Because I apparently live under a rock, I was unaware until this morning that the Berkeley, California City Council 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 last week by a vote of 8-1.
Excuse me??
What the hell is the matter with these people? I knew Berkeley was a hotbed of liberal support, but having the City Council pass a resolution that a Marine Recruiting Station is "not welcome?"
Not surprisingly, there has been a huge uproar all over the country, leading officials to make the attempt to save face on this issue. They're wiggling all over the place, trying to make the distinction between members of the Armed Forces and the institution of the Armed Forces. You can hear their frantic bleating from here, insisting that the measure was intended to depict their opposition to the war in Iraq, but really, they support members of the Armed Forces!
Yeah, right.
Guess what, Berkeley City Council? You suck. I'm a liberal and I think you're a bunch of insensitive, ungrateful, ignorant fucktards with no concept of what it takes to serve something greater than yourselves. There are plenty of ways to express your opposition of an Administration's policies that don't insult and demean the men and women who put their lives on the line so you can act like a horse's ass. Apparently you missed those in your attempt to prove to everyone how very politically aware you are.
You can kiss my Navy veteran, liberal, politically aware ass.
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30 comments:
Thank you. This is exactly why I put the smackdown on the YEC types on my blog. If I don't, liberals start equating me with them because we share the same party affliliation and I say nothing to their nonsense.
These people in Berkely go beyond loyal opposition well into the land of treason. in the spirit of Prof. Dutch ("what would it take to change your mind?"), I always ask them "when would you use military force to defend your fellow countrymen?". The answer, after the weasel around a bit, is "never".
John, it was really my pleasure.
And there's a reason why I used the word "bleating" to describe them.
Ignorant sheep, with no concept of the realities of the world, but perfectly content to take advantage of the privileges provided to them by those who do understand the realities.
There's really only one correct response - "fuck off."
I'm a bit miffed.
There really needs to be a third party that people like you and I can join, leaving the GOP to the Fundies and the Democrats to Michael Moore and the Berkleyites.
Apparently, I live under the same rock you do, because I didn't know about this.
What do those dipshits think? That the Marines KIDNAP young people and ship them off to boot camp against their will? It's an ALL VOLUNTEER military, you fucktards.
Can you imagine what Dad would've thought of this load of crap? God.
Cindi, I was thinking the same thing - that the City Council might of had a leg to stand on if there was conscriptions going on.
And yeah, Dad would of been dropping the F Bomb like the former Marine he was. Luckily he had two daughters who swear like sailors on his behalf.
Tell me where to sign up for this third party. I join you in your miffed-ness. I sure as hell don't come from a family with a military tradition. One Grandfather served in WWI (I'm not sure if he ever left New Jersey) and one brother (of 7 sibs) was in the Army for four years. He courageously guarded Hawaii during the first Gulf War.
I'm not sure if there'd be that much objection if Berkeley decided to secede from the Union. As John said from the other side of the aisle, there's liberal and then there's "Whack-a-mole Fuck-tardedness". I don't want to be lumped in with those guys.
My Smart Man and I were discussing this the other night. He's pretty unhappy with his experience at the Republican Caucus, and there are certainly a couple issues where I'm not really a Democrat (Armed Forces and immigration, mostly).
What should we call our new party?
The UCF?
We could solve all disputes with Calvinball.
How about the party of Common Fucking Sense?
What should we call our new party?
I think the Union ought to secede from Berkely. No Federal funds for them. None. Not even to the fucking University.
If I were the DoD, I'd seriously consider revoking all science grants there.
I'm liking Nathan's idea.
"The Reasonables." Motto: Narrow-Minded Fucktards who can't listen to the other argument need not apply.
I'm so in.
Fuckwits. Ignorant, willfully ignorant ruckwits.
As was mentioned earlier, it's not like ignorant kids are tricked into taking the king's shilling.
Mayor Tom Bates said last week he would ask the council to modify the resolution because the version passed last week "did not adequately differentiate our respect and support for those serving in the armed forces and our opposition to the Iraq war policy."
Huh? "Get the hell out of my city - you're uninvited and unwelcome" equals "respect and support for those serving in the armed forces"?
I agree with Sen. DeMint - strip them of their federal funds (six Republican senators, led by Sen. DeMint and an Orange County representative today introduced companion bills called the Semper Fi Act of 2008 that seek to take away $2.3 million from Berkeley earmarked in the 2008 Omnibus Appropriations bill and give it to the Marine Corps).
I sent an email to the city (clerk@ci.berkeley.ca.us) to express my disgust at their action. I've also called them as well (510-981-6900) and will follow this with a letter. The address is
City of Berkeley
2180 Milvia Street, Berkeley, CA 94704
I would urge all of you to add you voices.
I love Nathan's idea. Sign me up. And thanks for pointing this out Janiece.
Vince, I sent an e:mail before I posted this. I'm unsure how much good it will do, based on their extreme detachment from reality, but hey, it made me feel better.
OK. I skipped this earlier because I was busy. Now I see where Nathan was coming from.
Still disagree, but it makes more sense.
People who do and say things like that are completely and utterly beyond my comprehension. I am fucking pacifist and I understand the point of the military, who goes into the military (and why), and why we need to support the military.
I had honestly thought shit like that had disappeared after Vietnam, when we (as a nation) recognized what we had done to our soldiers and veterans.
Hell, if they want to convince people not to go into the military, why don't they just publicize all the investigative reports about veterans being denied full benefits.
If you want to convince people not to join the military, I'd think that'd do a far better job--and provide a push to right wrongs.
Crap like this is why the term "groupthink" remains relevant.
Re: Nathan’s remark to allow them to secede from the Union…
Nope…saw them off the Continent and let the whole lot sink into the Pacific with the U.S.N. and the Coast Guard standing by to prevent any rescues…
Maybe we should invite Brian G Dennard, Principal Director
Meridian Development Group, LLC to join the party.
This is the letter Mr. Dennard wrote to the Mayor:
"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"
I've verified it's authenticity.
Thanks for posting this, Janiece, and the letter from Mr. Dennard. A heartening response, to be sure.
But, blah. I think I'd written Berkeley off a while ago; very little that comes out of there surprises me any more.
Damnit, my internet connection was down for about 8 hours again yesterday (apparently, my local switch is getting upgraded or some shit), and I missed this discussion.
I saw this a couple of days ago, it didn't spin my up because, like Dave, I wrote Berkely off long ago.
Here's the thing - if the this attitude is indeed representative of the city in general, then the Marine Corps recruiting office should have no traffic - at all.
But, if young men and women are walking through the front day to talk to the recruiters, well then I guess the city fathers really don't know what they're talking about.
Jim, I think the City Fathers are projecting more than a little.
Thanks for the email address Vince.
I'm sure it won't do much good, as Janiece said, but it did make me feel better.
Hey, the protesters in front of the Berkely Marine recruiting station on CNN right now.
Two thoughts here:
First, as previously noted, what a bunch of fucktards.
Second, shrug. Seriously, what would you expect from Berkely? They've been doing the whacky hippy bit since about '64. More power to them, the Marines will defend them whatever their attitude.
However, there's a serious bit of hypocrisy going on here - if Berkely was really serious about their convictions, then they'd ban Chrysler, Ford, and Chevy/GMC dealerships, since those companies manufacture military hardware. Same with Intel. And, well, the list goes on, doesn't it? Instead of waiting for the Fed to withdraw federal funds (which they won't but it makes a nice statement, doesn't it?), Berkely should refuse any federal funding - and return all funding since the beginning of the Johnson administration. The citizens who support their city government should refuse to pay federal taxes which are used to fund the military, if they're really serious about their convictions they'd go to jail rather than fund the war.
Probably not though? So, back to comment one, fucktards. Hypocritical fucktards.
Jim, politicians are hypocrits? REALLY?
Shocking. Just shocking.
I was seething with rage when I heard this, and pretty much had the same thoughts as John the Scientist, except mine were much darker and involved Berkeley being marketed after seceding, as a Terrorist practice ground.
Let them see how much they don't need their military.
I cooled down eventually, and agreed with my friends stance that as punishment instead, the city council should be sentenced to 30 days as janitors in Camp LeJeune. Let them see what being a marine; or better yet, what being a human who fights for the freedom of others, is like.
As humans we tend to rebel against ideas that are spun and politicized such as the Vietnam War and Iraq, but if one person (or a council of 9) took the time to study the actual facts, they would see what an honor it is to support and welcome home our troops and thank them for keeping the states, united...and safe.
It's worse than you thought, Jim. Berkely's mayor is a former Army Captain. Someone in the Pentagon needs ot call some strings and pull Captain pencildick back to active service on some pretext. Dude sold out to keep his political position in Pinko-land.
John, I think our friend the Mayor needs a sharp bite in the butt from my new Mad Cow.
What a tool.
I've known a few vets to go off the deep end and lend the credibility of their service to the fringe. Mostly they were 'Nam vets, and conscripts, so I can understand. Not sympathize, but understand.
One wonders in this age of officer shortages where 0-4 is no longer the point at which they bounce you out for incompetence, and over 90% of officers pin on the gold oak leaves, what this oaf did to get bounced as an 0-3? No one "retires" as a captain with the exception of a very few Mustangs.
John, it'd be tough to find that infomation without speaking to someone who actually served with him. Usually people are eased out without fanfare and without documentation of the real reason they couldn't cut it. At least that's been my experience
Well, yeah, I wouldn't get too spun up about any of this. Berkely revels in it's reputation for this kind of silliness. People of the proper bent move to Berkely for just that reason.
The best thing the Marines can do here is just ignore them.
As to mayor, well what do you expect? He was Army, of course he hates the Marines :)
Again, these people are assholes, but they've always been assholes and I'd expect nothing else. And the thing about hippies is that they have no concentration and no staying power - they'll get bored, or distracted, or high, and drift away. The Marines? They'll just keep doing their duty - like they always do.
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