CJ Send Support To Berkeley Marines
February 3rd, 2008 by CJ
I'm sure the Marines out in Berkeley, CA are facing all kinds of scrutiny and frustration these days. Let's tell them how much we support them by sending them letters and cards of encouragement. Send your letters to:
United States Marine Corps Recruiting
64 Shattuck Square
Berkeley, CA 94704
Make sure you put someone on the envelope something like "We Support You" so they realize it isn't junk mail. Tell them not to cave to idiotic policies and hold strong. These guys have taken beaches and islands, I think they can handle Berkeley!! Please don't call the Station as these Marines are very busy and need their phone lines free to find more patriotic Americans to become "the Few and the Proud". And while you're at it, please spread this petition link to support our Marines as well.
Good Commentary C.J. Grisham. Everyone should get on the phone with Berkeley City Council or write their U. S.
Congressmen and ask " Whose side is Berkeley on? Is it the U.S. side or al – Qaeda's
side ?
I never met a Marine I didn't like.
I'm proud of them and I'd do anything to defend their good name.
MARINES ARE WELCOME IN THE U.S.
This is a sad day for the people of California. Let's move on this. SUPPORT THE TROOPS. WRITE NOW.
Defend the good name of the few and the proud.
Get on the phone with Steve, Robert and Manuel and remind them that you are digusted with BCC decision to DIS the U.S.M.C.
Let's CTC here. Cut the Nonsense. Tell these three gentlemen that you're going to do something about this, if they won't !
Shame on Berkeley .
Respectfully, Thomas Folan
A card will go out Monday!
Excellent!!! Now I know what to do with all those late Valentines' Day cards I got in the mail yesterday… some will go to Da Nephew stationed @ Ft. Sam, and some will go to these awesome Marines!
Flopping Aces has a list of contact numbers for those interested:
Mayor – Tom Bates
2180 Milvia Street, Berkeley, CA 94704
Email: mayor@ci.berkeley.ca.us
TEL: (510) 981-7100
FAX: (510) 981-7199
TDD: (510) 981-6903
Office Hours: Mon-Fri 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
====================
CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
====================
Linda Maio
Phone: (510) 981-7110
FAX: (510) 981-7111
Email: lmaio@ci.berkeley.ca.us
Darryl Moore
Phone: (510) 981-7120
Email: dmoore@ci.berkeley.ca.us
Maxwell Anderson
Phone: (510) 981-7130
Email: manderson@ci.berkeley.ca.us
Dona Spring
Phone: (510) 981-7140
Email: spring@ci.berkeley.ca.us
Laurie Capitelli
Phone: (510) 981-7150
Email: lcapitelli@ci.berkeley.ca.us
Betty Olds
Phone: (510) 981-7160
Email: olds@ci.berkeley.ca.us
Kriss Worthington
Phone: (510) 981-7170
Email: kworthington@ci.berkeley.ca.us
Gordon Wozniak
Phone: (510) 981-7180
Email: GWozniak@ci.berkeley.ca.us
City Auditor
Ann Marie
TEL: (510) 981-6750, TDD: (510) 981-6903
Office Hours: Mon-Fri, 8am-5pm
Email: auditor@ci.berkeley.ca.us
and a petitition by MoveAmericaForward
Ya know, I find this all to be very interesting. I am a Marine getting ready to retire, plus I spent 3 years out there fighting the battle on recruiting duty. I also have gone to Iraq twice. I have no qualms with the actions of the Berkeley city council's actions. I guess that my opinion is somehow indicative of the changes that have taken place within the military. Military people are actually thinking about what we are doing at the behest of the current occupant of the White House. Generals Smedley Butler and David Shoup knew what they were talking about. One should read "War Is A Racket" to get an understanding of what is occurring today. Semper Fidelis.
lexrex.com/en...saracket.htm
I 'm behind the Marines and the whole army. You are truly the few and the proud that we can all look up to and thank every day for our freedom which is fought and won by men and women in uniform who never take it for granted.
And neither do I.
Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Gordon Wozniak is the only councilmember who voted against the terrorist-supporting resolution. So when you email the mayor and city council, remember to thank him for standing up against the traitors.
In California, where polls show 42 percent of Republicans and 91 percent of Democrats oppose U.S. policy in Iraq, strong anti-war sentiment gives the issue staying power.
From a Mercury News piece just out on the status of the war in election priorities. Where are the commentors here who object to a party on the brink of nominating a man who says he would keep troops in Iraq a hundred years rather than listen to the will of the overwhelming majority of Americans who have wanted troops out for more than a year?
Could the Berkeley action be a reaction to an arrogant fascist attitude displayed by so many of the ruling elite?
JD and Ken Hoop, apparently the two of you think we should close down the Marine Corps. Do we disband the Army and the Navy also? They have a don't ask, don't tell policy. They deploy people to Iraq also …
JD, your opinion does not seem to match that of the most of the Marines and Soldiers that I know. My nephew (for one) just came back from Al Anbar Province for the 3rd time. He tells a different story then you tell. Is he a liar? Are all of the other Marines that I know liar's?
JD, you have already posted elsewhere on this site, that you think the Marines are guilty of Murder and War Crimes, furthermore, you apparently think it is more than just a handful of Marines that are doing that. One has to wonder where you served all of those years prior to your planned retirement to have witnessed those terrible things from your fellow Marines. Please, don't use Smedly Butler's name in your HATE SPEACH. I don't think he would appreciate it.
Ken Hoop, you refuse to answer simple questions that have been asked of you in an honest attempt at logical dialogue. You have lost all credibility as far as I am concerned. Who told YOU they were going to keep the troops in Iraq for 100 years? Must be the same ones who think that Bush will keep them there for the next 10 years. Didn't know that we elected Presidents for that long.
JD and Ken Hoop I would respect you and your opinion if you just used actual facts and gave a little respect to the rest of us. As it is, it APPEARS that you are both just Bush Hating and Military Hating bloggers hired by George Soro's or Code Pink.
JD,
The fact that you would side with Berkeley in calling your fellow Marines "liars" and "unwelcome intruders" leads me to believe you retired more than your job as a Marine – you retired the privilege of being called one!!
CJ, Thanks for spreading the word on this story as well as our petition. We will be at the next council meeting on the 12th to deliver the petitions and be heard.
-Ryan Gill, MAF
RKThunder, that's not true. According to the actual resolution, the vote was "Ayes: Unanimous; Absent: Brody, Cohen, Litman, Seaton, Sherman.
I don't see Gordon's name in there as opposing or abstaining from the vote.
BERKELEY BACKS OFF
This is from Army Times:
Berkeley officials look to make amends
The Associated Press
Posted : Tuesday Feb 5, 2008 11:37:13 EST
BERKELEY, Calif. — Two Berkeley City Council members want the city to rescind a declaration that says the Marine recruiting center is not welcome in Berkeley.
Council members Betty Olds and Lauri Capitelli have proposed backing off the anti-Marines declaration and publicly declaring that Berkeley opposes the war in Iraq but supports the troops.
The controversy erupted last week after the City Council passed an item condemning the Marines’ downtown recruiting center. The declaration angered right-wing groups and prompted a Republican senator to try to cut off federal funding for Berkeley.
The City Council will vote on the new proposals next week.
________________________________________________
Marines say they’re not leaving Berkeley
The Associated Press – The Associated Press
Posted : Tuesday Feb 5, 2008 11:40:59 EST
BERKELEY, Calif. — While anti-war protesters chained themselves outside a Marine Corps recruiting center here, a spokesman said Corps does not plan to abandon the office even though the City Council has officially rolled up the welcome mat.
The Berkeley City Council voted Tuesday to tell the Marines that if its recruiters choose to stay in their rented downtown space “they do so as uninvited and unwelcome guests.â€
Gunnery Sgt. Pauline Franklin said Friday that while the Corps respects city officials’ right to free speech, the Marines would not be leaving.
Conservative bloggers and Republican Sen. Jim DeMint, R-South Carolina, lashed out at Berkeley following Tuesday’s resolution. DeMint said he would draft legislation to strip the city of federal money, including funds destined for UC Berkeley, for school lunches in the Berkeley Unified School District and public safety.
“The First Amendment gives the City of Berkeley the right to be idiotic, but from now on they should do it with their own money,†DeMint said in a statement.
Berkeley Mayor Tom Bates said he would speak with the Marines’ landlord to see if the recruiters could break their lease early without penalty.
A retired Army captain, Bates also said Friday that he wants the council to amend its resolution because it “did not adequately differentiate our respect and support for those serving in the armed forces and our opposition to the Iraq war policy.â€
Berkeley police arrested three of the protesters who chained themselves together and blocked people trying to enter the recruiting station. They were cited for misdemeanors and released.
==========================================
You know, today, when I walked up to city hall and voted without being hassled or fearing for my life, I didn't thank the Berkley City Council. Nope, I thanked the men and women of our great military who fought and died to assure me of that right.
How the "H" do you "Support the Troops" and then attempt to deny them the re-inforcements they need on the battlefield? Even if they were able to "force" us to withdraw from Iraq, their actions are still making it harder on those troops they claim to support. We do have troops there and they do need replacements until such time as they are removed. Would Code Pink have us leave the existing troops in Iraq with NO time off back at home?
I believe, with Ron Paul, America should have enough military to defend its borders. In fact some forces should be placed on the border
with Mexico after removal from Iraq and the broad Mideast where they do
not belong.
On McCain, he could keep the troops in Iraq eight years if elected and that
is about twelve years too many.
Why not protest a bigger travesty than that purportedly conducted by the Berkeley City Council, documented below?
tinyrevolutio.../002063.html
Lie After Lie: What Exactly Colin Powell Knew Five Years Ago Today, And What He Told The World
Colin Powell made his Iraq presentation at the UN five years ago, on February 5, 2003.
I was living in the Bay area back in the 60s when this same type of crap was going on where the punks were portraying guys like me who were just doing their duty. It seems it Deja Vu all over again. How interesting it is that this type of behavior often takes place in communities that have absolutlely no commonality places where there are real working people that have real jobs that are not at a government supported oasis. How sad this is, especially that taxpayers have to pay for this crud!
Semper Fi
Oh Ken Ken Ken, where do you come up with this stuff? If we stop ALL recruiting like they want us to do, then where would Ron Paul get his "enough troops"? You don't get it Ken. The troops aren't the bad guys. Demoralizing the troops or stopping recruits from joining the Military isn't the answer unless you want NO MILITARY. Is THAT your plan?
If you read what Colin Powell actually said, you would see that Colin Powell did not tell "lie after lie". Look it up. Just because the left wing HATE machine NOW says they were lies, doesn't make it so. Seems Bill and Hillary with their Secret Clearance got it wrong too …
WHO WOULD YOU TURN IRAG OVER TO?????????????????
OK, I just dropped a box into the FedEx box containing about 30 Valentines, one bag of Hershey's Kisses, and one bag of Hershey's Hugs, for the Marines. Scheduled to arrive on Valentine's day by noon.
I forgot to write "WE SUPPORT YOU!" on the box… but hopefully since the return address is that of a law firm (since I can mail stuff from work and have it automatically deducted from my check each month), they'll know it's not "junk" mail. 
Hope they don't have a heart attack thinking they are getting sued or something, lol. Poor guys.
JD/Ken HOOP, You are obviously a left leaning liberal fool that is posing as a marine to try and spin this in your favor. The bottom line is that the majority of people in Berkeley should be ashamed of themselves for treating the men and women who protect their rights to do the stupid moronic things that they do, like total crap! You can disagree with the war, you can cry your poor little liberal eyes out about cars poluting the air, the spotted Owl not having a tree to live in, general progress in life, not enough floride free toothpaste and yes even the war…but leave the damn men and women who fight and die for this country with honor alone! If you people can sit on a street corner and burn the flag of the country you call home you should move your ass somewhere else and call that home. I would love to see all of these college kids go to Iraq, Iran or any other middle eastern country and spout off like this. They would be killed on site!
You guys are awesome!!! Don't let the Pinkies get to you! America loves the Marines and you are all heroes!!! We Love you all! We Support you. Most of the people in these leftist groups have no lives, no jobs, no dignity, no honor… shall I go on! The truth is all you wonderful Marines- Heroes. Most Americans don't have time for the Bull shit of these left wing lunatics, till they go to far and insult our fine men & women in uniform. Then we stop and say enough is enough. Never fear we remain focused on honoring and protecting your name as sacred at home. GOD BLESS YOU ALL!!
Mrs. Lori Macaulay
As a Sergeant of Marines i can tell you this – the guy claiming to be a Marine, is not. If he is employed by the government and wears the same uniform i do then there is a serious problem. Marines do not whine like civilians. We do not question orders, we follow them. We do not ask why, we just simply do. It is not our job to make or break policy, it is our job to enforce it. We are not cold hearted killers, we are protectors of your freedoms. As a service member, the hardest thing to do is – to do for those who would not do for you. I have seen many Marines die, some in my arms and some next to me. Those marines gave something for their country. What have you given? I see your protest group in action and it is disgusting. Have you any clue what you are talking about? What your doing is what most would consider a hobby. Try knitting, it might be more your speed. To the Berksters and Code hippies that never got over their first lsd experience, I leave you with this – it is my pleasure to volunterily go on my fourth combat tour in three years and risk my life (which we all know is worth less than yours) so you can live out your daily lives by the choices you make as free americans. You are this countries future, not me. – semper fidelis
I am a bay area native and a 10 year wife of a Gunny in the Marines. I personally abhor the actions of the city of Berkeley. My husband has served as a recruiter but has also done 2 combat tours to Iraq. We both have seen the difficulties faced for the those in uniform under both circumstances. I believe if we're to give our 18 year olds the right to vote, go to a college of their choosing, pick their college major, decide on scholarships, live away from home ect. Should they not also be given the right to choose for themselves whether or not service to their country is a priority to them? Are they all misguided? If the military is so good at brainwashing or hypnosis or whatever else people think they're doing out there then all the parents of America should talk to military recruiters when trying to solve their problems with their wayward teen. Personally I don't think teens can be that easily swayed once they've chosen their course but maybe I'm naive.
I love how the police say they are remaining neutral and do not want to get involved when the Code Pink protestors are blocking the doors to the recruiting office and not allowing people in or out and chaining themselves to the door. I wonder if they'd behave so passively at say an abortion clinic or even a Wal-mart. Oh yeah it's Berkeley they only support SOME people's right to free speech there, the people with whom they agree.
Now that it is August 2008, do you think it is to late to send a support card?