Laser stupidity – and ignorance

Now, as much as I wish that everyone could read the article I’m going to talk about, I know everyone can’t, so I’ll let you know the issue.

Okay. Someone, probably a kid or some drunken teenager, decided to put their fancy new laser to the test, and went outside with it. Shine it into the nigt sky and all that jazz – now, they happened to hit an airplane. “OH MY GOD!” you’ll most likely say. “WHAT HAPPENED!?” is another. Well, nothing happened. Nothing at all.

The pilots in the plane estimated a distance to the laser light source of about 10 kilometeres. That’s pretty far off, and assuming that estimate is correct, it would take a more powerful laser than your average stationary store version for them to even see it. Enter eBay and the ever popular green laser. This must have been what they saw.

Now, what did the pilots see? A green beam of light, dispersed and diluted by moisture in the air, pollution and whatnot else was in the light’s way when it travelled from the ground to the plane. Mildly distracting, somewhat disturbing and even I can see the worry-factor.

Did this put the pilots, plane and passengers at risk? Nope. If the plane was big enough to be seen from that distance, then it was big enough to be able to land on its own.
Can this kind of laser hurt the pilots’ eyes? Nope. At least not from that distance, and not without sustained exposure.
Is this terrorism? Lord, no. Hey, go here if you want to know our stance on terrorism…

So…should this kind of thing be punished? Yes…I suppose so. But for crying out loud. I sincerely hope politicians and police pay as little attention as possible to the ignorant masses that cry terrorism every time someone jaywalks.