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US airmen get Xbox Live in Europe ($200,000 in taxpayer money)
Gamespot ^ | 07/25/2003 | Matthew Broersma

Posted on 07/25/2003 8:49:30 PM PDT by xrp

Airmen across the continent can now spend their downtime fragging online enemies.

Microsoft's Xbox Live online gaming service has just acquired a customer that knows something about strategy and tactics--the US Department of Defense. The US Air Forces in Europe (USAFE) have paid $200,000 to outfit 14 bases around the continent with 17 Xbox Live gaming centers, as a way of giving young airmen in the region something to do in their downtime, according to the official US military publication Stars and Stripes. When off duty, they will be able to hone their military skills with such multiplayer games as Return to Castle Wolfenstein: Tides of War and Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell.

The airmen will be able to play against those in other European bases or other Xbox Live subscribers around the globe. Commanders are also getting involved in the project, and are considering staging a command-wide deathmatch, according to Stars and Stripes.

The idea for the gaming centers emerged from focus groups conducted by the branch of the USAFE concerned with community activities. Bases received between $7,500 and $20,000 for the centers' furniture, equipment, and networking costs. Germany's Spangdahlem Air Base hosted the pilot program, and got its center in April. The Air Force said it chose the Xbox for its superior online gaming capabilities.

By Matthew Broersma, News.com [POSTED: 07/25/03 10:07 AM]



TOPICS: Government
KEYWORDS: armedforces; microsoft; supportourtroops; usa; xboxlive
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To: xrp
The concrete illustration is in the fact that they spent $200,000 tax dollars on video games. Why not use the funds for improving weapons systems or as a bonus for heroic acts, or given to the family of a soldier killed in action? I mean, VIDEO GAMES? Anyone that feels this is an appropriate use of our Defense allocated tax dollars should review their 2002 1040 tax forms.
21 posted on 07/25/2003 9:15:38 PM PDT by Registered (77% of the mentally ill live in poverty, that leaves 23% doing quite well!)
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To: Registered
Anyone that feels this is an appropriate use of our Defense allocated tax dollars should review their 2002 1040 tax forms.

Actually...I reviewed the federal budget instead and really couldn't find ANY problem with $200,000 for providing Armed Forces personnel for an extremely inexpensive form of entertainment compared to the tens of billions (maybe hundreds of billions) that go to unproductive citizens of this country. I'm willing to pay taxes to give a little entertainment to the ones who defend my freedom and liberty. I am NOT willing to pay taxes to educate someone else's child, provide food for someone's family or pay for a ponsi scheme retirement scam that Congressmen and Senators convienently aren't partaking in.

or given to the family of a soldier killed in action

This is what life insurance is for, right?

22 posted on 07/25/2003 9:23:44 PM PDT by xrp
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To: Registered
The military spends much much more on morale boosting programs than the $200K they spent here. How much did it cost to send Roger Clemons and a bunch of musicians over to Afghanistan or other parts of the globe?

There is a lot of bang for the buck in this case. XBox is a blast, particulary if you are young and competitive.
23 posted on 07/25/2003 9:25:06 PM PDT by Moosehead
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To: Bogey78O
You got it!

I forget who the commercial was for, but that was sweet!

LVM

24 posted on 07/25/2003 9:35:45 PM PDT by LasVegasMac
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To: xrp
Actually...I reviewed the federal budget instead and really couldn't find ANY problem with $200,000 for providing Armed Forces personnel for an extremely inexpensive form of entertainment

Hey, you sound like my Senator! He says that about pretty much every expenditure!
25 posted on 07/25/2003 9:36:48 PM PDT by Registered (77% of the mentally ill live in poverty, that leaves 23% doing quite well!)
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To: Registered
They spend millions on morale boosters. This is just a drop in the bucket. A step above big comfy chairs but slightly below meeting a playboy bunny.
26 posted on 07/25/2003 9:41:01 PM PDT by Bogey78O (I'll vote Conservative till I die....Democrat soon after)
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To: Registered
I don't have a problem with this as the members of the active military have their lives managed by the government. Free time is carefully scheduled, along with every other aspect of their day. Being human, and not some computerized fighting force, they need some kind of recreation, and its fair that the government managing their time provide a little human comfort. If this were an X-box system for a 40-hour-a-week desk jockey at the State Department, I would feel a little differently.
27 posted on 07/25/2003 9:41:12 PM PDT by July 4th
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To: LasVegasMac
SOCOM.

It's a neat game. They tried copying SOCOM's online play in Vietcong. Handles much the same but works for the PC.
28 posted on 07/25/2003 9:42:05 PM PDT by Bogey78O (I'll vote Conservative till I die....Democrat soon after)
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To: Registered
The concrete illustration is in the fact that they spent $200,000 tax dollars on video games.

No. Wrong.

The only issue here that is "concrete" is that out troops need some entertainment.

Why not use the funds for improving weapons systems

Get serious. You think 200k is going to buy some improvements? That might buy a new paint job for 20 or 30 jet fighters.

or given to the family of a soldier killed in action?

They would get that much from insurance they pay for already.

What the F### is your problem? You work for Chuckie Schumer or what?

I spent 18 months in an arm pit called Kunsan AB, Korea. Anything related to the "real world" was a luxury - AND VERY MUCH APPRECIATED!!!!!!!!

F$$$ you and your tight a$$!

Very obvious you have not one clue about the military.

When one is clueless, it't best to keep one's mouth zipped.

Else you might look an A$$.

LVM

29 posted on 07/25/2003 9:49:51 PM PDT by LasVegasMac
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To: xrp
I don't know how much it costs to make a phone call from a base in Europe to a serviceman/woman's parents in the States

Well, according to the ads, Mom and Dad can dial 10-10-987 to Western Europe for three cents per minute. Long distance aint what it used to be.

30 posted on 07/25/2003 10:00:36 PM PDT by buccaneer81 (Plus de fromage, s'il vous plait...)
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To: Registered
I likely pay more taxes than most on this website, and I don't have a problem with it.

Times change and there may be different entertainment options now, but we have always attempted to see to it that our soldiers have something to do during downtime, whether its a game of cards, a USO gig, or whatever.

In the grand scheme of things, 200k is not a lot of money.

You should try an online game of Ghost Recon yourself. You may be surprised how tactical and challenging it is.

Cheers,
Lloyd

31 posted on 07/25/2003 10:04:50 PM PDT by Lloyd227
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To: Registered
I guess troop morale is not worthy of a few taxpayer dollars?
32 posted on 07/25/2003 10:07:58 PM PDT by tazman3 (See Lazmataz's tag line)
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To: bootyist-monk
w00t!
33 posted on 07/25/2003 10:08:12 PM PDT by blackshoe
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To: Registered
You must be one of the 77%.

Yes, you really flamed my butt. And you have been here since 98 - ?

We also ship them bottled water, at tax payer expense.

Got a problem with that?

LVM

34 posted on 07/25/2003 10:11:34 PM PDT by LasVegasMac
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To: LasVegasMac; Registered
/agreed!!!

I spent 12 months in Adak, Ak with absolutely nothing to do... we would have killed to have this!

It's about time we gave something to our servicemen and women!!

And about the comment of spending it on weapon's research, you are an idiot who must have never spent anytime in the military..

I guess people like you think we should put everything we have into killing people and the heck with our boys and girls who serve.. It's bad enough they don't get paid worth a darn now we shouldn't spend any money on them?? I guess we should just buy them all SS uniforms and make them all good little nazi's..



35 posted on 07/25/2003 10:16:32 PM PDT by scab4faa
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To: LasVegasMac
I have more of a clue than you know. I just don't wear it on my shirtsleeve.
36 posted on 07/25/2003 10:21:07 PM PDT by Registered (77% of the mentally ill live in poverty, that leaves 23% doing quite well!)
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To: Registered
"It's an abuse of taxpayer's dollars."

I hate paying taxes as much as anyone with common sense. But $200,000 to help the morale of people who risk their asses for us? It's money well spent.

How much do we spend on border jumpers who come here and squirt out a baby just so they can gain citizenship without merit?

37 posted on 07/25/2003 10:24:01 PM PDT by blackbart.223
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To: Registered
I know a lot, friend.

I know that your previous post on this subject was pure BS.

Let's play, shall we? I want you to logically defend your lame statement.

LVM

38 posted on 07/25/2003 10:25:21 PM PDT by LasVegasMac
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To: xrp
I need to get myself an XBox. There are going to be some great games coming out that I can't get on Mac or PS2.
39 posted on 07/25/2003 10:27:54 PM PDT by baseballfanjm
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To: Registered
Forgot to add in last reply..

If you have not been part of the US Military community, this conversation is over, you are dismissed.

If you have not "been there", you are not qualified to pass judgement on what is good or bad (tax money) for the troops in the field.

I am. I've been there and done that.

LVM

40 posted on 07/25/2003 10:55:51 PM PDT by LasVegasMac
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