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.
The council also voted to explore enforcing a city anti-discrimination law, focusing on the military's 'don't ask, don't tell' policy.
In a separate item, the council voted, also 8-1, to give protest group Code Pink a parking space in front of the recruiting office once a week for six months and a free sound permit for protesting once a week.
Marine Capt. Richard Lund of the recruiting office declined comment on the council action.
The recruiting office opened in Berkeley about a year ago, operating quietly until about four months ago when Code Pink began regular sidewalk protests.
'I believe in the Code Pink cause. The Marines don't belong here, they shouldn't have come here, and they should leave,' said Berkeley Mayor Tom Bates."
I'm glad blogger let me add all of this article.
I didn't want to get any of this wrong.....what the hell is up with Berkeley??? They do realize that joining the Marines or any of the Armed Forces is totally voluntary don't they?
This Mayor needs to be recalled by the people! Okay maybe not--I hate recalls when there isn't any thing illegal going on....but something has to be done.
For one year there has not been an issue with the station--until the group 'Code Pink' started protesting, so instead of getting rid of the protestors the council gives them a permanent parking pass infront of the recruiting station (which never caused any troubles) and told the recruiters they will have to leave?!
What are they thinking with? It definately wasn't an ounce of common sense. Of course Berkeley has always been nutty....
I think the military should strike back and fight it to the Supreme Court and while its tied up in the courts make the office staff BIGGER.
I think the federal government should look pull out the old dusty law that gives them the right to be on college campuses and apply it to the city too--the one tied to federal funds.
HOW DARE Berkeley prevent citizens from signing up for the military if they choose to do so-----that's UNCONSTITUTIONAL!!
Click to join MonthlyDishcloths
No comments:
Post a Comment