Our troops are using Silly String to test for trip wires??

[The Straight Story]

Keeping US soldiers warm

FPS staff report
February 27, 2007

Keeping US soldiers warmThe average temperatures in Iraq range from higher than 48 degrees C (120 Fahrenheit) in July and August to below freezing in January.

The five day weather forecast for Feb. 22-26 predicted highs in the teens and low 20's and the lows in the single digits. Some days the temperature gets extremely hot during the day and can drop almost 70 degrees by nightfall.

Lori Davis of Minerva happened to see a news broadcast about the US troops using silly string to spray in doorways to see if there were any trip wires before they entered. This got her attention and she decided to go the USO website to see if there was anything she could do to help the troops. This is where the idea of "Operation Bundle Up" was discovered.

Operation Bundle Up sends handmade scarves to U.S. troops serving in Iraq. Handmade scarves are easy to make and help keep the soldiers warm in the extreme temperature differences that are found in the desert. Davis has 18 completed scarves and a few in process to send.

http://www.freepressstandard.com/Accent/acc01_030107.htm

Ya would think we would have come up with something better for all the billions we spend :)

[Edweird]

1. Interestingly enough, silly string is kinda perfect for the job.

[The Straight Story]

4. Give Halliburton time and they will invent a new silly string for $1 Million a can....

:rofl:

[BlooInBloo]

2. (shrug) If it works... Maybe a less flammable version would be preferable, I suppose.

[AlCzervik]

3. well this is one area that saves money, that was pretty smart.

[Journeyman]

5. The true question should be, do the troops have to buy the Silly String?. . .

It seems an ingenious, relatively safe way to test for trip wires -- but as with the body armor and the like, do our troops have to buy this, too? That'd be a scandal, not that they've found a low-tech means to stay safe.

[tblue]

6. Time to buy stock in Silly String

[Lobster Martini]

8. Yes, unfortunately, they do have to get their own Silly String

Unfortunately, yes, they do have to get their own Silly String. A mother in New Jersey is collecting cans of Silly String and sending them to Iraq.

I copied this from a CBS News story from December 2006:

Donations, in the form of money or actual Silly String, should be sent to St.Lukes Church/55 Warwick Rd./ Stratford, NJ 08084. Checks should be made out to Marcelle Shriver. If you know the name and address of a soldier wishing to receive Silly String, please send that info to [e-mail].

[Journeyman]

9. Thanks, LM. Though your post ticks me off . . .

you're only the messenger. I appreciate the info.

Welcome to DU, by the bye. Hope you enjoy your stay and you find something of what you need here.

[donheld]

7. Our pResident doesn't know much about the world, but I'll just bet he knows all about

Silly String, Silly Puddy and Playdough.

[Vidar]

10. Goes well with Playdo for armor.