p2pnet - rss feed: Disaster relief meals on eBay
p2p news / p2pnet: Are eBay sellers in Gulf Coast states ravaged by Katrikna, Rita and Wilma profiting from military supplies meant for victims?
MREs (meals ready to eat) are showing up on eBay online auction sites but eBay says it’s, “impossible to prove” they were meant the meals were meant for hurricane victims, says the Dallas Morning News.
When we went to eBay for a look, “SEALED UNOPEN CASE OF MILITARY ISSUE MRE’S” said one auction site, with this pic as the example. “This is a full case of military issue MRE meals.”
Bidding had reached $72 with six hours to go.
At least some of the MREs advertised on the Web site are being sold from Louisiana, Mississippi, Florida and other gulf states and are individually packaged with a disclaimer: ‘U.S. Government property – Commercial resale is unlawful’,” says the Dallas Morning News.
“The Homeland Security Department’s inspector general has asked investigators to examine the suspicious MREs on eBay, spokeswoman Tamara Faulkner saidm” says the Associated Press.
“In the past, the Pentagon has complained about MRE sales on eBay, Defense Logistics Agency spokeswoman Marcia Klein said. The agency has not decided whether to pursue the current eBay sales, though officials are considering all avenues, she said.”
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See:-
Dallas Morning News - Hurricane relief meals may be ending up on eBay, October 30, 2005
Associated Press - U.S. Investigates Sale of MREs on eBay, October 29, 2005
October 30th, 2005 at 8:35 pm
no thanks , I have payed for them once already
October 30th, 2005 at 9:36 pm
YOUR Tax Dollars at Work!!!
October 31st, 2005 at 2:29 am
i think ebay should stop the selling of mres by individuals .,and at least limit the amount one can offer for sale of relief items, the lawmakers in washington need to only be fed mres while in session., and be paid in peasos. roy f tulsa ok
October 31st, 2005 at 7:04 am
Folks, I gotta tell you. I was in Katrina and the damage here was more than I remember of a hurricane doing in a long time. It took FEMA three days to show up after the hurricane had left the area. It was like they didn’t have a clue what they would run into. Nor did all the relief workers that the power companies sent. The stories were legion of those stuck on the interstate. They came with credit cards and vouchers. Stores without power weren’t selling anything that required computers, credit verification, or electronic transactions, that included local checks. Those relief workers were stuck in transit without gas. Further gas lines were 3 miles long and there were no other places to go. Gas stations that had purchased standby generators were selling gas in the amounts of 10 gallons each and were not allowing filling of gas cans for home generators. I was rather proud that those coming later were escorted to the front of that three mile line to fill up and go on. It was done with the majority approval of those waiting in line for gas. To add to that assistance were reports of individuals coming up and offering cash to help pay for the gas those people needed to get into the damage area.
During those three days before relief workers started filtering in, there was no power, no communications, no public radio; it was like a communication black hole. Nothing coming in, nothing going out.
During the 9 days we went without power, FEMA was instrumental in getting water and ice out to people that needed it. On day 4 the local radio station got a standby generator and went on line. From it we could tell where to go and when to go to get those items. One time I took more than I personally could use. What I came home with I divied up and took to neighbors, one being an elderly 80 year old who could not drive. But never did I hoard.
I am ashamed of those that would now profit when so many didn’t get the help nor the aid intended for them, while those that hoarded are now trying to get a buck off of it. I truely hope that there comes a time in their life when events bring retribution for such lowly acts.