October 29th, 2005
U.S. Investigates Sale of MREs (Meals Ready to Eat) on EBay
By Michael Santo
Contributing Writer, RealTechNews
The government is looking into whether or not MREs that are being illegally sold on eBay were actually ones which were given out freely after Katrina, Rita and Wilma. (Meal, Ready-to-Eat (MRE) is a self-contained meal in lightweight packaging produced by the United States of America for its soldiers in the battlefield where organized food facilities are not available. They replaced C-rations in the early 1980s. Wickipedia)
Representatives for eBay, the online auctioneer company, say it is impossible to prove that any of the meals were meant for hurricane victims. They note that MREs can be bought in camping stores and Army-Navy surplus outlets.
But 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 that clearly notes: “U.S. Government property — Commercial resale is unlawful.” Source: SFGate via AP
We say: If the investigation finds this allegation to be true … well, it’s really disturbing.
John Corliss says:
Let’s see:
1. shooting at rescue helicopters…
2. looting…
3. now selling MREs illegally
Why does this not surprise me?
October 30th, 2005 at 7:06 am
Deadeye says:
I was given a few MREs last year here in Florida after Charlie. Within hours, power was back on in my neighborhood. I ended up tossing the MREs into the garbage a few days later. Wish I had of thought of disposing of ‘em on eBay instead of the trash dump.
October 30th, 2005 at 8:46 am
RecycledElectrons says:
WTF? Why is selling something that you are given as a gift illegal?
Look at the US Constitution, and tell me WHERE it gives CONgress the power to make selling a gift illegal. As the first Chief Justice of the SCOTUS (Warren) said…CONgress does not have the power to make murder illegal.
Of the CONgress critters that voted that unconstitutional bit of tripe into law…not even one of them read it cover to cover.
Andy Out!
October 31st, 2005 at 7:07 am