Anyone Wishing To Donate Hookah To The Troops In Iraq?

[Stinkyfisherman]

My roommate just got back from Iraq and he said there were hookahs everywhere. He said he sent one to me but I never came. I like the homeless hookah idea at least it gives them something to do while they are holding the cardboard signs.

[RayVer]

heck if I was homeless I would sell cans to buy a hookah

[oolatec]

Honestly, they could use other things much more than hookah.... soap, toothpaste, deodorant, shampoo... trust me... I sent out care packages to a few friends in theater every month, and all their buddies steal their crap. I doubt hookah, although a nice luxury, is hardly on their priority list.

[Sariél]

heck if I was homeless I would use the cans to build a hookah

[mathuv]

heck if I was homeless I would use the cans to build a hookah

+1

but...in iraq and middle eastern countries hookahs and shisha are dirt cheap, i doubt they cant afford them.

[cemab4y]

OK everyone. I am Charles E. Martin (civilian), and I assure you that this is the "real deal". I have been here in Iraq for two years, and I have collected many items for distribution to the troops. (a lot of soap, toothpaste, magazines, beef jerky,etc) mostly through masonic lodges, and other non-profit groups. I have also collected sporting goods, soccer equipment, baseball gloves,etc.

Here at Taji, Iraq, the troops work 12-16 hours a day in stifling heat, and the city is off limits. You cannot just go "ditty-bopping" down the street, and hang out at the local shop, and get your hookah. If you try that, you will be going home in a body bag. Besides, most of the hookahs here, are just "crap" anyway.

If anyone doubts, that I am on the level, please send me a PM, or email to cemab4y@hotmail.com and I will give you character references, including a toll-free number (my dad), who will vouch for me. You can also check with your local masonic lodge, for additional confirmation. You can also read my blog, www.cemab4y.blogspot.com which describes what I have been doing these past two years.

There is no restrictions on soldiers/marines smoking in their off-duty time. The local PX (tiny), sells cigarettes, cigars, chewing tobacco. (Did you know that in World War 1, tobacco was a priority shipment to the troops, just behind ammunition?).

If anyone doubts, that this a "bona fide" operation, you should take notice, that I have an APO (army post office) address. Even though I am too old and too fat for military service, I am working on a US military base, in support of the US military operation here in Iraq, and thus I have APO privileges. You can check the zip code at the post office, or on line, and you will see that it is Taji Base, Iraq.

Hookah tobacco, bowls, charcoal, and accessories are unavailable here in Taji. (I was up at Tall-Afar last year, and the local turkish shop had some tobacco, and coals, but they were substandard, and hugely over-priced. The locals have no shame, in over-charging the Americans who are protecting them). It is true, that hookahs and supplies are available at other places around Iraq, but not here in Taji.

I am sure that there are many people who have a spare bowl, or some tobacco flavor they don't like, or a spare hose, that they could put in a box, and send here throught the APO mail, for the troops. Some of the online retail stores have donated some items, one even sent a three-hose hookah.

If there is anything I can do, to confirm my "bona fides", please let me know. I can give you character references, you can call my dad toll-free, and you can check at your local masonic lodge.

[mathuv]

looks legit. too bad the shipping would kill me, i wouldnt mind sending over a spare bowl or some tobacco

[manic007]

post removed by me.

[I suppose it is hypocrytical of me not to donate a hookah based on health grounds. But I would genuinely feel guilty.] Edited March 22, 2008 by manic007

[Canon]

I also [now] believe this is legit.

But I'd feel guilty about giving the troops lung cancer (no seriously). I'd rather give them a yoga video, but the shipping to Iraq must cost a fortune.

the best 2 things you can donate (to troops) besides hygiene supply's is tobacco and alcohol.

though i dont think you can drink over there. not too sure on that subject

[manic007]

I also [now] believe this is legit.

But I'd feel guilty about giving the troops lung cancer (no seriously). I'd rather give them a yoga video, but the shipping to Iraq must cost a fortune.

the best 2 things you can donate (to troops) besides hygiene supply's is tobacco and alcohol.

though i dont think you can drink over there. not too sure on that subject

Oh you can definetely drink in Iraq! Well you could, probably still true.

Saddam Hussein was a very well known alky, and rather particular to Portugese rose wine. Also his secular regime allowed shops to sell alcohol freely all over Iraq.

But, I know that some of the insurgents have issues with alcohol and where they're dominant they might ban it or intimidate shopkeepers from selling it. However I'm fairly sure than the Iraqi government hasn't banned it nationally.

[HarryTheHookaMaster]

[quote name='cemab4y' date=

[HarryTheHookaMaster]

OK everyone. I am Charles E. Martin (civilian), and I assure you that this is the "real deal". I have been here in Iraq for two years, and I have collected many items for distribution to the troops. (a lot of soap, toothpaste, magazines, beef jerky,etc) mostly through masonic lodges, and other non-profit groups. I have also collected sporting goods, soccer equipment, baseball gloves,etc.

Here at Taji, Iraq, the troops work 12-16 hours a day in stifling heat, and the city is off limits. You cannot just go "ditty-bopping" down the street, and hang out at the local shop, and get your hookah. If you try that, you will be going home in a body bag. Besides, most of the hookahs here, are just "crap" anyway.

If anyone doubts, that I am on the level, please send me a PM, or email to cemab4y@hotmail.com and I will give you character references, including a toll-free number (my dad), who will vouch for me. You can also check with your local masonic lodge, for additional confirmation. You can also read my blog, www.cemab4y.blogspot.com which describes what I have been doing these past two years.

There is no restrictions on soldiers/marines smoking in their off-duty time. The local PX (tiny), sells cigarettes, cigars, chewing tobacco. (Did you know that in World War 1, tobacco was a priority shipment to the troops, just behind ammunition?).

If anyone doubts, that this a "bona fide" operation, you should take notice, that I have an APO (army post office) address. Even though I am too old and too fat for military service, I am working on a US military base, in support of the US military operation here in Iraq, and thus I have APO privileges. You can check the zip code at the post office, or on line, and you will see that it is Taji Base, Iraq.

Hookah tobacco, bowls, charcoal, and accessories are unavailable here in Taji. (I was up at Tall-Afar last year, and the local turkish shop had some tobacco, and coals, but they were substandard, and hugely over-priced. The locals have no shame, in over-charging the Americans who are protecting them). It is true, that hookahs and supplies are available at other places around Iraq, but not here in Taji.

I am sure that there are many people who have a spare bowl, or some tobacco flavor they don't like, or a spare hose, that they could put in a box, and send here throught the APO mail, for the troops. Some of the online retail stores have donated some items, one even sent a three-hose hookah.

If there is anything I can do, to confirm my "bona fides", please let me know. I can give you character references, you can call my dad toll-free, and you can check at your local masonic lodge.

I have been to Taji (worked for WSI) I have smoked at the Fire station (as well as Tall-Afar) and I can tell you, I have talked to the soldiers in these places (even offered the hose to them) and was told ALL OVER the country that the US soldiers cannot smoke the hookah(on duty or off) due to military regs.

I have been to Taji, Tall-Afar, Q-West, Mosul, Tirkrit, Baghdad, etc....and I can say that I have never found a place where you can't get a hookah on base at a "Haji shop". As far as overpriced.....$20 for a cheap hookah (that smokes well) and $1 for a box of baccy is not to expensive at all. If you find a local trying to screw you and overcharging....hit the next shop. Even if these guys get their hands on a hookah, they can't bring it home. Another military reg is that you cannot send home a used pipe....

I'm sorry man, I just don't buy it. I did my time in Hell, but I never had a hard time getting my smoke on...ANYWHERE. I have seen the PX at Taji, its not "tiny" by Iraq standards. The travelling 40foot Connex PX that stops by once a week is tiny. Shit, Mosul has a PX thats like a mini WalMart.

Dude, I really don't mean to flame you but using the Troops as an excuse to get a better hookah and baccy is low. Just find an online shop that ships to APO's (I think MNH does) and just order better shit. Please don't ask us to send shit to the Troops when they can't have it.....

Who do you work for? WSI, KBR, LSI?

[Canon]

I have been to Taji (worked for WSI) I have smoked at the Fire station (as well as Tall-Afar) and I can tell you, I have talked to the soldiers in these places (even offered the hose to them) and was told ALL OVER the country that the US soldiers cannot smoke the hookah(on duty or off) due to military regs.

I have been to Taji, Tall-Afar, Q-West, Mosul, Tirkrit, Baghdad, etc....and I can say that I have never found a place where you can't get a hookah on base at a "Haji shop". As far as overpriced.....$20 for a cheap hookah (that smokes well) and $1 for a box of baccy is not to expensive at all. If you find a local trying to screw you and overcharging....hit the next shop. Even if these guys get their hands on a hookah, they can't bring it home. Another military reg is that you cannot send home a used pipe....

people bring back hookahs all the time from their deployments. and theres no reg saying you cannot smoke out of the hookah in the air force. i cant speak fro other branches though.

[cemab4y]

I have been to Taji (worked for WSI) I have smoked at the Fire station (as well as Tall-Afar) and I can tell you, I have talked to the soldiers in these places (even offered the hose to them) and was told ALL OVER the country that the US soldiers cannot smoke the hookah(on duty or off) due to military regs.

==>I have been in Iraq for two years, and US troops can smoke hookah. I have smoked with some of the guys. They smoke cigarettes, cigars, and a lot of them dip chewing tobacco and snuff.

I have been to Taji, Tall-Afar, Q-West, Mosul, Tirkrit, Baghdad, etc....and I can say that I have never found a place where you can't get a hookah on base at a "Haji shop". As far as overpriced.....$20 for a cheap hookah (that smokes well) and $1 for a box of baccy is not to expensive at all. If you find a local trying to screw you and overcharging....hit the next shop. Even if these guys get their hands on a hookah, they can't bring it home. Another military reg is that you cannot send home a used pipe....

==> There are no local shops here that the civilians and military can patronize. I have only been in Taji, for a couple of weeks, but this is what my security people told me. And you can mail a hookah home to the USA, in the APO mail, as long as it is clean and free of residue. I am a certified APO mail handler. This is my third assigment in Iraq, and when I get a transfer, I mail my personal items to myself in the APO mail. Never had a problem mailing a hookah in country, and never had a problem mailing one to the USA.

I'm sorry man, I just don't buy it. I did my time in Hell, but I never had a hard time getting my smoke on...ANYWHERE. I have seen the PX at Taji, its not "tiny" by Iraq standards. The travelling 40foot Connex PX that stops by once a week is tiny. Shit, Mosul has a PX thats like a mini WalMart.

==>I spent my last three months in Afghanistan, and I think the PX here at Taji, is small. Depends on your yardstick. The PX at Tall'Afar, had more square feet of space and more goods than the little PX here.

Dude, I really don't mean to flame you but using the Troops as an excuse to get a better hookah and baccy is low. Just find an online shop that ships to APO's (I think MNH does) and just order better shit. Please don't ask us to send shit to the Troops when they can't have it.....

==> I have been collecting items for the troops for over two years. Thousands of dollars worth of soap, toothpaste, candy, beef jerky, video game cartridges, DVDs, etc. 100% of the items I have collected have gone to the troops. I have been sent and distributed hookah tobacco before. You should know the kind of money that civilians are making here, so there is no need for me to 'scam' my fellow smokers, or use the troops just to get a new hookah, I order my personal items on line all the time. I am a Mason, and the masonic lodges back in the USA send me all kinds of items for distribution here, 100% of the items go to the troops. (one time I gave a case of toothpaste to the local employees, their bad breath was getting out of hand). I am also a veteran (US Air Force 1973-1978), and I respect the sacrifices that our people are making over here. To use these fine men and women in some kind of scam, is like spitting on the uniform. I have more respect for myself, and for our troops than that.

Who do you work for? WSI, KBR, LSI?

==>I am proud to work for ITT industries, I am on a telecommunications engineering project here.

[HarryTheHookaMaster]

I have been to Taji (worked for WSI) I have smoked at the Fire station (as well as Tall-Afar) and I can tell you, I have talked to the soldiers in these places (even offered the hose to them) and was told ALL OVER the country that the US soldiers cannot smoke the hookah(on duty or off) due to military regs.

==>I have been in Iraq for two years, and US troops can smoke hookah. I have smoked with some of the guys. They smoke cigarettes, cigars, and a lot of them dip chewing tobacco and snuff.

I have been to Taji, Tall-Afar, Q-West, Mosul, Tirkrit, Baghdad, etc....and I can say that I have never found a place where you can't get a hookah on base at a "Haji shop". As far as overpriced.....$20 for a cheap hookah (that smokes well) and $1 for a box of baccy is not to expensive at all. If you find a local trying to screw you and overcharging....hit the next shop. Even if these guys get their hands on a hookah, they can't bring it home. Another military reg is that you cannot send home a used pipe....

==> There are no local shops here that the civilians and military can patronize. I have only been in Taji, for a couple of weeks, but this is what my security people told me. And you can mail a hookah home to the USA, in the APO mail, as long as it is clean and free of residue. I am a certified APO mail handler. This is my third assigment in Iraq, and when I get a transfer, I mail my personal items to myself in the APO mail. Never had a problem mailing a hookah in country, and never had a problem mailing one to the USA.

I'm sorry man, I just don't buy it. I did my time in Hell, but I never had a hard time getting my smoke on...ANYWHERE. I have seen the PX at Taji, its not "tiny" by Iraq standards. The travelling 40foot Connex PX that stops by once a week is tiny. Shit, Mosul has a PX thats like a mini WalMart.

==>I spent my last three months in Afghanistan, and I think the PX here at Taji, is small. Depends on your yardstick. The PX at Tall'Afar, had more square feet of space and more goods than the little PX here.

Dude, I really don't mean to flame you but using the Troops as an excuse to get a better hookah and baccy is low. Just find an online shop that ships to APO's (I think MNH does) and just order better shit. Please don't ask us to send shit to the Troops when they can't have it.....

==> I have been collecting items for the troops for over two years. Thousands of dollars worth of soap, toothpaste, candy, beef jerky, video game cartridges, DVDs, etc. 100% of the items I have collected have gone to the troops. I have been sent and distributed hookah tobacco before. You should know the kind of money that civilians are making here, so there is no need for me to 'scam' my fellow smokers, or use the troops just to get a new hookah, I order my personal items on line all the time. I am a Mason, and the masonic lodges back in the USA send me all kinds of items for distribution here, 100% of the items go to the troops. (one time I gave a case of toothpaste to the local employees, their bad breath was getting out of hand). I am also a veteran (US Air Force 1973-1978), and I respect the sacrifices that our people are making over here. To use these fine men and women in some kind of scam, is like spitting on the uniform. I have more respect for myself, and for our troops than that.

Who do you work for? WSI, KBR, LSI?

==>I am proud to work for ITT industries, I am on a telecommunications engineering project here.

Why can't you go to the local "Haji shops" on base? Either the situaton has changed in the last year or your security people are pulling your leg. Look around, there are shops on base just for the military and civilians to use. Bases are secure (for the most part) and we had several shops to choose from. If one guy tried to screw with you, we went to BDOC and had his ass shut down (or his next fire inspection did not go well!)...Taji is one of the nicer bases. And yes you can send hookahs home (Idid) but the used ones, I was told, can't be shipped due to residue.
I was told by members of the 101st, 317th, and 411th (all Army) that the military dosen't allow hookah smoking due to how it might look like "illeagal activity". Just what they people in digiflage told me many times. Shit, even the air crew from Ramstien told passed on sharing the pipe for that reason. I spent a year in the sand and never smoked with anyone in the military (I offered countlesstimes)...

I tried to send baccy home. I was told that I can't send it in the mail, I had to carry it in my luggage...but I sent home some Haji Ql's no problems!!!

ITT? all of our IT guys were KBR. Did they lose the contract???
If you ever get to Q-West, stop by the Red Leg for baccy. Get your hookah from 7-11 on the eastside, and stop by the Turkish Mall for tea and say Hi to Big Mike...

I miss the precut foil in boxes.....

[cemab4y]

Why can't you go to the local "Haji shops" on base?

=> I have been to some of them (I have only been on Taji for a week). At my last base (Tall'Afar), there was a small Turkish store on base. The hookas were awful, shabby and crappy, starting at $80 each. I have not yet seen any hookahs for sale on this base.


Either the situaton has changed in the last year or your security people are pulling your leg. Look around, there are shops on base just for the military and civilians to use.

=> I am on the Iraqi side of the base. I am forbidden from going to any shops in town. The little bazaar on the USA side has some bits, but I am singularly unimpressed. I get my hookah supplies from the USA, online.

Bases are secure (for the most part) and we had several shops to choose from.

=> The USA side of this base is secure. But I do not live on the USA side.

If one guy tried to screw with you, we went to BDOC and had his ass shut down (or his next fire inspection did not go well!)...Taji is one of the nicer bases. And yes you can send hookahs home (Idid) but the used ones, I was told, can't be shipped due to residue.
I was told by members of the 101st, 317th, and 411th (all Army) that the military dosen't allow hookah smoking due to how it might look like "illeagal activity". Just what they people in digiflage told me many times. Shit, even the air crew from Ramstien told passed on sharing the pipe for that reason. I spent a year in the sand and never smoked with anyone in the military (I offered countlesstimes)...

=> There is no restriction here, I asked a First Sergeant (a masonic lodge brother). The troops smoke tobacco, virtually without restrictions. We smoked hookah at Tall'Afar.

I tried to send baccy home. I was told that I can't send it in the mail, I had to carry it in my luggage...but I sent home some Haji Ql's no problems!!!

ITT? all of our IT guys were KBR. Did they lose the contract???

=> ITT stands for "International Telephone and Telegraph", see our website at www.itt.com My firm sold several thousand radios to the Iraqi army, and I am here installing them in Iraqi military vehicles and tanks.

"IT" stands for "Information Technology", and KBR is all over Iraq, providing telecommunications and computer services to the US forces. My firm is working with Iraqi forces.


If you ever get to Q-West, stop by the Red Leg for baccy. Get your hookah from 7-11 on the eastside, and stop by the Turkish Mall for tea and say Hi to Big Mike...

I miss the precut foil in boxes.....

=> I will not be doing much in-country traveling on this project. I am going to be working 12 hours a day, 6 days a week.

I hope this project goes well. The sooner we can hand over military operations to the Iraqis, the sooner our troops can start coming home.

[HarryTheHookaMaster]

Why can't you go to the local "Haji shops" on base?

=> I have been to some of them (I have only been on Taji for a week). At my last base (Tall'Afar), there was a small Turkish store on base. The hookas were awful, shabby and crappy, starting at $80 each. I have not yet seen any hookahs for sale on this base.


Either the situaton has changed in the last year or your security people are pulling your leg. Look around, there are shops on base just for the military and civilians to use.

=> I am on the Iraqi side of the base. I am forbidden from going to any shops in town. The little bazaar on the USA side has some bits, but I am singularly unimpressed. I get my hookah supplies from the USA, online.

Bases are secure (for the most part) and we had several shops to choose from.

=> The USA side of this base is secure. But I do not live on the USA side.

If one guy tried to screw with you, we went to BDOC and had his ass shut down (or his next fire inspection did not go well!)...Taji is one of the nicer bases. And yes you can send hookahs home (Idid) but the used ones, I was told, can't be shipped due to residue.
I was told by members of the 101st, 317th, and 411th (all Army) that the military dosen't allow hookah smoking due to how it might look like "illeagal activity". Just what they people in digiflage told me many times. Shit, even the air crew from Ramstien told passed on sharing the pipe for that reason. I spent a year in the sand and never smoked with anyone in the military (I offered countlesstimes)...

=> There is no restriction here, I asked a First Sergeant (a masonic lodge brother). The troops smoke tobacco, virtually without restrictions. We smoked hookah at Tall'Afar.

I tried to send baccy home. I was told that I can't send it in the mail, I had to carry it in my luggage...but I sent home some Haji Ql's no problems!!!

ITT? all of our IT guys were KBR. Did they lose the contract???

=> ITT stands for "International Telephone and Telegraph", see our website at www.itt.com My firm sold several thousand radios to the Iraqi army, and I am here installing them in Iraqi military vehicles and tanks.

"IT" stands for "Information Technology", and KBR is all over Iraq, providing telecommunications and computer services to the US forces. My firm is working with Iraqi forces.


If you ever get to Q-West, stop by the Red Leg for baccy. Get your hookah from 7-11 on the eastside, and stop by the Turkish Mall for tea and say Hi to Big Mike...

I miss the precut foil in boxes.....

=> I will not be doing much in-country traveling on this project. I am going to be working 12 hours a day, 6 days a week.

I hope this project goes well. The sooner we can hand over military operations to the Iraqis, the sooner our troops can start coming home.

Amen to that!

No shit...you are not a part of the Halliburton/KBR custerfuck??? I thought they had the monopoly on the whole party...

Damn, living on the Iraqi side? thats rough. I can only speak for the US side of the fence. We had life good. Are you able to send baccy out since you are on the Iraqi side? I miss the $10 cartons of Double Apple!! How long have you got to go???

The Iraqis that I ran into (we trained the Iraqi firefighters on base) were pretty cool as long as you don't insult them (which sometimes can be easy to do!) Thier cuisine is rather interesting and good (goat meat rocks!)...they cut me a great deal on some Persian rugs after smoking a hookah with them. (watch out for the green tea- tastes like grass clippings!) Overall. it was a good experience...I would love to go back!

[cemab4y]

There are many USA companies working here, my last firm was UNISYS. See www.unisys.com I worked a data collection project, and I had one hell of a good time. Life here on the Iraqi side is not bad. I have a decent trailer, the food served in our company chow hall is decent. (No desserts or ice cream yet). I have APO privileges, just like any other civilian contractor. I have never sent any tobacco to the USA, I either smoked it up myself, or gave it to one of the soldiers at my local rec hall.

I spent a year in Saudi Arabia, so I have a good insight into the Arab personality. The Iraqi civilians we have on this project look to be real sharp, so far.

I did a short term contract in Afghanistan back in 2004, and I ate goat for the first time. The Nepalese guards killed the goat, and made curry there in our camp, I liked it!

I do not drink anything except what is made in our chow hall, with bottled water. I have had some of the green tea in Saudi, and it is OK.

We have concrete bunkers to climb into, if there is a rocket or mortar attack. I have my flak-vest and kevlar helmet, yesterday we had a drill. Our company camp is located a good distance from the USA base, but there is always a chance that a mortar round could be mis-aimed and land here.

[gaia.plateau]

The locals have no shame, in over-charging the Americans who are protecting them.

Oh man, that was excellent, was belly-laughing for at least 5 minutes. So much sincere, serious buildup, and then a fantasticly ridiculous punchline. Comedy Gold, my hat is off to you, a master of your art.

Edit: still giggling profusely. Edited March 22, 2008 by gaia.plateau

[sheeshabum]

wouldnt hookahs be readily available in Iraq anyways... unless they already bombed all the hookah factories...

Alright, now I AM pissed off! Its not the first time that I wanted to make a reply, only to find that "BohowildChild" has said exactly what I wanted to write!
Sheeshabum

This was my first response. Sounds like we'd be sending coals to Newcastle. And more expensive coal at that since anyone traveling to the Middle East boasts that hookahs are a fraction of the price they are in the West. And that's assuming the request is legit in the first place which I'm not quite ready to do.

'Rani

[cemab4y]

BUMP

[nat3r]

hi im nate
im in the US
anyone want to send me their used hookahs?
i can tell you FOR SURE they will be put to good use, by yours truely

[fedaykin]

I just got back from Iraq about 3 weeks ago. I'm a marine, was running out of Camp Fallujah.

there is no rule against service members smoking hookah. there is rules against smoking in the rooms you live in while your at camp fallujah. but you can go outside to smoke, or just lock your door. I smoked hookah everyday we were back in the rear at CF. They sell hookahs on base at the iraqi shops, there is no reason why you can't smoke over there.

[cemab4y]

I don't know where people got the idea, that the American troops here in Iraq cannot use tobacco, and smoke hookah. That is too weird. I am at an isolated, Iraqi base, and we are restricted to the camp, it is absolutely forbidden to go into the town. If any of leave the "wire" we will be terminated and sent home. There is no Iraqi shop here at Camp Taji.

I have to order hookah supplies in the mail, and have them delivered in the APO mail. Sometimes I share with the local Iraqis who work here, they are terrific people, and they are literally risking their lives to work with the Americans.

[cemab4y]

American troops smoking hookah in Iraq:

http://www.hookahculture.com/SF.html