Berkeley city council anti Marine Corps

[enzfan]

They cater to the protesters and want the Marines out of town. As a former Marine this makes me want to vomit. Nobody likes war but you can't deny someone the opportunity to make an informed decision on serving in the military.


Marines can stay in Berkeley, without an apology from City Council
By Doug Oakley
Bay Area News Group
Article Launched: 02/13/2008 05:21:16 AM PST


The Berkeley City Council attempted to make nice with U.S. Marines recruiters Wednesday morning by taking back a letter it planned to send calling the Corps 'uninvited and unwelcome intruders' in the city.
But a motion to formally apologize failed.

Instead the City Council with a 7-2 vote at 1 a.m. sought to clarify one of its Jan. 29 Marines motions with new language that recognizes "the recruiters' right to locate in our city and the right of others to protest or support their presence."

The new statement also said the council opposes "the recruitment of our young people into this war."

The council heard testimony from about 100 people who came from as far away as Colorado to weigh in on the issue.

At the same time, the council let stand four other items it passed at its previous meeting, including one encouraging "all people to avoid cooperation with the Marine Corps recruiting station," another asking the city attorney to investigate whether the recruiting station is breaking the city's law against discrimination based on sexual orientation and two items giving the peace group Code Pink a free weekly parking space and sound permit to protest at the Shattuck Avenue recruiting station once a week.

Berkeley High School student Lily Wynkoop, 14, told the council she would like to see the recruiters leave town. The recruiting office is a few blocks from the high school.

"We should feel safe on our own school grounds," Wynkoop said. "But
when (the Marines) come around, that's not the environment we get. To those who say Berkeley is un-American, we say we love America, but we hate war."
On the other side of the spectrum of those who got to speak for one minute each was Debbie Lee who came from Arizona. Lee is the mother of Marc Lee, a Navy Seal who died in Iraq last year.

"My son gave up his life for this country, for you me and everyone in this room," Lee said. "I'm appalled at what the City Council has done. You tell us (the Marines) are not welcome in your city, that's appalling. You have offended us deeply. They are not murderers, and you owe them an apology."

[SwampThing]

I'm no fan of the Berkeley City Council and their decisions, but do you support a communities right to set standards for themselves?

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[Frau_Blucher]

[quote][i]Originally posted by SwampThing[/i]
<br>I'm no fan of the Berkeley City Council and their decisions, but do you support a communities right to set standards for themselves?
[/quote]
If it's within the law. For example, I wouldn't expect a staunch Muslim community to be able set Sharia standards that might override the law. Berkeley's actions seem to amount to nothing more than an objection and agreement to not cooperate. I got no problem with that, but neither would I have a problem with the Feds pulling $2million of Berkeley funding if they thought these actions materially obstructed Federal rights. That's the good ole US of A ain't it?

[SwampThing]

I'd agree Blir. I guess this case is different because of the fact it's the miltary. City Councils across america have passed rules against allowing "big box" superstores, fast food chains and adult books stores in their communities. So you either support a communties right to set standards or your don't.

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[MARV]

I think freedom of speech is a wonderful thing but not when it impedes on other freedoms, like being able to physically walk in and out of a place. I guess the City Council remembered that you can't block private property from access to it's entry from a public road or sidewalk. Too bad for them they got it right only after they let Code Pink make weenies out of themselves:

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x49wnb_code-pink_news

What's next, atheists blocking churches? Vegans blocking steakhouses? I'm definitely no law expert but I think they should have taken their grievance to a higher authority for a chance at any real change.

[enzfan]

I see where the city council pulled out that tired old line "we support the troops but not the war". You can't have it both ways it's one or the other. So if they support the troops then they are also supporting their Commander In Chief President Bush.

[drsevrin]

As a UC Berkeley alumnus I can't say I'm surprised. I went there to experience "progressive politics" but ultimately left shaking my head. There is a hardcore group of folks in that town that will, should the world finally achieve utopia, protest and riot about the weather. The marines aren't responsible for the policy and shouldn't be the object of the town's ire. They don't call it the People's Republic of Berkeley for nothing.