One of my correspondents on my own site, Publius' Forum, has been trying to clear up a wretched email that was sent to one of our boys in Iraq refusing him service and telling him he should "pull out of Iraq".
Fox News has picked up this story that I have been watching for a few days. I've been trying to ascertain if it was real or another example of an internet hoax -- sometimes it isn't easy to tell these days -- but I think I can safely say it is real at this point. It has been rather hot news in Wisconsin over the last 48 hours, too.
The question is, will we see it farther and wider? Will the MSM pick up this story of our solder being ill treated by Discount-Mats.com, a Muslim owned, Wisconsin based floor mat company?
Army Sgt. Jason Hess, stationed in Taji, Iraq wanted to purchase a few floor mats for use in his station in Iraq and emailed the Wisconsin based floor mat company to ask if they would ship to an APO address in Iraq?
Here is the text of his original email:
To Whom it may concern:
Do you ship to APO addresses? I'm in the 1st Cavalry Division stationed in Iraq and we are trying to order some mats but we are looking for who ships to APO first.
SGT Hess
Now, it is a fact that many companies do not ship to APOs for various reasons, some who simply will not ship outside the contiguous United States, some who even are prevented to by certain laws and statutes from doing so. If Discount-Mats.com was any one of those, it would have been an easy email to just respond with a polite "no".
Here is the text of the email that Discount-Mats.com sent the Sergeant instead:
SGT Hess,
We do not ship to APO addresses, and even if we did, we would NEVER ship to Iraq. If you were sensible, you and your troops would pull out of Iraq.
Bargain Suppliers
Discount-Mats.com
Discount-Mats.com is registered to a Faisal Khetani who is an American Muslim of Pakistani descent according to Fox News.
Khetani claims that the person responsible for this ignorant affront to a US soldier was fired. In a recent communication with Miss. Kirkland, Khetani said "As I told my local reporters, the individual who made those statements has been held responsible and liable and what they spoke of apo addresses is absolutely true, but the second half was their own personal opinion and not the opinions of the company."
Khetani also confirmed, though, that he and the members of his company are also against the efforts in Iraq which seems to contradict his first claim that the fired employee's email didn't represent the company.
I will say this, my company most certainly doesn't support the war, and we do hope that the policies will change. However the personal opinions stated by the former member of Discount-Mats.com were very strong and personal and other members within our company certainly feel that his actions were not justified.
Let us hope that this man's company finds a corresponding measure of "success" in equal levels with his support for the country to which he has immigrated in order to make his fortune.
In that same letter, Khetani also threatened Kirkland with unleashing the wrath of "major muslim organizations" on her for her "insults". He closed by telling Kirkland, "you can be sure that there are million of muslim activists as well that will do something about your foul statements.... your statements against Muslims and your direct insults will not go unheard, I assure you."
The sad thing is, there are plenty of Americans that would assist this Muslim in attacking other Americans with legal actions even as this whole situation is his fault in the first place. One thing he and his fellows have learned well from American leftists: It's always someone else's fault.
Naturally, Discount-Mats.com has been taken down and cannot any longer be seen. Khatemi was last reached via email address, however: sportsfitness@gmail.com.
Be on the look out for this story. It could get wider release any day.
Editor at Large
Comments Policy
Why is this outrageous story
January 23, 2007 - 05:32 ET by bigtimerWhy is this outrageous story not being played everywhere in all the media outlets...it should be!
Hypocritical varmints in the msm all!
We are at war. These peole are making a living here in our country, our soldiers made a simple request...this needs to be looked into deeper. Did anyone out here catch David Asman's show on Fox last night I think it was or Sat. about Hezbollah within our country?
We have the enemy within that we need to be very very wary of and keep a very sharp eye on and fine point...this needs to be brought out into the open for all Americans to be made aware of.
Pronto!
Thanks WTH!
"If we ever forget that we are a Nation Under God....then we will be a Nation Gone Under." Ronald Reagan
This strikes me as pretty los
January 23, 2007 - 11:04 ET by Rupert CadellThis strikes me as pretty lose-lose for the proprietor. It seems to me as though his apology and method of addressing the employee's inappropriate behavior was exemplary. Clearly, the soldier's requested something that the company simply does not provide, for whatever reason, so l see no need to get worked up about that.
As for the owner's remarks on the war, well, it sounds to me like he's sounding an opinion that is more and more the majority now. And if he hadn't addressed it at all, I'll bet all of you would be clucking your tongues about how he didn't have the cajones to admit his own position.
The fired employee was obviously out-of-line and deserved consequences. Other than that, this is a minor PR gaffe for a small company that was handled gracefully. Perhaps that's why other news outlets have neglected to pick it up?
You are part of the problem.
January 23, 2007 - 11:33 ET by Dan The Man 2You are part of the problem. Most of the USA does indeed want us out of Iraq the same way in WWII or any conflict that has lasted for a while. The difference in your assment and mine is that the peopel want us out of there when the job is done. BTW why did you get fired from that mat company.
Nuke em til they glow then shoot em in the dark. -- save my gun, shoot a liberal.
We could argue all day about,
January 23, 2007 - 11:38 ET by Rupert CadellWe could argue all day about, as Josef would put it, what the majority of clear-thinking mainstream Americans want. I don't want an immediate withdrawal because I think it would be disastrous at this point. But I was opposed to the war in the first place, as were many millions of Americans and apparently the Pakistani business owner in question.
What doesn't change is the fact that the owner of this company made a gracious apology and did not try to deny his own stance which, again, I think a lot of people here would be speculating about if he had remained reticent on the subject.
Recently a Pit Bull dog kille
January 23, 2007 - 12:29 ET by Dan The Man 2Recently a Pit Bull dog killed my dog. We turned in the dog as a dangerous animal and it will wear that distinction forever. The owner and his company no matter how he put any apology will wear the badge of dishonor forever. I pray he goes under bigtime. In fact he should be deported. There was a time when people had some sense of being patriotic and this Pakistani has none. The USA has no place fo unpatriotic forieners, ohh wait they do...in Gitmo.
Nuke em til they glow then shoot em in the dark. -- save my gun, shoot a liberal.
First of all, I resent your i
January 23, 2007 - 13:26 ET by Rupert CadellFirst of all, I resent your implication that being against the war makes one automatically unpatriotic.
Second, you're basically advocating that any foreign (particularly Middle Eastern I'm sure) immigrant who came to America and runs a legitimate business should be deported and/or detained for the sins of having reservations about a war in the Middle East and having hired a rude receptionist.
I'm afraid I disagree (big time).
The majority of Americans are
January 23, 2007 - 13:56 ET by TruthMongerThe majority of Americans are unchanged in their original desire for victorious action and exit from Iraq, along with the larger GWT...just like Bush and company all along...these opinions are absolutely nothing new - despite what the BS MSM and our resident libbies here desperately want to ram down our throats with these so-called polls of theirs...
And if you want our resident libs to admit the vile and dispicable concept of this vendor's outrageous email simply change the current vendor in question to a Walmart online employee refusing service to an abortion doctor for killing babies...
Then you'll see the appropriate change of tune : ) . . .
Yep, that sounds like somet
January 23, 2007 - 14:12 ET by Rupert CadellYep, that sounds like something that would happen at Wal-Mart.
However, the only thing that the company in this story should be faulted with is the behavior of the employee...and it sounds as if he was dealt with appropriately. The NB article itself even discusses how many companies don't ship to APOs for perfectly common reasons, often including regulations that they have nothing to do with.
...oh ok then...I guess you'r
January 23, 2007 - 14:31 ET by TruthMonger...oh ok then...I guess you're right...no big deal really...(shoulder shrugs)...etc...etc...
The fabulous two faces of a leftoid, my friends : ) . . .
I’m not implying anything;
January 23, 2007 - 14:05 ET by Dan The Man 2I’m not implying anything; I’m outright saying that any immigrant should understand the dire circumstances we are in, as you also must understand. You have yet to make an argument just baseless accusations and charges about the validity of why we are in Iraq. I’m saying that we need to get behind the effort in any war whether or not we agree as we did in Kosovo and in Korea and any other conflict.
Any other jism coming from anyone’s pie hole is unpatriotic. We can carp about why or when or any other imponderaderables but we must be behind the effort. Otherwise we will lose and lose big time in the long run. Why do you think we got hit 911, because we were wussies or we acted like wussies.
You are mistaken as he admitted he did not think the war in Iraq was legal and the USA should get out. I for one am all for deporting all foreign dissenters and those here legally, well they can say all they want but I don’t want their opinion and any who have businesses I want to fail miserably. If they can’t understand what patriotism is all about and you for that matter, I hope they will fail.
Enough of the rant I could go on like this for hours.
Nuke em til they glow then shoot em in the dark. -- save my gun, shoot a liberal.
SP Poster Boy
January 23, 2007 - 14:08 ET by JimboYou can resent all the comments you want, it’s a free country, (which other patriotic Americans secured for us), just like I can resent everything in your post and disagree with every point at the same time.
Admit that you don’t like this country the way it exists today and that you want to form it into something else. At least we can have an honest dialogue about it.
You are the poster child for the secular progressive movement.
Jimbo says - "There is a fine line between freedom of speach and treason"
I do enjoy unintentional hu
January 23, 2007 - 14:20 ET by Rupert CadellI do enjoy unintentional humor Jimbo.
Admit that you don’t like this country the way it exists today and that you want to form it into something else.
If I felt that way I'd say so. I've alluded to nothing of the kind.
The age of political correctness is over. The future of the United States as it exists today is at stake.
Questionable grammar aside, um.....I'm pretty sure US citizens, even ones from countries that you find suspicious, are allowed to express themselves, especially when put on the spot like this guy was.
You are the poster child for the secular progressive movement.
And you apparently enjoy parroting Bill O'Reilly. So what?
Uncle Rupert - Lost in the Woods
January 23, 2007 - 14:29 ET by JimboNo facts to support your position? Use liberal rule #43. “Attack grammar”.
Bill O’Reilly called you a secular progressive? Missed that episode. Damn. Or was your argument “grammatically incorrect”? You clearly don’t even know what the definition of secular progressive is. Comments #1 and #3 contradict themselves.
As for #2, a blind man in a mind field couldn’t be more in danger of being wrong. I’m suspicious of Iraq. Do you think they can freely express themselves? I’m suspicious of Cuba? How’s freedom of speech down there??
I’d call you dumb and a lost child in the woods, but I won’t stoop to your level.
Jimbo says - "There is a fine line between freedom of speach and treason"
Jimbo, where to begin?OK,
January 23, 2007 - 15:30 ET by Rupert CadellJimbo, where to begin?
OK, the grammar attack was uncalled for, but it was immediately followed by a pretty airtight, US Constitution-sanctified point.
The Bill O'Reilly reference is to point out that you use the term in exactly the same way he does: as an epithet to broadly attack anyone who disagrees with your rigid definitions of patriotism. You make no attempt to address how I am either "Secular" or "Progressive", the former of which is particularly perplexing since this discussion has nothing to do with religion.
#1 and #3 do not contradict one another, because I still have yet to do anything here besides defend free speech and argue that people in this businessman's position are not good candidates for Gitmo. I am not concurring with you that I am an S-P, I am merely finding it amusing that you chose to call me one based on my comments here.
Look again at my original post of "#2". It includes the words "U.S. Citizen." The fact that they are immigrants doesn't change their right to free speech. The questionable levels of free speech in Iraq and Cuba is irrelevant. So, I would have to say that I am not in nearly as much danger of being wrong as a "blind man in a mind field" (sic), whatever that means. I mean, even if he's in danger, what exactly is he potentially "wrong" about?
The Bill O'Reilly reference i
January 23, 2007 - 15:48 ET by JimboThe Bill O'Reilly reference is to point out that you use the term in exactly the same way he does: as an epithet to broadly attack anyone who disagrees with your rigid definitions of patriotism. You make no attempt to address how I am either "Secular" or "Progressive", the former of which is particularly perplexing since this discussion has nothing to do with religion.
I’m not a particularly big or rabid fan of Bill O’Reilly, but I can tell you have never really watched the show and have formed your opinions of him through other MSM channels.
Your assertion that he attaches an epithet to anyone who disagrees a rigid definition of patriotism is simply false. It is an epithet applied to individuals and groups who have a desire to undermine this country for the purpose of forming it into something it’s not, most often a nanny state. That aside, given the overall context of your posts, it is my opinion (free country, right?) that you are in fact unpatriotic, and that you would prefer the government to denounce any religious beliefs in the country and exist to ensure you and every other person in this country have the same handouts as the next guy. If there is a conflict that threatens that, ignore it, it will probably go away anyway.
And for the unpatriotic mattress salesmen? You invoked liberal tactic #44 – put words in the mouth of the other guy. I never said he should go to Gitmo. Since he demanded the withdrawal of US troops, I said he should be deported to his own country of Pakistan, so he can appreciate the freedom the troops are fighting for by not having it. Maybe it would do you perspective some good to spend some time there as well, since you don’t seem to think such a thing is worth fighting for.
Jimbo says - "There is a fine line between freedom of speach and treason"
Heeeere we go again:I've wa
January 23, 2007 - 16:03 ET by Rupert CadellHeeeere we go again:
I've watched Bill O'Reilly many, many times. I think most critics are actually too rough on him, but he throws the term "secular progressive" around like a frisbee. It's lost all meaning coming from him, because he literally attaches it to any person who is left of him or who laughs when he talks about the war on Christmas. How this discussion became about a Nanny State and distributions of wealth is beyond me.
you are in fact unpatriotic, and that you would prefer the government
to denounce any religious beliefs in the country and exist to ensure
you and every other person in this country have the same handouts as
the next guy.
Um, yeah, it's your right to say that, but you provide no context or evidence other than it being a "feeling you get" from my posts, which, again, do not address religion or economics. You're just taking my position that this entrepeneur was put into a no-win situation vis-a-vis his rude employee and Pakistani heritage, and using it to extrapolate conclusions that make me look like a liberal stereotype.
I think a lot of people would say that the people who are flooding the guy's website to insult him and hoping his business goes down or (as someone here, apparently not you, said) that he goes to Gitmo, are knuckle-draggers with too much time on their hands.
I never maligned the military, as you seem to be implying in the end of your last post. I've disagreed with invading Iraq since it was first proposed. That doesn't mean squat as far as being appreciative of my personal freedom.
“I’ve disagreed with inva
January 23, 2007 - 16:35 ET by Jimbo“I’ve disagreed with invading Iraq since it was first proposed”
Well that makes you even more unpatriotic and reckless than I first thought. So you thought it was a bad idea to dispose of Sadaam, stop the murders, rapes, tortures, you were against the establishment of a Democratic government where one didn’t exist before, against giving the people the ability to vote, and against taking proactive steps to fight the terrorists where they operate instead of fighting them on the streets of American cities. I know that you think Bush lied and that Sadaam had nothing to do with 9/11, so save it.
Wow. I feel sorry for you.
I’m done with you now. B-Bye.
Jimbo says - "There is a fine line between freedom of speach and treason"
Having grown up during Viet
January 23, 2007 - 07:49 ET by sarcasmoHaving grown up during Vietnam, I think it's sad that some people still have not learned that it's possible to be against a war and still be totally willing to support any & all US military people in the field. The good news is that in my experience this is a "man bites dog" story, and most people do seem to "get it" no matter where they stand on the wisdom of politicians' decisions.
JMR
Warner,I just tried to open t
January 23, 2007 - 07:51 ET by Dave RWarner,
I just tried to open their website and got the "technical difficulties" message. I hope it is due to an unusually high volume of traffic. :-)
If you mean Discount-Mats.com
January 23, 2007 - 07:59 ET by Warner Todd HustonIf you mean Discount-Mats.com, I was told it was taken down entirely. But, for sure, they are getting swamped with service requests, regardless!
Yeah, and I was going to sug
January 23, 2007 - 08:49 ET by Dave RYeah, and I was going to suggest. politely, of course, a new location that Faisal might consider relocating his business to. :-^)
We would ALL like to make a f
January 23, 2007 - 08:51 ET by Warner Todd HustonWe would ALL like to make a few suggestions, I'd imagine!
MSM headline: Sgt. in Iraq
January 23, 2007 - 08:42 ET by Mica the MagnificentMSM headline: Sgt. in Iraq Tortures Muslim-American with controversial e-mail.
A sgt. in Bush's military did not like it when a Muslim-American exercised his free speech rights today. According to a single, unnamed source close to the MSM, the military man e-mailed a Muslim-American business in America insisting on the delivery of floor mats immediately to his base in Iraq.
Things got nasty when the innocent Muslim e-mailed the American occupier requesting a moment to pray before he could fill his order. The rest of the story is debatable, but we know it includes torture, the Koran, barking dogs and waterboarding. It is believed the sgt. will be investigated and found guilty of something.
I remember once when I went out on a date, I stopped the car, kissed her on the cheek, and thanked her for a great time as I swam out the driver's side window. -Old Ted Kennedy Proverb
Sad, but I could could see
January 23, 2007 - 10:51 ET by steviep831Sad, but I could could see at least half of this being published by the drive-by. They'll "pick-up" some intonation in the Sgt.'s email that may have "sparked" the innocent Muslim-American into justifiable rage.... But I guess we'll have to wait and see if the MSM even picks this up...
To Whom it may concern: Do
January 23, 2007 - 10:56 ET by Warner Todd HustonEven the MSM couldn't misconstrue That innocent email... Could they?
This company refuses to send
January 23, 2007 - 10:10 ET by King of the BritonsThis company refuses to send its product to a soldier in Iraq because he doesn't support the war. No problem. That is the way things work in the free market. Hopefully, this company did their research and saw the Dixie Chicks' example of how the truly free market works. They are free not to sell to anyone, but everyone is also free not to purchase the store's product. Thank goodness for Newsbusters to point out the difference in how both parties are treated in the MSM. Poor Dixie Chicks and poor mat salesmen. All because us ignorant dolts are against the First Amendment, the only valid explanation to this treatment of these American Patriots. Oh yeah, and I almost forgot - Bush Stinks.
Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!´´
--Patrick Henry
I think you have your analogi
January 23, 2007 - 13:51 ET by GalvanicI think you have your analogies reversed. In the case of the Dixie Chicks, they weren't denying their product to consumers; the consumers boycotted their product.
This is a clear case of discrimination --- refusing to sell a publicly offered product to a citizen because (in this case) of his livelihood.
I think think there's a civil rights case in here if some attorneys are willing to fight it. Would the ACLU take the sergeant's case to court? Or would they rally to the proprietor?
Galv,I partially disagree. Th
January 23, 2007 - 14:07 ET by Mean Gene Dr. LoveGalv,
I partially disagree. The owner didn't say he wouldn't sell the product. He said he wouldn't ship the product. I know it's splitting hairs, but that's what the ACLU would do if there was a lawsuit, and they would be on the side of the business BTW.
When I was overseas, I had several businesses tell me they wouldn't ship to an APO address...apparently they were too lazy to fill out a customs tag, or they used a private carrier that cannot deliver to APO addresses. I just took my business elsewhere. Businesses that will not ship to APO addresses are denying themselves revenue from tens of thousands of possible customers. If I found a business that shipped to APO addresses, I was usually a repeat customer and I would let my friends know to use that company also. Overseas military is a huge market as we purchase things online that we cannot otherwise get locally, and consumers that are happy are usually repeat customers and provide free advertising by word-of-mouth recommendations. Foolish businesses do not take advantage of those facts. Too bad for them.
Gun Safety Tip #8: No matter how responsible he seems, never give your gun to a monkey. (www.imao.us)
I'm not an attorney, so maybe
January 23, 2007 - 15:53 ET by GalvanicI'm not an attorney, so maybe I've got this wrong, but unless the business's advertisement stated upfront that the business would not ship to APO or FPO addresses, the sergeant has a case. And if they ship overseas by civilian mail, he definitely has a case.
I can't recall ever coming across a US business that wouldn't ship to APO/FPO. They might charge a little more in shipping and handling, but they shipped.
The several cases you encountered, Mean Gene, seem like poor businessmen. Like you said, they're "foolish" to pass up the lucrative overseas military market. I remember buying a lot of stuff when I was stationed overseas, or deployed on a ship.
The APO/FPO shipping problems
January 23, 2007 - 16:22 ET by Mean Gene Dr. LoveThe APO/FPO shipping problems aren't as big as they used to be, but back in 1999-2003 when I was overseas there were many times I had to research extensively to purchase items (sometimes even big retailers wouldn't ship to APO/FPO). Maybe I was buying more specialized stuff? I don't know, I just remember being frequently frustrated at having to verify whether they would ship to me or not before I could buy.
I don't know about the lawsuit part, but I do believe (here's the libertarian (little l) coming out in me) that buyers and sellers should be able to determine who they do business with or not--but, basing the decision on a person's class, race, religion, sex, or occupation is quite stupid and irresponsible. However, I think this particular company really screwed up as he could've just said, "our operating practices do not allow us to ship to APO/FPO addresses" and avoided this whole fiasco. It really was a poor business decision to say what he did, I think he will experience the natural repercussions that come with offending his consumers.
I do think if it came to a lawsuit and the ACLU got involved, they would actually side witht the business on this one.
Gun Safety Tip #8: No matter how responsible he seems, never give your gun to a monkey. (www.imao.us)
APO/FPO
January 23, 2007 - 23:32 ET by UnsaneAs one who just came from overseas less than six months ago, you are dead-on about the APO/FPO address thing, and yes, indeed, there are a lot of businesses that are shooting themselves in the foot over it (though as you were overseas just as Internet retailing began to take off you had it even worse I am sure). And it's not just mail-order items. A website I download music from for a small fee would not permit me to download music from their site because I had an APO address, never mind that I was going to download the music!
Sounds to me like no one in the military should do business with the jokers chronicled on this thread.
"HAV3 TH3 BRIDG3S OF INSANITY B33N CROSS3D AND FOR3V3R R3TRACT3D???." - Meshuggah, "3ntrapm3nt", from Catch Thirty Thr33 (2005)
Mean Gene, Uns....The last ti
January 23, 2007 - 23:38 ET by BlondeMean Gene, Uns....
The last time I sent something to Iraq (about three weeks ago), I only had to pay the postage to the APO box....in California, I think.
The military pays for it the rest of the way. I sent my package priority mail to the APO address (regular priority postage, BTW).
The package was received in Iraq seven days later.
Pretty bloody efficient, if you ask me.
So any merchant that uses an APO address as an excuse is an idiot.
But I must agree....we are free to choose with whom we do business.
Seller beware!
Okay, let me get this straigh
January 23, 2007 - 17:39 ET by blarsenOkay, let me get this straight. A U.S. soldier in Iraq needs a mat to cover a crack in the floor. So he emails a Muslim-owned business in Milwaukee to have the mat mailed to somebody in New York so, they in turn can send it to him in Iraq. What in the hell is going on! The military supplies tanks, guns, bullets, Hummers, food, water and anything else a G.I. might need, but a mat is just too tall an order for our military suppliers to fill? They have them at every PX across the world, yet they can't get a mat(s) to one of our boys in combat? No wonder we have to rely on contractors for so much over there.
I think you missed the point
January 23, 2007 - 17:49 ET by bigtimerI think you missed the point of this blog blars...
As usual.
Intentionally.
Have a good evening.
"If we ever forget that we are a Nation Under God....then we will be a Nation Gone Under." Ronald Reagan
BT - blarsen probably doesn
January 23, 2007 - 17:54 ET by Dee BunkBT - blarsen probably doesn't contribute to care packages for the soldiers either because he thinks the government should give them everything they need even though he votes for people who won't fund them. That is what the dems call support. Bitch and do nothing.
Exactly Dee!Great point!You h
January 23, 2007 - 17:58 ET by bigtimerExactly Dee!
Great point!
You hit the nail on the head plus pounded it in with one whack!
"If we ever forget that we are a Nation Under God....then we will be a Nation Gone Under." Ronald Reagan
Next time you send a care pac
January 23, 2007 - 18:45 ET by blarsenNext time you send a care package send a couple of bottles of Nyquil. After it rains over there the stench in the air that evaporates from the ground is so bad it makes many of our soldiers nauseated and for some reason Nyquil seems to counteract this particular type of nausea. That's what the troops tell me anyway, but how would I know. I'm just an unpatriotic liberal.
Uh huh.Little known fact is t
January 23, 2007 - 18:59 ET by BDUh huh.
Little known fact is that many a "Happy New Year" was celebrated during the Gulf War in 1991 with a shot of Nyquil.....
Closest thing to a bud you wi
January 23, 2007 - 19:09 ET by bassndudeClosest thing to a bud you will find over there, uh BD? Sure glad they had beer thirty three in the RVN...had good whisky to.
Save a SeAL, club a liberal!!
Well good Blarsen - I take
January 23, 2007 - 19:03 ET by Dee BunkWell good Blarsen - I take it that means you are sending them some? I go through OSOT Illinois and Niquil is not on their list.
Dee...ya beat me to it!LOL!&q
January 23, 2007 - 19:19 ET by bigtimerDee...ya beat me to it!
LOL!
"If we ever forget that we are a Nation Under God....then we will be a Nation Gone Under." Ronald Reagan
The military supplies many th
January 23, 2007 - 18:08 ET by BDThe military supplies many things, but floor covering is not one of them. THe only floor covering I know of that could be acquired would be a standard sleeping pad that would not be adequate.
What he is likely looking for is a linoleum based product that would be easy to clean and would facilitate a tidy quarters with no bugs.
Regarding your assessment that we could purchase this at teh PX, many base camps do not have access to PX products other than Copenhagen, Doritos. AA batteries and the like that can be easily shipped and consumed by a small community.
In the case of items that have a niche, it is easier to have them shipped by the postal system.
Blarsen,I currently work as
January 23, 2007 - 18:15 ET by Mean Gene Dr. LoveBlarsen,
I currently work as a Squadron Resource Advisor (more or less an accountant) in the USAF. You would not believe the rules we have to follow in what we can buy and what we cannot buy on top of the rules for what can be issued and what can't be issued. Couple those problems with the drastic cuts in funding the U.S. military has taken over the last decade and a half because of the politicians that think they know more than the commanders on the ground.
Another detail I'd like to point out is that the troop does not NEED the mat, he would like (or WANTS) to have the mat; it would be a luxury item that he hopes will give him a bit more comfort that he currently has. And have you ever been in a PX/BX in a war zone? Heck, the BX here at Cannon AFB, NM doesn't even carry mats like that.
If you are so outraged that the military can't fund these mats, then write your congressmen with your outrage and then go buy some mats yourself and ship them to our troops, the recipients I'm sure will be exceptionally grateful for your contribution and support. It's not the military's fault, it is the politicians' fault, they control the purse-strings.
Gun Safety Tip #8: No matter how responsible he seems, never give your gun to a monkey. (www.imao.us)
BD and Dr. love...Thank you
January 23, 2007 - 18:24 ET by bigtimerBD and Dr. love...
Thank you both.
Words cannot express my gratitude.
"If we ever forget that we are a Nation Under God....then we will be a Nation Gone Under." Ronald Reagan
Thanks for the advice. I'll
January 23, 2007 - 19:11 ET by blarsenThanks for the advice. I'll do both.
Exactly. This guy could've ke
January 23, 2007 - 13:58 ET by Mean Gene Dr. LoveExactly. This guy could've kept his views to himself and conducted business as usual. Instead, he couldn't help himself, and now he has lost many customers and would-be customers that disagree with his stated views. His web site is reportedly down...probably due to threats by outraged customers and others (I do not condone threats above "I'm never shopping at your store," BTW).
As for shipping to a serviceman in Iraq, the shipping address is an APO Box, it is not actually in Iraq, that particular one is probably in New York. When I was stationed overseas, this was a concern of mine as some companies would charge extra thinking that the APO address was foreign. UPS and FedEx and other private carriers cannot ship to APO addresses. If I found a company that would not ship to an APO address, I would politely email them and inform them I am forced to take my business elswhere and therefore they will not benefit from my purchases. It's getting better as time goes on and more and more businesses willingly ship to APO addresses, but there are some that just won't.
Unfortunately for this business, they will no doubt feel the consequences of the free market caused by the owner's opinion.
Shouldn't one of the first lessons in Business 101 be "Keeping Your Personal Politics Out of Your Business Dealings"?
Gun Safety Tip #8: No matter how responsible he seems, never give your gun to a monkey. (www.imao.us)
No support
January 23, 2007 - 14:17 ET by iveseenitallNo support for our troops--no support for you. The Dixie Chicks and Alec Baldwin found that out the hard way. Just the way it is. And the feigned outrage from the libs concerning "free speech" is a joke. If they could get away with it, the liberals would cut your throat rather than give you your "free speech " rights.
NEVER,NEVER trust a liberal
Unfortunately Baldwin was r
January 23, 2007 - 23:38 ET by terrigUnfortunately Baldwin was rewarded with a golden globe and I fear the twits will get a grammy.
As for the free speech comment, you couldn't be more right. I saw one at the Costco gas pump a few weeks ago with a "Stop Fox News" bumper sticker on her hoopdee car and I asked her with her pink hair and numerous tats if she believe in "free speech for everyone or not?". She told me to "F&^k off". I lauged at her as did this other guy who was listening and who said "these people who want to stop Fox news always kill me. They don't get what free speech means".
I am still waiting for Alec B
January 23, 2007 - 23:42 ET by ChemicalOperatorI am still waiting for Alec Baldwin to move out of the US like he promised. I will pack him and drive him to the airport myself.
This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave.
Miss Kirkland?
January 23, 2007 - 16:12 ET by Clear thinkerI read this a few times and have yet to figure out who Miss Kirkland is. Help anyone?
Me too. I re-read it and I'm
January 23, 2007 - 16:23 ET by Mean Gene Dr. LoveMe too. I re-read it and I'm still wondering.
Gun Safety Tip #8: No matter how responsible he seems, never give your gun to a monkey. (www.imao.us)
Dr. Love...Thanks. For a mome
January 23, 2007 - 16:29 ET by Clear thinkerDr. Love...
Thanks. For a moment I thought senility had finally arrived.
Miss Kirkland
January 24, 2007 - 01:39 ET by Chaitealoveris the correspondent Huston refers to on his site "Publius' Forum." See his original post.
Correct!!! Miss Kirkland had
January 24, 2007 - 02:46 ET by Warner Todd HustonCorrect!!! Miss Kirkland had an email exchange with the Muslim in Question. She is a regular contributor to Publius' Forum.