Help the injured troops by buying video game supplies for them.

[Ladyhawk]

Please, if you hate video games, don't vent about it in this thread. If you feel it's necessary to debate the effects of video games on people, please start your own thread. This one is for the troops, OK?

Buy Video Game Supplies for the Troops

[Systematic Chaos]

1. I think this is a WONDERFUL idea!

And if you don't think they should be playing Counter-Strike or Half Life 2, then chip in (pun intended) and get them a copy of Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2005!

I have played Everquest with a number of soldiers who have the game installed on the computers in the rec halls in Iraq. They NEED something to give them an escape from painful memories of that environment and a chance to socialize. Need I mention here that I'm an avid gamer? :)

This is a great post and a good idea. Thanks for sharing!

[Ladyhawk]

2. I do, too. I am also an avid gamer.

And I do play violent video games *ducks*. It doesn't keep me from being freaked out by real violence. I tend to gravitate toward unreal scenarios with aliens and such, though.

P.S. The webmaster is good guy. You can trust him.

[UdoKier]

3. Not going to debate...

But sending them a BOOK would do them much more good.

http://www.booksfortroops.com/

[el_gato]

4. exactly

[Jacobin]

5. My sentiments EXACTLY

Some de-programming would seem to be in order and WAAAAAY better for these young folks than some damn shoot-em-up video game.

[Ladyhawk]

7. OK. Phone cards are also needed. Do whatever your heart tells...

...you is best.

I read books AND play video games. I think a little variety would be extremely helpful to the troops. And if you don't want to send them a shoot-'em-up, send them a problem-solving video game. Or a book. Or a phone card. Or something else entirely.

The troops are short on a lot of things.

P.S. I think a debate has been started. I suppose that's your right, but I asked nicely for you to take it to a different thread. Other suggestions are welcome, but please don't frame it as an either / or situation, which invites debate. OK? Thanks.

[Touchdown]

6. I have an old manual Minolta that got me through college

I was thinking of selling it to an aspiring new student bound for photography school, but this...donating to injured troops sounds like a great idea. If I can only find one who'd learn it and use it, or already has the interest.

On second thought, he/she'd have to be sure to not go back to Iraq...

http://www.detnews.com/2004/nation/0405/22/nation-160332.htm

FALLUJAH, Iraq -- Besides exposing the abuse of military prisoners, the scandal at the Abu Ghraib detention facility has shed light on one of the novel realities of modern military life: the nearly ubiquitous use of personal cameras by troops, whose snapshots have brought the war home in ways that were unimaginable in past conflicts.

snip

Before Marines were sent to Iraq from Camp Pendleton, they were sternly warned by noncommissioned officers on the rules involving photographs: no pictures of dead or wounded Iraqis, no pictures of American casualties, no pictures of detainees and no pictures showing “force protection” measures such as barriers or sniper nests that might fall into the hands of insurgents and help them pinpoint locations and fortifications.

Beyond that, Marines said, is one overarching rule: no pictures that might embarrass the United States.

Who knows?:shrug:

[Ladyhawk]

8. Some can't get out of bed to take photos, but that's a good idea.

I wish I had more money. So much suffering lately...sigh.

[Ladyhawk]

9. P.S. I'd like to collect a list of places that are sending troops...

...things they need. I'm talking about both injured troops and troops in the field. If you have links, please feel free to post them in this thread.

I would like to collect them on a single website. Since I don't have a lot of money, maybe sharing the site can be my way to help the troops.

I'm finding I don't have the funds to contribute to every worthwhile cause and I really want to keep sending help to tsunami survivors. That disaster will go on and on.