Not hockey related, but far more important and it's something that drives me crazy.
I went to church Saturday night and in the bulletin was a flyer saying "Support our Troops in Iraq.'' It told of how our church, Bethlehem Lutheran, is collecting items for the troops such as toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, crackers, candies (no chocolate), beef jerky, canned or packaged nuts, books, magazines, baby wipes, writing paper and stamps. The church sent supplies over in March and received a letter from platoon leader Michael Schmidt that states in part, ``We had a shortage of many things and the boxes arrived right on time. I was `pumped up' to see the looks on the troops' faces...somewhat like Christmas in March. Your support means everything to us.''
This drives me nuts because there can be absolutely no excuse for our service people being in need of anything. It makes me incredibly mad to hear reports on the news of our troops needing more body armor, better vehicles, etc., or even things as minor as toothpaste. This is something we can do something about. If I can figure out the logistics, would some of you be willing to donate some items for the troops?
Maybe we can collect them at Komets' games or something. If we could send a box a month, think what kind of an impact that might have. What do you think?
Comments
Great idea Blake just let us know
I would love to donate. Keep us updated as to how and when. I myself will leave for boot camp this winter.
I am in. The army in Canada has some of the same problems. I support the war and the troops from both countries but I can't understand how two of the richest countries in the world can send their soldiers into battle with anything less than the best possible tools and protection.
count me in as soon as you get it organized. Let me know if I can be of help.
Blake, my wife and I agree and we will help in any way we can. I have a cousin that has already served two tours over in Iraq and I have heard the stories first hand.
Support the troops, not the Commander-in-Thief.
To him, Stem cells are sacred but Bush has caused the deaths of 100,000 living Iraqis, and thousands of American troops. Not to mention the injured or maimed.
God Bless George Bush.
Glad to help! Let us know the details when you get them and if we can help work out those details don't hesitate to ask! We can and should let our troops know that this is unacceptable and we are here to help!
The situation that our idiot president has us in is dire. We stand basically alone with the threats of war with Syria, Iran, N. Korea, and whoever else wants to cheap shot us because they see us as a nation with a leader who is a Moron. We have become targets because of our policies and poorly made decisions by an administration that cares only about their own pocket books and don't mind sacrificing our country and way of life to support their financial gains and interests. And this is the administration and party that campaigned on less big government? Tax cuts for the rich, high gas prices, no border control, biggest federal spending spree in the history of the world. Even Newt Gingrich and Pat Buchanon have basically abandoned ship and are speaking out against their leadership.
With all that said, our poor troops have no control over that at all. They need our support. Anything I can do to help your idea Blake...count me in. Great Idea Super Fan!!!
I don't think this is the proper place for bashing our President. We get enough chaos on this board without bringing heavy politics into it. I tell people who are on the opposite side of the isle from me that the troops are not politicians. Whether you are for the war, against it, pro peace, whatever, those are young human beings getting shot at overseas who are doing what they can to protect us. As long as they are there they need to know the people back home care what happens to them. I think what Blake is doing is great.
End of soap box speech. You guys may of course continue to do/say whatever Blake thinks is appropriate. I never take it personally when someone has different political views from mine (as judged by my lovely hippy liberal fiance LOL). Other people might not be so understanding.
Aw heck... one exception...
I know we are all waiting for KW to give his/her opinion! So KW, what is the official OHIC position on the war?
Support the troops that are oversee and hope they come back healthy of course! I want to see some hockey wars on the ice this year MAN and an so excited about the KOMETS this year!!!
Blake, My wife and I attend St. Michael's Lutheran Church on Getz Road. Our church has several members who are currently serving overseas in Iraq and they are always mentioned during the prayer requests near the end of our services. I too, find it frustrating that the world's most powerful nation cannot provide it's armed forces with the equipment and tools that they need to do their job and to protect themselves! I also have an extended family member serving in Iraq. While I don't have a problem helping Iraq rebuild....but I think that we should also be doing something to help our own citizens also....especially with some of the domestic issues we're facing like education, illegal immigration, etc. If you want to put together something to help our troops, I will be willing to help out...you know to contact me.
If anyone is interested; check out this web page: www.marines.shutterfly.com It has photos that have been posted by the extended family member that is in Iraq. I think these photos will show you what life is really like in Iraq for our troops and the Iraqi people.
I agree with Skate...support the troops (for a safe return home)...not their mission nor the commander in chief.
It really is sad that they've got to be over there and can't even get simple things that we take for granted...*sigh*
i'm in.
i like the monthly idea and maybe you can send a DVD of each of the months games.
I too think the monthly idea would work. Especially with Thanksgiving and the holidays coming up.
At least this president is focused on something other that cigars and interns...
Thanks JR ...
I support our troops AND our president.
Say what you want about Pres. Bush ... at least he is trying to do something about terrorism ... whether you agree with his policies or not. That is your opinion. Would you rather we fight terrorists on our own land?
I don't agree with everything he does (I'm a Republican saying this), but like JR noted, at least Pres. Bush isn't disgracing the office with a scandal of the week, seducing interns, or cheating on his wife. If it wasn't for that last IDIOT who had 8 years to do something (Osama was even offered to him by another govt. and he wouldn't take him), we might not be facing the situations we are today.
I've been wanting to vent that for a few days. Thanks, JR for giving me the impetus to do it.
Can we please not turn this blog into a political battlefield? All online message boards and blogs online eventually develop this kind of talk, and one of the reasons I keep coming back here is because this crap hasn't gone on. I wont get into the political battles. I tried 6 years ago, that debate was fierce, but nobody ever changed their opionins because of what someone else said. We all believe something different, just like we do about hockey. Leave the politics for soemwhere else, and lets talk hockey.
You're the man, Blake.
I agree with nicko, I come here to talk Komets and things related to the sport of hockey.
When Clinton was president....
Gas was cheap.
Jobs were plentiful.
The economy was strong.
My friends were not have the world away being shot at.
I could care less if he got some on the side.
Now there's a perspective to think about.
Yeah and if would have been President another year and a half then 9/11 would have happened under his watch and then what would he do?
Short term thinking only works for the short term.
Back to the Komets. No one will change their opinion. How about another KW topic starter. Move on.
Gentleman.....take a deep breath and remember the purpose of this thread....I don't care if Al Gore's drag queen aunt is president. Let's help our ladies and gentleman who are getting killed protecting our right to argue here!
Now who needs a deep breath, Al Gore's drag queen anut. Now that's funny right there.
OHIC Warrior Hockey Update
http://www.theuhl.com/press.aspx?rid=1764
That's an update from today! Dang Warrior, you feeling alright?
Only thing I am going to say here is just think of what the 2008 election brings us.....Rudy Gulioni VS Hillary Clinton VS Jesse Ventura.......now what????
I took some time to put this here, but I feel that we must support the guys. We as a nation elected the president and congress. Why everyone forgets that congress is as much to blame as the president is beyond me. I lost a close friend several months ago in Iraq, a young man with a young child and new wife. His son will never know him. The riders were there for the funeral and huge American flags hung from the fire trucks. It helped to remind me that the soldiers are there doing what they believe is the right thing... their government needed them and they went. It is an abomination that they need anything over there... life is tough enough for them. Just get off the president, look at the soldiers and volunteer to do what ever we can to help them out. enough said.
I wouldn't have a problem with the Pres if he was actually doing something about terrorism. Instead he and his minions keep trying to connect Iraq to 9/11 when it had nothing to do with that, but the guy who did is still free. Where should our priorities be? Oh, and remember when they said all the oil would pay for the war? How's that working out?
Has anyone, ANYONE, got any idea of when this is going to end? Has ANYONE from either party heard anything resembling a definition of what are sustainable goals to end this mess? What exactly are our targets?
Oh, and didn't our wonderful Pres declare victory about two years ago now?
I don't see any way out of this where we won't be an occupying force. They aren't even smart enough to do what they did in Yugoslavia and just split up the country among the different factions.
And don't give me any of that liberal crap, either because I vote for John McCain the first chance I get. At least I know he believes what he says.