Welcome Guest [Log In] [Register]
We hope you enjoy your visit.


You're currently viewing our forum as a guest. This means you are limited to certain areas of the board and there are some features you can't use. If you join our community, you'll be able to access member-only sections, and use many member-only features such as customizing your profile, sending personal messages, and voting in polls. Registration is simple, fast, and completely free.


Join our community!


If you're already a member please log in to your account to access all of our features:

Username:   Password:
Add Reply
Berkeley tells Marines to get out
Topic Started: Feb 1 2008, 03:59 PM (568 Views)
8247
Member Avatar
Apparently we look like this now
http://www.contracostatimes.com/ci_8120433?source=rss

Quote:
 
Hey-hey, ho-ho, the Marines in Berkeley have got to go.
That's the message from the Berkeley City Council, which voted 6-3 Tuesday night to tell the U.S. Marines that its Shattuck Avenue recruiting station "is not welcome in the city, and if recruiters choose to stay, they do so as uninvited and unwelcome intruders."

In addition, the council voted to explore enforcing its law prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation against the Marines because of the military's don't ask, don't tell policy. And it officially encouraged the women's peace group Code Pink to impede the work of the Marines in the city by protesting in front of the station.

In a separate item, the council voted 8-1 to give Code Pink a designated parking space in front of the recruiting station once a week for six months and a free sound permit for protesting once a week from noon to 4 p.m.

Councilman Gordon Wozniak opposed both items.

The Marines have been in Berkeley for a little more than a year, having moved from Alameda in December of 2006. For about the past four months, Code Pink has been protesting in front of the station.

"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 after votes were cast.

A Marines representative did not respond to requests for comment.

The resolution telling the Marines they are unwelcome and directing the city attorney to explore


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Advertisement

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
issues of sexual orientation discrimination was brought to the council by the city's Peace and Justice commission.
The recommendation to give Code Pink a parking space for protesting and a free sound permit was brought by council members Linda Maio and Max Anderson.

Code Pink on Wednesday started circulating petitions to put a measure on the November ballot in Berkeley that would make it more difficult to open military recruiting offices near homes, parks, schools, churches libraries or health clinics. The group needs 5,000 signatures to make the ballot.

Even though the council items passed, not everyone is happy with the work of Code Pink. Some employees and owners of businesses near the Marines office have had enough of the group and its protests.

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

An employee of a nearby business who asked not to be identified said Wednesday the elderly Code Pink protesters are aggressive, take up parking spaces, block the sidewalk with their yoga moves, smoke in the doorways, and are noisy.

"Most of the people around here think they're a joke," the woman said.

Wozniak said he was opposed to giving Code Pink a parking space because it favors free speech rights of one group over another.

"There's a line between protesting and harassing, and that concerns me," Wozniak said. "It looks like we are showing favoritism. We have to respect the other side, and not abuse their rights. This is not good policy."

Ninety-year-old Fran Rachel, a Code Pink protester who spoke at the council meeting, said the group's request for a parking space and noise permit was especially important because the Marines are recruiting soldiers who may die in an unjust war.

"This is very serious," Rachel said. "This isn't a game; it's mass murder. There's a sickness of silence of people not speaking out against the war. We have to do this."

Anderson, a former Marine who said he was "drummed out" of the corps when he took a stand against the Vietnam War, said he'd love to see the Marines high tale it out of town.

"We are confronted with an organization that can spend billions of dollars on propaganda," Anderson said. "This is not Okinawa here; we're involved in a naked act of aggression. If we can provide a space for ordinary people to express themselves against this kind of barbarity, then we should be doing it."


:no:

Offline | Profile | Quote | ^
 
Wichita
Member Avatar
The Adminstrator wRench
A few months back, the protestors defaced the front of the Recruiting office calling the Marines a few choice names having to do with "murder" etc. In response the Recruiting Officer wrote them a great letter - I just wish I could find a copy to post with this story.

As I recall, he was not unsympathetic to the concept of protesting - in fact, protecting the right to protest was one of the reasons why, in his opinion, he was a Marine.

I'll keep looking. :)


Offline | Profile | Quote | ^
 
somerled
Member Avatar
Admiral MacDonald RN
Never heard of Code Pink. Does that mean it is OK for Marnines tp gay so long as their CO never finds out ? .... sailor jokes aside for now... :rolleyes:

Well, if the parents of the kids who live in Berkeley don't want their kids enlisting in the Marines because they think the wars in Iraq and Afganistan are lost causes and not worth fighting , then it is their perogative to ask the local council to force the recruiting shopfront to go elsewhere.

Nothing unpatriotic about that , nor would I think it was unamerican.

Since where was bad to ask recruiting stations to leave ?

If the recruiters came into my local high school without an invite by the head master and the careers advisor , I think most the parents here (in Gateshead) would be up in arms about it. That kind of thing doesn't happen here.
If the kids want to recruit they visit the one and only in Newcastle ADF recruiting shop front in on Hunter Street (our local Main Street), or they do it on-line.
Offline | Profile | Quote | ^
 
Admiralbill_gomec
UberAdmiral
Fortunately this is not Australia...



As for the cowardly, unAmerican actions of the Berkeley city council, this is typical behavior from them.

Note to those who object to the armed forces of your country opening a recruiting office in your town, don't go in.

Nothing about a school was mentioned. This was a storefront on PRIVATE PROPERTY. Last I checked, it was not illegal to open a military recruiting office.

Since "when is it bad" to harrass your own military in a free society? Ignoring the fact that their mission is to protect you, you tell me.
Offline | Profile | Quote | ^
 
Data's Cat's Sister
Member Avatar
Commodore
Gah! My post got cut off half way through typing!

I respect the right of Code Pink to protest. However I would hope that if a pro recruitment group wished to protest too they would be given the same rights - parking space, liscense etc etc.

I can also understand the concerns of the group. I think perhaps (if this isn't already the case) there ought to be a legal requirement for the military to present potential recruits with straight facts about life in service including statistics on death/injury, future employability and legal rights.

However I disagree with the group in its attempt to shut down recruitment altogether. I believe that it is essential for a nation to have a military. Therefore recruitment is essential. I have also seen first hand how military service in America can be positive. A friend of mine has an American mother who was born into serious poverty. She joined the American airforce and was able to work her way out of that poverty.
Offline | Profile | Quote | ^
 
ImpulseEngine
Admiral
Shame on Berkeley. Fine if you're against the war, but don't take it out on the military who are just following orders and serving their country loyally and courageously. :angry:
Offline | Profile | Quote | ^
 
somerled
Member Avatar
Admiral MacDonald RN
Admiralbill_gomec
Feb 2 2008, 08:59 AM
Fortunately this is not Australia...



As for the cowardly, unAmerican actions of the Berkeley city council, this is typical behavior from them.

Note to those who object to the armed forces of your country opening a recruiting office in your town, don't go in.

Nothing about a school was mentioned. This was a storefront on PRIVATE PROPERTY. Last I checked, it was not illegal to open a military recruiting office.

Since "when is it bad" to harrass your own military in a free society? Ignoring the fact that their mission is to protect you, you tell me.

How is it
Quote:
 
cowardly, unAmerican
?

I don't see you enlisting to go and fight.

Unlike the USA , Australia is not miltarised.

Here , the military keep a relatively low profile and you don't often see the miliiary out and about except when they are called out to assist when a desaster has happened.

Offline | Profile | Quote | ^
 
RTW
Member Avatar
Vice Admiral
ImpulseEngine
Feb 1 2008, 04:24 PM
Shame on Berkeley. Fine if you're against the war, but don't take it out on the military who are just following orders and serving their country loyally and courageously. :angry:

:clap:
Offline | Profile | Quote | ^
 
8247
Member Avatar
Apparently we look like this now
For one thing, it makes me sick that these jerks want the Marines out. Military service is not required here, so what is the big deal? These quacks are forcing out people who fought, bled, and died for their freedom.

Senator Jim DeMint is trying to get the government to deny Berkeley federal money if they say that the Marines can't be there. I knew there was a reason I voted for him. :clap:

...Actually, he has been one hell of a senator. I hope he runs for president someday.
Offline | Profile | Quote | ^
 
Hoss
Member Avatar
Don't make me use my bare hands on you.
somerled
Feb 1 2008, 07:29 PM
Admiralbill_gomec
Feb 2 2008, 08:59 AM
Fortunately this is not Australia...



As for the cowardly, unAmerican actions of the Berkeley city council, this is typical behavior from them.

Note to those who object to the armed forces of your country opening a recruiting office in your town, don't go in.

Nothing about a school was mentioned. This was a storefront on PRIVATE PROPERTY. Last I checked, it was not illegal to open a military recruiting office.

Since "when is it bad" to harrass your own military in a free society? Ignoring the fact that their mission is to protect you, you tell me.

How is it
Quote:
 
cowardly, unAmerican
?

I don't see you enlisting to go and fight.

Unlike the USA , Australia is not miltarised.

Here , the military keep a relatively low profile and you don't often see the miliiary out and about except when they are called out to assist when a desaster has happened.

Wow, the USA is militarized??? Here I have lived here for 37.5 years and hadn't noticed. I need to get out more. To bad that Abrams is blocking the street or I'd go down town.


Really though, only those saying stuff that is acceptable to the political left should have freedom of speech. The rest of that stuff doesn't matter.
Offline | Profile | Quote | ^
 
ds9074
Member Avatar
Admiral
And I thought all the Loony Left Councils were abolished by Mrs Thatcher in the 1980s ;)

What a bunch of idiots these council member come across as. They should recognise that military policy is not within their remit, unless I have grossly misunderstood the system of government in the US. If they want to protest then they should do so on their own time.

The Council should be focusing on what it has resonsibility for and aiming to do a good job at that - leave the Marines to do the job they have been charged with.
Offline | Profile | Quote | ^
 
RTW
Member Avatar
Vice Admiral
ds9074
Feb 2 2008, 10:17 AM
And I thought all the Loony Left Councils were abolished by Mrs Thatcher in the 1980s  ;)

Are you sure she didn't banish them to the ol' penal colony?
:bolt:
Offline | Profile | Quote | ^
 
Admiralbill_gomec
UberAdmiral
somerled
Feb 1 2008, 07:29 PM
Admiralbill_gomec
Feb 2 2008, 08:59 AM
Fortunately this is not Australia...



As for the cowardly, unAmerican actions of the Berkeley city council, this is typical behavior from them.

Note to those who object to the armed forces of your country opening a recruiting office in your town, don't go in.

Nothing about a school was mentioned. This was a storefront on PRIVATE PROPERTY. Last I checked, it was not illegal to open a military recruiting office.

Since "when is it bad" to harrass your own military in a free society? Ignoring the fact that their mission is to protect you, you tell me.

How is it
Quote:
 
cowardly, unAmerican
?

I don't see you enlisting to go and fight.

Unlike the USA , Australia is not miltarised.

Here , the military keep a relatively low profile and you don't often see the miliiary out and about except when they are called out to assist when a desaster has happened.

As you already know, I did try to... September 12, 2001. This is quite old news, so I'm going to speculate that this is yet another bait on your part because you can't actually debate the issue.

:rotfl:

Offline | Profile | Quote | ^
 
Sgt. Jaggs
Member Avatar
How about a Voyager Movie
:stirpot: I'm liking this already. I have nothing to add however........ :drool: this is gonna get interesting.............. :please: :drool: :evil1:
Offline | Profile | Quote | ^
 
Admiralbill_gomec
UberAdmiral
Jag
Feb 6 2008, 08:34 PM
:stirpot: I'm liking this already. I have nothing to add however........ :drool: this is gonna get interesting.............. :please: :drool: :evil1:

Not really, Jag. I don't know any regular member on this site who doesn't know that I drove 200+ miles to Corpus the day after 9/11 to re-up. Got politely turned down by a classmate and his CO. Plenty of sub drivers out there. A surplus of both line and staff officers of command grade. So, I turned my talents to the civilian side with organizing troop supply rallies.
Offline | Profile | Quote | ^
 
ZetaBoards - Free Forum Hosting
Join the millions that use us for their forum communities. Create your own forum today.
Go to Next Page
« Previous Topic · Politics and World Events Forum · Next Topic »
Add Reply

Tweet
comments powered by Disqus