21–30 of 54 posts
I can't help but think that there could be an unfortunate inverse to JFK's "Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable." in this. Tyrants finding their nonlethal weapons not working might more quickly turn to using guns.
Well that was a frustratingly useless article. They brought in an expert to answer the question and he didn't answer the question. I still don't know what was in the thermos or what to use to extinguish a tear gas canister. This would have been more useful and interesting if PopMech had just bought a few canisters, tested the various theorie, and reported the results.
A cartridge of something hot and smoking skitters at your feet. You can throw it back, or douse it with water, or immerse it in water, but you'll burn your hand if you don't have gloves on. The smoke is a powerful irritant that feels like someone blew pepper into your eyes and nose. If the residue gets on your skin and clothes, you can tear gas yourself later by accident. Goggles and a particulate filter mask protect against it.
That's really all you need to know about tear gas.
I can't help but think that there could be an unfortunate inverse to JFK's "Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable." in this. Tyrants finding their nonlethal weapons not working might more quickly turn to using guns.
"For we may distinguish two main types of government. The first type consists of governments of which we can get rid without bloodshed — for example, by way of general elections; that is to say, the social institutions provide means by which the rulers may be dismissed by the ruled, and the social traditions- ensure that these i nstitutions will not easily be destroyed by those who are in power. The second type consists of governments which the ruled cannot get rid of except by way of a successful revolution — that is to say, in most cases, not at all" ... "the criterion of a democracy is this: In a democracy, the rulers — that is to say, the government — can be dismissed by the ruled without bloodshed Thus if the men in power do not safeguard those institutions which secure to the minority the possibility of working for a peaceful change, then their rule is a tyranny. We need only distinguish between two forms of government, viz. such as possess institutions of this kind, and all others"
https://archive.org/stream/TheOpenSocietyAndItsEnemiesPopper...
Earlier quoted context omitted.
The failure of teargas to disperse crowds is cited as one of the reasons for quickly bringing the water cannons into service, despite concerns related to using them in the very densely populated streets of HK.
thank whatever or whoever that no one has yet thought of using water cannons with pellets in the water.
Some countries use regular pellet guns, for example India in Kashmir with the expected result of a lot of lost eyes.
I can't help but think that there could be an unfortunate inverse to JFK's "Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable." in this. Tyrants finding their nonlethal weapons not working might more quickly turn to using guns.
In my experience, the only cops who like tear gas are those who never used it. They have a whole barrage of cynical jokes about tear gas (~"It's only weather control device that works - wind will turn 180 degrees a few seconds after you placed the charge.").
EDIT: Disclaimer - got some loads myself during protests but also have riot police in my family.
Earlier quoted context omitted.
As long as commerce keeps flowing, I think China has high enough self esteem that they'll do just fine losing some popularity, and I can't see Western corporations putting any money where their mouths are. Actually, no corporations have really commented on the matter as far as I know, so they're not even being hypocritical. There is so much money on the line, it would have to get incredibly bloody before anyone would…
No idea why this is downvoted, I think its a daring thesis that China cares what the rest of the world thinks. On top of that there are only a few countries that can afford and are willing to actually act on something like this, there is just to much money to be made in the Chinese market. That lethal force against protesters leads somehow automatically to breaking down of political support is wishful thinking. Do yo…