Take the PEPSI/COKE Challenge - make them send the troops LIQUIDS!

[symbolman]

We've created a new page and action alert and we hope you'll pass it along to everyone you can --

It's time for the Corporations that claim that they ADD LIFE and IT'S THE REAL THING to step up to the plate and while they are at it to SHAME the HALLIBURTON corp (Brown and Root) which is KILLING our troops by literally nickle and diming them to death.

The troops in Afghanistan and Iraq are getting LESS than the required amount of anything but especially LIQUIDS.

They are dying even as they return to the US from dehydration, in their beds - three in the last week from some reports.

Coca Cola and Pepsi both make sports style drinks which replace electrolytes and rehydrate - this is their chance to BACK THE TROOPS and show some Patriotism ..

we need to write to them in record numbers and tell them to send liquids to the troops TODAY.

THey can't lose and we shame the BUsh admin at the same time.. it's a win/win for everyone but the bastards.

go to our page and write, tell your pals and get these real patriots, who after all are willing to DIE for their country, some HELP ..

WE CAN DO THIS, ALL OF US,

here's the link: http://www.takebackthemedia.com/pepsicoke.html

Save some lives,

symbolman

[Cha]

1. Thanks for doing this! This is the biggest deadly disgrace the

the bushys have going for themselves, yet!

[NYC]

2. I sent a long letter to Gatorade about good publicity, free advertising,

and saving lives. I'll write a letter to Coca Cola now.

[Sophree]

3. That is a disgrace

Unbelievable.

Great idea, symbolman. Will do.

[symbolman]

4. Thanks!

I find it hard to believe that there are only three posts for something of this magnitude..

Maybe I should preface it with WHY -- INSERT DEMO PRESIDENTIAL CHOICE HERE-- SUCKS...

People we can make a real difference to REAL PEOPLE who are dying - imagine the worst thirst you've ever had on the hottest day and multiply that by 5 or 10 fold..

Dehydration makes you miss cues in your surroundings, you can hallucinate, once your kidneys are compromised they may never work right again..

we can make Halliburton squirm in public at the same time we help people and force COKE/PEPSI to be responsible

pass the word and keep this afloat!

[SoCalDem]

5. Maybe picket signs at Halliburton's offices??

Money, Money

Everywhere

and not a

drop to drink


http://www.globeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20030813.uiraq0814/BNStory/International/

'White gold' Iraqis only respite


By ORLY HALPERN
From Thursday's Globe and Mail



Basra, Iraq —

The ice sellers are making a killing in Iraq. Standing under the blazing sun on the side of a bustling road, young men wearing turbans and with sweat rolling down their cheeks slice blocks of ice as buyers sit in their air-conditioned cars, waiting until the last moment to pay.

.....snip.....

Wearing helmets and flak jackets over heavy army uniforms, many soldiers are actually worse off than Iraqis. Recently the conditions claimed their first victim, as a U.S. soldier collapsed and died of heat stroke while on patrol.

And while Europeans are taking to rivers and public fountains, those whose modesty allows them to try Basra's swimming pool cannot even take a dip. It has been closed since the war.

Instead, a new lifestyle is beginning, as Iraqis become increasingly nocturnal. In Basra, they wander the streets to barter and buy goods long after dusk has fallen. In Baghdad, however, the 11 p.m. curfew means most are home by dark.

Special to The Globe and Mail

[LosinIt]

21. I didn't reply right away cause I was busy writing

I think that people will get behind this. Have faith.

On edit: I also didn't notice that this was originally posted yesterday afternoon and has had little response. Maybe I am wrong. Perhaps this board has degenerated to the point where people only want to say, My candidate can beat up your candidate.

COME ON PEOPLE, LET'S KEEP THIS UP TOP.

[hippywife]

6. Great job, Symbolman!!

We're on it!! :)

[hippywife]

7. Kick!

:kick:

Keep this up there! :)

[Cheesehead]

8. This is ann incredibly important humanitarian issue

Kick! :kick:

[hippywife]

10. Get Busch/Coors/Miller involved, too!

:kick:

[bearded_cat]

9. The "worlds only superpower"

Can't get liquids to the troops.

Also, can't run a decent power grid. Supposedly.

forgot to say great idea and good luck.

[tkmorris]

11. Great work Symbolman

And by the way I never got to tell you how much I enjoyed the "Army of One" Flash. Really good stuff.

[wellstone_democrat]

12. uh, I didn't post before--I went and started to demand they actq

so, sorry if you thought I didn't care guys...
I thought a "me too!" post was pointless

but, OK, ME TOO I'M RUNNING TO DO THAT NOW!
Ialready did it but that is moot now...

[diamondsoul]

13. I just got back to read this, pardon me for a sec

F*CKING BASTARDS!

There, I needed to scream. As the wife of a soldier who spent 4 years in the Mojave Desert, this just makes me sick, really physically sick! But folks let me just tell you Coke's, Pepsi's, sports drinks, they don't help. They need WATER!

They should be drinking at least a gallon and a half of water every day! The companies we need to hit up are the bottled water companies.

[symbolman]

14. Good point

I just thought we'd start at the top - seemed like sports drinks would fill in the sodium levels as needed for these guys and gals..

NAIVE then? Oops backwards.. EVIAN it is :)

Anybody sending water is fine with me, just so Halliburton is shamed in the process and the troops get enough to do whatever job they are assigned to do, which one of the jobs is I believe, getting water to the Iraqis next..

Let's fix this mess and get them the hell out of there, even if it takes the UN..

thanks, and the troops will thank you too I'm sure..

6 quarts and not two litres, eh..

[Karenina]

16. Troops are dying

and their systems are being compromised for a lack of water. This is so far beyond disgraceful there are no words. Privatized "military support" contractees are litreally making a killing off the deaths and unnecessary suffering of American servicepeople. THIS should be front page news.

[Bushfire]

15. Done

:kick:

[Generic Other]

17. Why is it that companies get to act like business as usual in time of war?

That's the problem in this country. The only sacrifices made by poor soldiers and their families. Everyone else free to profit, speculate, promote war without making a single sacrifice.

I say in time of war, all companies should be forced to contribute a huge percentage of their profits to serve the war effort. Bet American corporations would be a lot less likely to beat the war drum if the sacrifice was more directly felt.

Why should Coke or Pepsi or any other company be allowed to act like it's business as usual when soldiers are dying of thirst in a foreign land? Let them be drained of their excess resources for the duration. It's called sacrifice. Paying your dues. A war tax.

[symbolman]

18. Exactly!

During WW2 everyone was dragging tires and toothpaste tubes to the center of town and making war machines and bullets with recyled materials, everyone had a stake in it..

Let's also BRING BACK THE WAR PROFITEERING ACT.. or is it still valid, any lawyers out there?

Sure would love to stick that in Halliburton's face.. maybe congress is so dirty with money they aren't bothering to mention that such an act exists..

keep hammering them, we can make them responsible!

thanks!

[symbolman]

19. afternoon

bump - we have to take care of the troops and get our country back at the same time - the PROGRESSIVES can take this issue away from the right wingers and help our countryment at the same time!

[hippywife]

20. G'morning!

I can't believe this thread has fallen back as far as it has!! Keep it up top!! :)

[NYC]

22. Response from Pepsi. U.S. Gov't. won't allow delivery of Gatorade.

Thank you for your recent request for support from Quaker Foods & Beverages, a division of PepsiCo, Inc.

Donating products to our troops is an extremely worthy cause. Unfortunately, the logistics to deliver mass donations are not in place per government procedure. Members of our team are part of the American Logistics Association, which investigate whether or not the Pentagon is in a position to accept donations of Gatorade (and other products). Due to the unique situation of terrorism in our country and the world, the Pentagon is controlling all deliveries and does not have the logistics to manage large scale donations to our troops. This allows the Pentagon to ensure tight control of the situation at hand and the utmost protection of our men and women serving abroad. When the Pentagon indicates that such action is acceptable and appropriate, Gatorade will be the first in line to donate product to our soldiers.

Please note, that Gatorade is available for the troops everywhere our troops are located via the AAFES Mobile Tactical Field Exchange PX'S. We are providing AAFES with a special price reduction on Gatorade shipped for the troops in the Middle East and they have agreed to distribute special coupons for Gatorade to the troops.

Please be assured Gatorade is extremely supportive of our military services and heroes serving our country at home and abroad. We have donated Gatorade to the military during times of need, including Desert Storm. We routinely donate Gatorade to causes in the United States including national donations to Second Harvest, the rescue efforts of September 11 and to the firefighters battling mass wildfires.

We understand the importance of keeping our troops hydrated and are doing everything we can to ensure Gatorade is delivered via all possible means and in a timely manner.

We appreciate the opportunity to explain.


Amy