Our ever generous and helpful angels have picked up on this story and are ready to rush out and buy cases of the stuff to send. However, I have some questions about it before I jump on that bandwagon. My concern is that this will turn out to be something like the pet flea collars for sand fleas debacle that made the troop support rounds and was terribly difficult to squash. I'm sure that all started with just one soldier requesting them.
What I would like is for current and former military members to weigh in on this. Here are some of the questions I have, and I welcome your comments on it.
- I know our troops are trained to improvise, adapt and overcome, but aren't there already methods of safely checking for wires from a distance? (No need to elaborate fully if this info is on a need to know basis, a simple yes or no will do.)
- Would these other methods involve something smaller and more convenient to carry than cans of silly string?
- Is it wise to leave behind such obvious sign that they have been there, like piles of brightly colored foam string?
- As any mother knows, silly string is awfully messy and hard to clean up. Do you think we can win the heart and mind of the person who has to clean it up?
- If this were in use widely, wouldn't military moms and other troop supporters have had a lot of requests for it already?
Looking forward to your answers...
...Update: A lot of people are reading this (thanks, John & Bill), but nobody has any comments or opinions? Come on, don't be shy...
11 comments:
http://www.smalltownveteran.net/bills_bites/2006/12/an_angel_with_a.html
http://www.oldwardogs.us/2006/12/an_angel_with_a.html
Hi Laurie,
I found this very interesting and I meant to ask my favorite Naval consort what he knew....but when he called I got all caught up in "Tell me how much you miss me!" and forgot all about you.
I will try to do better next time.
I agree with your concerns, but if this turns out to be true I will happily send along silly string. It's funny, I would never imagined a scenario where I would purchase silly string. I have always hated it. When the rotten little rugrats spray it at the bands in the Bunker Hill Day Parade, I want to strangle them and their parents.
I don't know if this is truth or rumor either, but I read another article about boxes being held in Kuwait if they had Silly String in it... I've yet to be asked for any or had any returning troops mention it.
Well, I checked snopes and there's no entry for it.
Sounds like a great idea.
Beats the hell outta finding them the old-fashoined way.
(Hands and knees, slowly creeping)
or the FINAL way.
Which I won't elaborate on.
Well, I guess I won't be sending it unless it's for a fun gift theme package, since there isn't any collaborating info.
I have seen this for a while now. Silly String, it is not just for frat parties any more...
Our troops are really, really smart, contrary to what John Kerry thinks....
I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if this "combat legend" was true...in the 26 years I've observed soldiers as both an officer and a civilian, I'm never disappointed when it comes to them coming up with innovative and effective solutions to problems of every kind.
I'm sure there are things that sand fleas don't like...much like the fact that chiggers are not terribly fond of sulphur. Wonder if that's something that would work on sand fleas as well. Certainly wouldn't have the same problem with the tell tale fluorescent string left behind.
See you on the high ground!
I've been feeling out the military guys on my myspace page for a few days on this - and most have believed it to be a GREAT idea. However - there is a BIG issue we are trying to get to the bottom of - shipping. Aerosol cans may only be shipped via ground transportation. I've submitted a question on the official USPS website asking how it is done. Waiting on a reply. Per the NY Times article, it can be done - but is costly.
You're not the only one thinking about this, and these folks found away around the shipping restrictions.
There's a story over at Military.com
http://www.military.com/NewsContent/0,13319,120136,00.html?wh=wh
DAMN!!! I guess I need to "read the problem."
IF it works...it's a great idea. If people are concerned about leaving a tell tale sign of being somewhere we don't want to give away...I'm sure there are some scientists that could figure out some sort of formulation for the string where it would degrade after some period of time. It doesn't have to stay long enough to do the job of giving away the locations of tripwires and such.
Until that time...if you want to send some, I think that it will be gladly received. As someone that works in the testing business, I get a little upset at times when we spend such a long period of time getting things through to the troops as well.
Take care and THANK YOU for all that you do for the guys and gals in the field!
See you on the high ground and have a very MERRY CHRISTMAS
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