Considering the un-American way some of the people of Berkley are acting, maybe the federal government should just suspend any federal dollars from reaching the city in any form at all.

The position of the Berkley City Council is atrocious. Regardless of political position the slap in the face of our military men and women is unacceptable. The right to disagee has been made possible by the strenght of our military and our countries willingness to stand up for what is right. We should try to talk, but when negotiation does not work, for those who do not wish to negotiate, we must have the will to fight back or we will all become victims of those who wish to prey upon the weak. I will drive around, never through, will not spend a dime in the City of Shame, Berkley, California.

Just as I said to Berkeley’s City council on 2-12-08
As a native Californian, born in San Francisco; successful businessman based in Sacramento for the last 25 years; US Army and Vietnam Veteran; Patriot and staunch supporter of our troops and their families, I’m here to denounce the actions and attitudes of this City Council, in regards to the United States Military Services.

I have also requested of all of my government Representatives to support any and all sanctions that might be imposed upon the City of Berkeley and this administrative body. Another small bit that I can do is to exercise my right to determine where I will do business or spend money, so Berkeley has been removed from that list and I will recommend to all that I know to do the same.

Furthermore:
I would also like to suggest to the good and fair minded residents of Berkeley that it is time to stand up and speak up to replace those members of this council that would conspire with the likes of Code Pink to support the evil that is sworn to destroy us and our free way of life here in this great nation.

The Marines are not the real issue here, they just happen to be the ones in the line of fire at this point in time. As stated by several members of the Berkeley City Council (BCC), this whole mess is simply a matter of them wanting to express their dissatisfaction with the current administration that “got us into this despicable war”. The big problem is that we didn’t start the war on terror, but we do, as a nation, need to finish it; and we need to finish it over there or it will surely have to be fought here on our home soil.

Thanks to all who support us!
The actions taken on this issue show that your vote and voice can make a difference. Never quit or give up.
Special thanks to Jamie Colby and her crew for continuing to keep this issue in the public eye.

Sincerely,
US Marine
Okinawa, Japan

I hope the people of Code Pink (or whatever it’s called) realize that the Marines in that office are the very reason that Code Pink has the option to picket and complain and do whatever they feel like. Maybe if Code Pink went to another country and tried the same things, they would realize just how lucky they are to live in these great United States of America.

Here is the ad Move Ahead America is putting out. http://www.ourexcellentadventures.com/

I think that this shows the general contempt that most all liberals have for the institution and the people of the military. As a Army veteran 78-00, I was in service from the Carter administration, through the Reagan/Bush years and into the Clinton era. The differences in the way we were treated and regarded from Rep-Dem was monumental. The funny thing is that I hear all these liberals proclaiming to “support the troops”, however I had seen very little support from the left until it was politically popular to do so. if the powers that be in Berkley choose to banish the military, the federal goverment should choose to withhold federal funds from any non essential government programs in that congressional district.
As for the war “A war is tantamount to a back alley fight, you may not want to be there, and you may regret the path you chose that put you there; but once you’re in it, you damn sure better win it”
Always happy to see Jamie filling in during the week.

I weep for this country.

Unfortunately Berkeley reflects a large portion of the population.

I will support our troops and hope others will as well.

You would be suprised at the negative reaction the magnetic yellow ribbon “Support our Troops” located on the trunk of my car gets.

The ribbon will remain on the car and hopefully others will show their support for the troops in a public way to counteract the anti war Berkeley left.

Do not let yourselves be intimidated, if you support your troops display your support. Even a lapel pin will help.

The city council rulings doesn’t surprise me. It is California after all. ( home of Nancy Pelosi, need i say more) . If it were up to me all federal funding for the whole area would be withheld til they came around to a more patriotic way of thinking. It makes me sick to know our young men and women are fighting a war against terror and this is the respect they get from Berkley Ca.

There would be no USA without the US Military. Freedom is not free. These loonies in Berkeley are either crazy, socialists or worst. This is when a democracy/republic suffers and gives these nut cases the right of free speech. We also have free speech and this demands that the citizens that love this country raise up their voices and give the Berkeley socialists or worst the black eye that they justly deserve. As a taxpayer of federal and Ca. state taxes I will contact my US Senators (they are as bad as the Berkeley City Council) and US Representative and the Ca. Governor to fund no Berkeley contracts with my tax dollars. Am I just whistling Dixie ??

The Berkeley City Council is as dispicale an organization as has ever existing within the boundaries of the United States.

I came to this country as a young boy born of parents who survived Nazi Germany and life in Communist Poland and Russia. At the age of 17 I joined the U.S. Army and served two tours in Vietnam, one as a grunt and the second as a Huey Pilot. I had my tour cut short by a little RPG fired at my medivac bird by VC. Are you sure you weren’t one of them?

After my recovery, I returned to active duty subsequently leaving the Army and joining the Coast Guard. I deployed many times to many places in my career with the Coast Guard. I cna tell you the saddest day of my life was being made to retire because I had too many years in service.

You people are human ofle. You make me sick to my very core. You are a bunch of traitorous bastards that should all be sent somewhere else. You do not appreciate all that this country offers its citizenry.

It disgusts me that The Peoples Communist Republic of Berkely is still part of this great country and incites anger in my core that my hard earned tax dollars go help fund project within the confines of your little town. You are inconsequential scum.

You and the likes of the Code Pink Traitor Organization and the rest of the Jane Fonda’s of the world should all be sent to live somewhere that is so miserable that maybe after twenty years or so, you might gain a slight appreciation for what the military does for you - PROTECT YOUR FREEDOM to be as ignorant as you all are.

M.B. Chief
U.S.C.G. Retired

The same cowards who are trying to keep the marines out will be the people who are screaming they didn’t get there fast enough in a tragedy.

GOD BLESS our brave troops! I am thankful every day for their service and protection.

If my father was still alive he would be saying, “Berkley left wing lunes should be ashamed of themselves. They are speaking English, not German because of the MArines. Show some respect”.

Gave a listen to Laura Ingraham the other day, and she had a Berkeley official on attempting to justify this as a method of showing their opposition to the war.

Every member of the Town Council and Mayor’s office should be held accountable. No way America should stand for this.

Laura also had a great interview with a guy who penned a book on the Mexican Mafia in this country. Apparently they are taking over governmental positions in numerous towns in California. Wonder if Berkeley is one of them.

As a former Marine, I find the actions taken by Berkeley in violation of all the supossed free speech, free expression, and cultural diversity they purport to stand for. I have had to continually confront these liberal elitists since my days in high school, and I can tell you this….they are anything but open-minded and fair. This action taken by Berkeley reminds me of a college professor I had who once told the class Marines are ‘retards’.

The leftist ideology has so ingrained itself in academia, that these institutions are nothing more than political propaganda centers bent on redefining American culture. Berkeley has shown itself to be a puppet of leftist fear mongering instead of an institution of higher learning.

Perhaps the Berkeley City Hall could be converted into a Veteran’s Hospital.

Then the City Council could meet at the University of Berkeley that runs the town anyways.

The Berkeley City Council’s action to “disinvite” our Marine recruiters seems to me to be tantamount to attempting to secede from these United States. Our Marines and the rest of our military keep our country free.

If Berkeley feels so inclined as to disrespect our federal troops, the rest of our country should feel no further obligation to Berkeley–no federal funds, no federal representation, no federal protection.

I’ll be glad to write to the powers-that-be of Al Qaeda and other terrorist groups that wish us great harm to let them know of beautiful downtown Berkeley. If they are looking for a new target to hit, perhaps they would consider Berkeley. If they do, though, I have a strong feeling that the Berkeley City Council, and the citizens who have voted in these disgraceful politicians, would be calling loud and clear for the Marines to offer protection.

I am just an average family man who has enjoyed shopping and dining in some of Berkeley’s fine establishments over the years. This stand against the USMC recruitment office by the local council has outraged me.
Apology to our men and women in uniform or not, I will never set foot on Berkeley soil again.
Jay Calman

I have never been more deeply ashamed of my fellow citizens than the Berkeley City Council. How can anyone justify kicking out a Marine recruiting depot by saying they don’t want their children “indoctrinated” by the military? For those of you who have never served, please believe this from a Navy veteran, a Navy wife of 25 years, and the mother of two active duty Air Force sons: Military personnel may be taught to kill, but they are taught killing is a last resort, and only in self-defense. Military personnel see so much death, they are repulsed by it, and attempt to preserve human life as best they can. Serving your country is the most noble thing you can do. I, and my father in law, both believe this would be a lot better country, and place to live, if service to the U.S. is a requirement for 2 years at age 18. The military is only one aspect of service. The Peace Corps has been around for 48 years. Why shouldn’t young people go somewhere else to help their fellow human beings, in countries where a full stomach is the exception, not the norm? I think if all those so called “public servants” in Berkelely would have done mandated service time, then maybe they wouldn’t have turned out to be the smug, self serving, elitest creeps that they are. I have zero respect for these people. Rational-thinking citizens of Berkeley California: vote these fascists out before it is too late to save what is left of the democracy enjoyed by your place of residence.

This country is in deep trouble when so many citizens fail to distinguish between different things: 1) between being against the war and being against the soldiers, 2) between being against the recruiting system–which so often uses deception–and being against the soldiers, 3) between Saddam Hussein’s regime and Al Qaeda. The latter lack of distinction in the minds of many Americans led us into this awful war in which thousands of Americans and perhaps a million Iraqis have lost their lives. Americans who are not taught to think critically are easy targets for manipulation, such as that done by the Bush administration, who led so many Americans to conflate (join together in the head) 9/11 and Saddam Hussein, who in reality was no threat to the U.S.

Many people who deplore the Berkeley City Council are blurring things together in their heads. Are you so sure that the council wants to criticize the troops? It’s the war and the recruiters that they are criticizing, not the troops. How many realize that the mayor is a former soldier?

So many people writing here are not keeping things straight in their heads. Chris above mixes up the city of Berkeley with U. California, Berkeley (actually, two separate entities, which fight each other all the time). Glenn Palmer says we didn’t start the war on terror, but we have to finish it. Glenn, the war on terror does not start and end with the war in Iraq; two different things. A military campaign is not the way to fight terrorists, as many former generals tell us.

I and many other people who respect and honor the fighting troops deplore the recruiting system that is helping to sustain this war, often by lying to potential recruits. This misbegotten war needs to end. Really, how better can you support the troops than by taking them out of an unnecessary, even detrimental, war? Why do so many people mix “support the troops” with keep them fighting??

How many people commenting above realize that if it had been decided by Berkeley, there would have been no Iraq ware, no 3,000 U.S. military dead, and no creation of a new location of operations for Al Qaeda (which Iraq NOW is)? I’m from Berkeley, and I’m proud that most of the people I know here were right on this issue from the beginning.

The country that so many love will do a lot better if people learn to separate different concepts in their heads!

From my understanding the Berkley City Council is upset with the US Military because of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (signed into law by Pres Clinton). They have added the war in Iraq to their gripes but are pretty mum about the war in Afghanistan or at least I have not heard anything from them on our combat actions there. So let’s say for the sake of argument they support the war in Afghanistan. I have a proposal for them. Let all the people there in Berkley who want to “Tell” join the Marines and they ship them to Afghanistan to fight. In this way Berkley gets what it wants, the Taliban and al-Qaida gets what they deserve, the Marines are welcomed back to Berkley, and everyone is happy. Far fetched? Ya, but so is Berkley.

This is absolutely the worst thing I think Berkeley has ever done. Our troops sacrifice more for their freedom than they could ever imagine, and the fact that the Berkeley Town Council is refusing to back down is just disgusting. I hope the Semper Fi Act is passed- if they would like to remove the US military from their town, then they can also lose US Federal funding.

I thought Berkeley had a reputation for being all about freedom. Since when is denying people a choice of career considered freedom? I cannot believe the arrogance shown by the Berkeley City Council in deciding that no citizen in that area should be allowed to explore a military career. Sounds more like Soviet Russia than California.

great work move america forward. thanks fox and msnbc for covering this story.

Berkeley should be disciplined and cut off from funding. To insult our troops in NOT a matter of free speech. Those people crossed the line and should be ashamed of themselves. Without our men and women in uniform protecting them, they wouldn’t even HAVE the opportunity to say something so insulting about our troops.

It saddens and angers me to see the very freedoms that our troops fight to maintain used in such a deplorable manner. Our brave men and women fight overseas to prevent bringing such tragedy onto our own soil. Heaven forbid anything were to happen anywhere near the City of Berkeley, we would see how “unwelcome” and “intrusive” the Marines (such as my husband) were then. There may be a difference between supporting the troops and protesting the war, but I have not seen or heard it in any of the comments made by the Berkeley City Council or Code Pink.

It’s about time the moveon.org types have an active anti-dote to their venom

God forbid that Berkley ever have a disaster that requires the help of our military. Since the Mariines were asked to leave, that should go also in the event of a disaster. They should think about what they are asking for.

How dare you bite the hand that feeds you in such a vile way. Instead of trying to impose your beliefs of the vast majority of Americans who don’t even come close to agreeing with you and are very appreciative of the sacrifices soldiers make for us and the overwhelmingly greater good they do for countless millions of people worldwide, why don’t you do this: Why don’t you all pack up and move to Cuba, North Korea, Al Queda held territory or France where your military-hating sentiments will be well-received…

As the mother of a young soldier serving in Iraq I am appaled by your actions against our military. I do, however, reconize that you recendid your measure. I thank you for that. But your continued lack of support for our military and the brave young men and women who serve you everyday must stop. It is wrong.

In addition I beleive that it is wrong of you to take away the opporturnity for young people to enter the military for what ever reason they chose to. In my son’s case he didn’t know what he wanted to do with his life after high school and we did not have the money to send him to college. This was a wonderful opportunity for him. In addition he was able to fulfill his life long dream of being a soldier.

You can be against the war all you want to be…but please, have some common sense and common courtesy toward those who are risking their lives or support those who risk their lives for you and our country. It’s just the right thing to do.

You know it is a sad day in America when the citizens of Berkeley and else where have no clue that if it were’t for those Marines and other service members throughtout this world they would not be allowed to do and say what they say… They also have NO clue that the recruitment is not for today but for our future… Without our Military we have no future or freedom at least as we know it.
To bad they couldn’t spend 6mo in another country… May be they might learn something, that is if they are still alive…
I support our troops… in pear and war… always have always will..
Peggy

I am a naturalized citizen, which means that I was not born here and chose to be an American. It is a privilege that I value and will never give up. It turns my stomach to see people who are born here and had to do nothing to earn this blessing behave as if this country and its military are trash. Who do they think will defend the liberty that they have to behave like the idiots that they are? Do they think Tom Cruise or Clooney or Barbra or Michael Moore will get dirty in the trenches and actually fight? Nah. They will just make a fake documentary that will earn an Oscar or a great prize in some bleeding heart foreign film festival, throw our great nation under the bus and collect their money. I know, however, that not all Americans are like that. For that I thank God. May he bless American, that our people will stand strong among all nations.

The entire debate is appalling! We are giving way and giving in, from within. THIS MUST STOP!
I am proud to be an American and have been all my life, never once wavering from my Patriotism and committment to my Country. I have always been proud of our military and our troops overseas and support them wholeheartedly!

Mrs. Obama should take a look at herself and her comments. How completely disgusting. It wasn’t an oversight, truth came out!!

I know I am not the only one that feels this way, but during time of war, I feel MORE patriotic. Everything means more when at war; votes, taxes, politics in general. For me, looking at our men and women serving our country, I feel a sense of pride for myself, my fellow Americans and the U.S.A.
People that don’t feel this way, to me are anti-American plain and simple. You have the freedom (thanks to our brave soldiers) to publicly disagree with the war that was waged upon us, but you do not have the right to terrorize our American soldiers, nor do you have the right to interfere with daily government activities. As a matter of fact, I think it should be considered treason.

The City Council and all members should be given some history lessons starting with the Revolutionary War. Who do they think fought and died for their rights they enjoy as Americans?

I would classify what they have done as traiterous and totally un-American. Anybody doing any business with Berkley should stop. Berkley and the University is a pariah to America.

Mike Pruitt
Former Marine, 1965

What the Mayor of Berkeley and the City Council has done to and about the whole Marine situation is reprehensible. They definitely owe the Marines and every other branch of the Armed Forces and apology and they should be most grateful for the fact that those men and women are over in Iraq defending our nation against the horrible possibility of our country being bombed and attacked every day if nothing is done to stop Islamic Terrorists. We need to keep our people in this country safe and the best way to do it is to make sure the war that they are waging stays over there. If this country bows to people such as Mayor Bates and his ilk, this country will no longer be safe because the Terrorists will know that they have a wealthy home right here to bomb and pillage and take apart piece by piece.

For anyone to sanction what Mayor Bates is doing is tantamount to treason on our own soil, and that should never be tolerated by any self-respecting American. I certainly do hope that our Congress and those Government officials that know something about Laws and Rules act appropriately and closes off all funding to any City, State, and County or Township Government that shows those treasonous leanings, now and for all the future. The life of America as a country is at stake here. Folks, WAKE UP!!! Smell the poison that is pouring from every pore of this man and his fellow sheep.

How DARE you exclude our military recruiters from your campus! This is the worst type of discrimination.

I don’t live in California any more (I, my father, and my father’s father and mother were born there).

Berkeley and the rest of the political cesspit that California has become is among the reasons why I left.

I am of the opinion that every penny of money the Feds spend in Berkeley should be withdrawn immediately and suits to recover as much as possible should be filed immediately.

School lunches by Chez Panisse!? Good grief.

Berkeley is an embarrassment. The Berkeley City Council is even more of an embarrassment. All federal funds should be withdrawn from any city that opposes the military. The whole opposition to the “war” is a guise. The real opposition to the military is the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy.

If the big one (earthquake) ever hits, I will look for Berkeley to refuse assistance from the military.

The City Council should be recalled or Impeached immediately. They have cost Berkley damages that will not soon be recovered. I am sure that their irresponsible behavior is not indicative of the majority of Americans living in and around their city. Let’s keep up the pressure to keep this scum of the earth on the retreat! As a Veteran and retired Federal employee with a total of 31 years of service to this country, the Berkley City Council’s actions makes my blood boil! Throw them OUT!

As a Berkeley resident, I was dismayed at my city council’s continued buckling in to the pressure of anti-military extremists who abound in the city. The members of the city council can doubt the wisdom of the American involvement in Iraq, but they shouldn’t support and subsidize the violation of the rights of people who wish to explore a career with the Marines and who have found their access to the recruting center blocked.

The young men and women who visit the recruiting center, which focuses on officer recruitment, are responsible adults. They don’t need a bunch of self-appointed mommies to make their life decisions for them.

People of this country want to be free, but some, (ie. Berkley), have no understanding what that means in terms of sacrifice on a daily or yearly basis. The troops that protect our country and the world lay the lives on the line everyday for the citizens of our and your communities. With freedom of speech, we also have people that are basically ignorant of what it takes to keep that freedom of speech.
God bless our troops and bless the people that suport our country.
Rock Hill, SC

By the act of revision, Berkeley showed that they made a huge mistake in calling the Marines intruders and asking them to leave — the next step that is so hard for them is a mere apology to our Marines, all service members, and our entire nation.

Last week my six year old cheated on a practice SAT test. Even though she promised never to do it again and her actions showed that she probably wouldn’t, she, on her own free will, made her way to her teacher and asked for her forgiveness. My six year old knows the value and necessity of an apology. Berkeley, surly you can match the humbleness and humanity of a six year old, right?

The outcry of people who say ‘peace not war’ is beyond me. I like to think that I am at least average intellect, but for the life of me I cannot understand where people like ‘Code Pink’ are coming from. I am not a fan of war and I will bet that our Marines, though trained to be peak performers during war, do not LIKE it either. However, sometimes peace comes with a price tag. If the people of Code Pink are not of the character necessary to maintain and provide peace, so be it. No one makes anyone sign up to be a Marine. They can hold their heads even higher knowing that they volunteered to protect and defend us.

I for one wish I had words that would convey the tiniest portion of my thankfulness to our military. I have known since I was a little girl and visited Arlington Cemetery what the United States as we know it and love it cost. I will forever be grateful to those who paid, are paying, or who are willing to pay if it comes down to that. For all our military does for us, an apology is not too much to ask. Apologize Berkeley and show children and adults everywhere what it means to be a decent human being.

Mr. Mayor & Berkley city Council,

I am appalled by your actions and attitudes towards our servicemen, and particularly the U.S. Marine Corps. I cannot fathom the hatred I have seen from your less than fair city towards these groups of brave men and women that allow you and yours the liberty to spew out your vitrolic
nonsense.

I am also ashamed that you are located in the state that I was born and raised in. I for one will never set foot in your less than fair city, and trust the rest of the country will shy away from you bunch of ingrates and malcontents.

There is more that I could say, but with the above I believe you get my message.

Ex 101st Airborne (US Army)

How DARE you ban our military recruiters from your campus! This is the worst kind of discrimination.
GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS!

When will they figure out that the 60’s are over in Berkley? I figure that for insulting our nation’s troops that they should at least loose ALL Government funding - post-haste!! How dare any government organization have the audacity to insult our fine men and women in uniform! I am sick and tired of the “I support the troops - but not the war”? What part of “WE ARE AT WAR WITH TERRORIST” - do they not understand?

Thanks to the foolish actions of Berkley and Code Pink, the Marine Corps Recruiting effort is getting more attention than ever. If no one in Berkley wanted the Marines there, then no one would be going there to enlist and they would have soon moved on. Your actions have awakened those Americans who are in the majority and who support our military. Thank you, keep up the good work. Sincerely, W. Milnor, former SSGT, USMC

What Berkeley needs is one of the old riots like what was taking place in the late 60’s and 70’s and in turn they ask for military help to handle the situation. The military should ttell them that since you do not like us in you city, we will stay out and let you and your law enforcement do the best they can and then see what happens. I would bet that they would be begging for help.

Hello,
Berkley and all Cities that turn against our men like this, With-out thinking their FEDERAL AID Should be droped for & year or more.I can not remember anything like this since Vietnam & then
it was not enlistment staitions. This country turning into are real looser.
Thank You, A PROUD VETERAN USMC
Ronald Bidar

The Berkley City council has taken it upon themselves to decide what the citizens of Berkley can do or not do. NO young man or women is forced into a recruiters office, it is an option as far as employment is concerned. And a very good option for those who choose to be in the military. Granted military life is not for everyone…but this Berkley City council has taken away their citizens right to freedom of choice!! And to say that the military is not welcomed in their town, shame on them. Who fought for all our rights and liberties? Who was willing to go knowing that they may not come back? Who gave their sons, brothers, husbands, and fathers…so that Americans can have the life that we all take for granted. The MILITARY!! Berkley City council you need to learn consideration for those you to not agree with, and respect for what they the military is willing to do, even for you.

“If you don’t stand behind your troops, stand in front of them!”

SHAME ON YOU BERKELEY!!!!

There are equal freedoms in this country and to allow the Pink movement special privileges is wrong. Support out troop, they have done nothing wrong except try to save us from the perils and dangers of terrorism amd anti American feelings. It seems to me that you are promoting this anti-Americanism and that is not the business of a City Council.

About Time Someone Shut Them Up!!!!!

I support those true Americans and groups that are defending our Marines and the recruiting office in Berkley, CA. Mayor Bates has simply attempted to confuse us under the guise of following “a majority of his constituants’ wishes”. And I beleive it was NOT a majority or his constituants and more likely a select few of his most influential financial donators. And to think this man was an Active Duty U.S. Army Officer at one point in his life. I wonder how fond his fellow soldiers are of him now. Disgusting example of someone who has simply forgotten from where he came from.

MSgt Heath,
USMC (ret)

“The nation which forgets its defenders will be itself forgotten.” — Calvin Coolidge

Berkeley has not just “forgot” its defenders, but it has outright disrespected them and told them to leave. All Federal funding should be pulled immediately.

I heard a man on the news one night talking about how the Federal funds that would be taken awa are supposed to go to kid’s lunches at school. He said “why would DeMint punish Berkeley’s children for the City Council does?” He is not punishing their children, but rather the City Council chose to act carelessly and recklessly in their motions. If anyone wants to blame someone for the City losing funding they can look at the clowns they voted into office.

City Council is the one making stupid decisions and causing consequences to be brought against the City. It’s called representative government, and if the peopel of Berkeley don’t like what is happening now they need to get this band of fools out of office and replace them with people who know how to manage a City and stop bowing to special interest groups like Code Pink.

The Berkley City Council should be ashamed of it’s actions, but I fear, however, they know no shame. How wonderful to be so foolish and so protected. The Marine Corps and it’s recruiters aren’t intimidated by a gaggle of bellicose women dressed in pink, or their political enablers, or by it’s global enemies for that matter. They are a shining example of patience and grace and I stand with them, my brother and sister Marines…Semper Fi.

I have many thought about and opinions of the people of Berkley, but none can be put into print here. My son is from Waterbury, Ct. and enlisted in the Army 12 years ago and recently re-enlisted while on deployment in Afghanistan. What makes the people of Berkely think that their children are better than my son? What makes them think that it’s ok for my son to go into harms way and not their children too? Wether they support the war or not, the fact of the matter is that we are at war. If Americans can’t stand up to be counted by their own country, then they should leave the country, go somewhere else, and let people from other countries come here and support a way of life that they dream about but don’t have.
I also have faith that the children of Berkely who want to enlist in the Military, would go to another city or state and do so. I also imaging that a good many of the young men and women from Berkely are deeply disappointed in their parents and families.

Below is a copy of a letter I wrote to the mayor of Berkeley. I sent a copy to the City Council Members as well. While it is so important to voice our opinions on these blogs I would encourage all of you to write these people. It’s a reminder to them that we are here to stay…
Keep up the good work Jamie! Always good to know you have our backs.

Mayor Bates,

I am appalled at the recent assault on our military and specifically the US Marines. It is shameful that you would condone such behavior. By changing the terminology to say “We are not against the military, we are against war” is in itself a conflict of statement. If you claim to support our military, your actions betray you. A common declaration Berkeley avows is tolerance, yet, you’re attempting to deny our Marines to do their job. The job that secures your rights to freedom you don’t feel the military is entitled. If ever there was a double standard, Berkeley defines it so graphically.

Your city council members are under the misguided assumption that pro-American, pro-military people are stupid. The job of our military is to secure our safety and sometimes that means war. To have the freedoms we enjoy are worth fighting for and we have only the military to thank for that freedom. So, please save your politically correct psyco-babble for the liberal dolts.

I may not own a cooperation, or think I might make a huge financial impact solely by boycotting anything produced, sold or provided to or by your city, but I know a lot of people who do. I will make it my mission to tell, email and call everyone I know and ask for their joint efforts to support a boycott on Berkeley.

Remember, when you mess with the Marines, you mess with their moms, dads, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, friends and the list goes on…I hope you get the picture. We are a family and I consider all Marines and their families mine as well.

FYI. It is our Marines who are first in and last out of a conflict. Instead of supporting those that lack character by attacking them you might consider thanking them for their service and your freedom to make the choice.

“There is none so blind as those who do not want to see”

Semper Fi
Proud Mother of a Marine
Bonni Johnson

I think being that Berrkley doesn’t want the Marines( which are a federal entity) then they don’t need ANY federal funding for one year, even if they apologize, and indefinitely if they don’t. I served my country in the Marines so that the people of this nation would continue to have the freedoms that they do. Whether or not you agree with the current politics gives you NO right to disrespect that service.
And for those interested, if we don’t fight the terrorist over there then we WILL be fighting them here, something ‘code pink’ doesn’t understand, these terrorist will NOT talk peace, only domination. It is scary to me how many people belive what the mainstream media (CNN, MSNBC, New York Times, etc) put out, we are winning and the surge has worked, but we can’t pull out until finish. I like the comparision to an alley fight. The last thing the Marines want to do is fight, but they have been called on to protect this country from another 9-11. Have we forgotten how we felt on that day?
Berkley, do you want a dirty bomb set off by the terrorist in your neighbor hood? That’s what will happen if we quit fighting this war! That’s what the MARINES are protecting you from!! So get of your high horse and apologize to these brave men and women! And YES you DO need to apologize.

It is your first amendment right to freedom of speech. However, when a governmental unit does not support the US Military, I certainly feel that they should have the wear-with-all to visity the local veterans hospital and tell them that they do not support the US Marines or the US military.
I know they won’t have the guts to do that. It is much different to back stab in private than in public.

I most certainly agree with my senator…..Jim DeMint on his bill to stop all Federal funds going to Berkley or to anyother governmental unit not supporting the US Military.

Those folks need to realize that only two people/groups died for them……..Jesus Christ for their souls and US Military for their freedom!

The city council members and mayor should be impeached. I am surprised, with the ensuing outcry, that this has not been started, it should be. At once. Withhold federal monies and/or grants. Invite them to leave office, begin impeachment proceedings if possible.

I am, as I have always been, very proud of our Marines and all branches of our military. The men and women that serve us in this way have comitted to giving their very lives in protection of our freedom and our children’s futures. The Bible says that there is no greater love than for a man to lay down his life for a friend. It’s true.
As an American, I understand that war is ugly, tragic, heartwrenching and sometimes necessary. We would not be the America we are today if not for the battles bravely fought by our men and women in uniform.
But aside from all of that; regardless of how one feels about wars, both past and present, we must consider the America that we have today. In my America we are free. Free to do and say whatever we want. Free to go to school and learn to be whatever we please. Free to worship whomever, wherever and whenever we see fit.
That some would use this freedom to slander the very people that have sworn to protect it, makes me ill. I am grateful to all our troops that have lived and died to protect my children. They have paid the ultimate price so that we don’t have to.

The Berkely council should go to a country that also hates the USA.
Why should they use the freedoms won by our troops to desparage our troops.
Berkeley citizens sould impeach these trators,

Please continue your coverage of the Berkeley anti-military actions. The work of useful idiots must alayws be exposed.

This message is to those who block freedom fought for by bloodshed willingly in order for this country to become a Democracy! If Berkely cannot get its act together and remain a school devoted to anarchy and anti-American rhetoric. then allow it to seceed from the nation that defends its right to do so but allow the US MARINES TO STAY. Also allow it to wallow with those who know nothing but the word “pigs”!!
But please don’t call yourself “Americans!” God bless America and we will stand!!
Margaret S. Hood

It’s a disgrace that fellow Americans would talk about our military that way and to tell them they aren’t welcome. What happened to the Great Generation. We are turning into a bunch of wimps.

Last month my son in-law called me. He said [in his Texan jargon] “Dad, you asked me to call you when Natalie’s re-enlistment ceremony happens, listen up”. On my cell phone I heard my little corporal swear
her alligiance to our country and constitution. I then heard my son in-law [a former Marine himself] get a written commendation for being a good military spouse. The U.S.M.C. is the best thing that could have happened to my oldest daughter. Four kids and two grandkids into my life I find myself truly blest. My Dad
survived the “Blitz” in London In WWII. My Mom had just as rough a time in Birmingham. They brought us here in ‘68 [legally] with$200. At my 50′TH B-Day party, I looked at my and my wife’s great family and got goose bumps. What a lucky man,to be in the greatest nation on God’s earth with a family that knows what it takes to be “Real Americans”. God bless America and God Bless the U.S.M.C. Richard.

People need to stand behind what Move America Forward and others are doing as they speak for our military and protect the honor of our service men and women. Berkeley and others are attacking our men and women in uniform and this is not acceptable. Sign petitions and make donations!!!! It’s the very least we can do for those that have fought and are fighting now for our freedom and safety.

You politicians and ‘citizens’ of the city of berzerkeley are simply nutso… A fence should be built around your ‘city’, with tickets sold to folks who want to view a very large quantity of idiots, as is done in zoos around the world. The revenue gained from the tickets could be used to fund the US Marines to stand guard on the area and make sure that your ‘people’ don’t get out and the drugs each of you are obviously on, don’t get in…

The Berkeley City Council has the right, granted by their