can't boot a Mint Cin 17.1 live Sandisk Ultra Fit 3.0 32GB

When I pulled out the drive, I was almost burned by temperature of the metal USB connector.  There is definately a systematic problem with these drives, and this has nothing to do with Linux.

I agree.  USB connectors do not get that warm.  Return it.

http://kb.sandisk.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/5232/~/return-material-authorization-(rma)-process