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Berkeley, CA Facing Retribution for Anti-War View
CNSNews.com ^ | 11/02/01 | John Rossomando

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.

 


TOPICS: Front Page News; News/Current Events
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1 posted on 11/02/2001 9:15:33 AM PST by kattracks
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To: kattracks
I agree that we should end the bombing as soon as possible, too.

Nuke the whole place and get it over with.

2 posted on 11/02/2001 9:31:06 AM PST by Blood of Tyrants
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To: kattracks
"They have a right to do that, but we don't agree with them," Harris added.
Since when was treason a right?!!!!!!!!
3 posted on 11/02/2001 9:32:06 AM PST by gr8eman
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To: Blood of Tyrants
Precision bombing of Berkely after finished in Talib-Land.
4 posted on 11/02/2001 9:40:45 AM PST by R2
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To: gr8eman
Treason? For passing a resolution condemning a bombing campaign? Since when was freedom of expression treason?

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)

5 posted on 11/02/2001 9:45:27 AM PST by dixierat22
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To: kattracks
Kos claims the boycotters missed the point of the resolution
Well, you see Kos, that's where you're WRONG! We DIDN'T misunderstand and now you are in hot water. The old days of traitorous ways are over but you aren't catching on too fast. We'd like to help you understand by sending you a few thousnad MORE letters, emails, calls. Don't worry, you'll get it in time... TWIT
6 posted on 11/02/2001 9:47:20 AM PST by Libertina
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To: kattracks
What to do if you happen upon a peace rally by stupid naive hemp-shirt-wearing college idiots.....
7 posted on 11/02/2001 9:53:46 AM PST by RedhairRedhair
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To: dixierat22
OK, I'll buy your point that it isn't ACTUALLY treason.

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.

8 posted on 11/02/2001 9:56:21 AM PST by null and void
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To: kattracks

Boycott Summary

This is a reprint summery from several of my earlier posts. You don’t 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. It’s 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 don’t know HTML well enough to link their contributions. Drango


* Cliff Bars and Triple Rock Beer are headquartered in Berkeley and sold nationally. Don’t 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 800–884-5254

* 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

9 posted on 11/02/2001 10:02:13 AM PST by Drango
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To: dixierat22
"Freedom of expression" is not unlimited.
One way the rest of us can 'express' ourselves is by boycotting *ssholes like the Berkeley City Council and the city they claim to represent.
10 posted on 11/02/2001 10:11:02 AM PST by Redbob
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To: kattracks
I've seen several articles about this. They all mention the possible economic boycott for the passing of 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" This sounds reasonable. However, none of the stories mention the ORIGINAL resolution that was cconsidered and failed by one vote. THAT resolution said the US was terrorists as well.
11 posted on 11/02/2001 10:12:02 AM PST by wny
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To: dixierat22
Actually the difference between bombing Yugoslavia, a country that in no way attacked the US and bombing terrorists and terror sponsors who were responsible for thousands of American dead on US soil is self evident in my opinion. I agree with you re. Kosovo but you have to remember that we were attacking and not being attacked. I might agree with you re. the definition of treason but I think we might have a case for the Berkley City Council and sedition.
12 posted on 11/02/2001 10:41:38 AM PST by JMS
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To: kattracks
Berkleyites are certainly entitled to their opinion. They can voice it as loudly as they want.

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.

13 posted on 11/02/2001 10:42:32 AM PST by wbill
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To: kattracks
Saw it off and tow it out to sea...

And always remember, the real tragedy of Kent State was poor marksmanship (think about it)...

14 posted on 11/02/2001 11:01:21 AM PST by Viet Vet in Augusta GA
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To: null and void
From your profile page
: "I love the constitution, this country (not fond of the government, though), and it's hard working citizens."

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!

15 posted on 11/02/2001 11:04:56 AM PST by dixierat22
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To: Redbob
From MS Encarta:
Comment: The first ten Amendments were ratified December 15, 1791, and form what is known as the Bill of Rights.

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?

16 posted on 11/02/2001 11:21:51 AM PST by dixierat22
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To: dixierat22
If someone in your family becomes a victim of these terrorists, don't come whining around here for action. They are still trying to kill more of our fellow citizens, that includes kids, so wake up and don't criticize those who choose to stop this terrorism.
17 posted on 11/02/2001 11:23:32 AM PST by Ender@Game.now
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To: Ender@Game.now
Who's whining? I merely point out the obvious. IF any terrorist or any one else for that matter comes after me or mine, they will find us prepared to respond with effective defensive measures(defined as a good offense).
18 posted on 11/02/2001 11:29:53 AM PST by dixierat22
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To: dixierat22
Is this your comment or do I misunderstand?

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.

19 posted on 11/02/2001 11:37:33 AM PST by Ender@Game.now
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To: Drango
Good going!!!!!!!!

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!!!!!!!

20 posted on 11/02/2001 11:46:58 AM PST by DoctorMichael
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