BS: MP3 Player and Taser Combo

Subject: BS: MP3 Player and Taser Combo
From: bankley
Date: 12 Jan 08 - 08:37 PM

Taser International has just introduced the first hand held combination MP3 Player and Taser at the Consumer Electronics Association convention in Hollywood Ca. The MP3 player has 1GB memory and can hold about 150 songs. Without missing a beat, this holstered device can be drawn and used to apply 50,000 volts of electricity to a target of your choice. It comes in several different colours including leopard. Just read the instruction book carefully before operating. Think of the possibilities.

Subject: RE: BS: MP3 Player and Taser Combo
From: Peace
Date: 12 Jan 08 - 08:52 PM

So, will the MP3 player only store 'electric' music? If so, that definitely discriminates against acoustic players.

Subject: RE: BS: MP3 Player and Taser Combo
From: Peace
Date: 12 Jan 08 - 09:09 PM

'updated 11:42 a.m. MT, Mon., Jan. 7, 2008

LAS VEGAS - A handy new holster from Taser International Inc. holds not only your stun gun but a music player too.

Taser's latest foray into consumer products was introduced Monday at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. The holster costs $72.99 on the company's Web site and includes a 1-gigabyte MP3 player.

The company, which also sells its electronic weapons to law enforcement agencies and the military, has been stepping up its consumer product offerings with Tasers in new colors like "red-hot" and "fashion pink."

The latest Taser — in a leopard print and costing $379.99 — "provides a personal protection option for women who want fashion with a bite," said Chief Executive Rick Smith.'




Keriste, he wasn't kidding.

Subject: RE: BS: MP3 Player and Taser Combo
From: Rapparee
Date: 12 Jan 08 - 09:45 PM

One of the local PDs tasered a guy this past week. The man was holding a knife at his own throat, threatening suicide (and obviously meant it). He's now in psychiatric care.

I'm not sure about this "fashion statement" bit. And then there's this.

Subject: RE: BS: MP3 Player and Taser Combo
From: Rapparee
Date: 12 Jan 08 - 10:04 PM

And this, in fashionable 9mm.

Subject: RE: BS: MP3 Player and Taser Combo
From: bankley
Date: 12 Jan 08 - 11:21 PM

Hollywood, Vegas, sounds about right... I wonder if they come in fucia with a built in cigarette lighter, maybe waterproof and shock resistant....

Subject: RE: BS: MP3 Player and Taser Combo
From: mrdux
Date: 13 Jan 08 - 02:08 AM

just don't go mistaking the electrodes for the ear buds.

Subject: RE: BS: MP3 Player and Taser Combo
From: Mr Red
Date: 13 Jan 08 - 06:22 PM

As they said on the BBC News24 channel - Ideal for playing Frank Zappa. (and may I add) Or some lesser jerk.

Subject: RE: BS: MP3 Player and Taser Combo
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 13 Jan 08 - 08:33 PM

More "right to bear arms" crap, I suppose...

Subject: RE: BS: MP3 Player and Taser Combo
From: Peace
Date: 13 Jan 08 - 08:46 PM

BUT, with MUSIC, McG of H, with MUSIC!

Subject: RE: BS: MP3 Player and Taser Combo
From: Rapparee
Date: 13 Jan 08 - 08:55 PM

More marketing, I think. Besides, if you're hit with a taser all you have to do is roll around on the ground to dislodge the little darts.

Again, I think that the use of a Taser (or anything similar) should be subject to the same responsibilities as the use of deadly force -- and carry the same penalties. And I don't care if your Taser or gun is pink, zebra striped, or bedecked with flowers and the word "Peace!" (I've said exactly that to the local Chief Cop and he agrees, word for word.)

Subject: RE: BS: MP3 Player and Taser Combo
From: Peace
Date: 13 Jan 08 - 10:25 PM

Now, if only the law would agree with YOU, Rapaire . . . .

Subject: RE: BS: MP3 Player and Taser Combo
From: Megan L
Date: 14 Jan 08 - 04:00 AM

Ach who needs tae waste that money Granny is far mair efficient she gies them a guid skelp and sings while shes daen it.

Subject: RE: BS: MP3 Player and Taser Combo
From: Rapparee
Date: 14 Jan 08 - 09:16 AM

The other thing, to which I can't get an answer even from Taser, is whether or not the Taser would work if you were wearing a metallic lame fencing vest. These are designed to complete a circuit for a scoring machine, but it would seem that they would also ground out the Taser darts. Heavy clothing would also prevent dart penetration, I'd think, as would chain mail (which, of course, everyone has in their wardrobe).

Subject: RE: BS: MP3 Player and Taser Combo
From: Peace
Date: 14 Jan 08 - 10:07 AM

Chain Mail

" . . . and if you neglect to send this e-mail to ten friends very bad things will happen to you within three day. Billie Boswart broke the chain and his testicculls/testtucalls/testicales/ nuts fell of."

(It is fortunate that his first name is Billie because it works for either guys or gals.)

Subject: RE: BS: MP3 Player and Taser Combo
From: Peace
Date: 14 Jan 08 - 10:16 AM

"Tasers are designed to incapacitate a person through up to five centimetres of clothing. Taser International says the electrical pulse is delivered at a high voltage because the electric current has to pass through clothing and air — neither of which is a good conductor of electricity — to make a complete circuit with the target's skin.

Taser International also says that while its device can deliver up to 50,000 volts, it does not deliver that much voltage to a person's body. The company says its Advanced Taser M26 delivers an average of 1,500 volts.

As well, the high-voltage pulse of a Taser carries only a small current, typically 0.002 to 0.03 amps."


One could also use it to flash cook a steak.

Subject: RE: BS: MP3 Player and Taser Combo
From: Rapparee
Date: 14 Jan 08 - 11:22 AM

"Five centimeters" sounds like a lot more than 3 inches. Heck, I've got an overcoat that thick.

Subject: RE: BS: MP3 Player and Taser Combo
From: bankley
Date: 14 Jan 08 - 12:06 PM

... arms ? what about the 'right to bare legs'

Subject: RE: BS: MP3 Player and Taser Combo
From: Joe_F
Date: 14 Jan 08 - 09:17 PM

5 cm = 2 in., pretty near.

Subject: RE: BS: MP3 Player and Taser Combo
From: Skivee
Date: 15 Jan 08 - 06:28 PM

What else could you play on it besides Zappa?
Distant Thunder by Pete Kennedy
Stop In The Name Of Love

It seems to me that the biggest problems with Tazer devices are caused by slick advertising and poor training. Advertising that downplays the dangers of the devices, and training that treats the Tazer as a device with no consequences.
There was a case recently where an grandmother flipped out though mental illness and attacked cops who were trying to help her get treatment. When she tried to slash them with a knife, she was tazed. In the heat of the moment the two officers each kept the triggers depressed for over a minute and a half. It seems that they didn't know that the charge would flow until the device ran out of power. The woman died. I'm sure that the cops didn't start out that day thinking,"I guess that today is a good day to kill a grandmother."
For each of this kind of incedent, there must be many more where the device was used appropriately to stop a bad guy at less consequence that shotting the bugger with a gun.
It's appropriate that people (INCLUDING Police) have the means to defend themselves or others when attacked, but in order to be effective, the user must be trained in all aspects of that use. The use of graduated force is hardly a new idea.
I wouldn't want to be hit with one.
The MP3 connection just seems weird. How about a tazer with a small microwave, or GPS readout, or a blackberry.

Subject: RE: BS: MP3 Player and Taser Combo
From: Rapparee
Date: 15 Jan 08 - 07:53 PM

The GPS is a good idea -- the body will be easier to find.

I think that poor training accounts for a lot of problems. Simply because something is USUALLY non-lethal doesn't mean it's ALWAYS non-lethal. It should be treated just as the cop treats any other use potentially deadly force.

Violence against cops was up 93% in this town last year over the previous year. Fifteen cops were treated for lost-time injuries and one was permanently disabled (at 30 years of age). NO baddies incurred injuries that required hospitalization. Make of this what you will, but the cops are going to deploy Tasers (in a test) starting next week.

We'll see.

Subject: RE: BS: MP3 Player and Taser Combo
From: bankley
Date: 16 Jan 08 - 08:41 AM

I guess they won't be listening to 'Police' or at least 'Sting',

'Shake, Rattle and Roll', 'Electric Ladyland', 'Wired'.. 147 songs to go..... good luck with the tests...

Subject: RE: BS: MP3 Player and Taser Combo
From: GUEST,LTS pretending to work
Date: 16 Jan 08 - 08:50 AM

How about the Electric Mayhem band from the Muppet show, or indeed, the Electric Light Orchestra?

Or you could just go with some good old fashioned Shock and Roll....

I can see the thinking behind it... you're out jogging in the park with your headphones on, someone makes a grab for your iPod or 'fanny pack' (or bumbag) and it turns into a handy little weapon, assuming you get a chance to deploy it...

Just because it can be done, doesn't mean to say it should be done.

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: MP3 Player and Taser Combo
From: Rapparee
Date: 16 Jan 08 - 08:56 AM

The Hunt Breakfast, then all mounted, the stirrup cup, the Taser goes off on the first jump, the Hunt turns into the Bronc Riding event at the Rodeo....

Subject: RE: BS: MP3 Player and Taser Combo
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 16 Jan 08 - 11:23 AM

Rap - as a former hunt saboteur, I like that picture!!!

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: MP3 Player and Taser Combo
From: Rapparee
Date: 16 Jan 08 - 06:50 PM

I just like the picture of the Pinks being bucked off, the dogs not knowing what's going on, the beaters laughing their asses off....