Status: U Return-Path: Received: from mail.papermoneyworld.net ([207.3.91.49]) by niles.mail.mindspring.net (Earthlink Mail Service) with SMTP id u1i881.uqf.37kbi1o for ; Thu, 13 Dec 2001 16:43:29 -0500 (EST) Subject: MPC GRAM Precedence: bulk Sender: mpcgram-owner@mail.papermoneyworld.net From: mpcgram-owner@mail.papermoneyworld.net (List Server) Date: Thu, 13 Dec 101 15:14:02 CDT Message-Id: <10112131514.AA37067BA@mail.papermoneyworld.net> Reply-To: mpcgram@mail.papermoneyworld.net Date: Thu, 13 Dec 2001 10:22:04 -0800 (PST) From: MPCgram Subject: MPCGram 511 Reply-To: mpcgram@mail.papermoneyworld.net ============================================== MPC Gram ============================================== Covering the Entire World of Military Numismatics ---------------------------------------------- Series 003-Number 511 Thurski, December 13, 2001 Military Slot Machine Tokens (Again)? >From the Washington Post submitted by Howard Daniel I found the following in today's Washington Post. It is difficult to believe we are wasting tax dollars on such studies. In all of my active duty, I had only two or three troops with gambling "problems" and we took care of them without asking assistance from the Army, government or anyone else. I wish Congress would start treating our military (and public) like adults and not like they are our parents who need to guide us in every action of our lives! But the story raises a question for me. "Are there any tokens being used by our military personnel in those 8,000 slot machines?" Gambling Not a Danger To Military, Study Finds (Associated Press article on pages A6 and 7 in December 2, 2001, The Washington Post) The Defense Department has concluded that thousands of slot machines on U.S. military bases overseas pose no significant harm to the morale or finances of American troops. The Pentagon spent more than six months sytudying slot machines for a report ordered by Congress. Investigators acknowledged "isolated instances where slot machine use had a negative impact on specific individuals." But the report said military personnel stationed at overseas bases that offer slot machines experience fewer instances of financial problems than do those stationed in the United States. The report offers no theory as to why that is the case. The military operated 8,000 slot machines at 94 overseas bases and posts. The report said the department will take new steps to ensure access the machines is restricted to people 18 and older who are eligible to participate in military recreation programs. Rep. Roscoe G. Bartlett (R-Md.) who wrote legislation requiring the study, said he accepts the conclusion but believes troubling questions remain. "I am concerned that this study shows that more than half of junior enlisted troops report they experience financial problems each year," said Bartlett, chairman of the House Armed Services Committee's panel on morale, welfare and recreation. "Slot machines may not be the cause," he said, "but too many of our service people, especially the youngest and most junior, are in financial distress." The Pentagon report, delivered to lawmakers last month, says slot machines are a means of recreation for service members and provide an important source of revenue for building and operating youth centers, clubs, gold courses, bowling centers, cabins, marinas and car washes. Military personnel and civilian employees poured roughly $1.2 billion into the machines in 1999. More than 92 percent of the money is returned to the players as winnings. The remainder - some $127 million in 1999 - is kept by the military as revenue for its "morale, welfare and recreation" activities. A 1998 health survey by the Defense Department found 2.2 per cent of military personnel had experienced at least three gambling-related problems in their lifetime, classified as "probably pathological gambling." About 1.5 percent of American adults are pathological gamblers, according to a 1999 survey done for the National Gambling Impact Study Commission. Computer Intervention By Larry “Computerski” Smulczenski An awful thing happened to me a week ago. I had just finished typing the Thurski column with my one finger, one thumb typing style and sent it off to the Gram. After leaning back in my computer chair and stretching to relax my tired muscles, I clicked on the button to check my email. About nine new messages showed up, most of them garbage, special travel deals, discounts on Christmas gifts, and a couple of new credit card offers. Right in the middle of this junk was an email from someone I thought I remembered as a seller I did business with on Ebay. The subject block read "1/6 mark token voucher." I perked up real quick. I remembered winning one of these items on Ebay and asking the seller to let me know if she ever ran across any more of these items. These "tokens" are approximately three inches square and were issued as scrip change in clubs, restaurants, and canteens in Germany after the war. Tom Warburton and I had discussed these items and he said he remembered using them in the early occupation years when he was part of the BAOR (British Army of the Rhine). His recollection was that they were denominated in the cost of a cup of tea and that most of the places were operated or at least affiliated with NAAFI. I only have the one piece, therefore I was excited that this might be an offer of others. I quickly clicked on the message and was surprised when there was nothing in the body of the message. However, there was an icon indicating that there was an attachment. I thought surely that the sender must have sent me scans of the wonderful items that she was offering. I clicked on the icon and commanded it be opened. What a mistake that turned out to be! Again there was nothing there. I closed the screen and looked at the label on the icon which said it contained 29K. What had I done? I quickly addressed a reply to the sender telling her that her message was blank. Within minutes a reply came back from a message center announcing that the address had been closed because it was infected by a virus. It described the virus as one that infects a computer and then attaches itself to email addresses and sends to the virus to people you have corresponded with. I noticed my computer was beginning to "churn"--the tower was making a lot of noise as if it was processing a lot of data. I tried to exit my email but the computer wouldn't respond. I tried to shut it down but again nothing happened. I pushed the button on the tower, still nothing. As a last resort, I cut off power by hitting the master switch on the surge protector. I was at a loss. If I investigated further, my computer might be infecting my friends. I had no choice, but to pull the plugs and take it to my local computer repair shop and say "Fix it." So here I sit a week later, my computer still hasn't been fixed and I'm sitting here writing this Thurski long hand. Hopefully I'll be able to find a friend or a neighbor that will let me use their computer to type up this warning. Do as I say, not as I did. Think twice before you open those attachments. ============================================== Editorial ---------------------------------------------- The above story from Howard Daniel is the missing story that caused problems last week (or was it the week before that?) Once again, we are sorry about the confusion and everyone’s subscription is extended three issues because of the mistakes made at headquarters. ============================================== Mail Call ---------------------------------------------- Dear Editor, I suppose you will get a blizzard of emails on this. And I am not sure why you didn't answer. Just in case. NDP is Night Defensive Position. While I am here. A word about a pet peeve of mine. Like many of us, I see many stories via email. Many seem a little too good to be true - and probably are. One has to be very cautious about accepting unsubstantiated emails. There is a lot of imaginative embellishment going on. This is a good story, but has many questionable aspects. The author (a tanker) can't spell bustle. I can't imagine anyone without dog tags. And so on. The other recent story off the Internet was the explanation of the one dollar bill. This was so far out in fantasy land that I am surprised the Gram published this work of fiction. Perhaps the Editor [erstwhile?] needs to have a little talk with the Manager of the Fact Checking Department. Perhaps withhold some holiday bonuses. Warner Dear Editor, Re-sending gram 501 would make sense, but calling it 504 doesn't. Are we going to get a "new" 504? Don Dear Don, Boy, you guys do not let us get away with anything! The 501/504 fiasco is now fixed with the publication of the lead story from Daniel. We are considering skipping the 600s completely just to inflate our statistics. Or possibly we should skip all of the even numbers for awhile since we are all odd. Editor ================================================ Departments ------------------------------------------------- Calendar of events for Gramsters maintained by Howard Daniel, Nancy and John Wilson and Gram staff, last updated September 7, 2001 show reports are requested on all events. Even if it was not a great show, there must be something to report. What and whom did you see? Market activity? Share your observations and thoughts with Gramsters everywhere. ---------------------------------------------------- Special "MPC" events March 2002 8-10 - MPCFest III - reservations in order received: Guido Crapanzano, Harold Kroll, Larry Smulczenski, Gary "Got any fours" Hicks, Tom Warburton, David Seelye, Jack Lippincot, Phil Goldstein, Warner Talso, Nick Schrier, Richard Freyser, Tom Koch, Mark Watson, Bill Yanchick, Doug Bell, Sam Feeback, Bruce Potter, Elmer Smith, Marv Mericle, Wes and Rod Hardy, Marcus Turner, Gene Ryanwood, Fred Schwan {running total 24}] [missing “old” Festers: Dan Swartz, Leo May, Al Glaser, Kevin Maloy (did I forget someone?), come on guys, give us your reservation] Three airports are reasonably available for the Fest. In order of proximity they are: Toledo Cleveland Detroit (Metro) All three are reasonable. If you can arrive early enough AND coordinate it well ahead, every attempt will be made to pick you up at the airport to save on rental cars. Festers are encouraged to coordinate among themselves for rides. We will also run notices in the Gram and, finally, we will try to coordinate for Festers to run pickups from Fest central. June 29 to July 5 W.W.II numismatics seminar at ANA Summer Seminar, July 2002 Session I (June 29 through July 5, 2002) Session II (Sunday, July 7 through Thursday, July 11, 2002) general events will return soon --------------------------------------------------- Donations are now being accepted for scholarships to the 2002 "Military Money" course at the 2002 ANA Summer Seminar. Inquiries and donations should be sent to: Military Numismatists c/o Marcus Turner 8103 East US Highway 36 Suite 163 Avon, IN 46123 Donors to 2002 Scholarship Fund Steve Feller Harold Kroll R. A. Medina Guido Crapanzano David Seelye Leo May Warner Talso Marv Mericle Mark Watson Gail Baker ==================================================== Post/Base Exchange (PX/BX/NEX) Dump your dupes! Your classified advertisement for items for sale will be run here for free. Send your ads to the gram. This service is for everyone, most humble dealer or most advanced collector. The point is to make the gram more interesting. Send in a list of items for sale and we will list them here in the gram. In all cases confirm your order via email first. SPECIAL NOTICE We are in a mad final push to complete the fourth edition of our MPC bible! We can and will have it to the printer before Christmas! The resources section is one of the major areas where work is needed. Place your advertisement now! If you ordered an ad in the past and we have not spoken about it recently, please confirm. This is your chance to get your message to thousands of collectors and dealers world wide. With an advertisement in The Comprehensive Catalog of Military Payment Certificates you will receive many extras (these may change over time): listing in the Hot Contact List every month in the Bank Note Reporter, in the book itself, at papermoneyworld and probably right here in the Gram. Here is what is available: Inside back cover, one spot $1900* Last page $1700 Full page in resources section $750 Three quarter page $550 Half page $500 Quarter page $400 *full color available for this position. Monthly payment option available. Make your reservation now! FOR SALE Series 661 $5.00 CH. UNC $25.00 postpaid insured for domestic delivery. Series 472 5 Cent CH. UNC $15.00 postpaid insured for domestic delivery. Series 541 5 Cent CH. UNC $15.00 postpaid insured for domestic delivery. coinman@rochester.rr.com WANTED Collectors may submit lists of items wanted for their collections for listing here. Dealers and collectors who have these items are then encouraged to list them or sale in the above section. This is a trial, if you like it, send your list. =================================================== Staff: publisher and editor: Fred Schwan - MPCGram@Yahoo.com; assistant editor - Phil Goldstein IWANTMYMPC@aol.com distribution manager - Brad Peacock bp22@swbell.net Tuesday columnist Joe Boling – JoeBoling@aol.com Thurski columnist Larry “Ski” Smulczenski –ski@papermoneyworld.net critic: Harold Kroll - MPCKid@papermoneyworld.net fact checker: Warner Talso index manager: Ed Beaman webmaster & technical advisor: Doug Bell - (Wiz): doug@papermoneyworld.net; The Boss: Judy Schwan ===== MPC Gram is published by BNR Press and papermoneyworld.com as a free service to the community of military money collectors. Your suggestions, criticisms, complaints, editorial contributions, letters, and even praise are very welcome. The entire contents including linked illustrations are copyright protected by the publishers. In the case of contributors, the copyright is protected on behalf of the creators. Please send all correspondence regarding the gram to MPCgram@yahoo.com. Thank you very much for your participation. __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Check out Yahoo! Shopping and Yahoo! Auctions for all of your unique holiday gifts! Buy at http://shopping.yahoo.com or bid at http://auctions.yahoo.com