Berkeley Protests Marines

[Jung918]

BERKELEY — 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 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 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," Berkeley Mayor Tom Bates said 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
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to explore 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."

Fran Rachel, 90, 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-tail 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."

http://www.insidebayarea.com/oaklandtribune/ci_8127493

Do they even realize that the Marines do not set foreign policy.
I sent code menstruation a nice little e-mail and I will also be sending out senators a e-mail also.





UPDATE

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.

http://www.nbc11.com/news/15245031/d...=headlineclick

[DOOK]

any americans protesting against our armed forces should have their head examined. They are just doing their job, they don't choose what they are asked to do in 99.9% of the cases.

[steve shadows]

Oh go* i really F***king hate the idea that everyone who thinks this is the 1960s and that they are part of some global hipster movement seriously.

most of the damn marines would vote for Ron Paul and end the war in all reality. They are doing there job, maybe the ones protesting should start by GETTING a job in the first place.

[DOOK]

From experience I have found that most who are willing to protest the armed forces are the first to run and hide behind them if shit hits the fan. If I country were invaded these mother fuckers would change their tune now wouldnt they.

[azndoc]

"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-tail it out of town."

What that means to me is that he couldn't cut it and had sand in his vagina.

That's all.

I never understood why people protest outside of military bases when I was in. Like we're the ones that start the wars or choose which war to fight in.

Seriously, get a clue people.

[ALEXTHESUS*PECT]

i go up to berkeley every year. if i go this year i am now gonna go to the recruiting station and say how much i loved being in the service!


go protest the people that make the dcisions, not the ones who follow orders cuz they have love and respsect for their country. even if it means protecting the exact freedoms that these people abuse for their own benefit!

[SINxSELEKTAH]

sorry....most appropriate for this thread IMO. to all the previous replies, i agree 100%

[steve shadows]

haha thats great alex

[fliprayzin240sx]

I dare somebody to show up during one of their protest to protest against the protesters....a nice Support The Troops banner or placard should be enough.

Fucking Hippies...i swear, sometimes I think theyre just bored and want to start shiet just to start something.

[kingkilburn]

You can be against war and violence but it is immoral to protest those who volunteer their own lives to defend your right to protest. It's like that women who goes around picketing funereal services of fallen soldiers and police officers. I hope her and her unpatriotic(I don't use that word lightly) family, and all those who are ungrateful for the sacrifices of those that serve, get what they deserve.

[ThatGuy]

Yeah, I'm used to people hating me for who I am.

Hate me because I'm a US Marine.
Hate me because I'm a Mod on Zilvia.
Hate me because I'm an asshole.

Doesn't really matter.

Marines are easy targets. We're just mindless, robotic, baby-killers.

The ignorance of our enemies has never really bothered me much. I mean some people actually think you have to kill a member of your own family to become a US Marine, along with many other myths about us. Fine by me. Unintelligent thinking like that has actually caused some people to surender on sight to Marines.

But when United States citizens act so mindless and uniformed, it's really sad. I mean, most times is the supposed intelligent sectors of this fine country (Colleges, Government Officials, Church Seniors, Etc) that perpetuate this ignorance. It's ridiculous.

Well, I suppose I should go lie down and take a nap now. I've just used my brain a whole lot typing this response, so I need a few days to relax and recharge both my braincells.

If you can't pick up on my sarcasm in parts of this post, you should probably just go grab a picket sign and join "The Revolution".

[codyace]

"I believe in the Code Pink cause. The Marines don't belong here, they shouldn't have come here, and they should leave," Berkeley Mayor Tom Bates said after votes were cast.

Thst really frustrates me. If these shmucks realzied that if wasn't for the Marines, or the entire Service, that they wouldn't even have the simple right (along with many other things) to vote for dumb shit like this.

People are genreally ignorant, but this takes the cake. I hope some Federal lawyer smashes this.

FWIW: If something paranormal were to happen, and this area became overran with problems (of some sort or another), you know for darn sure they'd be asking the Military for help first.

[steve shadows]

Originally Posted by ThatGuy

The ignorance of our enemies has never really bothered me much. I mean some people actually think you have to kill a member of your own family to become a US Marine, along with many other myths about us. Fine by me. Unintelligent thinking like that has actually caused some people to surender on sight to Marines.

But when United States citizens act so mindless and uniformed, it's really sad. I mean, most times is the supposed intelligent sectors of this fine country (Colleges, Government Officials, Church Seniors, Etc) that perpetuate this ignorance. It's ridiculous.

If you can't pick up on my sarcasm in parts of this post, you should probably just go grab a picket sign and join "The Revolution".

Wow that is some of the most coherent and intellectually correct analysis from you on these issues.

Disception is the art of warfare. If Abdulla thinks you had to kill your mom to become a Marine, so be it, in fact make fake videos explaining this as fact as a moch recruitment video, then drop it in embassies in France in the muslim ghettos, it will spread like fire.

The Revolution is funded mostly by active military men, if your talking about Ron Paul.

[ThatGuy]

I'm not. If you notice I didn't spell "Revolution" with a backwards "LOVE".

I was referring to the revolution the Anti-Military folk are attempting.

I don't speak out on Government issues, because frankly, it's not really my place. I don't study government or even take a real active stance on it. Should I? Possibly. But until the day comes when I am active, there is no sense in me "talking out of my ass".

I approach Government discussions like I approach Religious discussions. I have my beliefs and my opinions, but I'm not out to convert anyone or change their minds.

[DRavenS13]

Those bitches can sit on a hot metal pipe. I am opposed to the war and I'm pissed off as hell that I've had 2 of my friends die over there (one in Iraq, one in Afghanistan) for a senseless war, but I totally support the troops that feel like they have a service to do, and they don't have a choice.

People also have the right to choose if they do want to go into the military, so who the fuck are they to stop them? If you don't like what's going on, go to the fucken White House and protest there. Go protest in front of the Capitol or go bitch out Reps. Don't fuck with people that are CHOOSING to go to the military- for whatever reason they feel like they need/want to go, then that's their choice. They're being counter-active to the causes they're supposedly trying to enforce.

[fliprayzin240sx]

Besides, if people got their minds set on joining the Corps, they will do it. Protesters there or not wouldnt really matter. And honestly, I would say this applies to a good amount of people who enlisted to be a devildog.

[DOOK]

being against the war and being against the troops are totally different. one is a matter of opinion, one is pure stupidity.

[hitman]

you guys are stupid. these people are fighting in your name, supposedly. if people dont want that on their conscience, they should say something about it to whoever they can. just because all you guys are arm chair internet politicians and apparently moral theorists, doesnt mean they are in the wrong for speaking up for themselves. how do you support your troops? "go troops!"?? wow... thats pretty impressive. veterans make up the largest percentage of homeless people. who knew that? exactly. nice job supporting your troops.

[Matej]

Where does it say they're not supporting the troops? They're just trying to protect their children from being swayed into dying for some rich old guys' cause.

[DOOK]

Originally Posted by hitman

you guys are stupid. these people are fighting in your name, supposedly. if people dont want that on their conscience, they should say something about it to whoever they can. just because all you guys are arm chair internet politicians and apparently moral theorists, doesnt mean they are in the wrong for speaking up for themselves. how do you support your troops? "go troops!"?? wow... thats pretty impressive. veterans make up the largest percentage of homeless people. who knew that? exactly. nice job supporting your troops.

Originally Posted by Matej

Where does it say they're not supporting the troops? They're just trying to protect their children from being talked into dying for some rich old guys' cause.

your ages speak louder than any mindless bullshit you just typed... go back to sucking on your mommas tits until you've been in the real world a while.

[Matej]

Originally Posted by DOOK

If I country were invaded these mother fuckers would change their tune now wouldnt they.

Stereotypical American living in a bubble response, and I'm sorry if my age offends you. Show me one mother who's happy when her child joins the armed forces. By the way I can care less about some protesters in Berkeley or the marines because this doesn't affect me in any way, I'm just pointing out that there are two sides to every argument.

[eastcoastS14]

^^ thats a stupid ass stradegy if you ask me....if someone wants to join then they are gonna join....the only thing this is gonna change is make them drive further to go to a recruiting office. Its just an office...its not like they are going door to door punking people into signing up for the Marines....theres no draft, its of your own free will, and when it comes down to it its a legitimate representation of a legitimate part of the US govt that has a right to be there if it wants. Its not a hate group like the KKK or something trying to recruit ppl, and by the mayor and city council trying to force the Marines out they are only enforcing their own beliefs and political agenda. Doesnt really seem like anyone is complaining about them being there except a small handful of people...and this shows total favoritism and really total ignorance.....and yes Im am a very liberal democrat, yes I am against the was, and yes I support the troops....this however, is horrible way to conduct politics and is pretty much taking a whiney bitch approach to what could be a legitimate issue

[DOOK]

Originally Posted by Matej

Typical American living in a bubble response, and I'm sorry if my age offends you. Show me one mother who's happy when her child joins the armed forces.

you and your mommy would be running to hide behind marines if the country were invaded. Show me one mother who is happy when their child buys a street bike. Show me one mother who is happy when their child decides to take up skydiving as a hobby. that methodology is utterly mind numbing. Do you do everything mommy wants you to?

[kingkilburn]

Originally Posted by hitman

you guys are stupid. these people are fighting in your name, supposedly. if people dont want that on their conscience, they should say something about it to whoever they can. just because all you guys are arm chair internet politicians and apparently moral theorists, doesnt mean they are in the wrong for speaking up for themselves. how do you support your troops? "go troops!"?? wow... thats pretty impressive. veterans make up the largest percentage of homeless people. who knew that? exactly. nice job supporting your troops.

Most homeless people are homeless due to mental illness. If state/federal government would stop cutting public health care most of them wouldn't be homeless.

You can take this from the son of a TWENTY year army vet, and on her behalf , when I say shut the fuck up.

The feds still deny agent orange and resist acceptance of PTSD diagnoses. Those people can no longer operate in society because they served their country. Now most of us turn our backs to they.

Please, if you are ignorant of the facts don't even bother forming an opinion.

[Matej]

Originally Posted by eastcoastS14

^^ thats a stupid ass stradegy if you ask me....if someone wants to join then they are gonna join....the only thing this is gonna change is make them drive further to go to a recruiting office. Its just an office...its not like they are going door to door punking people into signing up for the Marines...

Yeah protesting the recruitment center is stupid, usually only people who are determined to join go to a recruitment center, I don't see how that's bad.

What I think is ridiculous is how the armed forces prey on high school kids, during my senior year and the summer after I graduated I was getting calls and brochures pretty much daily, and it was impossible to hang up on those guys.

Originally Posted by DOOK

you and your mommy would be running to hide behind marines if the country were invaded.

Dude grow up.

[ThatGuy]

My parents were both very proud of me when I joined the service.

Were they still worried/scared for me? Of course. But they didn't protest against the Marine Corps for my decision.

They call me every time something happens that could possibly cause me to have to deploy. I like that. They still worry/care about me. That's what parents should do. But they don't try to kick the recruiters out of the local station because I might have to go to war. That is a chance I agreed to when I VOLUNTEERED to serve for my country.

I didn't sign up to agree to every reason for every conflict. I signed up to do a job.

Now, unfortunately, some recruiters do lie. It's a fact. It's one of the reasons I don't care for many recruiters. However, I (and MOST of the Marines I work with/train) knew exactly what they were getting in to. It is very rarely I run in to someone who says "Man, I didn't expect this." My personal problem is with people who join the Marine Corps to pay for college, but are absolutely dead set against the possibility of going to war. If you don't want to fight, don't join the Corps. It is a fact that we will go places the other branches won't. We are still the only ones that the President can send anywhere he chooses without Congress agreeing.

[eastcoastS14]

Originally Posted by Matej

Stereotypical American living in a bubble response, and I'm sorry if my age offends you. Show me one mother who's happy when her child joins the armed forces. By the way I can care less about some protesters in Berkeley or the marines because this doesn't affect me in any way, I'm just pointing out that there are two sides to every argument.

say what you want but the marines and every other branch of the military are out doing a shitty as job that no one else wants to do so you and I dont have to. I dont wanna go out and stand in a hotass desert....or get shot at or have RPGs shot at me...and im sure they dont want it either, but they go out and do it. Whether the war is right or wrong is a non-issue. Everyones mother worries about them....my mom worries about everything I do...nevermind if I was gonna join the marines...and every marine whose in Iraq has a mother that is worried. But they make the concious decision as a man or woman to leave their family behind for what they feel is a just cause....so you shouldnt be treating them and the recruiters like theyre over in Iraq punching babies.....FUCK OMG the recruiters are here.....now I cant control what my kids think and do!....recruiters call my house...I tell em no thanks, you know why? cause i dont wanna go...no one is forcing me to say yes....you dont wanna join walk past the office or hang up the phone....you know why you have that luxury? cause other motherfuckers are going in your place

[kingkilburn]

Also if any one has a problem with the recruitment policy protesting in front of the local office does nothing but upset the local recruiters. What the intelegent thing to do would be to write a letter to your congressman(you know, the one you VOTED for right. That's what gives you the right to complain any way.) and voice your opinion. If others feel the same then get a petition going.

If the city council had any brains they would have met with the head of the regional recruiting branch any way. They just want the attention.

[Matej]

Exactly.
When did I say I was against the troops? They're just doing their job and I have total respect for them.
Who I don't agree with is the old people up top sitting in their offices sending young men and women to die for some really unnecessary causes, while their own kids are attending the most prestigious universities.

As for recruiters, they're just telemarketers in uniform, I don't consider them troops.

And just because someone is against the war doesn't automatically mean they're troop-hating terrorists.

[steve shadows]

Originally Posted by ThatGuy

That is a chance I agreed to when I VOLUNTEERED to serve for my country.

I didn't sign up to agree to every reason for every conflict. I signed up to do a job.

Are you sure?

Are you sure they did not use Alien mind control and the Illuminati to force you without knowing it?