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Post by LarryK on Feb 9, 2008 12:43:31 GMT -5
This is the responsed to Council Member...... Subject: Businessman responds to the Berkeley, CA Council Berkeley to Marine Corps: You're Not Welcome 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. www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,327347,00.html Contact the city council at Berkeley, CA via email: clerk@ci.berkeley.ca.us Now check this out, here is a letter a businessman wrote to the Mayor of Berkeley. Is this a great country or what? Dear Mayor Bates, In that you and your city have chosen to gravely insult the brave men and women, who have indeed bought you that right with their blood, I am informing you that my company will no longer do business with any of our current suppliers located in the Berkeley,California metro area. In that my company is in international resort real estate development, and do business with and am associated with, developers and investors worldwide, I am informing all of my contacts, associates and patrons that we will no longer do any business of any sort with anyone living in the Berkeley area. In that we/MDG Resorts are currently building a state of the art mega-yacht marina, all of the suppliers of Marina equipment, all owners of Yachts , all suppliers of Yacht materials & supplies, all yacht brokers and all tangential yacht business purveyors will likewise be informed that we will not do any business whatsoever with anyone from the Berkeley area. Likewise all suppliers of building materials, both interior and exterior, currently associated with any of our several resort developments (Brisamar 300+ villas and 200+ condos: Porto Hussong, www.portohussong.com 500+ condos, 180 slip mega-yacht marina) both of which I might add have international recognition by virtue of glowing reports in Robb Report, Wall Street Journal, Yacht World, Forbes. I will likewise inform all of our investors, most of whom are very wealthy yacht owners, casino owners, high net worth international businessmen, of our decision to essentially boycott all products and providers located in, or associated with in any way whatsoever,Berkeley, Ca. Trust me when I say that having been in the real estate development business for over 35 years, our list of contacts and associates is long and very, very impressive. We, and I personally, are going to recomend that they ALL along with us boycott your city, its purveyors, suppliers, and businesses and CHARITIES of every kind. You have every right to choose to take the obnoxious anti-military stance you have taken, and as stated, that right was bought for you with the blood of better men than you. I too have every right to do all that I can to insure that your city suffers consequences arising from that obnoxious, sickening stance. Cordially, Brian G Dennard Principal Director Meridian Development Group, LLC 619 807 2444 www.mdgresorts.comwww.portohussong.
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Post by jarhead32 on Feb 9, 2008 14:49:29 GMT -5
LarryK- This is an excellent post- "City wants Marines out of there territory"? As usual the Liberals don't like the Military & are against the 'War on Terror'? They thought that by making things rough for the 'Recruiters' in the City,they would then leave-not this year?. A 'Socialist Group';named "Code Pink" was given its approval whereas the USMC,was there illegally according to the City Council? :oSome members in the US Congress,stated they would look into if they can 'Withhold Federal Funding? If nothing else doesn't it get their attention,that Businessman 's Letter ought to 'Make them think twice'? Sounds like they maybe made a big mistake-$$$$$! -Rich
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Post by jarhead32 on Feb 9, 2008 22:09:06 GMT -5
All- I heard or read somewhere that the 'Mayor' has said ,"That they were sorry"? ;D If the City of Berkley,doesn't realize that they are in trouble ? :-They soon will be-once; All the business for the 'Area' dries up? Wonder if the 'City Council' will be looking for new jobs? Maybe they won't live there anymore? We can't say a heck of a lot more ,than Mr. Dennard' s letter to the Mayor? An economic impact may develop? While we are at it;have him look at what business & investments they do with the San Francisco Area; they are just as bad or worse? Pull the plug there too? 8-)SEMPER FIDELIS- The Crazy Old Man-RichW/49
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Post by Stretch on Feb 10, 2008 8:14:01 GMT -5
To clarify, the Marine recruiter's office was not kicked out of the city, but was merely notified that it is unwelcome there.
It sounds like the People's Republik of Berkeley has $hit in their mess kit...
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U.S. Senator Wants to Revoke Funding From City of Berkeley, Calif., for Vote to Boot Marines Friday, February 01, 2008
WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. Jim DeMint, R-S.C., says the City of Berkeley, Calif., no longer deserves federal money.
DeMint was angered after learning that the Berkeley City Council voted this week to tell the U.S. Marine Corps to remove its recruiting station from the city's downtown.
"This is a slap in the face to all brave service men and women and their families," DeMint said in a prepared statement. "The First Amendment gives the City of Berkeley the right to be idiotic, but from now on they should do it with their own money."
"If the city can’t show respect for the Marines that have fought, bled and died for their freedom, Berkeley should not be receiving special taxpayer-funded handouts," he added.
Sen. DeMint will appear Saturday on FOX News Channel — on FOX Online With Jamie Colby — between noon and 2 p.m. ET.
In the meantime, a senior Marine official tells FOX News that the Marine office in Berkeley isn't going anywhere.
"We understand things are different there, but some people just don't get it. This is a part of the military machine that gives them the right to do what they do, but what they are doing is extreme," the official said.
DeMint said he will draft legislation to rescind any earmarks dedicated for the City of Berkeley in the recently passed appropriations bill — which his office tallied to value about $2.1 million. He said that any money taken back would be transferred to the Marines.
DeMint's office provided a preliminary list of items that would be subject to his proposal:
— $975,000 for the University of California at Berkeley, for the Matsui Center for Politics and Public Service, which may include establishing an endowment, and for cataloguing the papers of Congressman Robert Matsui.
— $750,000 for the Berkeley/Albana ferry service.
— $243,000 for the Chez Panisse Foundation, for a school lunch initiative to integrate lessons about wellness, sustainability and nutrition into the academic curriculum.
— $94,000 for a Berkeley public safety interoperability program.
— $87,000 for the Berkeley Unified School District, nutrition education program.
The Marine official, speaking with FOX News on Friday, said Marine Commandant Gen. James Conway scoffed at the news, but there are no plans to protest the City Council's decisions. There are definitely no plans to move the recruiting station either.
"To actually put something into law that encourages the disruption of a federal office is ridiculous. They are not going to kick a federal office out of its rightful place there, and this is not going to discourage those young patriots who want to be Marines," the official said.
The Berkeley City Council this week 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," according to The Associated Press.
The council also voted to explore whether a city anti-discrimination law applies to the Marines, with a focus on the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy that prevents open homosexuality in the military.
The council also voted to give the antiwar group Code Pink a parking space in front of the recruiting office once a week for six months, as well as a protest permit.
The Marine recruiting office in Berkeley has been open for about one year, but has been the subject of recent protests by Code Pink members.
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Post by Stretch on Feb 10, 2008 8:20:41 GMT -5
More... --------------------------- 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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Post by Stretch on Feb 10, 2008 8:24:13 GMT -5
From: David Dill
Dear Mayor Bates,
Your city’s stance regarding Marines and Marine Recruiting is unacceptable. Regardless of how you or your city council feel about U.S. foreign policy, each and every Marine or service member that you would have discharged from your city would gladly put his/her life on the line in your defense. You are stomping on the Constitution and those that have defended it throughout our proud history! If you and your City Council are successful in your measures against our Armed Forces of the United States, I and many like me will not rest until any and all Federal funding is withdrawn from your grasp. Your actions are despicable and you add insult to injury by lending your support to such an Anti-American organization as “Code Pink”. Please do the right thing and stop your treasonous actions against patriotic Americans.
Sincerely,
David J. Dill GySgt USMC(ret.)
Berkeley Wants Marines Out of Town
Contra Costa Times | January 31, 2008
BERKELEY, Calif. - Hey-hey, ho-ho, the Marines in Berkeley have got to go.
That's the message from the Berkeley City Council, which voted 8-1 Jan. 29 to tell the 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, and 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 council 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 voted no on 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.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Group Protests Marine Recruiters in Berkeley
San Francisco Chronicle
Kevin f*gan, Chronicle Staff Writer
Friday, February 1, 2008
Emboldened by this week's show of support by the Berkeley City Council, anti-war protesters on Thursday cranked up their noisy effort to throw the U.S. Marine Corps recruiters out of town, but in the pounding rain it was hard to tell who won the figurative battle of wills.
On one hand, the protesters mustered one of their biggest crowds yet - 40 people - to yell "Drive out the Bush regime" and other slogans outside the Marines' recruiting station on Shattuck Avenue. Hundreds of motorists honked in support as they passed.
On the other hand, there was nobody working at the recruiting station to hear these entreaties. The recruiting staff took the afternoon off.
And not only did the protesters get soaked to the bone in one of the heaviest downpours all week, several local business owners and their customers seethed under the aural onslaught of bullhorns and chanting from 3 to 5 p.m.
"They need a place to be heard, but it doesn't seem like this is the best one," complained Mike Mathis, who sometimes had to shout to be heard as his hair was being cut at the ZNS Beauty Station, next door to the Marines' office. "This is too small a place for a protest this loud."
Not in the minds of those doing the protest, it wasn't.
The spot was perfect and the noise justified, said Zanne Joy, who has been helping organize peace demonstrations at the recruiting station for four months with the women's anti-war group Code Pink. Anything legal is justified if it succeeds in persuading the Marine Corps to move its recruiting station out of Berkeley, she said, noting proudly that the Berkeley City Council agrees.
The council voted late Tuesday to give Code Pink a designated parking space directly in front of the recruiting station, as well as a sound permit for once-a-week protests. It also approved a separate resolution calling the military recruiters "uninvited and unwelcome intruders" and declaring that the office - which opened quietly in December 2006 - is not welcome in the city.
"We were shocked when we learned last fall that this recruiting station showed up here," Joy said. "It's an affront to the city and the people of Berkeley, who have always supported peace."
Since October, the weekly protests by Code Pink have mostly consisted of about a dozen people, so Thursday's crowd was a significant escalation. Joy and representatives from several other protest groups said they intend to mount demonstrations as many times a week as they can, even if the sound permit is good only once a week.
They also began circulating a petition on Wednesday to gather 5,000 signatures to put a measure on the November ballot that would require public hearings before military recruiting offices could open up near schools or homes.
Marine Corps officials did not return calls for comment.
However, ex-Marine Staff Sgt. Bill Hamilton showed up on his own to say he wholeheartedly supports the rights of the protesters to speak , but doesn't like their effort to silence the Marine Corps' voice in Berkeley.
"They don't seem to realize that this recruiting office is only for recruiting potential officers with college degrees, not kids right out of high school," said Hamilton, who drove in from Pleasanton to become the only on-scene counterpoint to the demonstration. "Marines are willing to die so these people can have their say, but I wish they understood the situation better."
Even the City Council is not of one voice on the matter.
The vote to award the Code Pink parking spot was 8-1, and the condemnation resolution was 6-3. On Thursday, the polarized emotions that went into those votes had not abated.
"I'm ashamed of my vote," said Councilwoman Betty Olds, who helped approve the parking spot but not the condemnation. "The protesters should have free speech - this is where Free Speech was born, after all - but to tell the Marines they are not welcome is shameful. If I had to do it again, I wouldn't even go for the parking spot."
Councilwoman Dona Spring, however, said she would love to step up the pressure even more against the Marine recruiting office.
"We're not condemning the men and women who serve, we are condemning the U.S. policy that is teaching the Marines and other military people to torture, oust other countries' political leaders and do other evil things."
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Post by jarhead32 on Feb 10, 2008 11:43:46 GMT -5
All- It becomes very evident that the mentioned "Recruiting Station" :Pstated,by the news article,covered it was there for the recruitment of 'Officers'? Where,current officers & retired personnel try to gain Officer Candidates & SpecialityBillets,ie: like JAG,Medical & Chaplian Corps. ;DYes, I know some hold a Navy Ranking ,but are for the Marine Corps? The point I was trying to make is, these'Sweethearts' from 'Code Pink', don't have a clue on what is going on there? They got the 'City Council' to join in? For the one member of the 'Council',who wouldn't go along-Congrats & for our Marines who confronted by letter or in person-Well done? Berkley,as a city & as a place for the University,called"CAL",have always been 'Liberal-Liberal Base',against the military & hide behind the so called' Peace Banner'? -RichW/49
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Post by jarhead32 on Feb 10, 2008 22:22:23 GMT -5
;D All,Another one- RE: Marines Kicked out of "Toledo,Ohio"- On Fox News-Sunday -approximately 3:45- It was stated that The 'Mayor' of Toledo,Ohio Stopped Local Marine Reservists, from using part of the buildings & land for 'Urban Warfare Training? :PThe session was approved through the Police; plus these Training Programs have been accomplished before? 8-)The Commanding Officer ,of the Unit said this was to be the last training before there deploying? :DWhat is in the Water,Mayor? ;DAnyone ,got more info. on this? Get'em-RichW/49
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Post by RichW49 on Feb 12, 2008 10:46:59 GMT -5
All,;D I saw on this mornings,'News"-that in the City of 'Berkley' that the 'Police' had to put a Cordon around City Hall, & too protect the Commissioners from the irate public & protesters which support the'Marines'? Don't know where "Code Pink" is right now? Hiding,I wonder? Sounds like the 'City Council' maybe re-thinking their last decisions? SEMPER FI-The Crazy Old Man-RichW/49
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Post by ohdjar49 on Feb 12, 2008 15:46:34 GMT -5
LarryK,JoeD,Stretch,Swanny,MikeyB,Terry & all, ;D I was not able to get back in under my old E-mail address? The police started before 'Dawn' to protect the Property & People of the 'City of Berkley'. The meeting there is tonight? Wonder ,what they are going to say? :PSEMPER FIDELIS-The Crazy Old Man,is still here?-RichW/49
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Post by ohdjar49 on Feb 12, 2008 22:50:11 GMT -5
OK-All, There is a meeting due to happen w/the 'City Council' ;D- Not all the members want to stop yet-some do? Outside,the Pickets for both sides -push,shove,smack each other w/signs? The police are right smack in the middle? The 'Lovely bunch' from 'Code Pink', a Real Leftist group,supported by George Soras & those folks? It seems they have been able to get some other splinter organizations to join them in marching on the sidewalk? :-XThe Crazy old Man-strikes again? -RichW/49
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Post by ohdjar49 on Feb 13, 2008 12:39:46 GMT -5
From what was 'Reported on Fox News',this morning ;D-There was some violence on the 'Picket Line' ,some arrests, & the 'Council Meeting' didn't resolve the total issue? I don't know what the outcome is? It was said the city received 'mucho e-mails'against their ruling? -SEMPER FIDELIS-RichW/49
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Post by ohdjar49 on Feb 13, 2008 19:10:41 GMT -5
Berkley -The Local War against the "Marine Corps'?-Choose your side? Police couldn't & wouldn't do anything to stop -"Code Pink' & all the other fellow travelers";there at this 'Rally' & Protest Picketing? The Republik of Berkley strikes again? Time for the DOJ & the FBI to arrive? ;D These folks are the'Left-Left-Left Coast Commies &/or Socialists? -Semper Fi-RichW/49
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Post by jarhead32 on Mar 6, 2008 20:01:47 GMT -5
All- Did anymore happen? Or like a 'Good News Story' did it just go away-Semper Fi-The Crazy Old Man-RichW/49
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