Posted on 02/13/2008 1:49:36 PM PST by smoothsailing
For Immediate Release February 13th, 2008 Contact: Wesley Denton (202) 224-6121
SUPPORT FOR SEMPER FI ACT BUILDS, YET DEMOCRATS PLACE SECRET HOLD
Berkeley Refuses to Apologize, Continues to Urge Code Pink to “Impede” Military Recruiters
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Jim DeMint (R-South Carolina) made the following statement in response to the decision by the City Council of Berkeley, California not to apologize to the Marine Corps and their families and reaffirming their support for radical anti-war protestors to “impede” military recruiters from conducting their work.
Senator DeMint introduced the Semper Fi Act to rescind over $2 million in hidden earmarks for Berkeley, California in the Fiscal Year 2008 Omnibus Appropriations bill, and transfer the funds to the Marine Corps. Until yesterday, Senate Democrat leaders used parliamentary maneuvers to block consideration of the bill. Last night, Republicans asked to pass the Semper Fi Act by unanimous consent after no Republican member opposed its passage, but Democrats have placed an anonymous hold on the bill.
“It’s a national embarrassment that these officials refuse to apologize to our troops and their families and continue to support actions against military recruitment. It’s time for Berkeley to realize that actions have consequences,” said Senator DeMint. “Americans across the nation are outraged at Berkeley’s insult to our troops who have fought and died for their ability to live in freedom. It’s truly heartening to hear the outpouring of support for the Marine Corps in South Carolina and throughout the nation.”
Berkeley City Council members voted to rescind a letter to the Marine Corps recruitment office asking them to leave town, but left in place a provision that encourages “all people to avoid cooperation with the Marine Corps recruiting station, and applaud residents and organizations such as Code Pink” that “impede, passively or actively” the work of military recruiters. Berkeley also voted against a formal apology to the Marine Corps and will still allow Code Pink a special parking space in front of the recruitment office to conduct weekly protests.
“Let’s be clear, it’s not a question of the sincerity of anyone on either side of this issue. However, some of the hateful rhetoric and official actions against the Marine Corps that have come out of Berkeley has had real consequences on our troops, their families, and our recruiting,” said Senator DeMint.
The bill is cosponsored by 10 senators including Republican leaders Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky) and John Cornyn (R-Texas). U.S. Congressman John Campbell (R-California) introduced a companion bill in the House of Representatives and now has 71 cosponsors, including Republican leaders John Boehner (R-Ohio), Roy Blunt (R-Missouri), and nine other members of the California delegation.
“In Saddam Hussein's Iraq or the Taliban’s Afghanistan, such opposition would not be allowed a voice at all. But thankfully we live in a free democracy under the protection of our brave Marines. Protestors have the right to vocally insult our troops but patriotic Americans also have the right to seek a democratic response to discourage activities that actively impede the legitimate functions of our military.”
“I will continue to work with my Senate colleagues to stop the special taxpayer favors Berkeley has received through unnecessary earmarks,” said Senator DeMint.
One Berkeley earmark provides $243,000 in taxpayer dollars for the organization Chez Panisse to create gourmet organic school lunches in the Berkeley School District. Another earmark would spend $975,000 in taxpayer dollars for the University of California, to create a new endowment and cataloging the papers of Congressman Robert Matsui. U.C. Berkeley already has a $3.5 billion endowment.
###
In the sick twisted mind of a liberal dhimmocrat, America should be protected by the U.N. and an army of lawyers.
Semper Fi Act Ping!!!
Works for me.
DeMint has sunk some teeth into this one!
Can someone explain the technicalities of how this is done?
Good for you DeMint!
This is bull crap. I hate these "anonymous" holds. Yellow belly cowards is what they are.
Yes he has, despite the fact that majorities of Republican legislators have yet to sign on as co-sponsors.
Send in the National Guard, that’s all, and arrest all these f*ck*rs.
Semper Fi Act Ping!!!
_______________________________
I see your ping and up it. Let’s get ‘em! To The Hague! No wait, that’s for Nextel and those terrible radio waves... Where the devil is my tin foil hat. I know were the metal window blinds are.....
Thank you Senator DeMint!
As for the antis......go hurt yourselves!
Congress critter ping!
There is a way to identify and out the anonymous holder. Beginning with the usual suspects, call each Senate office and ask if that Senator has put a hold De Mint’s bill. Some will say no. The remainder will say yes, in which case we’ll know, or “no comment,” in which case we’ll know. Some reporter with working brain parts could do this in a couple of hours.
I want to hear talk of Treason and it’s consequences, not just a slap on the wrist for a few millions of dollars.
After this let’s rescind all funds for left wing non-governmental organizations . . . and transfer the funds . . . back to the taxpayers. Further, let’s end all transfers from the Federal Government to the States and Localities, and end all unfunded mandates.
Oh, dashgummit, I forgot that we would have to have the President and Congress to do that. Shame we’ve never had the President, Senate and Congress at the same time since the 1950’s.
Wait, I remember that I was very happy in 2002 or so when we did . . . I had very high hopes.
Does anyone recall what happened? Are we living in a realigned and once again free nation?
Why am I here? What am I doing?
End rant.
Any senator (I don't know how it's done in the House, maybe the same) can get a hold of his party leader and request the anonymous hold. And it is then done, with the party leader's approval. There's a pending bill that was introduced last month that would put a stop to this practice, but it hasn't been voted on yet. Maybe it's got an anonymous hold on it.
...proud of my Texas Senator John Cornyn.
Dingy Harry calls for a couple of afternoon breaks, time gets short, postpones with an unofficial date, and then send out a memo on a new date.....basic obstructionism
Include our Army, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard. They are ALL at work 24/7 keeping us free and safe.
These idiots at Beserkley don't have a clue how foolish they are, and what their future would be WITHOUT our wonderful armed forces. I get very angry!
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.