Posted on 02/05/2008 1:22:57 PM PST by kellynla
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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 6-3 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.
District Incumbent Term Expires Phone & Fax E-mail Mayor Tom Bates 11/30/2008 (510) 981-7100 P (510) 981-7199 F mayor@ci.berkeley.ca.us
District 1 Linda Maio 11/30/2010 (510) 981-7110 P (510) 981-7111 F lmaio@ci.berkeley.ca.us
District 2 Darryl Moore 11/30/2008 (510) 981-7120 P (510) 981-7122 F dmoore@ci.berkeley.ca.us
District 3 Max Anderson 11/30/2008 (510) 981-7130 P (510) 981-7133 F manderson@ci.berkeley.ca.us
District 4 Dona Spring 11/30/2010 (510) 981-7140 P (510) 644-3662 F spring@ci.berkeley.ca.us
District 5 Laurie Capitelli 11/30/2008 (510) 981-7150 P (510) 981-7155 F lcapitelli@ci.berkeley.ca.us
District 6 Betty Olds 11/30/2008 (510) 981-7160 P (510) 981-7166 F olds@ci.berkeley.ca.us
District 7 Kriss Worthington 11/30/2010 (510) 981-7170 P (510) 981-7177 F kworthington@ci.berkeley.ca.us
District 8 Gordon Wozniak 11/30/2010 (510) 981-7180 P (510) 981-7188 F gwozniak@ci.berkeley.ca.us
The Mayor and all Councilmembers may be reached by mail at: 2180 Milvia Street, Berkeley, CA 94704
Ping
PETITION: “Berkeley CA should be federally de-funded”
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/cutoffberkeleynow?e
Kudos to the AL!!! God bless our military and our veterans!!!
Shame on Berkeley, SHAME!!!!
The SF Gate reported yesterday that a student was barred from entering the station. Infringement of rights? Infringement of choice? You betcha!
I’d like to start a campaign of support for the Marines. Cards, letters, gift cards, pizza, etc.
For the Council Members...black roses, moldy pizza, etc. Anything to represent their old moldy ideas. If the Pinkies want to protest...go to the park or find a street corner.
F* ‘em.. Bezerkeley is proud of electing and following brain-dead idiots..
It seems to be a badge of honor that they wear with pride.
That they align with Code Pink says it all.
assistant@berkeleychamber.com
If the Marines aren't welcome, then I will never do any business with those within Berkely city limits.
Ping to me, and thanks for the info. to you!
If the pinkies want to protest, let ‘em do it in the bath houses!
Doesn’t seem to me like a worded apology is nowhere near enough, anyway. Kind of like “I’m sorry for being a traitor”
I appreciate your message, but to the radical leftists who run most S.F. Bay area cities, the Marines are the enemy. As the home front wing of the Axis of Evil (radical Islam + radical left) they will do everything in their power to defeat the United States and bring down western civilization. I know it doesn't make sense but there it is.
For anyone who plans to contact the city council - I believe that Betty Olds is the one who voted against the resolution.
Yes.
I made it and it is my property.
You can copy it, but please don’t sell it.
Thank you for using it.
Thanks, the Chamber was one that I forgot. LOL
I’ve already blistered all of the city council members, the mayor and the Berkeley Downtown Association.
We need a list of everything that gets produced/sold in Berkley, Calif.
We need a list of every conceivable means of withholding support from Berkley, Calif.
We need to refine the list to those items that will most injure the culprits in this mess. No need to injure the innocent.
And we need to institute a nation-wide boycott of Berkley.
Hi,
The Berkeley Chamber of Commerce supports our men and women in the armed forces. Your comments have been forwarded to the Berkeley City Council. Thanks for your comments.
----------------------------------------------
On Feb 5, 2008, at 8:24 AM, XXXXXX wrote:
To Whom It May or May Not Concern:
Me and my friends will never ever support any business in your disgusting city.
The actions of your city council in support of Code Pink harassing the United States Marines to the point of asking/forcing them to leave is deplorable.
Your city police would not even force Code Pink to remove itself from the doorway of the Marine recruiting office for those wishing to enter.
This city’s open disdain for our fine men and women in the military is repugnant.
I will vocally support the removal of all Federal funds from your city.
I will also vocally protest to all the businesses in your city & boycott their services.
XXXXXXXXX Seabrook, Tx.
Count me in.
Way to go American Legion!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.