And it’s expensive work.

The U.S. Army plans to spend tens of billions of dollars over the next year and a half to refurbish and move equipment out of Iraq as the military focus shifts to a build-up in Afghanistan.

Third Army Commander Lt. Gen. William Webster told Pentagon reporters Friday there are 2.8 million pieces of equipment in 88,000 containers that need to be moved out of Iraq, calling it the largest operation "since the build-up for World War II."

The toughest part of the job, Webster said, is determining what to keep and what to leave behind for the Iraqis — decisions based in part on whichever option is cheaper. The Army Material Command and Defense Logistics Agency has thousands employees making those decisions.

However, the thousands of SUVs used by military and civilian officials in and around Baghdad aren’t worth taking anywhere. A truck bought for $30,000 in 2004 is worth only $5,000-$8,000 dollars today, and the cost of shipping one of the SUVs exceeds that value.

In addition, many of these trucks were not built to U.S. emission standards and would face the added cost of upgrading the exhaust system. "So in some cases, it’s cheaper for us to turn that over to the government of Iraq through the — the right programs and let them keep it," Webster said

Shouldn’t the military be selling the surplus and unsalvageable vehicles instead of giving them to the Iraqis?

Iraqi army can make their own Humvee. There are also many advance equipment inside a Humvee. Hence, U.S. has to bring their Humvee back.

I would have an RPD(light machine gun practically ak-47 with round drum aka "choppers" with a silencer and inferred scope), pistol would be a clock 18(2 automatic pistol with a silencer and long clip), for the sniper i would like M21 EBR(all of these weapons are on modern warfare 2).

The setting would be in Miami, Florida. We would take a H1 Hummer. The attack would hit us after a long night of "blowing down" in a night club. This all takes place in the year 1966. After the attack that spreads like a cold we would hit up the army surplus store, bank, and pawn shop(wed need masks(for the bong)). The supplies that we would have would be a pound of medically grown marijuana from amsterdam, a huge bag of medicine from walgreens, ten cartons of cigarettes, twenty bottles of alcohol, and lots of mushrooms for when we get to south america. It would be a car full of 5 people. one would be myself, the second would be my friend whoever that may be at the time we are "blowing down", a seventy five year old black man who had lost his wife, a baby, and an asian whore named "kikky kong". all of us, with the exception of the baby we named tito, would be bad ass fighters.

After we had gotten the supplies, killed hundred of thousands of zombies, and found women, we would call enriko and he would take us in his cigar boat/ and airplane to peru where my friends and the women we found would start a new civilization.

The zombies would be similar to gooks.
You may be, or maybe, wondering where we would be killing the hundreds of thousands of zombies. we would be stationed at a light house waiting for enriko pedro saint rickie ricardo emanuel joseph gonzalez

omg can i play?
actually can i be the zombie?

Hearing the price and the story shortly afterwards, and due to the fact it was after business hours on a Friday , the boarder immediately went to his computer and searched for a National Asphalt Contractor’s Trade Assoc. website. Sure enough he found a warning on the home page for customers to beware of contractors appearing unexpectedly saying they had a surplus from another job that they would sell cheap…it’s a scam approach. The boarder then printed out the warning and took it to the landlord who, when uncomfortable concern had initially been expressed by the boarder about the contractor’s price and his approach tactics, replied assuredly he’d assessed the cost of an asphalt driveway some time before and that he thought the price was OK. (He admitted later that he had not really done this) He also said that he had already signed the contract and that it was too late to do anything.

To make a long story short(er), the boarder had to wait until the following Monday (contractor appeared and started the job on a late Friday…that’s part of the scam strategy) to contact the State’s Attorney General’s office. When the contractor returned to finish the job late Monday morning the boarder confronted him, took his vehicle license number and told him he would be contacted by an inspector (name given to him). The contractor was obviously shaken and asked the boarder what he would have to do to not have to talk to that inspector. After we all, landlord included, sat down inside the home office to discuss my suggestion of doing the whole job at $1.00 per sq./ft. the phone rang. It was the inspector wanting to first speak with the home owner, and then he asked to talk to the contractor. When the inspector from the AG’s Consumer Protection Office had finished talking to this contractor (and with whom he had confronted on occasions prior to this incident), the contractor agreed to the following:

1. Repave the already paved portion of the driveway and finish the rest at a depth of 3" (instead of the 1-2 inches he had started with).
2. He would not only tear up the previous contract, but write another at a charge of only $1.00 per sq/ft of surface area for the entire job (the boarder recommended figure)
3. After measuring for the total job area and having us agree to that assessment, he would return the difference in cash between that job cost and the $7,000 the customer had previously paid him.
4. He would make sure the customer was completely satisfied in every way before leaving and after-wards.

Thanks to the intervention of his long-time boarder (and,yes, with the clout of the AG’s office) this elderly gentleman had essentially recovered approximately $14,400 which he would have foolishly overspent on his driveway, and even ended up with a better quality (thicker) driveway to boot.

[The initial contract called for $19,000, a $12,000 final payment when the job was done, after an initial $7,000 payment to begin. The contractor instead refunded approx $2,400 in cash when the new job cost was calculated to be approx. $4,600]

How much, if anything at all, do you think would have been fair for the elderly man to offer his boarder as a reward or compensation for having intervened, despite his initial dis-concern, and who’s efforts had saved him $14,400 from being foolishly wasted…not to mention also getting the better quality, thicker driveway

Just so you’ll know, yes, I’m the boarder and the elderly gentleman never offered a penny. Comments about this elderly gentleman’s behavior aren’t necessary or sought by me, but I would like several comments on what people of different backgrounds think would have been a fair monetary tribute to offer me as a gesture of appreciation, or whether you don’t think a monetary offer/reward was necessary or appropriate.

im not sure he should have paid you money, but i do think that he should have definitely done something. at least a letter expressing appreciation or something. if someone saved me that much money, i think i would have gotten them a gift card and would have made sure that person knew how deeply i appreciated his intervention. that’s not ok that he did nothing.

and good for you intervening, you are a good citizen!

It seems to me they don’t understand the issues at all and are just using the issue of the day (health reform) as a vehicle to rile the base and vent their anger.

What is their plan on anything?? Healthcare, economy, foreign policy, it is almost as if the righties have admitted that their number one goal is to ensure the failure of their country because they hate the black guy in the White House.

And before one of you righties says "Oh so if we disagree with Obama were racist" remember, you cheered on Bush for 8 yrs…………….he added 6 trillion to the debt, signed 2 bailouts into law, never vetoed one spending bill and took us from surplus to a trillion dollar deficit……

It just doesnt jive righties…………..you had 8 yrs to protest spending, I remember you praising Bush and telling us he was great……..I smell right wing fakery.
Righties avoid talking about race at all costs, because they know they NEED minority voters if they wanna win again…………..

But why would a minority vote for an all white all male all southern party???

GOP = 2 elected blacks in 87 years

GOP = 5 elected hispanics today

GOP = a racist southern all white party that belongs in he dustbin of history

Well if they do degenerate to violence, that gives police an excuse to shoot and arrest them.

I don’t think they’re that stupid. They’re just trying to intimidate people.

For the bailout to work and directly impact the financial system, I propose 1/4th of the $700 billion to be given to main street in these forms:
a) another round of rebate check, so people can buy gifts for their family during the holidays which will raise revenues for retail shops;
b) get two months relief from paying mortgages and rent, so that good citizens who with hard work have not defaulted their mortgage payments will be rewarded and in the end it will help these same mortgage companies that will are trying to bail out to reduce the number of default payments;
c) tax credit for everyone so that families can regain back some of their 401k savings that they’ve lost on the stock market;
d) 1 year tuition re-reimbursement, zero percent loans for college and graduate schools to encourage people with dead-locked jobs to pursue other careers that can lift them up to upper middle class level and help them compete globally and chase good jobs in China, India and Europe;

e) Relief for people who pay live in States that pay "Vehicle Tax", zero percent auto loans or rebate checks for people to pay their next car insurance.
f) Since the CEO’s outrageous salaries will be reduced, it is only fair for that surplus to be used to raise hardworking employees’ salary to 7%-10% annually against inflation. The current 3%-5% annual increases is ridiculous especially when few people are given based on office politics while senior management get millions in bonuses, free jet flights, re-reimbursement for the luxurious trips and lunches.

Again, Main Street need a break, even if the $700 bailout is given to Wall Street, they will still squander it and buy more corporate jets, big mansions in cayman island, Bahamas, Hawaii, Bermuda and purchases of islands in Dubai and the Carri beans. Rather , when the money is given to main street, the money will have "IMMEDIATE, DIRECT on our financial system to stimulate the economy since it will be locally used to pay bills, spent on gas and Christmas shopping. Please petition to your local Government Reps so Main Street, the innocent people will also be bailed out!!

From a distressed Citizen looking for sponsorship for graduate school!! Email if you are rich and can help, our beautiful mighty country, America belongs to all of us.

We are pretty tough, we probably will make it, but it would be nice to have a pot to pee in.

For the bailout to work and directly impact the financial system, I propose 1/4th of the $700 billion to be given to main street in these forms:
a) another round of rebate check, so people can buy gifts for their family during the holidays which will raise revenues for retail shops;
b) get two months relief from paying mortgages and rent, so that good citizens who with hard work have not defaulted their mortgage payments will be rewarded and in the end it will help these same mortgage companies that will are trying to bail out to reduce the number of default payments;
c) tax credit for everyone so that families can regain back some of their 401k savings that they’ve lost on the stock market;
d) 1 year tuition re-reimbursement, zero percent loans for college and graduate schools to encourage people with dead-locked jobs to pursue other careers that can lift them up to upper middle class level and help them compete globally and chase good jobs in China, India and Europe;

e) Relief for people who pay live in States that pay "Vehicle Tax", zero percent auto loans or rebate checks for people to pay their next car insurance.
f) Since the CEO’s outrageous salaries will be reduced, it is only fair for that surplus to be used to raise hardworking employees’ salary to 7%-10% annually against inflation. The current 3%-5% annual increases is ridiculous especially when few people are given based on office politics while senior management get millions in bonuses, free jet flights, re-reimbursement for the luxurious trips and lunches.

Again, Main Street need a break, even if the $700 bailout is given to Wall Street, they will still squander it and buy more corporate jets, big mansions in cayman island, Bahamas, Hawaii, Bermuda and purchases of islands in Dubai and the Carri beans. Rather , when the money is given to main street, the money will have "IMMEDIATE, DIRECT on our financial system to stimulate the economy since it will be locally used to pay bills, spent on gas and Christmas shopping. Please petition to your local Government Reps so Main Street, the innocent people will also be bailed out!!

From a distressed Citizen looking for sponsorship for graduate school!! Email if you are rich and can help, our beautiful mighty country, America belongs to all of us.

What you are suggesting was the attempt with the Bush tax rebate. This rebate resulted in a modest effect. Maybe because it was too little, too late, or maybe because it was just too little. But it showed us that if the rebates are given to people that have enough money to pay taxes, there most likely going to save their money or spend it over a LONG period of time, resulting in minimal effects to the real economy.

But once everybody spends there rebates, there is nothing else unless the economy rebounds. What they should do to when giving people money is force them to pay down there credit cards and what not. But that’s no guarantee they won’t run them right up again.

But this getting past the real issue, the reason the credit crisis is so bad is because thousands of americans have defaulted on there 250,000 dollar homes + interest. Banks gave money to the american public (those in the real estate industry) for assets that weren’t even close to the value of the loan and then these individuals borrowed more money based on this income or in the "false equity" in there homes.

750 billion dollars will pay for over a million 300,000 dollar homes so that banks, law firms, contractors, etc., can start paying there employees again. Atleast the ones that weren’t hired as a result of this mass investing of valueless assets.

Sorry for the horrible typing, I’m doing three things at once.

http://www.uspto.gov/main/patents.htm

As much as I want a child, however, I am terrified! My biggest concern is money.

First, I have no problems with living frugally. In fact, I live thusly…I buy clothes from Goodwill to save us money, and we budget each month. We actually end up with a surplus of several hundred dollars per month, every month. [I plan to have a couple thousand dollars in savings before the child we may have is born.]

Admittedly, though, I doubt we will ever make more than $25,000 a year, combined. Does this mean we should never have a child? I hope not! But, it’s the harsh reality I am facing. What if there is never a "right time" for us?
I hope I don’t sound like money is the most important thing. I just want to do what’s best for our child…

You sound far more ready for parenthood than many people far older, not to mention a good deal of the people posting questions here. You live within your means, or so it sounds, and even save money each month. Good for you!

Money IS important, so there’s nothing wrong with thinking about it.

If you will need child care while you’re both are work (if you can’t take the baby with you), then you need to figure out those costs, the how much diapers will be (look into BumGenius fitted cloth diaper – they don’t leak, AND save money!!), etc.. If you feel comfortable setting that much money aside for a child’s expenses, then go for it. In fact, I get the feeling your child will grow up knowing the value of a dollar and how to budget. GOOD things!

You don’t need to be rich to raise a child, just careful with the money you do have, and you sound very well prepared. So I whole-heartedly say go for it!!

For the bailout to work and directly impact the financial system, I propose 1/4th of the $700 billion to be given to main street in these forms:
a) another round of rebate check, so people can buy gifts for their family during the holidays which will raise revenues for retail shops;
b) get two months relief from paying mortgages and rent, so that good citizens who with hard work have not defaulted their mortgage payments will be rewarded and in the end it will help these same mortgage companies that will are trying to bail out to reduce the number of default payments;
c) tax credit for everyone so that families can regain back some of their 401k savings that they’ve lost on the stock market;
d) 1 year tuition re-reimbursement, zero percent loans for college and graduate schools to encourage people with dead-locked jobs to pursue other careers that can lift them up to upper middle class level and help them compete globally and chase good jobs in China, India and Europe;

e) Relief for people who pay live in States that pay "Vehicle Tax", zero percent auto loans or rebate checks for people to pay their next car insurance.
f) Since the CEO’s outrageous salaries will be reduced, it is only fair for that surplus to be used to raise hardworking employees’ salary to 7%-10% annually against inflation. The current 3%-5% annual increases is ridiculous especially when few people are given based on office politics while senior management get millions in bonuses, free jet flights, re-reimbursement for the luxurious trips and lunches.

Again, Main Street need a break, even if the $700 bailout is given to Wall Street, they will still squander it and buy more corporate jets, big mansions in cayman island, Bahamas, Hawaii, Bermuda and purchases of islands in Dubai and the Carri beans. Rather , when the money is given to main street, the money will have "IMMEDIATE, DIRECT on our financial system to stimulate the economy since it will be locally used to pay bills, spent on gas and Christmas shopping. Please petition to your local Government Reps so Main Street, the innocent people will also be bailed out!!

From a distressed Citizen looking for sponsorship for graduate school!! Email if you are rich and can help, our beautiful mighty country, America belongs to all of us.

I certainly do not like Fat Cats getting ‘Fatter’and that’s what will happen.The honest to God "Slim Jim’s" that were filled with lies when they entered their mortgage agreement, loans, etc. will get no relief to help them.
But To Bail out is the ONLY answer~ Without it, a domino effect of more Banks closing, fewer loans available for payroll’s of Small Business’ (therefore More Job losses), less college grants ( education goes further down hill),More Health care cuts leading to "Unhealthy Americans….
I could go on & on…..Its "Damned if we do" and if we don’t it will be worse.
Do I think it will solve the US crisis forever? Absolutely not! We can not trust our government to be truthfull about anything, and if they were, the Media will be sure to put doubts in people’s minds again.
This is now a world of greed, tyrants, and terrorists ( in more ways than al Qa’ida ) Its too late to put the Blame on anyone. Childish Republicans and Democrats spend more time on "passing the buck" and "digging up the dirt" than on any one program to help ( save) this planet and humanities ability to exist.
I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I do believe we are in for a recession regardless of whats done or who is our new president.
I only hope I am proved wrong! But right now, today, we have no choice~
Make the call. Write the Emails. Hope that ‘Big Brother’ does a better job of watching where our money on Main Street goes this time. Prove me wrong and I’ll be a happier healthier American.

From another Distressed Citizen Today who also worries where my kids will be in 5 years