That is correct, a Flash Bang Grenade, when properly detonated in a concrete pillbox, will not start a fire.

However, if you irresponsibly chuck one into someone’s home, which is filled with flammable materials, it certainly can.

But Ooo! Lookit! A newer, safer one is coming along!

http://www.wired.com/science/discoveries/news/2002/04/51760

Note how the SWAT thug justifies the device:

” The last time Zografos used a flash-bang — as they are known in the trade — was in a follow-up to a warrant out on what he called “some very bad people.”

“They were supposed to be in control of some weapons, and we didn’t want them to be able to use them against us,” Zografos said. “We wanted to divert their attention so we would have the advantage when we entered the property.”

That mission was successful, Zografos said, with no casualties.”

Notice how his words are… completely non committal. He doesn’t say “They had illegal weapons” he says “They were supposed to be in control of some weapons”

Of course it’s a sucky question. Poll questions aren’t meant to get the truth, they’re meant to get statistics that you can use to support your position. I would imagine they asked all kinds of questions, and this is the question that got the most positive responses, hence, its publication.

Yeah, this should definitely not be politically risky. Stopping these absurd, offensive raids is also the moral thing to do. The Drug Policy Alliance (to which I contribute occasionally) is asking people to call the White House to support action on this. The other day, I sent an e-mail. Keep up the pressure on this. It is very incremental change, but we are starting to move in the right direction.

Q: “How do you know when Asians move into your neighborhood?”

A: “The Mexicans buy car insurance.”

Does dinging two races in the same joke help?

For anyone offended by racist jokes, I offer you “Everyone’s A Little Bit Racist,” from the musical Avenue Q:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x9CSnlb-ymA

I think that commercial basically is what is wrong with television, which is why I refuse to watch it.

“Watch Television”:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JKq7Qrg_NFg&feature=PlayList&p=1012506A4EBD4996&playnext=1&index=25

Count me among those who think that it’s a judge taking a cheap shot at the attorney. It’s capricious. The lawyer was hired on the basis of a money retainer, period. I’m betting that the compensation and costs rules of the jurisdiction deal with cash. Not gift cards, not coupons for free oil changes, not magic beans: money. His licensing and insurance fees aren’t payable in coupons. His outlays and disbursements aren’t in gift cards. And if one of the clients sued him for negligence, they sure as hell wouldn’t settle for gift cards.

Look, there’s a certain type of judge who, once safely settled on the bench, gleefully pisses on lawyers every chance (s)he gets. It’s a petty, petty power trip over people who can’t hit back. Sometimes it’s self-regard (“my god, none of these guys is as ethical/skilled/professional as I was!”); sometimes it’s a classic kiss-up, kick-down personality; sometimes it’s pure indulgence of power; sometimes it’s payback for whatever slights they figured that they suffered while in practice, (picture somebody from your high school with a chip on his shoulder who is now a cop); sometimes it’s just person in a near-permanent bad humour.

One other thing: one of the most maddening things about being any service provider (lawyer, handyman, designer .. doesn’t matter) is people who are very happy with your services … until they get what they want, then have to pay. Then (it’s magic!) they have grievances. Given that most jurisdictions have some court-mandated control over fees ordinary lawyers (not wealthy ones) are subject to this sort of post-contract third-party revisionism. How would you like it if, say, after building a deck for a client, a deck that you both were satisfied with and he was about to pay you, some twerp wandered in, said, “yeah, I know what the contract says, but you’ve got to give him $2k of the money back because I think that the benches shoulda been wider.” Hardly free market.

In fact, I wrote my own commercial for Send Ex! (The package delivering company often used in CSI)…

.. Send Ex spokesman standing in front of a house.

“Hi! Here at Send Ex, we’re all about delivering packages to you in the fastest, safest manner possible! That’s why we’ve taken some lessons from the local Police Department on how to safely place packages inside your home as quickly as possible!”

… Send Ex van screeches to a halt, a Send Ex team wearing tactical gear and carrying a battering ram jump out the back, the final team member is wearing a normal Send Ex uniform and carrying a package. The team quickly breeches the door and tosses in a Flash Bang.

… The lead guy yells “Clear!” and the uniformed guy with the package runs up and tosses it into the now burning home.

.. Back to Send Ex spokesman:

“As you can see, this method is far faster and safer than fumbling with the doorbell! Send Ex employees have much fewer chances to have their feelings hurt because they delivered a package to the wrong address, and far more packages can be delivered in less time!”

“Be sure to select “Breech Delivery” on YOUR next package! If the cops don’t have to knock, why should we?”