 Flashermac
Curmudgeon
Posts: 30349
Loc: Transylvania
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BERKELEY, Calif. - As six Republican senators devised a plan to yank $2.3 million in federal funding for Berkeley programs, the mayor of the famously liberal city apologized Wednesday for his hard stance against a Marine recruiting center.
Two City Council members vowed to soften their stance as well.
At their Tuesday council meeting, leaders will discuss scrapping a letter that might be perceived as targeting the center or the Marines.
The letter said that the recruiting center was not welcome on Shattuck Avenue and that the Marines were uninvited and unwelcome intruders.
"That letter will probably be pulled back and maybe more moderate language will be put in place which is appropriate I think," said Berkeley mayor Tom Bates.
"Subtly stated in the resolution is perhaps an impugning of the soldiers fighting for us in Iraq and other places," Berkeley City Councilman Laurie Capitelli. "And that was never the intention but that really needs to be cleared up. As I walked to my car that night I realized I regretted it and I had made a mistake."
Bates said the city didn't mean to offend anyone in the armed forces and the focus should have been on the war not the troops.
"There's really no correlation between federal funds for schools, water ferries and police communications systems and the council's actions, for God's sake," said Bates, a retired U.S. Army captain. "We apologize for any offense to any families of anyone who may serve in Iraq. We want them to come home and be safe at home."
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Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity.
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chocolat steve
old hand
Posts: 9323
Loc: Los Angeles / Pattaya
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In response to Flashermac - Berkeley Backs Off On Banning Marines
The city went too far in my opinion. Make a city resolution against the war or whatever, but its counter to what Berkeley is suppposed to be to ban a group because it disagrees with it. Some people are only open to groups they believe in and this country was partially founded on the freedom of unpopular groups not to be oppressed by the majority or the people in power. Ban Tottenham or Man Yoo if it feels the need to ban something evil.
| "...you ever see me with a white woman, I'm just holding her till the police come..." - Redd Foxx |
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cavanami
I've outlived my dick!
Posts: 8883
Loc: BKK
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In response to chocolat steve - Berkeley Backs Off On Banning Marines
Typical as to what we see happening to these "freedom" groups...after a while it becomes, ...if you don't follow along with our idea, then you are cast out (or whatever)...the freedom is replaced by a mandatory "do it our way or else"!
Pam (Jim's GF): "Do you actually put your dick in her?"
Jim Morrison (The Doors): "Well, yes, sometimes..." |
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chocolat steve
old hand
Posts: 9323
Loc: Los Angeles / Pattaya
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In response to cavanami - Berkeley Backs Off On Banning Marines
Most political science classes say that ideology isn't a line but a circle and that the far left and the far right end up meeting each other.
| "...you ever see me with a white woman, I'm just holding her till the police come..." - Redd Foxx |
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NanaHunter
enthusiast
Posts: 210
Loc: MarriottBuri
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In response to chocolat steve - Berkeley Backs Off On Banning Marines
those sorry aresed Berzerkly morons who embraced the Berkeley Bard as the offical paper in that town. Look I attended that University in the early 70's and got gassed going to class because on of the main halls for my progams was Barrows and that is right behind Sprowl and the famous Plaza for all the people who did attend school there but came to disrupt those of us seeking high education! Berzerkeleyites are nuts good buy Berzekeley!
Long Life to
H.E. Pol LCol Dr. Thaksin S. |
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The_Munchmaster
Sage
Posts: 8734
Loc: Back In Dubai!
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In response to NanaHunter - Berkeley Backs Off On Banning Marines
....Berzerkeleyites are nuts good buy Berzekeley!
Which probably explains why you are nuts. 
| "Looking at cleavage is like looking at the sun. You don't stare at it. It's too risky. You get a sense of it and then you look away." |
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rogueyam
stranger
Posts: 2739
Loc: San Francisco, USA
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In response to NanaHunter - Berkeley Backs Off On Banning Marines
Things aren't so simple for Berkeley these days. A lot of folks are not going to just stand by and allow the hippies to disrespect and interfere with the Marines with impunity. The Berkeley City Council will be revisiting this issue at their meeting next Tuesday, Feb. 12. There will be a range of voices heard on the subject then. It will likely be an enthusiastic and colorful event, to say the least.
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Hugh_Hoy
Monger
Posts: 4136
Loc: Here, Today; Gone Tomorr...
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In response to rogueyam - Berkeley Backs Off On Banning Marines
I saw a clip on the news of the protesters. 5555555555 Mostly a 60-year-old + group of gray-hairs reliving their hippy days as Viet Nam War protesters. I guess some people never get a life...even after all these years.
HH
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rogueyam
stranger
Posts: 2739
Loc: San Francisco, USA
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In response to Hugh_Hoy - Berkeley Backs Off On Banning Marines
Here's a report from about a week ago (with photos and links) done by San Francisco's famous chronicler of Bay Area goofiness, "zombie":
http://www.zombietime.com/berkeley_marine_corps _2-...
There are not so many of these far-left crazies about, but there are a few who seek attention and know how to get it.
I think most people around here think these protesters are an embarassment and that it's wrong to slag the Marines, but the President and the war are so unpopular that the freaks are emboldened to take things too far.
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TheCorinthian
Pooh-Bah
Posts: 1762
Loc: Iraq (Sorry)
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In response to rogueyam - Berkeley Backs Off On Banning Marines
People in small groups just do not realize how popular Marines are to the vast majority of the country. Add to that that just about 90% of the people born in the USA are related to a service member and you get the picture.
I forget who it was in the US Congress that called Marines "Jack Booted thugs" or something like that in the 1990's, but she lost here seat and had to leave the state over the uproar.
When we heard Berkley was trying this, believe me, we laughed our asses off, sat back, and let nature take its course.
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