Operation E-book Drop: For the Troops

[Steven Lyle Jordan]

A discussion on TeleRead this week led me to discover Operation E-book Drop.

Begun by author Ed Patterson, Operation E-book Drop is a program where authors who make their books available on use Smashwords can create online discount coupons for 100% off the cost of their e-books... then send those coupons, with links to the e-books, to our fighting forces overseas.

This sounded like a great idea to me, so I e-mailed Ed to see if I could participate. Ed e-mailed me back with a list of soldiers who were just achin' for some reading material. I promptly sent my e-mail, with a link to Verdant Skies and my coupon, to everyone on the list. I don't know how many of them will get into SF, but I hope plenty of them enjoy it.

If you know an author who'd like to get in on this, visit the Operation E-book Drop link above, or e-mail Ed at ed#w#pat# @ #att#. #net (remove the #s and spaces). Do something nice for our troops. And be sure to wish them home soon and safe!

[Patricia]

What a thoughtful idea. Thanks for posting this, Steve.

[rcuadro]

It would be even better if I could just purchase the books and send them as gifts...

[luqmaninbmore]

Why should we be trying to comfort people who willingly participated in act of unprovoked aggression against another country (i.e. Iraq)? Unless of course you want to send them copies of "On the Duties of. Civil Disobedience" or Haldeman's "Forever War." Or maybe "Slaughter-House Five."

[rcuadro]

Originally Posted by luqmaninbmore

Why should we be trying to comfort people who willingly participated in act of unprovoked aggression against another country (i.e. Iraq)? Unless of course you want to send them copies of "On the Duties of. Civil Disobedience" or Haldeman's "Forever War." Or maybe "Slaughter-House Five."

And to think that we spend months and months away from friends and family so people like you can say things like this

[bjrnfrdnnd]

Assuming that many soldiers perceive their actions not as an aggression
but as an action of patriotism (whatever that means) and also as an act
of actually democracy building, I would think that supporting the troops
is not always a bad act.
I do think, however, that soldiers that are abroad, and acting in war-like
situations, are paid exceptionally well compared to a large number of other
people.
So, while I agree that a soldier in a war-like environment does profit from
ereaders and ebooks stored on the device, simply because it allows him/her
to carry around reading material that would be otherwise impossible,
I do think that soldiers have ample resources in order to provide themselves
with these reading material.
I do think, on the other hand, that making ebooks available to the more disadvantaged, such as unemployed or old people, who lack the money to
provide themselves with such material, is of much more importance.
I would amply support any such movement.

[igorsk]

Folks from Baen often send packages of (paper) books to active troops and military hospitals. Maybe you should try contacting them and organizing something together?
There's also http://www.booksforsoldiers.com/.

[rhadin]

Originally Posted by rcuadro

And to think that we spend months and months away from friends and family so people like you can say things like this

Actually, rcuardo, it is people like luqmaninbmore who prove the point of why we are the best country in the world in which to live.

Regardless or whether one supports the war or not, one should support our troops who are simply obeying the laws of our country. We have a system for political change that works -- slowly but well -- which is much better than the system used in many other countries (the barrell of a gun). I may think Rush Limbaugh, Glenn Beck, and George Bush are idiots, but the beauty of our country is that they are free to be idiots, and it is our soldiers who make it possible.

[Mitchll]

Originally Posted by luqmaninbmore

Why should we be trying to comfort people who willingly participated in act of unprovoked aggression against another country (i.e. Iraq)? Unless of course you want to send them copies of "On the Duties of. Civil Disobedience" or Haldeman's "Forever War." Or maybe "Slaughter-House Five."

"Men sleep peacefully in their beds at night because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf."

[Musicman]

Originally Posted by bjrnfrdnnd

Assuming that many soldiers perceive their actions not as an aggression
but as an action of patriotism (whatever that means) and also as an act
of actually democracy building, I would think that supporting the troops
is not always a bad act.
I do think, however, that soldiers that are abroad, and acting in war-like
situations, are paid exceptionally well compared to a large number of other
people.
So, while I agree that a soldier in a war-like environment does profit from
ereaders and ebooks stored on the device, simply because it allows him/her
to carry around reading material that would be otherwise impossible,
I do think that soldiers have ample resources in order to provide themselves
with these reading material.
I do think, on the other hand, that making ebooks available to the more disadvantaged, such as unemployed or old people, who lack the money to
provide themselves with such material, is of much more importance.
I would amply support any such movement.

I disagree and find your logic illogical.

You can argue that the Public Library system was created to address your point regarding the disadvantaged and unemployed. Our Public Library System goes beyond Pbooks - they have Ebooks, Audio Books, videos, special programs for children. There are foundations, such as Bill Gates' that also help.

I think that our men and women who volunteer for military service deserve to be saluted for that service and that this is a great way to show your appreciation for their service.

[kindlekitten]

Originally Posted by luqmaninbmore

Why should we be trying to comfort people who willingly participated in act of unprovoked aggression against another country (i.e. Iraq)? Unless of course you want to send them copies of "On the Duties of. Civil Disobedience" or Haldeman's "Forever War." Or maybe "Slaughter-House Five."

you can go f*ck yourself

Originally Posted by bjrnfrdnnd

Assuming that many soldiers perceive their actions not as an aggression
but as an action of patriotism (whatever that means) and also as an act
of actually democracy building, I would think that supporting the troops
is not always a bad act.
I do think, however, that soldiers that are abroad, and acting in war-like
situations, are paid exceptionally well compared to a large number of other
people.
So, while I agree that a soldier in a war-like environment does profit from
ereaders and ebooks stored on the device, simply because it allows him/her
to carry around reading material that would be otherwise impossible,
I do think that soldiers have ample resources in order to provide themselves
with these reading material.
I do think, on the other hand, that making ebooks available to the more disadvantaged, such as unemployed or old people, who lack the money to
provide themselves with such material, is of much more importance.
I would amply support any such movement.

many of these troops are supporting families back at home for one. the next reason that they should be supported in fashions such as this is that for the first time in US Military history, soldiers are being allowed (even encouraged) to modify and supplement their issued items in the field to add comfort and safety. that gets spendy. and lastly, even the smallest gestures makes these kids who are far far from home feel like someone still cares.

[Steven Lyle Jordan]

You can't blame the war on the soldiers who are sent by our leaders to fight. If you are against the war, criticize your leaders. The only thing you should be saying to the troops is: Can't wait until you're home!

[bjrnfrdnnd]

I agree with you.

The public library system might be sufficient in order to support the disadvantaged with the pure availability of reading material - although I am not sure if that is really true in the rural parts of the country.

I still think that soldiers have ample resources in order to provide themselves with reading material - both their own money and (I don't knwo, but I suppose that such programs do exist) Public libraries making books available to soldiers.

It therefore boils down to a psychological thing. You might argue that soldiers need a population-driven support movement in order to uphold their morale, and the ebook-drop movement is a kind of evident sign that the population supports the troops. I agree with this reasoning. I would just think that the last thing the soldiers need, is monetary gifts in the form of ebooks bought by supporters at home, and sent as gifts. It only counts in form of symbolic support.

As it is all about psychology, one might argue that the disadvantaged, in order to not feel forgotten by society, in order to uphold their morale to find new jobs and to be a positive part in society, might need exactly the kind of psychological support the soldiers need - and in their case, financial support even makes sense.

[kindlekitten]

having been both an unemployed member of the US population and a soldier far from home I do believe that the support to the soldier is vastly more important

[Steven Lyle Jordan]

Originally Posted by bjrnfrdnnd

It therefore boils down to a psychological thing. You might argue that soldiers need a population-driven support movement in order to uphold their morale, and the ebook-drop movement is a kind of evident sign that the population supports the troops. I agree with this reasoning. I would just think that the last thing the soldiers need, is monetary gifts in the form of ebooks bought by supporters at home, and sent as gifts. It only counts in form of symbolic support.

E-books also serve as a needed break from the rigors of their jobs, a form of mental relaxation and recovery. Such mental breaks are necessary to keep soldiers healthy and alert, just as physical breaks are. They serve a useful purpose beyond symbolic support.