Posted on 11/02/2001 9:15:32 AM PST by kattracks
(CNSNews.com) - A California city known for its left-wing activism faces a possible economic boycott for passing a resolution that urges Congress to "help break the cycle of violence, [by] bringing the bombing [in Afghanistan] to a conclusion as soon as possible."
The city of Berkeley has passed many resolutions on behalf of numerous liberal causes in the past, but its political leaders now find themselves being attacked from individuals and groups, including the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), who are irate about the city's anti-war resolution.
The Berkeley City Council has received hundreds of e-mails from individuals threatening to boycott business establishments, according to Arrieta Kos, chief of staff to Berkeley City Manager Weldon Rucker.
However, Kos claims the boycotters missed the point of the resolution, which also included language that condemned the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
"Most of the people were coming out against what they thought was the council's action," Kos said. "A lot of people didn't have the right information about the action that the council did decide to take."
According to Kos, the Oct. 16 passage of the anti-war resolution has not yet resulted in a businesses boycott.
"As of today, we haven't seen any precipitous drop in sales tax revenue," Kos said. "We have heard of cancellation of a couple of events that may not have truly been related to the actions that the council took, so at this point we haven't seen any real economic effect."
However, Berkeley's resolution condemning the bombing of Afghanistan, has triggered strong reaction from veterans' organizations.
The VFW suggests the Berkeley City Council does not speak for all of the city's residents, and urges those residents who oppose the resolution to voice their opinions.
"Although we respect their right to protest, we are behind the military's efforts in Afghanistan, 200 percent," said VFW Communications Director Jerry Newberry. "I don't know that the city government represents the entire citizenry or Berkeley."
Newberry said the VFW supports any effort to boycott Berkeley in connection with the anti-war resolution.
"If the people of Berkeley hope to boycott businesses and so on to make a statement in support of the [federal] government, then we would support that," Newberry said.
The American Legion also issued a statement criticizing the Berkeley resolution, but stopped short of endorsing the boycott.
"I think that the city of Berkeley is wrong to do this, but I think that it speaks volumes about the wonderful country that we live in where people can in fact disagree with this (the bombing campaign) and do these sorts of things, and do it in a nice way," Harris said.
"They have a right to do that, but we don't agree with them," Harris added.
Nuke the whole place and get it over with.
Treason is the aiding and abetting of the enemy. Not expressing disagreement with the policy or actions of the central government.
Is it treason to protest the central governments treatment of civilians at Ruby Ridge and Waco? How about the bombing in Kosovo, which I protested every day of that fiasco? Do you think that just because the President is a Republican he is ALWAYS right?
(humor) "Perhaps ve should check your papers, VERRY carefully to make sure you are who you say you are, comrade." (/humor)
That being said, I'll also buy my goods and services elsewhere.
I prefer to deal with people who support my government's current efforts at self defence.
Boycott Summary
This is a reprint summery from several of my earlier posts. You dont have to be local to help Boycott Berkeley. Here are ideas that everyone can use Send em to your friends and post em on line. The boycott has to be more than just indignant conservatives. Every American should feel compelled to boycott em. Clearly, members of the Armed Forces (and the VFW, American Legion) Fireman, policemen and postal carriers in particular should be mobilized. Its OUR JOB to get the information to them!
Send the info below to 10 friends and post it on-line 10 times! With special thanks to
VRWC_minion, CCMAY and many others for their list of other Boycott targets! Type "Berkeley" in the search function to get other ideas cause I dont know HTML well enough to link their contributions. Drango
* Cliff Bars and Triple Rock Beer are headquartered in Berkeley and sold nationally. Dont buy em and ask your store manager NOT to stock the stuff. Here is a store locator for Cliff Bars www.clifbar.com/clifretail and their 800884-5254
* Associations and groups have conventions/lunch/dinners in Berkeley and a major source of tax dollars. Choke off the City Councils source of funds! Two of the largest hosts of these meetings are the Claremont Hotel and Spengers restaurant. Here is a list of meetings that will happen next year with a list of member/officer emails. Cut & paste them in to your email and send a *polite* request to them requesting they reconsider their meeting and to NOT spend any money in Berkeley.
1. 2002 IEEE Symposium on Security and Privacy May 12-15, 2002
berson@anagram.com,c.pfleeger@computer.org,reiter@research.bell-labs.com,irvine@cs.nps.navy.mil,davis@iastate.edu,awk@ibeam.intel.com,millen@csl.sri.com
2. Industrial Hygienist
tthedell@sempra.com,rbacci@inhale.com,wells26@llnl.gov,evelyn.mitsunaga@alza,sean_collins@amat.com,shemperly@almaden.ibm.com
3. Berkeley Executive Program (MBA seminars at the Claremont for Rich, Evil, Capitalistic Republicans?) execdev@haas.berkeley.edu, Leonardo@haas.berkeley.edu, engel@haas.berkeley.edu, freeman@haas.berkeley.edu
* VISITOR INFORMATION CENTER for Berkeley
1-800 847-4823
However, everyone else is equally entitled to freedom of speech as well. I find it funny that these idiot liberals are learning the hard way that their actions have consequences.
And always remember, the real tragedy of Kent State was poor marksmanship (think about it)...
Your response to my post:
"I prefer to deal with people who support my government's current efforts at self defence."
My only question is simple:
How is bombing innocent civilians in Afghanistan making the American people safer? How is it defending 'our government'? The attacks were in New York and the attackers were killed along with the thousands of innoncent Americans. The Administration has not offered any more than 'we said so' as their evidence for going after OBL. Nor is there proof that OBL is in Afghanistan.
I may disagree with every word you say, but I WILL DEFEND TO THE DEATH YOUR RIGHT TO SAY IT!
A. Amendment 1
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
From your post:
'"Freedom of expression" is not unlimited.'
Which one of us misread this?
My only question is simple: How is bombing innocent civilians in Afghanistan making the American people safer?
I call this whining. The Taliban is out for the destruction of America and we damn well better retaliate; we are not targeting civilians.
How can we find out who is thinking about utilizing the facilities in the fair city of Berzerkley??????? I too have been looking around the web.
Here's what I found: There are 4 major Hotels in Berkeley with "CONVENTION"-type facilities.
Claremont Resort and Spa
FAX (510) 843-6239, (800) 551-7266
Radison Hotel Berkeley
FAX (510) 548-7944,(800) 333-3333
The Ramada Berkeley
FAX (510) 845-4397, (800) 954-7575
Shattuck Hotel of Berkeley
FAX (510) 644-2088, (800) BER-KELY
Getting future bookings to stop would not only make these members of the local "Chamber of Commerce" scream boody murder, but Conventions are also known for the extra $$$$$$ they bring into a community in "dining out" and other purchases the participants may make within the area.
Any disaffection businesses feel within the city will also affect Baba Lee!!!!!!!
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.