West Point sending cadets to NJ for taste of Iraq
4/3/2008, 9:35 a.m. EDT
The Associated Press

WEST POINT, N.Y. (AP) ? Some cadets at the U.S. Military Academy are getting a taste of what Iraq will be like by taking a field trip ? to New Jersey.

Army Maj. Rebecca Patterson says cadets taking her "Winning the Peace" class will spend this weekend in Jersey City, 45 miles south of West Point and across the Hudson River from Manhattan.

Patterson's class provides lessons on opening schools, fixing infrastructure, running elections and training police. She says the course shows cadets that the military is only one factor involved in bringing peace to Iraq.

Jersey City was chosen for its urban setting and diverse population that includes a large Muslim community. Cadets will shadow politicians, police and religious leaders to learn how the city works.

To respond to some of the posts on this thread...

1. Whole Foods is not putting Shop Rite or A&P out of business any time soon. I love Whole Foods, but I agree, for bulk items, it is too expensive.

Places like Shop Rite and A&P don?t care about customer service. Unfortunately that's the way it is always going to be. People shop for convenience and pricing. I agree, if a Wegmans came in, then they would have something to worry about. Another note, I typically shop at A&P which is clean btw, but this week decided to go to Shop Rite and found that it is disgusting in there.

2. Dunkin's are independently owned. The coffee tastes different at each Dunkin, and I have been to many that have run out of Donuts. They don?t care. I wish corporate would have some kind of quality control dept that could keep an eye on the franchises. Like grocery shopping, people go there for price and convenience.

I have only been in Jersey City for about 6 months. In reading all of these posts, there is obviously a lot of animosity toward the local government.

Do all of you who complain about the current administration take any action?

It's discouraging when someone writes, "we're just outnumbered."

If you are a basketball fan, you should make it a point to see this team play live before the season ends. You will find watching these kids play much more exciting than going to a Nets or Knicks game, and you will pay a fraction of the cost for a ticket. They play unselfish team basketball.

They will be playing at 8pm on Friday night at Rutgers, and if they win, again on Monday at IZOD Center.