electronics of Austin, Texas.

The Pentagon has been using electromagnetic pulsing briefcases and suitcases for a long time, even though the rest of us have somehow missed it.

“Similar prototypes from the firm have been used by the Pentagon during the last 12 years,” adds the Hill, without a hint of satire.

“The lawmakers, who sit on the House Homeland Security Committee, witnessed a demonstration in which the device was used to remotely disable a computer,” it added.

“It’s really hi-tech equipment … ”

DD wagers their must be some Randy “Duke” Cunningham or Jack Murtha-type thing going on to explain the hard sell on the junk.

Whey else would this, as written at Popular Science, appear on their website?

The EMP Suitcase Compact 2100 Series, developed by Austin-based Applied Physical Electronics, emits high-amplitude electronic fields powerful enough to disable various devices “without causing permanent physical damage or endangerment to individuals,” as Cuellar’s Web site says. Similar devices have been used by the Defense Department for the past 12 years.

“Advertising is the sine qua non of BAD, of course, for BAD depends upon and arises only out of it,” wrote Fussell in 1991. “To have a fraud, you have to have a large distance between the touted grand appearance and commonplace actuality …”

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