Lasers May Be a Reality

Source:
http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn16675-video-airborne-laser-weapon-sails-through-tests.html

Rating: GOOD(potential to be UGLY)

Explanation:
The Pentagon is currently funding a project which would allow military aircraft to carry a laser attached to the nose of the plane. This laser has been tested over the last 16 months and has enough power to shoot down missiles and potentially other aircraft. This new powerful weapon could be a great defense against terrorist weapons of mass destruction. With the ability to respond in minutes, a missile could have barely left the ground and be able to be shot down using this new technology. Therefore this warrants a GOOD rating. However like any piece of potentially destructive technology, in the wrong hands it could produce massive loss of life. This same technology could destroy a plane carrying innocent passengers across the Pacific. This would obviously then result in an UGLY rating. The Obama administration has yet to decide if they are going to continue to fund this project.