Posted on 03/26/2010 10:40:31 AM PDT by Titus-Maximus
OTTAWA -- Canada’s Tim Hortons coffee shop at Kandahar Airfield will remain open despite a shutdown of Pizza Hut, Burger King and other U.S. outlets deemed too luxurious by top American commanders of NATO troops.
“Kandahar Airfield Tim Hortons is an initiative to support our men and women in uniform for serving in Afghanistan,” Defence Department spokeswoman Megan MacLean said. “There are no plans to close the Tim Hortons.”
Army Gen. Stanley McChrystal, the top U.S. commander in Afghanistan, who leads the International Security Assistance Force, has ordered most fast-food outlets on the boardwalk inside the airfield base shuttered.
Command Sgt. Maj. Michael T. Hall revealed the plan in a post on an ISAF blog last month.
“Many of you have heard that there are plans to shut down some of the ‘amenities’ throughout Afghanistan,” he wrote. “This is not rumour. It is fact. This is a war zone -- not an amusement park.”
Sgt. Maj. Hall said he and Gen. McChrystal had been looking for ways to do things more efficiently and to optimize ISAF resources from the moment they arrived in Afghanistan last summer. Gen. McChrystal is overseeing the surge in U.S. troops and resources over coming months.
“One of the ways we’re going to do that -- in order to accommodate the troop increase and get re-focused on the mission at hand -- is to cut back on some of the non-essentials. That includes some of the morale, welfare and recreation facilities throughout Afghanistan. In the coming weeks and months, concessions such as Orange Julius, Burger King, Pizza Hut, Dairy Queen and Military Car Sales will close their doors.”
He said commanders across the battlefield are implementing additional cutbacks while still providing services within individual nations’ interests and regulations.
The Tim Hortons is located next to the American concessions, many of which will be closed. Operated from a 12-metre trailer, Canadian military support staff manages Tim’s and profits go to health and welfare programs for Canadian Forces members.
He said Green Beans Coffee would remain at bases across Afghanistan, and bazaars and businesses which employ Afghans and feed the local economy will still continue to operate.
Sgt. Maj. Hall also said there would be fewer first-run movie showings and a reduced amount of canned and bottled goods coming into the country.
“What it comes down to is focus, and to using the resources we have in the most efficient and effective ways possible. Supplying non-essential luxuries to big bases like Bagram and Kandahar makes it harder to get essential items to combat outposts and forward operating bases, where troops who are in the fight each day need to be resupplied with ammunition, food and water.”
I remember the original story.
It had more to do with space and logistics considerations than politics or even Obama.
Good for Tim Hortons. Just means the line at Tim Horton’s will be longer. But i guess its better for this administration that our soldiers dollars go to a canadian franchise,..then an american franchise.
Weren’t the corporations kicking up enough money to the White House?
Command Sergeant Major Hall is one dumb SOB to make the remarks he did. McCrystal doesn’t look to good either.
I added “as we can”. Obviously it isn’t possible to do the things that you are stating. Having fast food for the troops is a feasible and a morale booster. Are you suggesting that our countrymen at war stay at war 24/7 and should have no time for rest/eating/leisure?
“What it comes down to is focus, and to using the resources we have in the most efficient and effective ways possible. Supplying non-essential luxuries to big bases like Bagram and Kandahar makes it harder to get essential items to combat outposts and forward operating bases, where troops who are in the fight each day need to be resupplied with ammunition, food and water.”
sounds like talking points. A Pizza Hut pizza is a luxury?
Obama did this. Do you REALLY TRULY have to ask? What they are taking away is MORALE builders. Take away the “little things” that makes being where you are a teensy bit like what GI’s call “the world”.
How the hell did we “win” WWII with the Red Cross serving coffee and donuts, with Bing Crosby and Bob Hope coming to every battle zone with their shows, and with many, many movie stars coming to say hello.
How the hell did we last in Korea, again with Bob Hope and his company, with the latest movies, even movies shown every night in the well-deck of my ship(waves permitting).
Then Bob Hope was still there in Vietnam, trying to raise the (pardon the expression) morale of the men.
It is obvious what “they” are trying to do. And there is a military command either STUPID or GUTLESS enough to go along with this.
The whippings will continue until morale improves.
Amen!
Ping to 27
Obozo is also unknowingly creating an atmosphere amongst the military where he is becoming their enemy thus fanning their suspicions about him being a subversive enemy of the Constitution. Should the situation arise where they have to remove him, they shall do so with enthusiasm.
I suppose you are right but it feels an awful lot like hate.
Nothing against the soldiers, mind you. I just get the same feeling here that I get from my hockey teammates when they complain about how hard I push them on the bench and in the locker room.
Didn't go to the sandbox (I was out by then) but it was the same way in Bosnia. I was in a FOB in the middle of nowhere with jack squat for amenities, but Eagle Base in Tuzla had a Burger King and a Pizza Hut.
Agree with you. Another good thing that comes of locating American companies on bases is introduction of the American culture and way of life. Of course Obammy probably finds that obnoxious. He doesn’t respect American culture.
Because he hates the American Military, which he views as evil and imperialistic, and he has no plans to win the war against islam in Afghanistan. Fortunately for America, unfortunately for "commander zero", the battle in Iraq had already been won by the time he ascended to the throne.
Because, otherwise we might win.
Sorry, I’m out of date. Tim Horton’s was spun off in 2006. It is run by Canadians, but appears to be majority-owned by U.S. investors.
Alcohol is not allowed. The troops need some way to blow off steam and relax. Fast food joints were all the troops had left.
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