No, this isn’t any of Saddam’s WMD
13 Aug 2005
U.S. forces raid suspected chemical facility
This is not–repeat NOT–any proof of UN violations, people. This is recent stuff, and we don’t even know if it’s bad stuff:
U.S. forces raided an insurgent facility that may have been producing an unspecified type of chemicals, the U.S. military said Saturday. It was unclear what was being produced or whether the materials were intended for weapons, the statement added.
Given that it’s an insurgent facility, I’m guessing they weren’t making baby formula or hydrogen for weather balloons. And get this:
U.S. troops, acting on a tip from detainees under interrogation, raided a “suspected insurgent chemical production facility” in northern Iraq last Tuesday
So maybe interrogating prisoners is worth the time, after all. Who woulda thunk it?
August 14th, 2005 at 5:22 pm
Speaking of chemical sensing, I foudnthis today: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2005/08/050805105409.htm I didn’t understand much of it, but it seems like TriCorders are on their way to the hands of oridanary soldiers.
August 14th, 2005 at 7:01 pm
Sam: That’s cool. Well, basically what it is, as far as I can tell, is a laser with a tuneable wavelength. Since different substances resonate at different frequencies, you can detect a certain substance by passing laser light through it at exactly the right frequency. The substance you are looking for will absorb more of this light than other substances. By making the lasers tuneable you can make them look for all different kinds of chemicals. Benzene, the example they give, can be very toxic because our bodies will absorb it easily, along with any nasties that are tacked on to it. As for Murdoc’s post, I can’t help thinking, ‘All your WMD are belong to us!’
August 15th, 2005 at 9:10 am
MO, I’m sure Al Jizz-era or DU will explain that they *were* just small-scale baby formula and aspirin manufactories. Formula to feed innocent puppies and kittens; aspirin to serve the analgesic needs of elderly nuns. You heartless bastard.