Berkeley's Abhorrent Condemnation > FreedomsWatch

Thursday, January 31, 2008

Berkeley's Abhorrent Condemnation
By Eric Livingston :: 7 Comments :: Email to a friend

On Tuesday night, the city of Berkeley, California passed two resolutions condemning United States Marines, taking their condemnation of our nation's fighting men and women to new levels.

The first resolution granted Code Pink, the ultra-liberal anti-war organization that has previously called our troops "traitors", a permanent parking spot in front of the Marine recruitment station in the city. They have also been given a six month moratorium for requiring a sound permit, meaning that they can harass Marine recruiters at will as these men and women attempt to do their daily duties.

The second resolution is even more despicable, and directs the city manager to send a letter to the Marines calling them "uninvited and unwelcome intruders" in the city. Apparently the city of Berkeley has forgotten that without our Armed Forces, we could face more menacing intruders than the United States Marines. We can only hope that Senator Diane Feinstein and Representative Nancy Pelosi, who represent the Bay Area, do not share in these extremist views – but somehow we doubt it.

Berkeley isn’t the only community that has teetered off the liberal fringe. In Vermont, the Select Board of a town called Brattleboro voted 3-2 to place an initiative on the ballot in March calling for the arrest of President Bush and Vice President Cheney should they ever visit the rural hamlet. Some of the clueless leaders on the Select Board seem genuinely surprised that many Americans have chafed at the suggestion that their Commander-in-Chief be arrested for discharging the duties of his office. Why is it that left-wing extremists are always so shocked when people don't buy into their contemptible behavior and ideas? This ballot initiative shames the town of Brattleboro and its only outcome would be to drive down tourism to this rural Vermont community.

Comments

By Jackson38 @ Thursday, January 31, 2008 9:02 PM

Let's keep in mind the source. So irrelevant that it's laughable, as are those that follow and genuflect to these dopes. Case in point, Keith Oberman, someome should check this moron's credentials, San Francisco and all those in that hedonistic sewer, and on and on.

By jvbii @ Friday, February 01, 2008 12:16 AM

Please sign the petition and pass it on.

http://capitalismcenter.org/Advocacy/Marine_Petition/default.htm

In resolutions passed January 29, 2008, the City Council of Berkeley, California has declared that United States Marine Corps recruiters are "uninvited and unwelcome intruders" within city limits and applauds those who choose to "impede" the Marines in their recruiting mission. The justification presented by the Council for these obnoxious and misdirected resolutions is that the Council objects to the Marines' role in Iraq, the laws forbidding open homosexuals from serving in the armed forces, and with the entirety of American history on the grounds that the United States has allegedly launched a series of "illegal, immoral and unprovoked wars of aggression."

Article I, Section VII of the Federal Constitution empowers the Congress with the responsibility to raise and support armies, while Article II, Section II empowers the President with the role of Commander-in-Chief. In contrast to these decision-makers, the role of the members of the Marine Corps is to prepare for and wage war as authorized by the Constitutional process. Unlike the President, the Congress, or the Berkeley City Council, the Marines are not a policy-making body.

For the Berkeley City Council to blame the Marines for the laws passed by Congress, or to condemn them because their members fight in a war that some choose to oppose is a grave miscarriage of justice. It implies that the Marines can choose which laws they follow, or which wars they fight in. It implies that the Marines are not beholden to the very Constitution that they swore to defend.

Furthermore, the Berkeley City Council's desire to prevent the Marines from speaking to young people about their mission within Berkeley's city limits while simultaneously giving anti-Marine protesters preferential treatment implies that the City Council is comfortable with its youth receiving information from only one side of the debate. This position insults both the Marines, many of whom are veterans of the current war and are able to provide a perspective interested people should be free to hear, and Berkeley's youth, who are apparently judged by the City Council to be too incompetent to form their own intelligent opinion about the armed forces and the responsibilities, risks and rewards that go with military service.

As veterans of all branches of the armed services, we voice our steadfast opposition to the Berkeley City Council's despicable actions. In protest, we announce that we will refuse to conduct any business within the Berkeley city limits, or patronize any company which has its headquarters within Berkeley. We call upon the U.S. Congress and the California State Legislature to suspend all federal and state payments that go to support any activity conducted by the Berkeley City Council until such time as the Council chooses to rescind its anti-Marine resolutions.

The Berkeley City Council has taken a position that puts them outside the constitutional union. They have targeted the innocent and have actively worked to keep their citizens ignorant of viewpoints that they have every right to hear. Until such time as the Berkeley City Council elects to restrain itself to its proper role, we choose not to deal with Berkeley's citizens or support their lives in any way.

Please use this web form to submit your name to the petition.

By bevperl @ Friday, February 01, 2008 12:40 AM

Governor Swarzanegger,
I have always admired you and I believe you are an inspiration to immigrants, especially today, that through the correct path, success in America can be achieved.

My Son is currently serving his 4th deployment in Afghanistan with the 82nd Airborne. I am very proud of my Son and we suppport him in his mission for victory in the Middle East! He has been gone one year January 9th. He hopes to be home in April. He is a Bronze Star Recipient and one tough Soldier.

My Son, nor are any of our Soldiers, draftees, They volunteered, each and everyone of them, to serve their beloved country. My Son walked into the recruiting station right here in our town and joined the Army. He joined right after 9/11. Thanks to my Son and his brothers serving alongside him, this country and her people have been safe and sound since 9/11. Our brave Soldier's choice to defend and protect their country and her people is gutsy and heroic. It is heroism in it's purest form. America became the great country she is by the blood, sweat, tears and ultimate sacrifice of the American Soldier! The American Military is the Pride of this nation and the envy of the world!

The members of the Berkley City Council are a disgrace to America. When they add to their pathetic little group, the Code Pink maladjusted miscreants who think we Americans are the bad guys, well Governor, be careful there! Even though you are the Terminator, these kind of people can even do in the Terminator.

I am livid and incensed that the people who make up this Berkley City Council, do not want military recruiters near or in their schools!!! What kind of "citizens" are these people?! They do not want the brave men and women of our military, who defend their rights and their freedoms, near their children! What kind of "citizens" will this selfish and self-indulgent attitude produce?

I cannot tell you how outraged I am by the decision of the Berkley City Council. Are they not aware how much the military contributes to the economy of California? Are they not aware how many folks visit California and spend their hard earned dollars in your state? I have talked with people who will not return to your state, due to this reckless decision by the ungrateful Berkley City Council.

I called your office today and was told you cannot do anything about this situation. I disagree:

It would help our Marines, our entire military, their families and this country, to hear you condemn this irresponsible decision to grant Code Pink one day a week to harass our Marines. It seems to me that not letting Soldiers off a tarmak and into the airport in California, coupled with this latest decision to insult and harass our military by these Berkley City Council brats, is Enough insult! It is time for you to speak, Governor. It is important, and the right thing to do.

Thank You
Very Proud Mother of a Soldier in the 82nd Airborne
Beverly Perlson
Founder, The Band of Mothers
www.thebandofmothers.com
cc: Mayor, Berkley, CA

By DCK@CHOPCO.US @ Saturday, February 02, 2008 7:50 AM

One can only hope that the next major natural disaster
in this country is centered on Berkley. Imagine the uproar from these whiners if the Government that they hate, simply chose to selectively refuse to come to their rescue. People of Berkley, be careful what you wish for. The Marines and Military Personnel that you protest and despise, may be the individuals who you will certainly look to for the purpose of saving your sorry asses. Excuse we now so I can leave the room and vomit.

By smussehl @ Thursday, January 31, 2008 6:54 PM

I just read this article from the drudge report and I cant find the words to express the anger I'm feeling right now.
I will pledge both time and money to any organization that will take action to protest or sue the city of Berkley for such a blatant sate supported anti american free speech violation.

By carbs10@yahoo.com @ Saturday, February 02, 2008 5:04 AM

This is a disservice to those that have serve, are serving ,and will serve. They use discrimination as a reasoning for their vote, well its a doulble edge sword. It sounds to me that they are discriminating against the Marines. Their action is unethical at least. I feel angry right now because I am a Marine Veteran and I've had my brothers and sisters insulted. Intruders who protect their right to be stupid. Lets put this out all across the country

By macphil @ Tuesday, February 05, 2008 10:27 AM

I'm reluctant to post this comment because someone might take it seriously and act upon it but ...
Does Berkeley realize the consequences of their actions if they really succeed in getting the military out of the city? What are they going to do when some "Patriot" militia group looking for a nice, safe headquarters realizes that the city of Berkeley is no longer defended? The Berkeley police will certainly be outgunned, and the local lambs (oops, I mean citizens) won't be able to stop an occupation.
Doesn't this sound like the plot for a movie?

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