Posted on 12/03/2004 4:11:57 PM PST by H8DEMS
The traditionally patriotic folks at the USO claim, "Since before the United States entered World War II, the USO (United Service Organizations) has been a bridge between the American people and the U.S. military." Well, that was until the USO decided to open up a toll booth for one of last bastions of communism at the end of the bridge. According to a Dec. 3 announcement from the USO, "7-Eleven customers can support American troops and the United Service Organizations (USO) by purchasing a 'Support Our Troops' wristband. For each wristband sold, $1 will be donated to the USO to fund programs and services for military service members and their families worldwide. Suitably camouflage-green in color, the wristband is embossed with 'Support Our Troops' on one side and 'USO' on the other. They are currently rolling out to participating 7-Eleven stores nationwide and will be available exclusively at those 7-Eleven stores while supplies last." First off, these $2.99 displays of American patriotism are made in CHINA, a communist nation that America's troops remain poised and ready to fight. Further, can 7-11 and the USO honestly tell Americans that there wasn't one union factory in the U.S. capable of producing the 100-percent synthetic silicone bracelets at a reasonable cost or simply out of pocket? Just look at how many U.S. companies are truly supporting our troops fighting terror overseas with donated goods and services including coffee, pre-paid phone cards, website hosting, tooth brushes and the list goes on. Then, just to add a pickle to this already distasteful 'whopper', it won't be long before countless greedy Americans start hoarding these patriotic bracelets and selling them for profit on e-Bay just as they are currently doing with the Lance Armstrong Foundation 'Live Strong' bracelets, many of which are counterfeit. The good-intentioned people at the USO should take some time to snap those Chinese bands good and hard on their wrists while asking themselves, "WWBHD?" (What Would Bob Hope Do?)
I saw a similar bracelet in Kroger. I saw the "made in China" tag and it turned me off. I can think of better ways to support our troops than contributing to the communist nation of China.
Well Veterans day came and everybody that responded received a coffee mug thanking them for their service.
Inscribed on the bottom of the cup was "Made in China".
As a USO volunteer, I'd like to take issue with these two points: 1) If the USO contracted with "union" factories in the states to manufacture these items the price tag would be $12.99 instead of $2.99. Who would really buy some expensive trinket even if it is for a good cause?
2) Have you taken a look at the clothes on your own back? How about the shoes on your feet or any electronic product in your house? Lots of products you consume come from "unfriendly" countries. The USO tries to make a small profit so it can be turned right around and spent on our troops. The points you make, while true, are minor. Support the USO!
I agree too, and I'd rather that the USO contracts with American companies. However, yes, I believe it IS cost prohibitave. If you are aware of any US plastic companies that would agree to sell- or better yet-DONATE their produts to the USO please let me know. I'll be glad to pass that information on.
And yes, I'd like to know, where ARE the American textile manufacturers? The point I'd like to make is that we purchase products from anywhere and boycotting an item (Unless, of course, it comes from France.) that's being sold for such a good cause is doing more harm than good. Honestly, it's only a $2.99 bracelet and really no big deal. BTW, I don't go to 711 either, but still, Support the USO!
I design, produce, and market rubber products for a living for the last 20 years. Those bracelets cost $0.05 to $0.10 to make. It probably costs more to ship them from China than make them here.
Material cost is about $5.00/lb for good engineered silicone. Approx double that for molding costs. Tooling extra.
$2.99? Shame on USO and 7-11 for only passing on $1.00.
Diva's Husband
Would you like to contract--or better yet--DONATE anything to the USO to help raise money for the troops? I don't know how much either the USO or 711 is making off the bracelets but I still don't think it's a good idea to boycott the USO for selling them.
Confucius Say:
Virginity like bubble, one prick, all gone.
Man who run in front of car get tired.
Man who run behind car get exhausted.
Man with hand in pocket feel cocky all day.
Foolish man give wife grand piano, wise man give wife upright organ.
Man who walk through airport turnstile sideways going to Bangkok.
Man with one chopstick go hungry.
Man who scratch a$$ should not bite fingernails.
Man who eat many prunes get good run for money.
Baseball is wrong: man with four balls cannot walk.
Panties not best thing on earth but next to best thing on earth.
War does not determine who is right, war determine who is left.
Wife who put husband in doghouse soon find him in cat house.
Man who fight with wife all day get no piece at night.
It take many nails to build crib, but one screw to fill it.
Man who drive like hell, bound to get there.
Man who stand on toilet is high on pot.
Man who live in glass house should change clothes in basement.
Man who fish in other man's well often catch crabs.
Man who fart in church sit in own pew.
Crowded elevator smell different to midget.
You have MY support!
And, addressing points yo raised, it has gotten nearly impossible to NOT buy clothing made in some bad place.
I agree with your distaste over the fact that the bands are made in China.
I would even support boycotts and other efforts to support Made-In-America.
BUT WHY UNION?? Whay make "Union" part of the package? I don't give a damn if it's union made or not. Unions have played their own fairly significant part in sending jobs overseas. They destroyed central and southern Illinois in the 70's and 80's with their unreasonable wage demands and left Deere, Caterpillar, et al no choice but to go overseas.
If someone out there knows of a good group that promotes made-in-America products that isn't in any way tied to the union thugs, please let me know about it. I'm serious about wanting to support such an effort.
LNGOP'r
www.RevealedTruth.blogspot.com
Buy American! And, no, I'm not a union leftie.
Contact the Veterans hospitals that have workshops in them...many do all kinds of contract work for companies...using disabled veterans for semi skilled labor...
Most of these guys would be delighted to work on such projects...more than a few were wounded by Chi coms in Korea or their ordnance in Vietnam BTW
imo
Well aware of this and knew even before I saw the tag....will not buy one. Plenty of other ways to support the troops directly without paying 7-11, China a bunch of middlemen etc...or MAKE YOUR OWN BRACELET...sheesh...
My husband (who is a police officer and fomer Marine) just called me to let me know about these bracelets. HOW DISGUSTING! He responded to a call at a 7-11 and was told about these. There are 7-11 employees who actually take these off of the diplay because they refuse to sell them.
Shame on the USO. If the Lance Armstrong Foundation can have them made, sell them for one dollar and put 100% of the money to the foundation....why can't the USO? PLEASE do not buy these bracelets.
Happy Holidays.
You made an excellent suggestion. I'm going to let the "Powers that Be" at my local USO about these. I'll also make them aware of all the other comments. Personally, I'm not fond of anything made in China but I support the USO with my whole heart.
Well, I scrolled down and didn't notice anyone else who got a solicitation from one of the Disabled Veterans outfits whose "bribe" was a yellow ribbon, also MADE IN CHINA!
I asked to be removed from their mailing list.
I do think the chicoms are the greater evil, here.
REALLY SUPPORT AMERICA AND BOYCOTT GOODS MADE IN CHINA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The LAF bracelets are Made In China, too.
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