Chef POW

Don't know if you all heard, but one of the soldiers taken prisoner by Iraq -- Spc. Shoshawna Johnson, from Texas -- is an Army chef.

By Thebaker (Thebaker) on Wednesday, March 26, 2003 - 09:22 pm: Edit

I think she is a chef in civlian life but she was with a maintence unit

By Chefspike (Chefspike) on Thursday, March 27, 2003 - 02:01 pm: Edit

Isen't time we boycot french and german products?
we in the food service area could put a real hurt in what they import.
I say this not lightly 'cause there are many products that I love that come from these countries, but they have shown their true face towards us and I feel that we should show them how "WE" feel about the hate that they are showing towards us.
Comments?
There is also a web site that I could put up if it's ok with George, that shows products that are American.

By Chefrev (Chefrev) on Thursday, March 27, 2003 - 02:16 pm: Edit

Our thoughts and prayers are with this American POW and all those taken prisoner in Iraq, and of course their families. May all this come to an end as soon as possible.

As to the boycotting of French and German products: aren't our energies spent in more productive efforts than trying to show disapproval of the action (or inaction) of the governments of these two countries. Yes, it IS frustrating that they stood in the way of efforts to hold Saddam accountable for his actions, but we're at war now anyway. Boycotting now makes ewven less sense now than it it did before the attacks on Iraq began.

Who's to say how much significant impact they would have on these nations anyway? Boycotts don't work historically because they don't get sufficient support from consumers to be effective, even in a symbolical way.

Better to pray for end to the war, to support our troops with care packages, letters, etc., and VOTE our consciences in the next election. Be a force for change in a more positive manner in whatever way you're able. IMHO.

By Snuffaluff (Snuffaluff) on Thursday, March 27, 2003 - 02:39 pm: Edit

I agree chefrev... but I'd still like to see that site Spike.

By George (George) on Thursday, March 27, 2003 - 03:08 pm: Edit

I also agree with chefrev.

Just because a government does something, I don't think trying to penalize a business person in that country has any impact on the actions of the government.

I got a big kick out of a local pizzeria/restaurant. They put a sign in their window that they will no longer serve French Wine. I sincerely doubt they served any to start with. ;<)

Spike feel free to post the link.

TTFN

G

By Chefspike (Chefspike) on Thursday, March 27, 2003 - 03:19 pm: Edit

www.howtobuyamerican.com

I'm not sure what you mean by "vote our cosciences"...maybe your not happy with the present admin.
thats fine.
that does nothing to show the world the power of the American consummer.
the french are showing HATE towords us, why continue to help a country that does this?
I have a cousin, Lt. Comm. Micheal S. Spiecher.
F-18 Pilot, off the U.S.S Sarratoga, out of Florida.
He has been MIA since the first gulf war, him never being returned has been enough for me to want to kick their a**.
Maybe this is not the right place to ask for a boycot, maybe your all too complacent(sp) because these products are so entrenched in the food biz. here in American.
My anger runs deep towards this and has for years.
It's way past time to buy and continue to buy American.

By Chefspike (Chefspike) on Thursday, March 27, 2003 - 03:38 pm: Edit

www.postcardsforthetroops.com

By Chefspike (Chefspike) on Thursday, March 27, 2003 - 07:21 pm: Edit

after thinking about it, I should not have used the word " complacent ".
I don't know any of you men and women, nor do I know how you feel about this.
Sorry.
It's good enough for me to know that I'm going to change the way I buy.
I'm certainly not going to try to force anyone, and not here, to think like me.
All the best.

By Chefrev (Chefrev) on Thursday, March 27, 2003 - 10:55 pm: Edit

Spike:

Did not know of your connection with a POW, so I can better understand now your views on this issue. Meant no disrespect to you or anyone.

Whatever our standpoint on the war (or any issue), I'm grateful we can freely express it, whether on a message board or a street corner. Thanks to those who are willing to defend that right.

Me? I like some New York wines better than most chi chi, froo froo French stuff anyway. And German beer gives me gas. (<---meant in fun).

By Steve9389 (Steve9389) on Thursday, March 27, 2003 - 11:56 pm: Edit

I continue to be disturbed that people don't see that one can support the troops but be opposed to the war. I have tremendous admiration and gratitude to those who volunteer to put themselves in harm's way to carry out the orders they are given. I wish all of them success and safety and hope they return home to their families soon. My problem is with the orders they are given to carry out and with the people issuing those orders.

I saw a great and germaine political cartoon by Ben Sargent. A soldier and a peace protester were standing next to each other. The caption read: "The difference between the United States and Iraq ... in the United States both of these people are patriots." -- You can find it at http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story2&u=/uclickcomics/20030324/cx_bs_uc/bs20030324&e=4

Like I've become fond of saying, it's still a free country for now.

- Steve

By Flattop (Flattop) on Friday, March 28, 2003 - 01:28 am: Edit

Hell I've been boycotting french and german goods since they began this s**t. for a list of german and french good to not buy go to www.francestinks.com

Also remember that if you send care packages that they must be sent to an individual. they are not doing the to anysevricemember anymore. Mail is getting to the troops on the front lines so if you know someone send away. As a former soldier I can tell you how much those care packages mean when you are far from home. I have a few names if anyone wants them. email me if you want them. I also have some contact names for the troops in korea who I can tell you are on high alert and could use some love too.

By George (George) on Friday, March 28, 2003 - 09:18 am: Edit

Here are a bunch of links to help support he troops.

Operation Uplink: Donate a calling card to help keep servicemembers in touch with their families at http://www.operationuplink.org/

Operation Dear Abby: Send a greeting via e-mail through at either http://anyservicemember.navy.mil/ or http://www.OperationDearAbby.net

Defend America: Sign a virtual thank you card at http://www.defendamerica.mil/nmam.html

Military Relief Societies: Make donations to

Army Emergency Relief at http://www.aerhq.org/
Navy/Marine Relief Society at http://www.nmcrs.org/
Air Force Aid Society at http://www.afas.org/
Coast Guard Mutual Assistance at http://www.cgmahq.org/
Operation USO Care Package: Donate at http://www.usometrodc.org/care.htm

American Red Cross Armed Forces Emergency Services at http://www.redcross.org/services/afes/

By Matisse (Matisse) on Friday, March 28, 2003 - 12:51 pm: Edit

"Why stop by boycotting? Why don't we deport all the French, German, and other citiziens of countries that opposed this war? And yeah, throw out also all Korean made products as well, while we are at it."

-----------------------------

Some of the messages I see are very infantile and are based on insufficient background information.

Let me just say a couple of things:

First, for a country to decide not to go to war is purely a political decision, it has nothing to do with disliking the people of that country, nor disliking the country. Why would you want to punish a consumer? Governments of countries disagree all the time, unfortunately this time it is about a war.

Second, do you have any idea how many "American" companies you would hurt by entertaining such an absurd idea?

So, let's be realistic and maintain sanity while emotions are high.

By Flattop (Flattop) on Friday, March 28, 2003 - 02:55 pm: Edit

Both France and Russia have provided military equipment to Iraq since the 1991 santions were placed by the UN, And as recently as this month. As I see it this puts both countries closer to being enemies than allies. The same with Germany since they have been caught suppling chemicals to North Korea which are use to make chemical weapons.

I see no reason to purchase goods from these countries or any company that wishs to do business with them.

As G.W. Bush said If yer not with us..... So be it. And I do see this as supporting the troops by not aiding the enemy.

my 2 cents

Again if you want a address to a soldier to mail some goodies to contact me.

By Snuffaluff (Snuffaluff) on Friday, March 28, 2003 - 03:25 pm: Edit

I can understand both sides here. And it's not just the french and germans. What about all these "celeberities" and musicians that are voicing their hatred towards the war, and worse, towards the President. Will you no longer view/listen to their stuff?

By George (George) on Friday, March 28, 2003 - 04:28 pm: Edit

OK folks, enough.

It is too easy for these types of things to get way out of hand and personal.

I'm sure there are plenty of other boards out there where you can argue about politics.

This is a food/cooking/chef discussion site.

Thanks,

G