Marines are "unwelcome intruders"
February 1st, 2008 by Admin
So says the Berkely City Council. On January 29, the City Council passed a resolution advising the Marine Corps that "the Marine recruiting office is not welcome in our city, and if recruiters choose to stay, they do so as uninvited and unwelcome intruders."
But the resolution doesn't stop there. It also encourages "all people to avoid cooperation with the Marine Corps recruiting station, and applaud residents and organizations such as Code Pink, that may volunteer to impede, passively or actively, by nonviolent means, the work of any military recruiting office located in the City of Berkeley." You heard me right. An American city is fighting against the people who are fighting for their freedoms. All because of a policy that has NOTHING to do with the Marine Corps – Don't Ask, Don't Tell. They're pissed off that gays are not allowed in the military so they're attacking Marines and, by extension, every servicemember. Instead of hailing them for the heroes they are, the Council instead derided them publicly.
Military recruiters are sales people known to lie to and seduce minors and young adults into contracting themselves into military service with false promises regarding jobs, job training, education and other benefits. Many enlisted persons never see the benefits they are promised and find out they are not eligible for the educational benefits due to loopholes and they did not receive the training promised or it did not qualify them for jobs outside the military.
You're not reading an OpEd or an internet blog piece. This is an actul, public record, city council resolution. Instead of attacking our elected officials who have done nothing to abolish the law, they attack the very people who are required to abide by it.
This resolution also effective imposes censorship upon the Marine Corps and people of Berkeley, California. Why is it okay for the anti-war loonies in the city to speak their minds and protest at will – even resorting to blatant lies themselves – but the Marines must leave because of their convictions which are guaranteed under our constitution. At least the city manager of Berkeley has some modicum of intelligence when he added to the resolution, saying, "it is unlikely that the City has the ability to enforce Chapter 13.28 against the United States military." I would have to emphatically agree since the resolution is itself unconstitutional.
Think this is wrong? Let 'em know it:
CONTACT PERSON
Steve Freedkin, Chairperson, Peace and Justice Commission, (510) 595-4626
Robert Meola, Peace and Justice Commission, (510) 644-1102
Manuel Hector Jr., Secretary, Peace and Justice Commission, (510) 981-5110
Berzerkely Gone Normal! Attack the USMC!…
These Berzerkly pink-frilled anti-Americanists are the idiots who want us to retreat from Iraq because we are killing their friends. They hate the military and the GOP and Israel. And love illegal immigrants. They all should move to Iraq….
Apperently, Sen. Jim DeMint from SC is pushing back – if Berkley is proposing this BS then they should have gov't funding pulled from the town – Oohrah Sen. DeMint!
CJ, I freely admit, I may not be the smartest individual. Your title is based on the actions of the "good people" of Berkely City Council. The members of the City Council have asked the Marine Corps to remove the recruiters office from "their" town. Am I on target? Now if a problem were to develop in this "good town", would they not expect the Military to help? Is it not also true, that this "good council" and "good town" reside in a County and State of this Nation? Is it also not true, that these people have a responsibility to this Nation? I am saying we need people to help on all levels of government. We all must make some sacrifice for this GREAT COUNTRY! There are many places just like this. NOW, THE BIG QUESTION JUST WHO ARE THE "UNWELCOME INTRUDERS"? Are they the Marine Recruiters doing their duty or are they the people of this "good town and its council", not doing theirs? CJ, your years of wisdom and insight would be greatly appreciated.
Grumpy
PS. Albert Einstein would ask a question of his students, "Are you smart enough to be dumb or dumb enough to be smart?" Hint, the answer is a simple one word answer, yes or no, but don't try to qualify it. I knew some of his students and co-workers over the years.
Grumpy I think that unfortunately there are way too many people who are freeloading in this Great Country of ours and don't believe that THEY have any responsibility or need to sacrifice anything. THEY also believe that THEY should have everything handed to them without any cost. These are the same people who resent the Military and show no respect for the sacrifices that they make. I'm no where near as smart as CJ but my answer to your question is that it is the "good people" and the "good council" who are the Unwelcome Intruders. If you cannot give back to the Country that has sheltered you and given you a wealth of opportunity, then you just simply don't deserve to be part of it. And I know the far left will translate that into "love it or leave it". Tough It's time to put your money where your mouth is and stand for what's right and good and trying to destroy our Country is neither right or good.
Code Pink (puke) has been protesting since they were either students at UC Berzkely or graduates of this institution, or as in the late 1960s teens looking for a new adventure.
Now they are old as I am, however, I still recognize some of them when they protested People's Park, the Viet Nam War, and most anything that was anti Gov Reagan or the people of formally California, now ordaned Disneyland. And since I was a law enforcement officer during those days, I got to know them somewhat on a first name basis.
I think they have the rigth to protest, but I also think that the noble US Marine recruiters should be accorded the right and freedom of association, and speech. Which the Berzerkeites are attempting to take away.
Oh well the beat goes on here in Disneyland however, many of us are used to the protests et al.. Indeed I knew many of the SF Police Tac squad members who mentioned years ago that they go to about 200-225 protests each year.
How does this relate to many of us? We just sort of take the Bay Area the way we find it, and love to live here too. And accept the divergence of people and get out of bed the next day and keep in living and holding tight to our values and view of the world.
I know the Marine Corp won't quit and I hope they continue doing the magnificant job they do.!!!!!
P.Sl Its nice to be retired and not having to deal with Code Puke.
jensad
Commitee of Peace and Justice? Wow, that is pretty funny. There's nothing peaceful or justified about what they are doing. This disgraceful excuse of a resolution is holding their youth back from career opportunities that could be provided by military service.
Oh deliver us please!! Mr Hoops, if your comment wasn't so obviously trying to be filled with your vile hatred, perhaps it might make sense. But alas, who ever you are, you only know one tune and it has gotten old already.
In 2005 San francisco City council refused to grant USS Iowa permanent berth in SF as a museum.
On September 27th, 2007, 204 Marines and soldiers who were returning from Iraq were not allowed into the passenger terminal at Oakland International Airport.Instead they had to deplane about 400 yards away from the terminal where the extra baggage trailers were located.
This was a decision made by the Port of Oakland, not the Department of Defense. This was NOT a matter of keeping them sequestered together until they could be debriefed.
The passengers went through customs in Kuwait, where their flight originated. This is standard practice for military personnel returning to the States and is a far more rigorous screening than anything the TSA does to civilian passengers.
They were flying into Oakland on a chartered commercial jet, not a military one. This is also standard practice.
The troops were allowed off the plane both in Leipzig, Germany and at JFK in New York.
Remember a few years ago when Congress threatened to withhold state's portion of federal gasoline sales taxes unless said states enforced a strict 55 MPH speed limit?
Why don't the Feds withhold federal money from any municipality that treats our military with disrespect and downright ignorance?
note: Marines/Oakland story courtesy amandarin.net
Hoop,
Do yourself and the rest a favor and take an actual look at the history. The times between now and Viet Nam are like night and day. There was a guy that I knew during that time which may help explain many things. As you well know, at that time, we had the draft. There were ways to get out of the draft pool. Those things could be college, marriage or "Conscientous Objector Status." This meant you had real proven issues with the taking of human life.
He applied for "Conscientous Objector Status" and got it. The day he got his letter confirming his status, I was there and was an eyewitness. He said to me, "I'm going to get quiet, I know you'll be leaving for basic training in a short time. Can you cut me some space, before you leave, so we can talk?" I said, "Sure." As I walk out of the house, his father is standing there. I look at him and ask, "What is going on?" He simply shrugged his shoulders and said, "I don't know either. But I will respect any choice he makes because he has earned it." The father was a highly decorated, high ranking soldier with a rather colorful honorable history. The son called me and asked me to come over. I went over, the father answered the door, the son came into the living room. He quietly said, "I've decided to enlist into the Army as a "Field Medic." To say I was shocked was an understatement. His Father didn't take it any better than I did, Mom knew something was up and just relax. The Father asked about the need for the draft status. The son just talked about the need for balance in his life. The draft status had shown accountability for convictions of faith. The enlistment had shown an accountability for his responsibility to this Nation.
The issues noted in this comment happened within days of 40 years ago. Then about 10 years ago, the son decided it was time retire. His Father was still alive with his Mother, they were both in their upper 90's. Both parents were extremely proud of their son. The service had taken its toll on his body. It wasn't long after his retirement, about a year, Mom passed away. Later, Dad spent the time with the Son talking. Then came the time when his Father simply said, "I really don't know how to say this." The Son said, "Do you need to say it?" The old man just began to really relax. The Father got up from the dining room table and carefully walked to his favorite chair' on the way the Son gave Dad a Military hug with a handshake. After this the Son helped his Dad into his chair. Dad then asked his Son to get him a glass of water. I was there at the request of the Father. As the Son left the room, Dad looked at me and shook his head, no and motioned for me to sit down and relax. He put his head down and passed away. The Son had already known what was going on, but respected his Father wishes and did not intervene. The Father and the Son had some agreements on how things were to be done established in writing. Other veterans became involved in helping him through the many processes. The time between the two deaths was about 1 month. He is meeting all of the legal and financial responsibilities, getting the old house fixed up to live in as well as the rest of his life.
It wasn't long, he was in a local deli, this young guy comes up to Him and asks, "Now that you out of the Military, what are you going to be doing?" The Son replied, "Young man, from what they tell me, my dues are paid in full for the rest of my life. When do you plan to start paying your dues?"
NOTE: THIS WHOLE COMMENT REFLECTS THE TIMES NOTED. IT WAS A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT WORLD!
Grumpy
Great story Grumpy! Thanks for sharing it. I fully agree that the times are so different and cannot in any way be compared and thought similar. With one exception. There was little support from home for the Soldiers and Marines fighting in that war, and there is little support for our Soldiers and Marines in this war.
In previous wars, America supported its fighting men and women and stood behind them and sacrificed right along with them. The struggles of the Soldier and their family were born by every one. Now, people go through their day with out a thought of the Soldier or Marine laying his or her life on the line so that they can hit up Starbucks and have their double mocha frappiccino with out worrying that a car bomb will explode on their way there.
Many of the people protesting today are just the same recycled hippies of yesterday, and their children, who want to relive their glory days and teach their children that hating the Government is more important than supporting their country. Which is a shame because the kids have no clue as to what is really going on and only listen to the lies their protesting hate filled parents tell them, and then jump on the band wagon of the Hollywood morons.
And yes I know this from first hand experience. One local kid who organized a protest actually said, "I thought it would be fun to do what they did in the 60's. There's a war, so I think it will be fun to hold a protest." He was 18. He told me that he was doing it to support the troops. The people who showed up, did not support the troops. I challenged him to have people bring items for care packages to the rally. After all if they are supporting the troops, then make an effort. I got the one single grocery bag full of stuff that was collected both at the rally and the support the troops drive he held at the high school combined. Half the items needed to be thrown out because they were expired or not usable by the Soldiers.
Yes the times are different. People now aren't "protesting" the war. They are just hate filled and selfish. They sleep peacefully under the blanket of Freedom that was bought and paid for by an American life and they couldn't care less. They feel they are OWED that right, and are in no way responsible for preserving it. They do not talk to the Soldiers and Marines who's boots are on the ground and they spout lies about what they THINK they know about the war. And they come on blogs and throw their hate around and think they are so smart. A troll is a troll is a troll. No matter what name he goes by. He is still a troll.
Yes but you ignore the fact that most strategists say the Iraq War
only increases the danger at home by increasing anger for America in the
intervened-upon Moslem world. You ignore the Zogby Poll of US troops in Iraq expressing a mediocre belief in the war and you also ignore a rudimentary fact that absence of WMDs and a victory by years end 2003
produces disenchantment. (many Bush officials predicted a cakewalk and a stabilized new government with oil proceeds paying off the war debt by then).
You know, here's the problem with you liberals and more of your flawed logic here. Supposedly our presence in the Middle East is why the terrorists are justified in killing us (you). Yet, we are to welcome illegal aliens into our country with open arms and not get offended when they destroy our customs and try to subvert our traditions. Maybe our "foreign intervention" should just be called a "global insurgency" and you people will be happy with it. As long as there are illegals invading our country, no one should care, right?
Call To Action: Barage SFGate [UPDATED]…
SFGate (Sf Chronicle) has a piece out today in support of the fools that broke the law via trespassing on the Marine Corp Recruiting office thereby disrupting operations of a legally recognized facility….
CJ, if you read the comment when I posted this story as it broke, you will be able to read some great comments. I have been inspired to begin a campaign called "Marines Are Miracles". It is a massive call to all Americans to send post cards, notes, and letters to the USMC in Berkeley. It also includes a call to all Americans to write notes of disgust to the Berkeley City Council. Please visit my website for further information. I will NOT stand back and let the USMC feel this is their battle. They battle the enemy across the globe every day. They should not and WILL not fight it on American soil. Not on my watch! So, all Americans who can take more time than dialing a phone or clogging up the USMC computers, please visit my website to get the addresses of both the USMC and the losers of the BCC. Join my campaign… let's send more letters to this USMC office than the judge did in the movie "Miracle On 34th Street". This is called "The Marines Are Miracles" Ooorah!!!!!
Ken,
Easy question, yes or no: Do you support the Berkeley City Council?
Well Said Pamela Reece, C.J. and all the others who condemn BCC for this nonsense that U.S.M.C. are unwelcome.
Let's move on this now. Get on the phone . Get out those letters and let's start sticking up for the Men's Dept. of the
U.S. Navy.
By the way , Ken Hoop….. Are you an American ?
I support the right of local governing bodies to do whatever they wish in matters related in significant degree to the Iraq War,CJ. If Vermont wishes to bring their NG troops home,as most of their citizens seem to desire, I support their right to bring them home. I seem to have read where anti-war military bloggers were shut down several years ago-do you support that kind of censorship?
Um, Mr Hoop, that kind of thing was settled in 1863. We are ONE NATION and we act as one. I believe there is something on our money that says something similar in case you can't grasp the concept. Individual states and local governments do have rights but not when they supersede the good of the country as a whole.
And for one so concerned with censorship why are you not aghast at the censorship exercised against any news that is good coming out of Iraq so that the people at home actually know what's going on over there and not the distorted view the MSM rams down our throats. It's why people like you talk the way you do. You haven't a clue because you don't talk to people who are there on the ground, and you are so blinded by your childish hatred of one man.
Is this bigotry? Or do they discriminate against all branches of the US Armed forces?
DoubleTapper
DoubleTapper@gmail.com
doubletapper.blogspot.com
Well, Ken, since you can't answer a simple question with a yes or no, I won't answer yours. It was a simple question: Do you support the Berkeley City Council in this resolution? Do you think Marines are "liars" and "uninvited and unwelcome intruders?" Simple yes or no will do. The resolution has nothing to do with bringing troops home. It has to do with defaming Marines' reputation and infringing upon their rights to free speech.
"They" keep saying that we are in Iraq illegally.
Does that mean that the United Nations Mandate authorizing our CURRENT presence in Iraq is an illegal document? You know, the one which has been UNANIMOUSLY authorized and re-authorized by the UN Security Council.
Does that mean that the Currently Elected Iraq Government who have requested our Current Presence, is also illegal?
Who do "They" suggest we turn Iraq over to, Al Sadr?
One MIGHT argue the original invasion was illegal, but how can "THEY" call the Current Presence Illegal?
I think THEY use the extrapolation method!! lol I think, therefore I am. It WAS, therefore it IS.
I rather favor polls of Iraqi majorities in deciding whether we morally occupy Iraq currently, over coerced UN ex post facto "decisions."
And when majorities,since 2004,have registered as approving of insurgent attacks on US troops, provided said attacks don't endanger civilians,
the verdict has long been in. I include CBS, MSNBC, Zogby, Gallup
and sundry other polls taken since 2004.
Collaborating governments with little if any extra-Green Zone power and whose members fear retribution upon US departure are no substitute
for poll samples, which indicate only the Kurds enjoy US presence.
I take no position on the Berkeley council action. EG,I oppose abortion rights, excepting only rape and incest and believe the issue should be up to the states. Which means if New York decides on a pro-abort set of laws in a state wherein I do not reside, I take no position on it.
Ken, at least you gave me a partial answer. Does that mean we should take a poll in Israel to see if the Jews want to stay there?
Please note, that the polls you talk about are not exactly representative. In 2004, few pollsters had actually set foot outside of their "safe" havens. I trust the people on the ground not the biased CBS, MSNBC, NYT. Was Saddam actually supported by all of the people who "voted" for him in his last "re-election"?
Do you think any of the "polls" were influenced by the accusation that we were going to steal their Oil?
But let's say that your numbers were representative back in 2004, and suppose they are representative now also … does that mean the rule of law is to be suspended so mob rule can take over?
I ask AGAIN, who do we turn Iraq over to, if not the elected government?
The Iraqi overwhelming majority does not consider an oppressive and ineffectual occupation to constitute "rule of law" and your a priori imperialist attitude is the kind which dooms troops to interminable no-win war.
As for Israel after the right of return in granted to all Palestinian families expelled in 1948 with deed to the land, a plebiscite should be held as to
how the area in question should be governed. American foreign aid should be cut off. The majority will then decide the answer to your question.
Your comment was deleted by CJ because it has NOTHING to do with topic and you stray into the world of crazy. For the record, though, we are NOT occupying Iraq any longer. We are there as guests assisting at the request of the sovereign Iraqi government.
NPR reporter says Iraq remains `in shambles'
Wednesday, February 06, 2008
BY SARA WAISANEN
swaisanen@kalamazoogazette.com
KALAMAZOO — Prospects are dim for the U.S. military to get out of Iraq anytime soon, National Public Radio foreign correspondent Deborah Amos told an audience Tuesday at Western Michigan University.
Amos, who covers Iraq for NPR, also said our focus has largely strayed from the conflict there. "The discussion of Iraq isn't as clear as it should be," Amos said during a talk at WMU's Shaw Theatre.
"The economy has seized us," she said. "We've forgotten about Iraq."
Amos, who spends most of her time in the Middle East, said she was surprised to see that Iraq was ranked fifth among top issues identified by people in Florida during the presidential primary.
"Nine hundred seventy-three fatalities later … and the war is no longer the most pressing issue in the presidential campaign," she said. "Iraqis are no closer to reconciliation than the first day we were there."
Amos said that many Iraqis capable of transforming the country have left. "Two million people have fled Iraq," which she described as "still in shambles."
The NPR correspondent described witnessing Iraqis watching helplessly as neighbors get taken away by armed men. "You could get blown up by a car bomb or just disappear," she said of dangers people there face.
Iraqis don't anticipate the war ending for at least a decade, Amos said.
"The picture she paints is really hopeless," Kalamazoo College Interim Provost Jan Tobochnik said Tuesday after listening to Amos. "We're going to be in there for a long, long time."
Max Clark, a WMU senior majoring in political science and creative writing, said he thinks it will take a catastrophe to generate more concern among Americans. "We would need either a backslide in violence or a collapse in the military," Clark said.
This description begs little extrapolation. No reconciliation, no government
worthy of the name. Insurgent/civil war with out end means no governing
worrthy of the name.
Congratulations, Ken!! you've succeeded in finding more pessimistic news. I'd hate to be married to you or have you as a friend. I hope you aren't in contact with Soldiers on a daily or regular basis. Hanging around you would most likely be a reason the suicide rate is so high today. I wonder if you even know how to smile? Of course you do, silly me. You smile every time bad news comes out of Iraq.
I wonder if THIS has anything to do with your article? Don't you think you should be damning Iran instead of your own country? That is, if you ARE an American…
"Insurgent/civil war with out end means no governing
worrthy of the name."
There isn't a civil war in Iraq, nor has one ever started.