Marines in Iraq Issued Laser Weapons

"U.S. Marines fighting in Iraq have been issued low-power laser weapons designed to temporarily blind enemy forces, the Washington Post reported Monday.

"Dazzlers," as they're called, shoot green beams designed to "warn or temporarily incapacitate individuals," according to a Defense Science Board report extensively quoted in the Post's story.

The Geneva Conventions ban weapons meant to cause permanent blindness, but a Pentagon spokesman explained two years ago that "Dazzlers" didn't fall into that category.

"They don't blind people," Army Lt. Col. Barry Venable told reporters. "It's like shining a big light in your eyes."

Of course they don't blind people. Sheesh. They create enough of a power surge through the optic nerve to kill people. Dead people are blind anyways.