Local officials in this liberal city say it's time for the U.S. Marines to move out.

[Penn]

BERKELEY, Calif. — Local officials in this liberal city say it's time for the U.S. Marines to move out.

The City Council has voted to tell the Marines their downtown recruiting station is not welcome and "if recruiters choose to stay, they do so as uninvited and unwelcome guests."

The measure passed this week by a vote of 8-1.

The council also voted to explore enforcing a city anti-discrimination law, focusing on the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy.

In a separate item, the council voted, also 8-1, to give protest group Code Pink a parking space in front of the recruiting office once a week for six months and a free sound permit for protesting once a week.

Marine Capt. Richard Lund of the recruiting office declined comment on the council action.

The recruiting office opened in Berkeley about a year ago, operating quietly until about four months ago when Code Pink began regular sidewalk protests.

"I believe in the Code Pink cause. The Marines don't belong here, they shouldn't have come here, and they should leave," said Berkeley Mayor Tom Bates.

Code Pink is circulating petitions to get a measure on the ballot in November making it more difficult to open military recruiting offices in Berkeley if they are near homes, parks, schools, churches, libraries or health clinics.

Some employees and business owners aren't happy with the weekly protests.

"My husband's business is right upstairs, and this (protesting) is bordering on harassment," Dori Schmidt told the council. "I hope this stops."


What BULLSHIT!!!!!!!!

[Gypsy]

I went to Berzerkly once...it was like stepping back into the 60s. :rolleyes:

"I believe in the Code Pink cause. The Marines don't belong here, they shouldn't have come here, and they should leave," said Berkeley Mayor Tom Bates.


Bet he'd be singing a different tune should his city ever get hit by a terrorist attack. What a jackass.

[hunteran]

The mentality of that city just blows my mind. They want all the benefits of living in the U.S. but none of the responsibility that comes with those benefits. Screw Berkeley. :mad:

[longrange1947]

Hmmmm, since they can't support the gov't then maybe the gov't should pull ALL gov't support to them and a percentage of any support to California as well. :munchin

[dmgedgoods]

#

[Schmalzy]

Absolutely unacceptable. I am ashamed to attend a university in the same state.

[dennisw]

It's difficult being from California at times, especially seeing all the BS which comes from the Bay area. Say what you will, we still have more enlistments from our state then from any other(although we're not the highest as far as percentage of population). It would be interesting to see what part of the state gives rise to these enlistees. I imagine Berkley is not high on the list.

Are you sure they are not just just protesting those fancy Marine dress uniforms. :D




8892

[Patriot007]

Hmmmm, since they can't support the gov't then maybe the gov't should pull ALL gov't support to them and a percentage of any support to California as well. :munchin

Agreed. I also wish that all military presence really could leave them. Heck, considering their track record of appreciation of LE, remove them too. Then they would see how kind and peaceful the world really is without better men standing watch.

I'm sure they welcome thousands of illegals though. For that I call them treasonous.

[warrottjr]

I seem to recall that there was once an issue about denying federal funds to colleges that prohibited military recruiters on campus.

Perhaps the same standard should be applied to communities as well.

[The Reaper]

I hope that they enjoy sharia law.

Couldn't happen to a nicer bunch of people.

TR

[Red Flag 1]

It really is baffling to understand the mindset in the Bay area . The entire area lives with within the shadow of a number of catstrophic events. Fires, flooding, mud slides and quakes. The cry for U S Government help will be loud when the catrophic event hits. The first US aid will likely be from the US Military...the very group of people being openly expelled from the Bay area. What are they thinking???

RF 1

[18C4V]

Here's the mayors email address if any is so inclined to send him an email. I did:lifter


mayor@ci.berkeley.ca.us

[Bracholi]

The freedom to hate those that keep you free....
Amendment 28.

[11Ber]

Hmmmm, since they can't support the gov't then maybe the gov't should pull ALL gov't support to them and a percentage of any support to California as well. :munchin

Someone is thinking just like you...

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,327466,00.html

[swpa19]

There's an old saying in this part of PA. "There's a time to stand up!............And, a time to SHUT UP". This mayor has gotten them reversed. I dont think he'll be able to get the worms back in the can.

[Goggles Pizano]

I think it's time to blow the charges on the San Andreas Fault and start over.:D

[dennisw]

Tom Bates was sworn in as Mayor of Berkeley in December 2002 and was re-elected in 2006.


Tom Bates in a native Californian and a graduate of the University of California, Berkeley. During his time at Cal, Bates was a starting Member of the 1959 Cal Rose Bowl team. After graduation, Bates served in Germany as a Captain in the U.S. Army Reserves and later worked in real estate.

The above information was downloaded from the Mayor's biography. I guess I don't get it. Here's a guy who played college football and was a Captain in the Army. Go figure.

[jwt5]

The above information was downloaded from the Mayor's biography. I guess I don't get it. Here's a guy who played college football and was a Captain in the Army. Go figure.

Sounds to me he's playing off the demographics of the area inorder to either get re-elected or raise his popularity....

[8944]

The above information was downloaded from the Mayor's biography. I guess I don't get it. Here's a guy who played college football and was a Captain in the Army. Go figure.
....take the above biography, sprinkle liberally with cannabis, add a dash of peyote, large quantities of LSD, blend in some crack cocaine, surround with a high percentage mix of '60's dropouts and VOILA!!!! The internationally renowned Berkley Nut Job emerges!!!!!!!!!! :D

[Red Flag 1]

gp

Yep!! Get the military out first.

RF 1

[Bracholi]

http://patdollard.com/2008/02/video-move-america-forwards-melanie-morgan-on-their-berkeley-petition/

Didn't see it posted anywhere. Great response. I'm headed over to www.moveamericaforward.com to sign the petition right now.

Upon researching Code Pink I found they're terrorists supporters. Read http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1936324/posts.

So... What happened during the red scare? What's happening now?
Terrorism is way more dangerous than communism yet I see no terrorists sympathisers in Guantanamo... Code Pink should be there. Nazi Pelosi should be there... Most of CAIR should be there.

Yet nothing happens.

[Scimitar]

Firstly. Code Pink? what kinda name is that.

Secondly. They want to pass a bill banning them from being anywhere near...well...anything. Health clinics, churches? This isnt a Brothel people its a recruiting station.

I'm all for the right to protest (with-in reason), I have been working at a recruiting gig when people have taken the mic, they looked stupid, and they made no sense, but it's their right I guess, but you can't ban something just cos you don't like it and you can't disrupt the peace just cos you want make a fool of yourself.

What is illegal about having a recruiting station near a park!

Think we could get some people together and go and picket Code Pink's offices?

Scimitar

[x-factor]

If they want to post up outside the recruiting station and protest every single hour of every single day about how the military ruins young men or supports imperialism or whatever nonsense it is that they're arguing, good for them. Thats their right. Start the debate and we'll see where the truth lies. But trying to run the recruiting station out of town is a childish, insular, and intellectually weak approach, in my opinion. It says "I don't want to debate the issue in the public forum, I just want to preserve my bubble."

[The antihero]

Code Pink is pretty infamous as a "pacifist" group. Among other things years ago they were caught photoshopping the picture of an Iranian women anti-mullah gathering to make it appear they were Code Pink supporters. When bloggers found out, Code Pink people removed all evidence (i.e. the picture) from their website, but it was too late. Here (http://michellemalkin.com/2006/01/20/code-pinks-photoshop-perversion/) is one of the bloggers' post (with "before Code Pink" and "After Code Pink" pictures).

[monsterhunter]

The above information was downloaded from the Mayor's biography. I guess I don't get it. Here's a guy who played college football and was a Captain in the Army. Go figure.


Here is a guy who sold his sole for personal gain. As far as the rest of the population: a bunch of stupid sheep following anything that comes along smacking of protest.

Run the sheepdogs out of town. The protest will be led by the wolves. Self destruction is imminent. Let's hope this cancer doesn't continue to spread.

[warrottjr]

Run the sheepdogs out of town.

So much for the First Amendment!

If they have freedom of speech, so do we.

[Moving Target]

Morons.

Since they seem to have a problem with voluntary recruitment, I wonder if they wouldn't prefer the draft?

[Go_Bears]

I am a student a UC Berkeley and I see these pathetic oxygen theives everyday. They protest over anything and everything that offends their precious little hearts and are always changing their causes. It really sickens me that the protesters can be so ignorant and close minded yet if they were to do the same actions in Iraq or Afghanistan they would be dealt with in a different way. President Bush should re-institute the draft only for these people and they should be put on permanent sh@#-burning detail.

They are not the majority here, I constantly tell people of my military service and I am thanked for my service and treated with respect. It is the same people protesting everyday, they have nothing with substance in their life and abused too many drugs that their brains don't function properly.

[hunteran]

It is the same people protesting everyday, they have nothing with substance in their life and abused too many drugs that their brains don't function properly.

Thats one thing I've noticed at my high school. The left-wing loonies who always protest everything fall into one (or more) of the several following categories.

A) Spoiled rich kids (I find it ironic that those who describe themselves as communists are the kids who drive a BMW to school and have multi-million dollar homes)
B) Druggies (acid, pot, LSD, you name it)
C) Vegans and rabid environmentalists (need I say more?)
D) People with a wicked superiority complex (there is this girl who is a self-proclaimed commie, thinks that China is a "nice place to live" and when called out, resorts to ad hominem attacks and made-up statistics to "prove" her position. Ironically she wants to go to Berkley, unfortunately her C average will prevent her from doing so. I feel so sorry for her. Not.)

I laugh when they try to argue the validity of their beliefs. Its hard to take someone seriously when they show up to class baked or tripping out on the newest designer drug.

[uboat509]

The left wing will always outdo the right in the protest arena for a variety of reasons, foremost among which is the fact that we have to work for living and don't have time to stand in front of a building shouting ridiculous slogans all day.

SFC W

[SOGvet]

Berkeley's been a shithole since the 60's.. why would we expect anything else now.

I seem to remember some Berkeley high school kids saying that American GIs deserved to die during the invasion of Afghanistan in late '01.

And.. wasn't John Walker Lindh (the American Taliban) from around there somewhere?.. :mad:

[SOGvet]

Here ya go...

[Gypsy]

And.. wasn't John Walker Lindh (the American Taliban) from around there somewhere?.. :mad:

Marin County (IIRC San Rafael?)...

[afchic]

I am currently attending Naval Post Graduate School in Monterey CA, in their Security Studies program getting a Master's in Political Military Affairs. A surprising number of my professors are from Berkley, like 60% of our program. Come to find out that most of them went to Berkley because it is one of the only colleges in the US that actually has regional affairs programs.

So at first I was a little surprised that all these Berkley grads were teaching at a Military school. Granted, I have a few professors that are a little more left leaning in their political views than most people I know. But they are excellent professors who like teaching military students. None of them so far have tried to convert us to the liberal left, but it definitly makes for some very interesting discussions in class.

The rest of my professors are pretty conservative, especially coming from Berkley. I have asked most of them what they think about this whole fiasco and to the person they all think these guys are nut jobs, and wanted us to know that they in no way support this crap.

Just wanted to let you all know there is some hope out there.

[x-factor]

UC-Berkley as an academic institution is top notch. The fact that there's a bizarre subculture that happens to live on its campus shouldn't detract from anyone's opinion of the institution.

[kgoerz]

UC-Berkley as an academic institution is top notch. The fact that there's a bizarre subculture that happens to live on its campus shouldn't detract from anyone's opinion of the institution.

Close...Just called off the Air Strike:D

[18C4V]

UC-Berkley as an academic institution is top notch. The fact that there's a bizarre subculture that happens to live on its campus shouldn't detract from anyone's opinion of the institution.

+1
My sister went there along with some good friends of mine. They support me and the troops 100 percent.

[Go_Bears]

Berkeley to rethink its declaration against the Marines (http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/02/04/BAHVUS06B.DTL&feed=rss.bayarea)

It appears that the protester aka "Code Pink" are getting the attention they wanted and most people are outraged at their actions.

[incommin]

I sent the mayor an e-mail. I also sent my senator and house of representatives and e-mail telling them to help stop the federal dollars going to the Berkeley area or I would be supporting someone else at election time.

Jim

[CosaNostraUSMC]

I heard that the city's governing body is looking at their stance on the issue now. Apparently, Berkeley, is now being faced with not receiving federal funds in retaliation for their actions. Shitbags...the lot of 'em. If their going to take a stance, at least stick to it, even when the GOP dangles their money clip in front of them. Someday Berkeley might learn...or maybe not.:rolleyes:

[Razor]

I think it was all a ploy by Code Pink for its members to receive sound spankings for being naughty. :rolleyes:

[jbour13]

The left wing will always outdo the right in the protest arena for a variety of reasons, foremost among which is the fact that we have to work for living and don't have time to stand in front of a building shouting ridiculous slogans all day.

SFC W

Can we start the 2008 Best Quotes thread??

This one definately needs to be there!!! :D

[C0B2A]

Code Pink jerk offs yesterday chained themselves together in front of the recruiting office not letting people go in. The local police stood by doing nothing. When asked by a Blue Star Mother why the police officer said they were remaining neutral.

I think I'm gonna head over there today and Bring those recruiters a 24 pack to enjoy after work.






[Edit for typo]

[thomps2100]

Someone steal the key to the chain PLEASE!!

[C0B2A]

I took them a 24 pack of Corona today around lunch time. Some middle aged women were out front with pink signs yelling peace. As I was leaving the office an elderly Gentleman was walking in with a box of donuts for the recruiters. So I am not the only one in the area being supportive.

[Gypsy]

I took them a 24 pack of Corona today around lunch time. Some middle aged women were out front with pink signs yelling peace. As I was leaving the office an elderly Gentleman was walking in with a box of donuts for the recruiters. So I am not the only one in the area being supportive.

This is very cool...I hope more folks in the area will do the same.

[Razor]

When asked by a Blue Star Mother why the police officer said they were remaining neutral.

Board legal beagels, is it legal for an outside entity to bar other's access to a federal facility? Can I go sit in front of the local post office and chase away anyone that tries to go inside?

[Loadsmasher]

http://www.nbc11.com/news/15245031/detail.html?dl=headlineclick&67

The nut-jobs may vary from location to location but politicians are always the same. Tighten the purse-strings and all of a sudden "the city didn't mean to offend anyone in the armed forces". However, it is a shame that they had to threaten the funding of the public schools to reign them in.

[longrange1947]

I love the way that idiot educator still has to blame the Marines by saying that the Marines and the City Council can't play nice.

CRAP, it is only the city council being stupid, stupid. :mad:

[vsvo]

Board legal beagels, is it legal for an outside entity to bar other's access to a federal facility? Can I go sit in front of the local post office and chase away anyone that tries to go inside?

I think I have an answer (with a little research), but it will be student-speak, so I will need the green light from RL first.:)

[hunteran]

http://www.nbc11.com/news/15245031/detail.html?dl=headlineclick&67

The nut-jobs may vary from location to location but politicians are always the same. Tighten the purse-strings and all of a sudden "the city didn't mean to offend anyone in the armed forces". However, it is a shame that they had to threaten the funding of the public schools to reign them in.

Wow, my blood is boiling after watching that video of the protesters.:mad:

[warrottjr]

Reminds me of a '60's political cartoon of a hippie couple:

"Let's go down and pick up our food stamps, slide on over and get the welfare check, stop at the soup kitchen for a free lunch, and then meet up at city hall to protest the system."

[Paste Eater]

:munchin


these jokers will be the first to cry for help some where down the road.

let them cry

[Ret10Echo]

Senators Introduce Semper Fi Act of 2008
Bill Stops Berkeley Earmarks and Transfers Funds to Marine Corps

February 6th, 2008 - Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senators Jim DeMint (R-South Carolina), Saxby Chambliss (R-Georgia), Tom Coburn, M.D. (R-Oklahoma), John Cornyn (R-Texas), James Inhofe (R-Oklahoma), and David Vitter (R-Louisiana) introduced the Semper Fi Act of 2008. The bill would rescind over $2 million in hidden earmarks for Berkeley, California in the 2008 Omnibus Appropriations bill, and transfer the funds to the Marine Corps. U.S. Congressman John Campbell (R-California) is introducing a companion bill in the House of Representatives.

Last week, the City Council of Berkeley voted to oust Marine Corps recruiters from their downtown office, saying the Marines were “uninvited and unwelcome intruders.” Berkeley officials also voted to give the radical protest group Code Pink space outside the recruitment office and urged them to “impede, passively or actively” the work of Marine Corps recruiters.

One earmark provides $243,000 in taxpayer dollars for the organization Chez Panisse to create gourmet organic school lunches in the Berkeley School District. Chez Panisse is dedicated to “environmental harmony” and their menu features “Comté cheese soufflé with mâche salad,” “Meyer lemon éclairs with huckleberry coulis,” and “Chicory salad with creamy anchovy vinaigrette and olive toast.”

Another earmark would spend $975,000 in taxpayer dollars for the University of California in Berkeley Matsui Center for Politics and Public Service, to create a new endowment and cataloging the papers of Congressman Robert Matsui. U.C. Berkeley currently already has a $3.5 billion endowment.

Senator DeMint: “Berkeley needs to learn that their actions have consequences. Patriotic American taxpayers won’t sit quietly while Berkeley insults our brave Marines and tries to run them out of town. Berkeley City Council members have shown complete ingratitude to our military and their families, and the city doesn’t deserve a single dime of special pet project handouts.”

Senator Cornyn: “The Berkeley City Council insulted our troops and offended people across the country. If the U.S. Marines are not good enough for Berkeley, neither are taxpayer dollars Congress would have sent there this year. That city closed its doors on the same individuals taking bullets on the front lines while fighting for the safety and freedom of families in Berkeley and throughout America.”

Senator Vitter: “The actions of the City Council of Berkeley are in stark contrast to beliefs of the vast majority of Americans who recognize and honor the service and sacrifice of our U.S. Marines. This is simply unacceptable and those funds could be better utilized by the Marine Corps.”

Dr. Coburn: “The actions by the city of Berkeley are deplorable and insulting to those who are serving and those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice to protect the very freedoms that are being exercised to insult them. I know I stand with the majority of Americans in thanking our service men and women for their selfless service to our nation.”

Senator Inhofe: “Unfortunately, those on the Berkeley city council do not seem to understand the sacrifice of the brave men and women of the United States Marine Corps. By interfering with military recruiting, the city of Berkeley is hampering our ability to protect this nation. While the city of Berkeley and the protestors are free to say whatever they like, free speech is not a protection from consequence.”

Senator Chambliss: “We need to send a strong message that our military personnel deserve our strongest support. Georgia is a proud military state, and my constituents will be out outraged to know that during a time of war, their taxpayers dollars have been used to reward folks who have insulted and disparaged those who defend this nation every day.”

http://www.congress.org/congressorg/issues/bills/?billnum=S.2596&congress=110&size=full

[Penn]

Berkeley City Council to Revisit Vote Against Marine Recruiting Station
Tuesday, February 12, 2008

BERKELEY, Calif. — Two weeks after the Berkeley City Council called U.S. Marine Corps recruiters "uninvited and unwelcome intruders," the council is expected to reconsider its anti-Marine stance Tuesday night.
Large crowds from the left and right are mobilizing for the meeting. The anti-war feminist group Code Pink began a 24-hour "peace-in" Monday night, and the pro-war group Move America Forward planned a day-long demonstration outside City Hall.
The Rev. Fred Phelps, the anti-gay activist and founder of the Westboro Baptist Church, will be there as well, demonstrating against both the Marines and Code Pink. Members of the Westboro Baptist Church routinely picket at the funerals of American soldiers killed in action.
Code Pink activist Zanne Joi said her group is "supporting the troops by being against war and against recruiting."
"It’s because we care about these people that we are standing up against the war machine," Joi said.
On Jan. 29, the city council approved a resolution that included letters to the Marines advising them that their recruiting station is unwelcome in Berkeley. It also called for an investigation into whether the U.S. military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy for homosexuals violated city anti-discrimination policy.
RELATED
• STORIES
• Berkeley, Calif., Mayor Apologizes to Military Members Following Flap Over Council Vote
• U.S. Senator Wants to Revoke Funding From City of Berkeley, Calif., for Vote to Boot Marines
• Berkeley to Marine Corps: You're Not Welcome
Other portions of the resolution applauded residents who "volunteer to impede" the work of the Marines, and gave Code Pink a parking space directly in front of the Marines' office from noon to 4 p.m. every Wednesday for six months, as well as waiving the fee for a sound permit.
That decision sparked a nationwide outrage, calls to withhold government funding for the city, and an apology and clarification from Berkeley Mayor Tom Bates.
On Tuesday, the council will hear from Laurie Capitelli and Betty Olds, two council members who are sponsoring a revised resolution that will ask the city not to send a letter to the Marine Corps saying it's unwelcome in Berkeley.
The resolution would reiterate the city's opposition to the Iraq war, while clarifying Berkeley's support of the nation's military servicemembers.
In a joint press statement, Capitelli and Olds said: “We failed to make it clear that while we continue to oppose what we consider an unethical and illegal war in Iraq, at the same time we respect and honor all the brave men and women who are serving or have served in the military … We have erred by not adequately differentiating between the war and the warriors.”
Capitelli and Olds also said in the press statement: “The recommendation to inform the Marine Corps recruiting office that they are not welcome in our city, was insulting, hurtful and wrong.”
The council's initial Marine Corps motions prompted a backlash from lawmakers in California's capital, Sacramento, and Washington. There have been calls to withhold state and federal funds — including $2 million in federal money earmarked for ferry service and school lunches, among other things — as well as an apology from Berkeley's mayor.
"Let me be absolutely clear that this is not about the men and women who are serving our country in our armed forces," Mayor Bates said on Feb. 1. "I am a retired U.S. Army Captain and I respect the choice of those who are serving our country.
"However, this community strongly opposes the war in Iraq and the foreign policy of the current administration."
He added: "I understand that there are people across the country that may not agree with this action, but it is the Berkeley City Council's responsibility to represent the will of the people of Berkeley."
That argument didn't fly with California Assemblyman Guy Houston, a Republican, who asked last week that $3.3 million in state transportation funds be suspended until the council rescinds its resolution.
"The Marines, and all of our branches of the military, deserve the honor of our elected officials, not their scorn," Houston said.
At Tuesday night's council meeting, Berkeley politicians will also consider measures that would condemn the construction of a wall along the U.S.-Mexican border as well as a request to Canadian leaders to grant sanctuary for U.S. war resisters.

[dennisw]

At Tuesday night's council meeting, Berkeley politicians will also consider measures that would condemn the construction of a wall along the U.S.-Mexican border as well as a request to Canadian leaders to grant sanctuary for U.S. war resisters.

What the hell do these issues have to do with the Berkeley City Council?

The anti-war feminist group Code Pink began a 24-hour "peace-in" Monday night

Feminist group? I wonder why I have not heard them speak out against honor killings, killing teachers who teach girls and the other extreme sexist policies in the middle east? Maybe the code pink gals need to wear a burka for a while.

Code Pink and the Westboro Baptist Church members, Beserkley can sure attract them.

[Scimitar]

Recieved this email today. Damn if I had been told yesterday I could have made it down there.

_____________________________


Friends, by the time you read this email our team from Move America Forward will have begun to arrive for our all-day pushback against the Berkeley City Council and their attacks on our troops here in America.

We already have learned that Code Pink is trying to pitch tents in the area that has been permitted to us for our pro-troop demonstration and anti-Berkeley City Council protests. It's going to be an interesting day in Berkeley, and we at Move America Forward will not back down - we stand with our troops, and we will not allow them to be dishonored, insulted or attacked, especially by an American governmental body!

We will be posting updates all throughout the day with pictures and first-hand
reports at our website: http://www.MoveAmericaForward.org

end

_________________________________

[swpa19]

SCIMITAR:

Here is an update: http://michellemalkin.com/2008/02/12/showdown-in-berkeley-and-the-harry-reid-chicken-out/

While your there, check out the Whitehouse allocating money to Mexico to protect its SOUTHERN borders.

[Scimitar]

Now I really wish I was there. I asked my wife if she's ever been to a real protest? These guys are only 10-12 hrs drive from us.

My wife is 6'0" and used to body build, :lifter so yeah I would have taken her along. :D

[JGarcia]

Let's invite Berkley to secede from the Union. I'd like a resolution that says that they are not welcome in the United States.

How about this gem: ""I was under the impression that we have the right of free speech," said Xanne Joi of Code Pink. "To me, I thought free speech meant you get to say what you want without recrimination.""

Can she not see the irony in that? Sure you can say what ever you want to, but democracy is a two way street. The other side always gets a rebuttal, and has the freedom to do with its tax dollars as it sees fit. After all isn't this a Democracy.?

[Gypsy]

Here's a link to the live (webcam) meeting. I hear several Military folks will be there... :D Starting now, 7pm Pacific time

http://www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/video/

Click the link under the City Council Meeting

[Scimitar]

Watching it now.

There sounds like there's a riot going on outside the meeting. At times the councilors can't be heard at the meeting. :D :munchin

Agenda
Point 15 - "Condemn Construction of Border Wall - United States and Mexico Border"
Point 16 - "Gay & Lesbian freedom to Marry Month"
Point 17 - "Letter To Canadian Officials Requesting Sanctuary For U.S. War Resisters"
Point 25 - "Reiteration of Berkeley’s Opposition to the Iraq War and Clarification of the City’s Support for the Men and Women who Voluntarily Serve this Country in the Military"

At this time 19:37 PST they are up to point 23

[Patriot007]

I hear the USA chant and they don't look happy. This may get ugly...:munchin

I should clear my room of breakable objects...

[Gypsy]

Watching it now.

There sounds like there's a riot going on outside the meeting. At times the councilors can't be heard at the meeting. :D :munchin



Move America Forward is there to counter protest the code pinkos...it has gotten loud at times. :D I wish they'd get on with it already...

I'm hoping someone will bring up the question why it's ok for the pinkos to block and chain themselves in front of the recruiting center...fire code violations if nothing else.

[dmgedgoods]

#

[Bill Harsey]

Looks like Berzerkely thru the Marines a "Welcome Back Riot" and they are going to be allowed to stay.

[The Reaper]

My favorite sign that I saw there read:

The Few

The Proud

The Insane

Berkeley

[Bracholi]

I do wonder... When war is once again at our front door... will all these loons wake up? Or will they pick up AK47s and help "those poor innocents that George Bush decided to wage an illegal, unethical war against". I can see it now... I just hope Code Pink realizes pink camo with pink ak47s doesn't do much for them...

[HOLLiS]

My thoughts are that they are nothing more than overstuffed wannabe peaceniks. They have a comfortable life that they do not want to disturb. I think the recruiting center makes their hypocrisy more apparent. The men and women serving are risking their lives, what are these people risking, Nothing. Yes Bezerkly wants the FEDs out, but they want the FEDs MONEY. I wonder how many of the code pink people pay federal taxes (which supports the war)? They are just doing feel good peace activities. As long as it does not cause problems for them.

Where is the commitment? Let say the Bezerkly council says, we want the FEDS out, we don't want their war money and we refuse to contribute to the war fund. That would show commitment.


That whole council chambers full of wannabe Che's are not worth one Military person. Chances are if Che was alive he would have had all of them shot. Heck why not, isn't this just like the Hollyweird elite, that are exempt from conservation, living a ecological life style or showing any level of real support. Fantasy to them is reality.


The other thing, they talk about the Majority controlling the minority, Humm shades of the olds days where the Klan ruled. Why respect the minority opinion? After all their moral jihad should be the way of the world and by golly they have a moral right to enforce it on people who do not agree. Welcome to the Neo-fascists.

[PSM]

Those “code pink” hags give me a whole new perspective on the Salem Witch Trials.

Pat

[Gypsy]

My favorite sign that I saw there read:

The Few

The Proud

The Insane

Berkeley


Ooooh missed that one. :D I am sorry to say I fell asleep and didnt watch the whole thing. I loved how they put everything first, then this issue. Guess they figured no other business would be discussed had they reversed the order...

[Bracholi]

I started reading those Pinko's blogs and the such... I seriously got so disgusted with them I'm nauseated. They seem to like misreporting facts first of all. The quoted Congressman Rohrabacher as saying "I hope it's your family members that die"... (<a href="http://www.codepinkalert.blogspot.com/">Link</a>.
They claim that this war has somehow affected them...

Edit:
Maybe we should offer the option to opt out of paying taxes that fund the war... You'd lose social security, medicare, etc. But your morals would still be intact!

I saw a Make Levees Not War sign out there in the Code Pink section... in a photo...
Guess didn't realize it's not the Feds job to build city/state developments..
Also it appears on their website is <a href="https://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/424/shop/custom.jsp?donate_page_KEY=3027"> this donation</a> page... interesting... looks like more funding to terrorism.

[Guy]

Depending how long this craziness goes on, I will be in Berkeley on Saturday for some personal business. I plan on stopping by the recruiters office and dropping supplies. They need all the support they can get. I will gladly step on the toes of every Code Pink cadet out there. This truly boils my blood. :mad:

ShawnI may cruise down there...then again; I may not.:eek:

I'm not in the mood to be taking shit from liberals.:lifter

Stay safe.

[Loadsmasher]

Looks like the USMC is victorious in yet another valiant struggle against the forces of evil, or in this case extreme stupidity.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/02/14/BAM9V1H00.DTL

My favorite part of the article.
"To err is human but to really screw up it takes the Berkeley City Council," said council member Gordon Wozniak.

Truer words were never spoken.

[dennisw]

He told police he had taken out the knife in self-defense after war protesters wrapped him in a pink banner, said Sgt. Mary Kusmiss, a police spokeswoman.

Police arrested the teenagers, boys ages 13 and 15, for scuffling with Marines supporters.

Boy that's embarrassing. That must be what they call a code pink," Emergency! Emergency! I've been wrapped in a pink banner! Pop the foo gas.:D

[HOLLiS]

Berkeley council becomes home to intolerance

Article Launched: 02/13/2008 12:11:51 PM PST
Contra Costa Times OP-ED

I have no doubt that the members of the Berkeley City Council have acted with conviction and sincerity in their actions relating to the U.S. Marine Corps recruiting center the past two weeks. I have met many of the members of the council, and honestly believe they are good, honorable people.
But that doesn't change the fact that many on this council are, to steal a line from John McCain, agents of intolerance. It was a term coined to describe members of the far right-wing in this country who espouse a moral superiority over all who see the world differently, but the Berkeley City Council has proved sadly during the Marine furor that the phrase applies equally well to the far left.



Read the rest here:

http://www.contracostatimes.com/newsnewsletter/ci_8251276?source=email

[Snaquebite]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_6VeLpMloUs

A Gold Star Mother of two sons, one a Marine and Marc Alan Lee who was the first SEAL to lose his life in Operation Iraqi Freedom. She lays into the Berkeley City Council.

[Gypsy]

Thought this was well written, a tad tongue in cheek in parts.

A Pro-American Sector of California

Ken Delfino
P O Box 1690 – Colfax, CA 95713-1690


February 13, 2008


To: Interested parties

Re: Berkeley, CA 12FEB2008

Following a fun-filled 20th Anniversary Celebration luncheon at the Kiwanis Club of Suisun City, I headed for the East Bay Sheep Ranch (EBSR) aka Berkeley, CA. The purpose of this trip was to participate with fellow veterans and Pro-Americans in voicing our displeasure with the disrespect displayed by the ESBR council toward the United States Marine Corps

The ESBR HQ for the evening was on Martin Luther King Blvd (MKLB) across from Martin Luther King Park (MKLP). After circling the AO for about 15 minutes, I was fortunate to find a parking spot on the north flank of MLKP. Centered in MLKP and facing ESBRHQ was a garrison-size 48-star flag donated for use buy a WWII veteran. At the time of my arrival, the temperature was about 65 degrees under a cloudless sky.

Traffic flowed north and south on MLKB with the anti-Marine group in front of their HQ and the pro-Americans facing them. Both sides were pretty laid back at this time. There was one person I was looking for, Debbie Lee, mother of Aviation Ordnanceman 2nd Class (AO2) Marc Lee, our first SEAL KIA in Iraq on 2AUG2006. Debbie and I were introduced on the Internet while I was involved with the dedication of the Cupertino Veterans Memorial in Cupertino, CA. You all received an AAR on that Veteran’s Day event from me.

As I arrived at MLKP, Melanie Morgan, one of the creators and stalwarts of the Move America Forward organization was speaking. I approached her to thank her for her leadership on behalf of our troops and I also met Debra Johns, the mother of a Marine who has three OIF tours under his belt. She is from nearby Granite Bay so I had to introduce myself. Debra joined the Move America Forward movement in direct counter when Cindy Sheehan became the media darling. Debra created a country tour called “You Don’t Speak for Me Cindy!” and has spoken at rallies in support of the troops.

This was my first participation at a politically based demonstration and I was prepared. I had my pockets stuffed with water, trail mix and Jelly Belly packs and I had my own sign, which read, “DON’T TREAD ON US!” and the statement “Your RIGHT to protest is secured by the very people whom you are protesting!!” I am proud to say that MANY photographed it and I’m wondering where it will show up!

At 1700 the Berkeley Police Department (BPD) closed off MLKB diverting traffic to skirt the north and south flanks of MLKP. Two lines of BPD fully decked out in riot gear with batons, helmets and faceguards took up positions between the opposing forces as both sides moved into the streets. With BPD positioned halfway between the center stripes and lane markers. We moved up to the lane marker and that was the extent. At this time we started hearing the recycled chants of the left…”No War for Oil”, “Give Peace a Chance”, “One, Two, Three, Four…we don’t want your -*****- war”, etc, etc, etc. The mantras were repeated and we countered with “Proud to be and American” the Marine Corps Hymn, Star-Spangled Banner, God Bless America, America the Beautiful, etc, etc, etc.

More people started arriving for both sides and the situation remained calm until some of their adults started to try to get a couple of BPD agitated. They tried to push their way past their lane stripe and were verbally warned to “STEP BACK”. Two of them stepped into that DMZ and Helmet #118, the shortest of all BPD on the line, stepped forward and pushed them back. One of them started yelling at 118 and made the mistake of stepping into the DMZ again and immediately four BPD reserves flanked 118 and moved on the lady who just didn’t get it!

They gave ground and BPD stepped back. It was then that I noticed that the left-wing front-liners were ALL YOUNG FEMALES. They were singing the Kumbaya “Give Peace a Chance” trying to hypnotize us with their two-fingered arm waving. Yep…these must the grandkids of the demons of the ‘60s! Behind the kids were the female adults and older males with some agitators yelling undecipherable epithets from the rear of the pack. I looked to my left and right and noticed some guys wearing 25th ID and 9th ID patches, Vietnam vets and I asked them if they noticed how the opposition were placing kids and old folks on the front line…like the VC did!

The opposition was outfitted in lovely orange outfits…I found out later on, in sympathy for the “downtrodden” at GITMO!!! The kids were mostly from Berkeley High School and it was said that they had been there earlier in the day –when classes were in session! Then there were the Code Pink pinkies. They skirted BPD’s perimeter and came over to our side to yell in the face of some vets. BPD let the yelling continue until one of the pinkies either intentionally or accidentally poked her finger in the chest of one of the vets. He punched her back in the chest and BPD moved in immediately between the two, but not attacking either. Pinkie was escorted back to her lines.

Later in the evening, two big kids came up to mouth off at another veteran and when one kid’s arm came up, the kid received a quick jab to the nose, which bloodied him and knocked him back.

The meeting started at 1900, but there were 25 items on the agenda and the issue of the letter to the Marines was item #25. It was estimated that they would get to that item around 2100. So two more hours of confrontation continued with their side continuing their verbal attacks against BPD and us. There was one rap song that was playing loudly referring to “Kill the Cops!” and I could not believe the restraint BPD had. The operator of the boom box played the song loudly and cut off the verse where they all yelled, “Kill the Cops!”

BPD’s body language spoke volumes to me…those personnel facing us appeared to be in a more ‘relaxed’ state with their arms folded and batons under their arms. Those facing the other side had their batons low with hands on both ends. With the rap songs they were listening to, it was not surprising.

During the course of the evening I spoke with several veterans…mostly Vietnam veterans and some Desert Storm and a few OIF and one OEF vet. Among those vets were a female LCPL who is a student at UCB. She was there with several members of the UCB Veteran’s Club which is about 100-members strong. I also met a vet from the Mobile Riverine force with whom we had worked some of the same rivers. I asked a lady decked out in digital cammies if she was a vet or on active duty. She said, “No, I’m representing my husband who is in Afghanistan.

I moved to an open front-line spot with my sign next to a fellow wearing a cap with the CIB. We chatted for several minutes with kids on our side that had signs “Berkeley Sucks” and “Waterboard the Liberals”. I was curious as to why these teens were on our side so I approached them and asked them. They simply stated, “They’re all assholes and commies!” I told them, that’s the answers that can be expected from the other side and that if they were going to join the veterans and Pro-American side, then they should know some background beyond what they were not being taught in school.

[Gypsy]

Con't.

I clarified some issues with the kids about the one-sided “Lies” issue and asked them if they knew the definitions of ‘treason’ and the reasons for ‘impeachment’. It was hard to keep their full attention, but we told them about the importance of RESEARCHING to counter their peers’ indoctrination. The other reasons the kids were there was to honor the service of their dads and grandparents who were all veterans of either Vietnam or Korea.

The CIB gentleman and I continued to chat for about 45 minutes before I thought to ask him who he was with and it turns out he is with the Special Forces chapter 23 out of San Francisco. Being an Associate Member of Chapter 89 out of Redding, I missed the joint Christmas dinner at Travis AFB last year where I would have met him! Although we weren’t in a bar, we showed each other our Challenge Coins…mine with the 89th and his from 5th SF!

At around 2045 we were told we could move across the street to the front of ESBR HQ. The anti-Marine group was on the LEFT side of the entrance and we were on the RIGHT. We were separated by barricades and a line of BPD, which primarily lined up facing them. There was a phalanx of 10 BPD scattered on the steps leading into the building. We were moved there so we could listen to comments coming from the speakers from both sides…with each speaker having one minute. The time was 2115 when they started on Item 25.

Debra Johns started for our side and in honor of her Marine son. There was plenty of back and forth with some eloquent speakers and some who displayed idiocy perfectly with there taking off on tangents that had no relevance to the topic at hand.

At one point we started hearing some slogan chanting behind us and we turned around to find the anti-everything crowd had snuck in behind us. I was toward the back of our group and ignored them for a while until some high school or college males started up with their chants. There were about 15 high school girls directly behind me lining up to do their Kumbaya singing again. They started and I finally turned around and firmly planted my sign in front of them…they could not avoid reading it! All I did was stare down one of them who looked away and then stared down the next one who turned around and left. Several vets came to the back and all we had to do was stare everyone down…and they eventually left!

One of the more important speakers was the president of the Berkeley Chamber of Commerce who stated that since word of “The Letter” came out on January 29th and Code Pink was allowed to harass the Marine Recruiting office, business was down 26% and one nearby hotel reported a major reduction in room rentals!

Another person I spoke with on our side was a young lady who owned a Bridal Shop located four doors down from the Marine’s office. Because of Code Pink’s activities, she has had a huge reduction in business and this is a very busy time for their line of work. Other Berkeleyites told me that the council really “doesn’t care” about the state of the business community. I asked them how come they keep electing these types of politicians to office and was told, “they outnumber us!”

Earlier in the day, one bearded fellow with a “God Bless America & SUPPORT THE TROOPS” sign was seen mingling with the students who seemed to like him. Yes, he was a veteran and one of those conservative “islands” in the sea of political academia in Berkeley. He spent most of his time on our side, but knew many on their side.

At 2355 the council recognized they had more speakers and moved to extend the meeting to 0030 in order to accommodate everyone. At 0020 the last speaker spoke and the council moved to debate the issues. The mayor admitted he made a mistake in the tone of the letter and was quick to point out that he still was against the war, but the Marines had a right to be there. He also stated that BPD did, in fact arrest all Code Pink personnel who had chained themselves and blocked access to the station. I did not have pen and paper with me so I was unable to take notes on the comments by each of the council members. The fog had come in and the temperature was pretty cold and I probably couldn’t have written anyway. When debate was completed, the vote was 7-2 to rescind sending the obnoxious letter to the Marines. On another vote where some of the council stating that an apology to the Marines was necessary, hot debate took place among them and in the end, the vote to apologize was: YES-3, NO-2, ABSTAIN-4. Five AYE votes were required to pass. There were several recurring and incorrect (in my opinion), comments uttered by speakers and council members. The main comment that was repeated was “ILLEGAL WAR” (which was approved by Congress and backed by the United Nations). Councilwoman Maio referred to a “badly thought out” war and yet I find her nowhere on the Pentagon or DoD website!

After the second vote was cast, defeating the Apology, the Berkeley H.S. teacher previously mentioned came shook our hands and thanked us for coming. He said after seeing the sea of flags, banners and Pro-Americas posters, he no longer ‘felt alone’! He is a born and raised Berkeleyite…and a rare patriot in that city.

This ends my After Action Report. I’ll be happy to entertain any questions or comments.

Ken Delfino
Colfax, CA
A Pro-American sector of California

United States Navy (RET)

[JustinW20]

Had to share...

[Ret10Echo]

Berkeley Dean Defends Law Professor
April 11, 2008 - 2:05pm
By PAMELA HESS
Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) - The law professor who wrote one of the seminal "torture memos" that cleared the way for harsh and what critics call abusive and illegal interrogation techniques is safe in his job, the dean of the school says.

University of California-Berkeley School of Law Dean Christopher Edley, Jr., took sharp exception to Professor John Yoo's legal analysis for the Bush administration's Justice Department in a message posted on the school's Web site. But Edley said the responsibility for any resulting breaches of law rested with Yoo's clients _ then-Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and President Bush.

"Yes, it does matter that Yoo was an adviser, but President Bush and his national security appointees were the deciders," Edley wrote.

"Assuming one believes as I do that Professor Yoo offered bad ideas and even worse advice during his government service, that judgment alone would not warrant dismissal or even a potentially chilling inquiry," he said.

Yoo had no immediate comment on Edley's Web site posting.

Yoo wrote a secret memo for the Pentagon dated March 14, 2003, which the Pentagon released last week under a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit. It outlines the legal justification for military interrogators to use harsh tactics against al-Qaida and Taliban detainees overseas _ so long as they did not specifically intend to torture their captives.

Yoo also referenced one of his earlier legal theories, now repudiated by the Justice Department: that the U.S. military was not required to observe constitutional protections against unlawful searches and seizures during domestic operations.

He built upon an earlier Justice Department memo that he helped draft which narrowly defined torture, and lowered the bar for how so-called enemy combatants could be treated.

"My sense is that the vast majority of legal academics with a view of the matter disagree with substantial portions of Professor Yoo's analyses, including a great many of his colleagues at Berkeley," Edley wrote. "If, however, this strong consensus were enough to fire or sanction someone, then academic freedom would be meaningless," he added.

While affirming Yoo's right to continue teaching at Berkeley and practicing law, Edley said Yoo had allowed politics to triumph over law.

"What troubles me substantively with the analyses in the memoranda is that they reduce the Rule of Law to the Reign of Politics. I believe there is much more to the separation of powers than the promise of ultimate remedies like the ballot box and impeachment, even in the case of a Commander in Chief during war. And I believe that the revolution in sensibilities after 9/11 demands greater, not reduced, vigilance for constitutional rights and safeguards," Edley stated.

The House Judiciary Committee has asked Yoo to testify in May on the recently released memo, threatening to subpoena him if he refuses.

Yoo received tenure at Berkeley in 1999. He took a leave of absence from 2001 to 2003 to serve as deputy assistant attorney general in the Office of Legal Counsel and returned to the school in 2004.