MARINES attacked in Berkeley, CA

[DoggyDaddy]

City Calls Marines “Unwelcome Intruders”

 
SAN FRANCISCO – The City of Berkeley, California has passed two resolutions attacking the United States Marine Corps, calling the Marines, “uninvited and unwelcome intruders in the city.”
 
The Berkeley City Council voted to condemn the Marines on Tuesday night (January 29th) as part of a campaign by anti-war activists to shut down a U.S. Marine Recruiting Center located in the city of Berkeley.
 
The votes by the Berkeley City Council were immediately condemned by Move America Forward (website: www.MoveAmericaForward.org), the nation’s largest grassroots pro-troop organization.
 
“It is disgraceful that in the birthplace of the Free Speech Movement, anti-military activists would attempt to silence the same military men and women who serve this country and give their lives to protect the free speech rights of all Americans, including these ungrateful and despicable people on the Berkeley City Council,” said Melanie Morgan, Chairman of Move America Forward.
 
The actions by the Berkeley City Council followed continuous protests by Code Pink and other anti-military organizations that vandalized and defaced the U.S. Marine Recruiting Center in September 2007.
 
One of the two resolutions passed by the Berkeley City Council last night granted a parking spot in front of the Marine Recruiting Center to be used by anti-military activists to harass Marine recruiters.  The anti-military activists would not need to apply for a sound permit for the next six months – allowing them free reign to disrupt the day-to-day operations by the Marines.
 
Move America Forward organized a counter-protest in support of the Marines last October that attracted over 400 pro-troop supporters who stood in solidarity of the Marine Recruiting Center.
 
“We have hundreds of thousands of military men and women serving honorably overseas to protect our freedoms.  Imagine how they feel when they go to turn on the news and see that they are being stabbed in the back by shameful people here at home, it’s disgraceful!” said Catherine Moy, Executive Director of Move America Forward.
 
This release posted at:  http://www.moveamericaforward.org/index.php/MAF/MAFNews
CONTACT: Mary Pearson: (916) 441–6197 or Email: mary@MoveAmericaForward.org
 

 

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[IJK3770]

DD,
    Is this something the "Freedom Riders" could get involved in?  This is totally disgusting.   It is really hard to fathom that the city leaders would be so cowed as to allow this.  Having spent some time in the Bay Area while serving I never ran across this much hostility but at the same time Admiral Zumwalt did authorize wearing 'civvies' ashore and allowing us to keep them on the ship.  I guess that was so we would not be harassed by the natives.
Sadly
IJK

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[DoggyDaddy]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

American Legion Commander to Berkeley City Council:

‘Marines are not the enemy’

        INDIANAPOLIS (January 31, 2008) -  “Osama bin Laden couldn’t have said it better,” American Legion National Commander Marty Conatser said of the Berkeley City Council Resolution, which tells the Marines that they are not welcome there. “Disgraceful, disloyal, ungrateful. These words are too kind in describing the actions of the public officials in Berkeley, who voted for this disgrace. Nonetheless, our Marines continue to bravely serve and in so doing, allow Americans to spout such foolishness. The American Legion not only strongly condemns this action by the City Council but also believes that a sincere apology is in order to all Marines, past and present.”

Conatser, the leader of the nation’s largest veterans organization, was referring to a measure passed by the Council 8-1 Tuesday, that tells the U.S. Marine Corps that one of its recruiting stations is “not welcome in the city, and if recruiters choose to stay, they do as uninvited and unwelcome intruders.”

The City Council marched in complete lock-step with radical anti-war group Code Pink in attempting to drive out Marine recruiters from its San Francisco suburb. The City Council also voted 8-1 to give Code Pink a free parking space in front of a recruiting station, along with a free sound permit for protesting once a week. Marine recruiters at Berkeley have faced harassment from protestors who regularly block nearby sidewalks, generate excessive noise and disrupt business.

“I have been a recruiter in the National Guard and I know that it’s tough duty, with long hours,” Conatser said. “What these recruiters do is essential to our national security. Without recruiters we have no military. And I don’t think we can count on the flower children from Berkeley to protect this nation when it comes under attack. They have to remember that Marines are not the enemy; the terrorists are.”

Conatser pointed out that The American Legion strongly supports the war on terrorism, passing a national resolution of its own. “Resolution 169 was passed unanimously by The American Legion in 2005 and it has been re-affirmed every year since. It reminds Americans that you can not separate the war from the warrior and that the American people should stand united in support for our troops who are engaged in protecting our values and our way of life.”

With a current membership of 2.7-million wartime veterans, The American Legion, www.legion.org, was founded in 1919 on the four pillars of a strong national security, veterans affairs, Americanism, and patriotic youth programs. Legionnaires work for the betterment of their communities through more than 14,000 posts across the nation.

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[DoggyDaddy]

What does VFW Nat'l and Dept of CA Commander's got to Say about this ?

I sent an E-mail to them and District 14 Commander asking just that question.
I also asked for a reply.

The Dept CA Adjutant thanked me for the information and said he will pass it on to the State Cmdr.

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[dmh1566]

Below is the contact information for the "Peace and Justice Commission" member that submitted this ridiculous resolution...

Steve Freedkin, Chairman, Peace and Justice Commission: 510-595-4626

Take a moment to give him a call and encourage others to do the same. 

http://www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/uploadedFiles/Clerk/2008-01-29_Item_12_Marine_Recruiting_Office_in_Berkeley.pdf

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[Chets54]

One of the best (arguably) blogs on the net.  www.floppingaces.net   Check them out.   They also have a daily blitz which they send to your email address.   Good reading, information, and involvement. . .

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[DoggyDaddy]

Three Chain Themselves to Marine Recruiting Center Doors
By Judith Scherr (02-01-08)
The Berkeley Daily Planet Newspaper
http://www.berkeleydailyplanet.com/article.cfm?issue=02-01-08&storyID=29093

Posted Fri., Feb. 1—The World Can’t Wait ratcheted up the protests at the downtown Berkeley Marine Recruiting Center today (Friday), when three members, dressed in orange jump suits to symbolize the garb worn by the prisoners at Guantanamo Bay, chained themselves to the recruiting center doors at 64 Shattuck Ave.

Describing their protest as “civil resistance,” Mary Ann, chained to the door with Alex and Lou —the three declined to give their last names—told the Planet the recruiting center “represents the immoral acts of this president—the Iraq war, wire tapping, torture, and ICE [Immigration and Customs Enforcement].”

Two Berkeley police officers came by the gathering that had drawn about 15 people by 9:30 a.m. and told the group that they would station a police officer across the street for the demonstrators’ protection. Lt. David Reece said the city supports the demonstrators, but he wanted assurance that there would be no vandalism at the office.

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[IJK3770]

    Hope it rains on the ignorant and that they mess their drawers.  Maybe they should adopt one of the detainees and take them home with them.  I just can not get over such acts of total ignorance.  I am sure if they even met one of the detainees face to face they would change their minds post haste.  And the Berkely Police protect them, likely a good idea, otherwise they might get hurt.  Has the whole city gone nuts to allow these actions by the city council and others? 
Sadly
IJK

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[ZAP44]

OK there is the e-mail addresses let them know what you think!

VFW Condemns Berkeley City Council for Permitting  Marine Harassment
 
KANSAS CITY, Mo., Feb. 4, 2008--The national commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) is furious with the Berkeley, Calif., City Council, calling their actions “outrageous and idiotic” following their recent vote to give the boot to a U.S. Marine Corps Recruiting Station.

“The resolution is a direct insult to not only the Marines Corps, but also to all members of the nation’s armed forces,” said George Lisicki, national commander of the VFW, the nation’s largest organization of combat veterans. “Their recent actions represent a calculated effort to legalize harassment of one of our nation’s most elite military organizations. If there were ever a prize awarded for lack of appreciation and awareness for what our military has contributed to preserving our way of life, the Berkeley City Council would certainly win the trophy.”

The Berkeley City Council, on Jan. 29 by a vote of 6-3, told the Marines at the downtown recruiting station that they are not welcome in the city. Furthermore, by an 8-1 vote, the council voted to give anti-war groups the right to harass the Marines, even giving protestors a parking space in front of the recruiting station. The only council member to vote against both proposals was Gordon Wozniak, with council members Betty Olds and Kriss Worthington joining Wozniak in voting against the council’s resolution to boot the "unwelcome intruders."

“The city council leaders need to be reminded that all the freedoms we enjoy as Americans have been earned by generations of patriots who were willing to fight to protect the liberties we, as Americans, enjoy,” said Lisicki, a Vietnam War veteran from Carteret, N.J.

What Lisicki said also troubled him was the failure of city authorities to do nothing when Code Pink, an antiwar group who originated the complaint against the Marines, defaced the front door of the recruiting station by altering the sign “U.S. Marine Corps Officer Selection Office" to "U.S. Marine Corps Officer Assasination [sic] Office."

“If anyone has earned the right to have a presence in any community in this nation, it would be the U.S. Marines,” said Lisicki. “The Marine Corps is welcomed in every city and town across the America except for the City of Berkeley and by the Taliban and Al-Qaeda in Iraq and Afghanistan."

The national commander also is encouraging its 2.3 members of the VFW and its Auxiliaries to e-mail or call city council members.

City of Berkeley
2180 Milvia Street, Berkeley, CA 94704
TEL: (510) 981-6900, TDD: (510) 981-6903, FAX: (510) 981-6901
Office Hours: Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
E-mail: clerk@ci.berkeley.ca.us

Voted for Resolution
Mayor Tom Bates
E-mail: mayor@ci.berkeley.ca.us
Phone: (510) 981-7100
FAX: (510) 981-7199

Linda Maio
E-mail: lmaio@ci.Berkeley
Phone: (510) 981-7110
FAX: (510) 981-7111

Darryl Moore
Email: dmoore@ci.berkeley.ca.us
Phone: (510) 981-7120

Maxwell Anderson
E-mail: manderson@ci.berkeley.ca.us
Phone: (510) 981-7130

Dona Spring
E-mail: spring@ci.berkeley.ca.us
Phone: (510) 981-7140

Laurie Capitelli
E-mail: lcapitelli@ci.berkeley.ca.us
Phone: (510) 981-7150

Dissenting Votes:
Betty Olds
E-mail: olds@ci.berkeley.ca.us
Phone: (510) 981-7160

Kriss Worthington
E-mail: kworthington@ci.berkeley.ca.us
Phone: (510) 981-7170

Gordon Wozniak
E-mail: GWozniak@ci.berkeley.ca.us
Phone: (510) 981-7180

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[DoggyDaddy]

The initial attack on the Marine Recruiting Station by Code Pink began 26 October last year.  The most recent attack on the Marines came to light on 29 January by the Berkeley City Council.

On 31 January Commander of the American Legion responded to the Press.

On 31 January,  United States Sen. Jim DeMint, R-S.C., said he will introduce legislation that would strip $2,392,000 in earmarked spending for at least six projects in Berkeley from a Senate appropriations bill.  

On 31 January I requested a response from National, Dept and Dist Commanders.

On 1 February the story of Berkeley and Sen DeMint was covered on FOX Cable News.

Today is 4 February and the VFW National Commander's response by Vmail to Dept Commanders was sent/given Priority - "Normal".  How expedient!   

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[IJK3770]

Sen. Jim DeMint, R-S.C., to Introduce Bill To Remove City's $2.3 Million in Earmarks
By TAYLOR FIFE and JANE SHIN


What started with a set of resolutions against the Marine Corps recruiting center in Downtown Berkeley has escalated into a national controversy and caused the mayor to revisit the resolutions' intentions.

United States Sen. Jim DeMint, R-S.C., said Thursday he will introduce legislation that would strip $2,392,000 in earmarked spending for at least six projects in Berkeley from a Senate appropriations bill.

This includes $975,000 for UC Berkeley's Matsui Center on Politics and Public Service and $750,000 for a planned ferry service in Berkeley.

It seems that things have started happening.  Read this full story and the Mayor's backpedaling at www.dailycal.org/article/100199/marines_vote_leads_to_threat_on_city_funds

Cheerily
IJK

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[DoggyDaddy]

In Berkeley, push to rescind letter to Marines
Carolyn Jones, Chronicle Staff Writer
Tuesday, February 5, 2008

(02-04) 18:52 PST Berkeley -- A week after blasting the Marines as "unwelcome intruders" in Berkeley, two City Council members want the city to back off the declaration that ignited the wrath of the nation's right wing and inspired a Republican senator to try to sever Berkeley's federal funding.
Council members Betty Olds and Laurie Capitelli on Monday proposed that Berkeley rescind its letter to the U.S. Marine Corps that stated that the downtown Berkeley recruiting center "is not welcome in our city," and publicly declare that Berkeley is against the war but supports the troops.
The City Council will vote on Olds' and Capitelli's two proposals at its meeting next Tuesday.
"I think we shouldn't be seen across the country as hating the Marines," said Olds, who voted against last week's proposals. "If you make a mistake, like we did, you should admit it and correct it and move on."
The brouhaha started last week when the council passed two items condemning the Marine recruiting center on Shattuck Square, which opened about a year ago. The first called on the city clerk to send a letter to the Marines telling them they're unwelcome, and the second item granted Code Pink a parking space in front of the recruiting office every Wednesday afternoon and allowed the group to operate a loudspeaker.
After the items passed, the council was besieged with criticism from right-wing groups and military supporters. Sen. Jim DeMint, R-S.C., proposed that the federal government cut off funds for Berkeley, including lunch programs, ferry service and UC Berkeley.
Olds said she heard from hundreds of people angered by the city's action, including many in her Berkeley hills district.
"People are so mad about this. They have relatives in the service, and now they think they're not welcome in Berkeley," she said. "My twin brother was a Marine in World War II. He'd be turning in his grave if he saw this."
The council appears split on the idea of backing down. Some council members said the original proposals inadvertently insulted veterans and those currently serving in the military. Others said Berkeley should stand by its convictions.
"People are used to Berkeley taking a stand for peace, but you have to do it intelligently," said Councilman Kriss Worthington, who voted against sending the letter calling the Marine Corps unwelcome. "You don't want to slap one group in the face and then, the next minute, slap the other group. I think we have an obligation to be thoughtful and sensitive and not be counterproductive to the cause of peace."
Councilwoman Dona Spring said the council should not be cowed by the volume of hate mail and threats.
"I still oppose the Marines recruiting in Berkeley because it's one way of protesting this wasteful war," she said. "Our military policy is a shambles. But we're not in opposition to the Marines; we oppose the policy that directs the Marines."
Meanwhile, the Code Pink protesters said they were disappointed that Berkeley might rescind its letter to the Marines.
"I hope they're not acting out of intimidation," said Code Pink spokeswoman Medea Benjamin. "Berkeley is a city of peace, and a recruiting station does not fit Berkeley's values."
Mayor Tom Bates, a former Army captain, said it probably wouldn't hurt if the council clarified its position.
"It's a symbol, but there are consequences to symbols," he said. "A lot of people think we're anti-Marine, but there's a difference between the warriors and the war. This is an attempt to clarify that."

E-mail Carolyn Jones at carolynjones@sfchronicle.com.
This article appeared on page B - 5 of the San Francisco Chronicle

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[janiebuilder]

Berkeley City Council members who passed such a farse ruling, may find they have cut their own noses off to despited their conceted faces. They owe the entire Marine Corps and their counter parts an appology!

Is this what we have fought for, the destruction of our own flag and values at home, by getting "TOO" comfortable with the word "FREEDOM"...the liberals have taken the word and demolished the ideas that the men and women who fought or fell to fly our OLD GLORY high above us has worked so hard to achieve... Now we are told to wear civilian clothes on planes to get from home to bases and back, as WE dont want a scene at the airports! I ask, WHAT SCENE? If they dont like a US soldier and they are on US soil, get out of MY country! We have the right to wear our uniform with pride as we built this great nation and many others as well. I mean if we CANNOT fly our colors, or wear our colors with out reprisal, ARE WE STILL A FREE NATION?? Maybe the terrorist are already in Berkely posing as council members??...

The Iraqis that support us, certainly dont feel the same way as our own liberal civililians do..that is a shame, indeed! WE have gotten way too diverse in "FREE" thinking. The last time I looked, the recruiters were Americans that have the right to wear the uniform! Democracy and Liberation of free thinking, is not the freedom to kick us to the curb at a drop of a hat! I say ban all goverment funds from that city. Colleges too until we get a world wide web appology! If they dont give one, I say put them on a party cruise, get em toasted, and land them in Hamas' backyard!...Somewhere nice and sunny, where the dessicated sulavia in their throats and the sand encrusted convoy vehicles will give them a memorable experience down Hell's highway!

Let them remember if we dont fight there, we would soon be fighting here! They should be glad we are keeping them safe, and the global war on terrorism in someone else's back yard!

JUST MY THOUGHTS!

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[DoggyDaddy]

Senator Jim DeMint of South Carolina has put together a video that shows you explicitly what the City Council members of Berkeley said about our Marines and the effort to force the recruiters to leave the city. They include comments from the Mayor who says that the Marines "don't belong here in Berkeley."

These people aren't just against the war, they are against our soldiers who are fighting and dying in that war.

The video also includes rebuttal by veterans of this nation who are outraged by the conduct of this city council. I hope you will send the letter and forward it to friends and family. The letters will go straight to the Mayor and City Council members.

Click here to watch the video.
http://www.afa.net/activism/berkvideo020808.html

Read the letter from Debbie Lee, whose son was killed in action.
http://www.afa.net/activism/berk_letter020808.html

Read the statement from U.S. Senators DeMint, Cornyn, Vitter, Coburn, Inhofe, and Chambliss.
http://www.afa.net/activism/sen_020808.html

TAKE ACTION
Click here to send the e-mail to the Mayor and City Council members.
https://secure.afa.net/afa/activism/takeaction.asp?id=306

Please forward this to family and friends.

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[janiebuilder]

Ty for links, I've viewed and got sick...anyway, your link for "Take Action" shows the site as being down. Good luck getting through! I've tried several times... ..I will keep trying!

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