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August 22, 2003

Comments

dan

I read an article once about genetically engineering plants that change color according to varying levels of leaking explosives (even in trace amounts). A patch of these plants would have concentric rings of different colors surrounding the location of a mine. The seeds would have to be spread over an area suspected of having mines in it first, though - very impractical.
I like your idea much better.

Runde

Okay, this is a bit clanky, but I imagine a lot of countries don't want timed mines, very cost-ineffective in case a war lasts longer than planned (don't want to be cocky here, no countries mentioned) but, MAYBE, they DO want a possibility to turn them off. Either electronically, with a radio signal, or you could insert a particular chemical in the explosive, that would render the explosive ineffective if a particular bacteria or chemical came in touch with it. Gene-splicing bacteria to eat particular kinds of explosives ... but then countries would parmesan their own fields with all kinds of gmo'ed bacteria in the hope that one would be the correct kind that'd eat up the mines. Perhaps. Except that ... that would be like throwing darts out the window hoping to hit a particular ant.

Anyone know of explosives or chemicals that could work that way?

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Take us as you find us.

Piruntha

I want to know the ideas for the future action of land mines
can u say it to me

Nova Spivack

Very good Dick, and thank you for sharing this with us!!! Please keep me posted if you make progress in getting Rotary to take this on as a cause.

dick enright

Dick Enright
Bridgton-Lake Region Rotary Club
223 Perley Rd.
Naples, Maine 04055
February 12, 2004

President Jonathan Majiyagbe
President Elect Glenn Estess
Rotary International
1560 Sherman Ave.
Evanston, Ill 60201

Ref: Land mine construction and destruction

Dear Sirs:

I would like to ask Rotary International to take a leadership role in land mine destruction and future construction from a humanitarian aspect. Although Rotary is of great assistance after the damage is done, I feel R.I has an opportunity to take a leadership and pro-active role of prevention.

Our international status, presence, ability to collaborate and members in leadership roles, allows for us to have an great humanitarian assistance in regards to this important humanitarian effort. A collaboration humanitarian program that prevents damage to the innocent people and their livelihood after the conflict is over.



GENERAL OUTLINE:

1.) They should be constructed with a life expectancy or self detonating device. To keep it simple they require a AA house battery to operate with a life expectancy of ? Or a computer chip that self distrusts after a set time or can be destroyed by remote computer command. In both cases the mine is destroyed and of no value.

2.) Landline fields be cleared with a vibratory vehicle capable of withstanding the mine detonation and operated by remote control so no personnel are in the field area. A Global Positioning Device would be used ton insure 100% saturation.

Thank you,
Dick Enright
207-693-3588

Stephanie Schaber

Wouldn't people still be able to obtain the old landmines (without the time-limit switch)through the black market because they hate their enemy and want even innocent civilians from the opposing land to be killed?

Josh Kirschenbaum

Instead of making the trigger of the mine the safety, why not make the explosive the safety? That's the dangerous part. You could add a stabilizer to the explosive that was added over time, so the mine became less and less of a bomb, and more of a chunk of metal in the ground.

Even a mine that has a faulty switch can be hazardous- plus you maintain a functional weapon- that ANYONE can replace the switch with. If the explosive deteriorates...then there's no problem. And if you needed landmines that last (why, I don't know..) the explosive could be replaced.

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