Berkeley narrowly passes anti-war measure

BERKELEY, Calif., Oct. 17 (UPI) -- The left-wing bastion of Berkeley, Calif., narrowly voted Tuesday night to condemn U.S. military action in Afghanistan and not before the addition of an amendment denouncing the terrorist "mass murder" of thousands of Americans on Sept. 11.

The resolution, which passed on a 5-4 vote, was believed to be the first official statement by a U.S. city critical of the U.S. military response to the destruction of the World Trade Center and the damage to the Pentagon.

Although public opinion polls show the American public in favor of the military response by an unprecedented margin, former city council member Ying Lee Kelley urged the panel to "continue to honor Berkeley's tradition of opposition to brute force to solve profoundly difficult social problems."

Berkeley, home of the University of California at Berkeley campus, was the birthplace of the free speech movement in the 1960s with Mario Salvo and has been a hotbed of peace protests since the Vietnam War.

The San Francisco Chronicle said a recent poll of Berkeley students showed 65 percent were opposed to the U.S.-led bombing of Afghanistan.

While the Chronicle Wednesday described the council's makeup as split between leftist and centrists, there were a number of residents at Tuesday's meeting urging the resolution be defeated.

"War does solve something," said Kelso Barnett, the head of a conservative student group at the university. "Ask the people of Europe who were liberated after World War II."

The council passed the measure, however not before changing the wording to call for the bombing to end "as quickly as possible" rather than immediately.

At an Afghan restaurant in the "Little Kabul" district of nearby Fremont, home to the largest U.S. population of Afghan people, a couple who appeared to be in their 70s and had attended Berkeley, told United Press International that they had organized a group of 10-20 -- similar to the much larger group of 300 or so anti-war types in nearby Palo Alto -- that hold daily protests against the bombings and were gaining support from passersby.

"We get a lot of car horns honking and only an occasional call of 'traitor,'" said the woman, who declined to give her name, noting that the reception was encouraging given Fremont's overall conservative attitudes. "Smart bombs are not smart," she said, echoing the sentiment on the sign she holds up for Fremont traffic.

I am really tired of the peacenics and politically correct crowd doing every thing they can to undermine the current administrations efforts to obtain justice! I recently got the following e-mail that the above perps should read and take to heart. THIS IS AMERICA! Broken Arrow, Oklahoma School officials remove "God Bless America" signs from schools in fear that someone might be offended. Channel 12 News in Long Island, New York, orders flags removed from the newsroom and red, white, and blue ribbons removed from the lapels of reporters. Why? Management did not want to appear biased and felt that our nations flag might give the appearance that "they lean one way or another". Berkeley, California bans U.S. Flags from being displayed on city fire trucks because they didn't want to offend anyone in the community. In an "act of tolerance" the head of the public library at Florida Gulf Coast University ordered all "Proud to be an American" signs removed so as to not offend international students. I, for one, am quite disturbed by these actions of so-called American citizens; and I am tired of this nation worrying about whether or not we are offending some individual or their culture. Since the terrorist attacks on September 11, we have experienced a surge in patriotism by the majority of Americans. However, the dust from the attacks had barely settled in New York and Washington D.C. when the "politically correct" crowd began complaining about the possibility that our patriotism was offending others. I am not against immigration, nor do I hold a grudge against anyone who is seeking a better life by coming to America. In fact, our country's population is almost entirely comprised of descendants of immigrants; however, there are a few things that those who have recently come to our country, and apparently some native Americans, need to understand. First of all, it is not our responsibility to continually try not to offend you in any way. This idea of America being a multi-cultural community has served only to dilute our sovereignty and our national identity. As Americans, we have our own culture, our own society, our own language, and our own lifestyle. This culture, called the "American Way" has been developed over centuries of struggles, trials, and victories by millions of men and women who have sought freedom. Our forefathers fought, bled, and died at places such as Bunker Hill, Antietam, San Juan, Iwo Jima, Normandy, Korea, Vietnam, We speak English, not Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Russian, or any other language. Therefore, if you wish to become part of our society - learn our language! "In God We Trust" is our national motto. This is not some off-the-wall, Christian, Right Wing, political slogan; it is our national motto. It is engraved in stone in the House of Representatives in our Capitol and it is printed on our currency. We adopted this motto because Christian men and women, on Christian principles, founded this nation; and this is clearly documented throughout our history. If it is appropriate for our motto to be inscribed in the halls of our highest level of Government, then it is certainly appropriate to display it on the walls of our schools. God is in our pledge, our National Anthem, nearly every patriotic song, and in our founding documents. We honor His birth, death, and resurrection as holidays, and we turn to Him in prayer in times of crisis. If God offends you, then I suggest you consider another part of the world as your new home, because God is part of our culture and we are proud to have Him. We are proud of our heritage and those who have so honorably defended our freedoms. We celebrate Independence Day, Memorial Day, Veterans Day, and Flag Day. We have parades, picnics, and barbecues where we proudly wave our flag. As an American, I have the right to wave my flag, sing my national anthem, quote my national motto, and cite my pledge whenever and wherever I choose. If the Stars and Stripes offend you, or you don't like Uncle Sam, then you should seriously consider a move to another part of this planet. The American culture is our way of life, our heritage, and we are proud of it. We are happy with our culture and have no desire to change, and we really don't care how you did things where you came from, if it was so superior, go home. We are Americans, like it or not, this is our country, our land, and our lifestyle. Our First Amendment gives every citizen the right to express his opinion about our government, culture, or society, and we will allow you every opportunity to do so. But once you are done complaining, whining, and griping about our flag, our pledge, our national motto, or our way of life, I highly encourage you take advantage of one other great American freedom, the right to leave. If you agree, pass this onto other Americans!! It is time to take a stand!! MAY GOD BLESS AMERICA LAND THAT WE LOVE!!!

E-mail addresses of local businesses in Berkeley. Source is Berekely Chamber of commerce. Cut and paste and fire away !

jbloom@bloomcocpa.com, clsncpa@aol.com, paulkimcpa@msn.com, mfduck@pacbell.net, taxplus@aol.com, larryg@directlineinc.com,bayarch@pacbell.net, office@hayashida-architects.com, rnebarch@aol.com, info@thecrucible.org,dlg@webbnet.com, owittstock@calpal.org, webmaster@bpfp.org, bpoa@dnai.com, randyparent@alumni.berkeley.edu,info@downtownberkeley.org, lwvbae@pacbell.net, saa@solanoave.org, taa@transbay.net,tbid@transbay.net, crimdfense@aol.com, philip.humphreys@worldnet.att.net, nlober@littler.com, info@jyorklaw.com, aperkins@immediasound.com, k1siegel@netzero.net, joryhite@hotmail.com, helen_marcus@mechbank.com, Schuyler.Bailey@UBOC.com, delgrande@earthlink.net, jupiter@realbeer.com, triplerock@realbeer.com, Michael@AABACAS.com, Codysbks@well.com, Codysbks@well.com, easygo1@igc.org, pensions@coateskenney.com, bscot@betv.org judys@dnai.com, spunsugar@spunsugar.com, drfeldman@backnaction.com, drloridc@lmi.net, answers@theberkeleymosaic.org, CNS1@hotmail.com, pbl@lindegroup.com, mike.belcher@gateway.com, Thretree@pacbell.net, asap@asaponline.org, kidz@microkidz.com, vickih@bluemug.com, brian.sampson@infocanvas.com, terry@quantal.com, vision@arazu.com, sales@dnai.com, kim.a.robinson@mail.sprint.com, lmundy@webtraders.com, rchin@wizkinonline, keith@alwardconstruction.com, bill@jettonconstruction.com, Mcc@dnai.com, terrycon@ccnet.com, info@winconinc.com, john@morethanacarpenter.com, kashraf@ix.netcom.com, dhaigh@calstate9.com, ccfcu@msn.com, cmoffett@kaipermfcu.org, cwolf@home.com goldin@pacbell.net, onthebay@hornblower.com, www.valleyyellowpages.com, swing@jazzschool.com, sfogarino@peralta.cc.ca.us, jcjohnson44@yahoo.com,gtupres@gtu.edu, www.psr.edu, kjs@unx.berkeley.edu, btt@uclink4.berkeley.edu, Cheryl.Franklin-Golden.B@bayer.com, conbriol@thecrowdenschool.org, sam_heier@kaplan.com, rick@achievaprep.com, jack@berkeley.k12.ca.us, simon.sheppard@adecco.com, lafadmin@hallkinion.com, staff@jobsconsortium.org, rhoward@mrberkeley.com, al.robinson@na.manpower.com, kjoseph@westaff.com, worksource@ci.berkeley.ca.us, jbreves@ctpberk.org, wercminds@aol.com, info@moraneng.com, sbt@tipping.com, zorro@zorro.com, lbullwinkl@aol.com, alex@eyefulltower.com, morgan@eyefulltower.com, lee@eyefulltower.com, yogikuby@earthlink.net, toby@ovinvest.com, pking@wenet.net, darlingflo@earthlink.net, cljohn144@aol.com, pg@galvins.com, vikingtrdr@aol.com, habitot@lanminds.com, info@hallofhealth.org, lanab@uclink4.berkeley.edu, mail@berkeleyhort.com, luvlov5@aol.com, aperiogifts@aol.com, manager@ci.berkeley.ca.us, bil1@ci.berkeley.ca.us, finance@ci.berkeley.ca.us, rgarcia@ci.berkeley.ca.us, rainbo@sirius.com, berkeleyace@acehardware.com, edberkshire@arvi.com, mwitte@ehf.org, berkeleypt@juno.com, info@accesstradition.com, Reservations@bancrofthotel.com, beausky@emf.net, ssutliff@email.msn.com, goldbearinn@aol.com, sales@hoteldurant.com, ManjulM@aol.com, yvette@bayarealactation.com, gwallrath@jenkins-athens.com, tunnel@ix.netcom.com, allen_leggett@ajg.com, jill.cash.l8lz@statefarm.com, Larry.Sneed.b8v2@statefarm.com, hcinteriors@yahoo.com, vlh@uclink4.berkeley.edu, pa33@california.net, kpisor@voyantgroup.com, kcunniff@clifbar.com, info@damert.com, bmanhoff@terranova-nectarine.com, GrowUrBiz@aol.com, capri1512@aol.com, CHYR@msn.com, ads@berkeleydailyplanet.net, brucker@dailycal.org, lesley.jones@eastbayexpress.com, kklaber@themonthly.com, preece@angnewspapers.net, gary@alkos.com, radstons@inreach.com, vickie_kollias@es.adp.com, kganguet@paychex.com, wboschin@earthlink.net, saxyajb@aol.com, mail@berkeleysymphony.org, letters@calshakes.org, berkfund@pacbell.net, lmco-water@prodigy.net, sfergie@brigadoon.com, brandesprinting@earthlink.net, info@generalprint.com, output@e-minutemanpress.com, mark@indianrock.com, jcarter@cbnorcal.com, javicars@aol.com, george9@ricochet.net, kafton@dnai.com,kormang@dnai.com, redoakrealty@mindspring.com, info@thornwallproperties.com, bettsnassoc@compuserve.com, info@yovino.com, JN@Noryost.com, parker@parker.net, thomasgram@aol.com, pck@panoramicinterests.com, mlriegel@aol.com, jdeclercq@tafc.com, COHNCO@aol.com, members.aol.com/COHNCO/home.html, lwareham@cmgmortgage.com, info@FishmanFinancialGroup.com, mforbes@feforbes.com, phutchinson@kennedywilson.com, info@homefindersbulletin.com, newplaces@metrorent.com, granada@granadabuilding.com, rodrigo@centricmedia.com, marketing@goldengatefields.com, elhaney@uclink.berkeley.edu, blakes@slip.net, seyoum@earthlink.net, robertg@spengers.com, bluribon@pacbell.net, bean@JimmyBean.com raedwards@lbl.gov, NLAW@911.com, President@BerkeleyLions.org, info@branches.org, extra8hands@yahoo.com, gbaptiste@cilberkeley.org, accounting@lookingglass.org, vigilant1@mindspring.com, dasash@pacbell.net, dcical@dcical.com, aseb@aseb.org, jkatz@cancer.org, hn0501@handsnet.org, WadeChoyce@aol.com, signe@new-bridge.org, kathryn@usca.org, carlos.rincon@wcom.com, michael.furminger@nextel.com, merlin.edwards@pactel.com, Rhoward@synectictech.com, ACTA2002@aol.com, alabord8699@yahoo.com, airfares@ix.netcom.com, minervaf@pacbell.net, bconvis@ix.netcom.com, atlasweldi@aol.com, oakbar1@aol.com, Patti-EarthSource@yahoo.com, jbing@baymca.org, bush@baymca.org, BYA@Pacbell.net,

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