[4XGore]

http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/02/07/berkeley.protests/index.html

Discuss among yourselves.

[fastredjeep]

That was in the news paper the other day. The mayor gave them a parking spot to host their hate fests in. They will tire eventually and give up.

I have a friend who went to Berkley and contrary to what everyone says, the largest school club is the College Republicans. So much for being a liberal school.

I will write more I'm sure, but I have to catch a bus home from school.

[MuddyJeepZJ]

Round them all up and ship them to Iraq.

[Indy]

"Join the Marines. Travel to Exotic Lands. Meet Exciting and Unusual People -- And Kill Them."

I thought that already posted in the recruiters office, why bother bringing your own sign?

[Kyoseki]

The Marines' sign wasn't pink enough

[RAZORBILL]

I just sent the good Mayor an email:

Mr. Mayor,



First let me quote your comment on the City of Berkley’s website:



"I have heard from people all over the country regarding the action taken by the Berkeley City Council regarding the Marines recruiting center. Let me be absolutely clear that this is not about the men and women who are serving our country in our armed forces. 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."


It’s clear to me, as a retired member of the US Coast Guard, that you have forgotten about the oath that you and millions of others swore when you joined the service, let me refresh your memory:

"I, _____, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God." (Title 10, US Code; Act of 5 May 1960 replacing the wording first adopted in 1789, with amendment effective 5 October 1962).

"I, _____ (SSAN), having been appointed an officer in the Army of the United States, as indicated above in the grade of _____ do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign or domestic, that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservations or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office upon which I am about to enter; So help me God." (DA Form 71, 1 August 1959, for officers.)



Your actions to attempt to disrupt the Marine recruiting office are about the men and women of the Marine Corp and a personal attack on anyone who has ever served this country with honor. You clearly have no respect for the men and women serving this country or you would not allow this type of behavior from a city council. Whether or not you or the City Council agree with the current administrations policies has nothing to do with this recruiting office. If you would like to make a statement, rent a billboard, newspaper space, or TV time. Leave those fine men and women alone to conduct their business. They don’t need to be attacked by the likes of you, the city council or any of those protestors. If it bothers you that much just quit paying taxes, let me know how that works out for you.



They were sent there by the Marine Corp to recruit Marines, not to be abused by you and your city council. If you think that you are not attacking them personally then you need to walk down there and ask them. I’m betting that they feel singled out. You have issues with the POTUS, get on a plane with your city council and head to Wash, DC to protest him. Since your city feels so strongly about this I’m sure that wouldn’t mind the added travel expense. They may even approve of you bringing along some of those professional protestors along too.



To further show that your attack is directed at the men & women of the Marine Corps I offer you this small portion from the Declaration that your city approved:

“ Berkeley's declaration, which was introduced by the city's Peace and Justice Commission, accuses the United States of having a history of "launching illegal, immoral and unprovoked wars of aggression and the Bush administration launched the most recent of those wars in Iraq and is threatening the possibility of war in Iran."

It adds, "Military recruiters are salespeople known to lie to and seduce minors and young adults into contracting themselves into military service with false promises regarding jobs, job training, education and other benefits."

Let me make this absolutely clear to you Sir, you have zero respect for the men and women serving in the armed forces and have made that clear to them by calling them liars. What makes this so sad is that you were a soldier at one time. You clearly forgot, or maybe never understood, what it meant to wear the uniform of this great country. In closing I recommend you and your city council start looking for a new country more to your liking. Please pass on my contempt to your city council.

Sincerely,

Allen D. Walther, BMCM, US Coast Guard, Retired

Hannibal, NY


His email address is: 'mayor@ci.berkeley.ca.us'

Feel free to send him a note!!!

[Grape Ape]

Very impressive ursandal.

You should like the following.

NBC11.com story.

BERKELEY, Calif. -- As six Republican senators devised a plan to yank $2.3 million in federal funding for Berkeley programs, the mayor of the famously liberal city apologized Wednesday for his hard stance against a Marine recruiting center.

Two City Council members vowed to soften their stance as well.

The threat to remove federal funding had them spinning on their heels to ensure they were going to continue to receive their funding. I still think we should have just blockaded them into the city. Then turned off any utilities they did not produce. Basically told them if you don't like the military then you should get none of the benefits their fighting has provided for you including your personal liberties.The citizens would quickly ensure the city government changed their stance and they would line the streets to show their appreciation for the military when they come back.

[shunt]

Those people have the right to protest........






































Because of our military........

[GhostSSX]

Originally Posted by shunt

Those people have the right to protest........

Because of our military........

FAIL


10 char

[MattTheMudder]

Simple solution if you don't wanna join the Marines



Don't sign up


Of course it's not acceptable to allow others to make that choice, so they must get rid of all the recruiters, since students are obviously being forced to enlist against their will

[jake7893]

This is ridkculaouss (spelleded wrongly on purpose) I can't believe that they would allow that. I can't believe people would want to do that. If you don't want to join, don't join. You shouldn't stop others from joining. I almost did, and I'm glad I didn't, but I still think what if... and I have many friends in the service (about 8 from my graduating class 6 marines) and they are doing just fine. I don't know why they would want to protest something like that. Even if 1 city does it doesn't mean that they're going to start a trend either.

[percent20]

hahaha liberals actually allow people to make a choice for themselves? say it aint so. LOL. i'd like to see if they'd let me have a rational conversation with them. I doubt it would be possible.

They'd rather the government tell them what to do and where to do it.

[rockhopper]

The attention will most likely backfire and bring out the folks that support the center.

A few years ago, a local minister decided to protest outside an "adult bookstore" by video-taping customers as they walked in and out. His idea was to "shame" people by "exposing" them. Well, the day came, and the bookstore had a 500% increase in foot traffic. Most of the people that were on his video-tape were not regular customers, so he couldn't "shame" them (although he tried), and those that were regular customers were protected by blending in with the hundreds of others.

[NYCXJ90]

Marine Recruiters don't come find you. They wait for you to step up and come see them. If they have to convince you to join; they don't want you. There was a guy in the office with me who I overheard asking about signing bonuses (comparing them to the ones the Army offered) and college. They politely asked him to reevaluate his interest in the Marines.

[shunt]

Originally Posted by GhostSSX

FAIL


10 char

You didn't pick up on the irony...?

These people are allowed to protest BECAUSE of the very people they're protesting...... Our military protects our Constitution. Our right to free speech.
These people should protest the government not the military.....That would make more sense. But it looks like these people lack sense.....