damn iraq is hot!!! but im safe... so far

[Mr Handlebars]

Guy and gals, I was just thinking. I know that's a dangerous thing for me, but for once I'm going to see what ya'll think. Since mcCool started this threat, there has been a lot of support from ppl here to help out the guys over there in Iraq fight our battles. Our soldiers always need things. I've heard phone cards is a big one. What if we set up a pay pal account or something like that to collect donations to get these guys some of the small things in life to make their live a little bit more bareble over the there. I'd offer to manage the account, but someone like Mrs. BC would probably be better since most everyone knows and trusts her. Let's start thinking about it. I got a VA hospital like 3 miles away from me, so I can get any military reg there are about sending stuff, plus there is loads of stuff already online about it. Let's talk it out and if enough ppl agree, we can get this thing going. Also since Sean is with a private contractor, he might have some connections for shipping. We could even ship Amy over there for a could weeks (if Thomas lets her go) to entertain the troops. She'll be a big hit and if we can get Jesus to put up the money, she could hand out DSF tshirts

All joking aside about Amy, I do know that music is a big thing over there, but they don't have time to d/l off the net. I don't know if they are allowed bootleg sh!t, but we can find out. It would make a whole lot of soldiers happy, and blanks are what, 10¢.

[Sean of the Dead]

Ok, so I read this and then I sat here for 20 minutes staring at the screen coming up with a plan. First off, I am very appreciative for all the comments, I actually choose to be here and some people tend to look down on that. Now McCool is forced to be here and even my hat is off to him. I miss my wife and we are having our first child (girl) in december and every day is a battle not to go home. But, I am doing my part. Ok now about the pooling of items etc.. I am in the "green zone" which is basicly an american city in the middle of Baghdad. I have a small "apartment" for lack of better term with all the comforts I could want, satellite tv, internet, etc.. McCool mentioned Balad which is alot like where I am, we really have everything local. If we could find a contact in the military at one of the remote areas that still have a rough time even I will be more than willing to pitch in and send them some items. I know what is in short supply over here and its not really what you would think, its soap, razors, lighters, well mostly toiletries. I dont mean to sound unappreciative, I just know there are others who really need things.

Phone cards are very big at the remote locations because they only have trailers set up by At&t and the phone cards are expensive. I think the last time I seen one it was $30 for 100 minutes.

I hope this was helpful and didnt offend anyone, that was not my plan. I just wanted to point out that some of us do not live like the people you always see on CNN.

To answer McCool's question, I have been in Al Asad, TQ, Ramadi and a few other undisclosed locations. Mostly within 50km of Baghdad.

[buddha00man]

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my buddy just got there, hes working for the state department & doesnt have internet in his room yet, but apparently they are working on it & he basically said the same thing, the green zone is like an american city & you can basically get anything you want....anyway thanx for the info

[mc_coolbeans]

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YUP...

we have pretty much everything we need. phone cards are more for people that are on bases that arent as built up as say, BIAP (Baghdad), IZ(green zone), JBB (balad). hes right about the phone cards though, a 100 minute card, you actually only get 10 minutes because of the exchange rate. its 10 min to 1 min for most any cards. thats why internet is so crucial. and even that is expensive cause you have to buy a satellite system ranging from $1500-$3000. were just now getting wifi. and its first generation A/B signal. so yeah, we just get what we can.

just like Sean said, its better to send it to those on remote bases. they really need it. and Sean can buy!!! after all contractors get the big bucks!!! right sean. hahaha. lucky....

i for sure would enjoy amy though!!! care to make the trip?

[Sean of the Dead]

true, being a contractor over here is lucrative. I mean it would have to be for me to leave my family but its not the 5k a week that so many people back home think I am making.

[mc_coolbeans]

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hmmm... well it depends on the job and company youre with too.