The Berkeley backlash: It’s not over
My syndicated column this week brings newspaper readers up to speed on the anti-military siege in Berkeley.
Move America Forward is moving forward with plans for a protest at the Berkeley City Council meeting on Feb. 12.
Even the San Francisco Chronicle editorial board is castigating the fools in Berkeley:
Berkeley’s leaders have taken the worthy notion of political protest and shoved it over the cliff. While playing up arguments of free speech and organized protest, the council has loaded the deck with insulting language that denigrates the military and embarrasses the anti-war cause.
Sen. Jim DeMint continues the fight with a new piece in Human Events:
Over $2 million was secretly tucked away for Berkeley earmarks in the 2008 Omnibus Appropriations bill, projects that were never voted on or debated.
I do not believe a city that has turned its back on our country’s finest deserves $2 million worth of pork-barrel projects. So, I will introduce legislation to revoke the funding.
Included in the $2 million worth of pork are some particularly wasteful projects.
One earmark provides gourmet organic lunches to schools in the Berkeley School District. While our Marines are making due with MREs of Sloppy Joe and Chili with Beans, the organization Chez Panisse is getting federal tax dollars to design meals that promote “environmental harmony.” Chez Panisse’s menu features “Comté cheese soufflé with mâche salad,” “Meyer lemon éclairs with huckleberry coulis” and “Chicory salad with creamy anchovy vinaigrette and olive toast.”
Are we to understand that the city that has been home to many of the country’s most rich and famous cannot afford to pay for its own designer school lunches?
Another $975,000 earmark is for the Matsui Center for Politics and Public Service at U.C. Berkeley, which may include cataloging the papers of Congressman Robert Matsui. Is it really necessary to tax the paychecks of Marines so we can earmark nearly $1 million for a school that is already sitting on a $3.5 billion endowment?
Let me be clear, my bill does does not cut off all federal funds to the city of Berkeley, though I am sure most Americans would feel that is justified. My bill merely rescinds wasteful earmarks. Berkeley is free to compete with other towns and cities across America for merit-based federal grants.
Actions have consequences. When the Berkeley City Council decided to insult the Marines in a time of war, it was a $2 million decision. Especially in a time of war, we cannot just allow cities to play insulting games at our troops’ expense while continuing to shower them with congressional favors.
These people don’t quit. Neither should you.
See what others have said
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Trackbacks
- The Lone Maryland Conservative
- Berkeley’s Unpatriotic Stupidity « The Lone Maryland Conservative
- The Jawa Report
- Hot Air » Blog Archive » Cornyn to Berkeley: I’m cutting you off!
- A Field Guide to American Politics on Blog Talk Radio - February 6, 2008
- Code Pink Crosses the Line at Marine Recruiting Station in Berkeley | Illegal Protest
- Neocon News » Berkeley hate gets an unwanted response. Cornyn moves to cut off funding. Here’s the math.
- Democracy Project
- Solomonia
- Leaning Straight Up
- Locomotive Breath 1901
- The Dan Lee Report » Blog Archive » Berklee tells our Marines they are “Unwelcome & Uninvited intruders”.
- Bear Creek Ledger » Toledo Mayor orders Marines out of town!
- How Pork Corrupts « In Other Words
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Categories: Berkeley, Code Pink, They don't support the troops
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“anti-war harridans”
nice!
Actions do indeed have consequences. For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. I learned that about a gazillion years ago in school. These people keep reminding everybody how smart and superior they are, but they never seemed to learn anything in school, except maybe civil disobedience.
Tanks again Sen. DeMint … your efforts on behalf of the MArines are appreciated … keep after them … then maybe you can do the same against openly declared “sanctuary cties and states” …
A left-leaner on one of the other Berkeley threads, commented that Berkeley’s labs have contributed more to the U.S. military than Senator DeMint’s entire home state of South Carolina.
If this is true and Berkeley’s labs provide the military with the tech and weaponry needed to successfully execute their duties on the battlefield,then why doesn’t Cold Pink protest the university as purveyors of death – instead of pestering our men and women in uniform?!
Never give up. Part of the training Marines receive from day one! Thanks for keeping up on this, MM. I may no longer be an active Marine (since 1990), and I may have too much belly and age to re-join, but I am with them 100%.
Semper FI!
DBNinky,
It’s not suppose to make sense… If they had any common sense they would be off doing other things. Just my take on it.
Just hope DeMint follows through with this all the way to the end.
And speaking of idiotic earmarks, why aren’t we scrutinizing all of these and and putting a stop to it all?
Gourmet lunches? Please…I had peanut butter and jelly sandwiches when I was in elementary school.
Get a grip.
They make me sick.
I stand behind you 100% Senator DeMint. You’re one of the few government officials I still believe in…
I still think that the term “siege” gives them too much credit. How about calling it the “limp-wristed civil disobedience” at Berkeley? Or maybe the “post-LSD psychotic episode” at Berkeley? How about the “hippy-hippy shakedown” at Berkeley?
DBNinKY, 30 has it right, These people aren’t that much about sense.
What they are about is publicity, and I’m not sure anyone would pay attention if they were protesting that center of all knowledge and wisdom that is UC Berkeley. The city council might not be on their side if they went against the town’s only claim to fame.
As for that claim about the labs at Berkeley contibuting more than SC to modern combat, I’d like to see some documentation on that. Otherwise, Troll-la-la….
Hey JS, what do you mean “post”-LSD? Sounds like they’re still using the stuff to me.
#12 SHoward
Yeah, there’s probably not a sign on the Berkeley City Council chamber saying WARNING! We test all applicants for illegal drug use.
These people couldn’t even get hired at Home Depot.
My money says not even in the Home Depot parking lot as day laborers.
#4, I remember reading that same sentiment. You raise a very good point!
Also, the person who originally said that Berkeley’s labs have contributed more to the war than DeMint’s SC, has not paid attention to where the largest number of recruits in the military come from. The South always boasts a larger number of recruits than other regions for the military, and that does include SC. Tech and weaponry are necessary to have for, but without the troops to use them they sit useless. Our military is great because of the men and women who serve and who skillfully use that technology.
That would violate the “peanut-free zones” found in many schools these days.
God help us.
Aberrant city-states like Berkeley and Cambridge, MA should not be allowed to run amok and as autonomously as they do.
Punish the whole state! That will bring them into line. Sanctuary cities and little socialist fiefdoms like Berkeley need to reined in by the states.
Free speech does not extend to active sedition, does it?
To quote DNC Chairman Howard Dean: “Yeeearrghhh!!”
Just a thought: take the $2 million and treat the men and women in the battle zones to a nice meal, chicory salad and all. As long as we’re going to spend the money on something, it might as well be on those who deserve it. Just a thought, on this day of introspection.
16 years of school and I get better education from this site,never knew what a “harridan”was until now.I looked it up and “decayed strumpet” had me ROFLMAO.
BlameAmericalast
I was thinking the same thing
In all my days in the Navy, I think I would have chosen PB&J over Chicory salad any day.
I’d rather see the money spent on increasing the number of flights from Iraq to the States so our guys can get home in a more timely manner when their Leave starts. (my sister who just had her baby is waiting for her hubby to see his little girl for the first time and he’s been sitting in Iraq waiting for a flight for 4 days.)
God bless those Marines for doing what Marines do best: occupying hostile territory and doing their damned job! Everyone here who supports the Marines’ right to be in Berkeley needs to write their Senators and Representatives and encourage them to support Senator DeMint’s bill.
As far as Berkeley’s contribution to the military goes: Yes, Berkeley has contributed to advanced military technology, particularly nuclear weapons, and they should be recognized for it. However, Ft Jackson, in South Carolina, has been turning out Mk1, Mod 0 Infantrymen since 1917. Anyone want to guess at which has won more wars?
Fixed it for ya – the city never did squat for national defense, except protest it.
From the editorial…
So the cesspool whose leaders have previously refused to film the Marine Corps commercial, tried to ban the Blue Angels for bogus safety and evironmental concerns, refused to homeport the retired battleship Iowa, and kill the highschool JROTC program does not get it? Well Daddy DeMint does and he just pulled the car over to reach back and smack buqahley upside the head. Those jerkwads still don’t realize Daddy DeMint can easily smack them too (which the rest of us would not object to). At least they were correct to say the lack the comprehension to see the connection or fairness.
Parris Island, SC has turned out a few Warrior Marines. Who do you want watching your back, UC@B or USMC?
Berkeley schools, food programs( Chez Panisse’s menu features “Comté cheese soufflé with mâche salad,” “Meyer lemon éclairs with huckleberry coulis” and “Chicory salad with creamy anchovy vinaigrette and olive toast.)”
and ferries
Sounds like food may have a direct connection to the ferries. Just when you thought they had their fill of fruits and nuts.
I guess school lunches have come a long way from the rectangular school pizza and tater tots I used to get from the cafeteria. No wonder these damn kids have a grandiose sense of entitlement: “Gourmet food is a Constitutional right! Give me smoked goat cheese or give me death!”
I suspect that they were taking their lead on revising their school lunch menu from San Fran Nan and her menu changes in the House cafeteria …
Wrong kind of “ferries”, Wade. ;D
“Let me be clear, my bill does does not cut off all federal funds to the city of Berkeley…”
My only question is “WHY THE HELL NOT??!?!?!?”
Haven’t/won’t/never will.
I read a book (can’t recall the title) that revealed that Nacy P. and Diane F. each had LOTS of $$$$$$$$$$$$$.
They can – personnally – fund some of the Pork Projects for SF, Oakland, and the City of Berkeley.
Do they wear PINK too?
Nancy
Rest of country should secede from Berkeley. We build border fence, dispatch ambassador to
Post Officeembassy, stop all federal funding and require passports…Works for People’s Republic of Cambridge, which is across river from capital of Moronistan also.
Berkeley can go to hell for all I care. Making the job of national defense more difficult is a shameful waste of time and effort. If they want to spend “Berkeley money” on this more power to them. But to waste the time and efforts of Marines in persuit of the mission of national defense should be treason.
Including fire bombing the Marine/Navy ROTC building. Some of us never forget.
Thanks for the update Michelle. Will work on a thank you to Senator DeMint, but would prefer all earmarks not voted on this year be stripped from the Omni-bus funding bill.
Because this is Congress and everything if half-assed.
if = is
Wade, #26,
Right you are! Didn’t mean to forget my Marine brothers. I’m just an old soldier who may or may not have spent some time Relaxin’ Jackson back in ‘85.
Firstly, lets knock MREs… they taste great and make my backpacking trips that much easier. With regards to the whole, meals that promote “environmental harmony”, crap – all I can do is shake my head.
MRE’s? I remember seeing C-Rats that were of WWII vintage still being served!
cpodug
Response from my Representative:
Thank you for contacting us regarding the incident in California.
Congressman Johnson is equally appalled at the actions of the Berkeley City Council. In response to this, the Congressman gave a speech on the floor of the House of Representatives condemning their actions. If you would like to see the text, it is posted on the website. Please feel free to let me know if you have any questions.
Drew McDonald
Legislative Correspondent
Congressman Sam Johnson (TX03)
202-226-0176
ezupirate75, that’s just so wrong on so many levels. Hope you didn’t vote for this clown!
Johnson is a strong defender of the military & a ex-Vietnam POW. I will vote for him as long as he wants to stay in office. His speech on the floor of the HOR.
Washington, Feb 6 –
Today U.S. Congressman Sam Johnson (3rd Dist.-Texas) blasted the City Council in Berkeley, California, for exiling the United States Marine Corps in a blistering speech on the floor the U.S. House of Representatives.
Recently, the City Council of Berkeley voted to tell the U.S. Marines that the recruiting station “is not welcome in the city, and if recruiters choose to stay, they do so as uninvited and unwelcome intruders.”
A 29-year Air Force veteran, Johnson spent nearly seven years as a Prisoner of War, more than half of that time in solitary confinement. On February 12, 2008, Johnson will celebrate 35 years of freedom as part of Operation Homecoming. On that day, the longest held American POW’s left Hanoi and started their journeys back to America.
Speech delivered on the floor of the House of Representatives:
“You all know The Marine Corps Hymn. It starts, ‘From the halls of Montezuma to the shores of Tripoli, we fight our country’s battles in the air, on land, and sea.’
“Sadly, now the Marines have a new fight in the City of Berkeley. Recently the city council voted to declare that a Marine recruiting station is ‘not welcome in the city.’
“To rub salt in the wound, the council then granted carte blanche to the radical protest group, Code Pink. The disappointing and despicable actions of Berkeley are sad, shameful and sickening. Some might call them treasonous.
“Marines volunteer to serve their country and spill their blood for this nation. Berkeley should show more respect for our armed forces.
“The Marine’s motto, Semper Fidelis, is always faithful. Although Berkeley may not be faithful to the Marines, I can guarantee you that the city of Berkeley wouldn’t exist in a free country without the United States Marines!
“The council needs to reverse this absurd decision. It’s offensive and obnoxious.”
I fail to see what is wrong with this statement.
Rep. Johnson’s background.
Today U.S. Congressman Sam Johnson (3rd Dist.-Texas) blasted the City Council in Berkeley, California, for exiling the United States Marine Corps in a blistering speech on the floor the U.S. House of Representatives.
Recently, the City Council of Berkeley voted to tell the U.S. Marines that the recruiting station “is not welcome in the city, and if recruiters choose to stay, they do so as uninvited and unwelcome intruders.”
A 29-year Air Force veteran, Johnson spent nearly seven years as a Prisoner of War, more than half of that time in solitary confinement. On February 12, 2008, Johnson will celebrate 35 years of freedom as part of Operation Homecoming. On that day, the longest held American POW’s left Hanoi and started their journeys back to America.
Rep. Johnson’s background. We would be better off if more men of his background were in Congress.
http://www.samjohnson.house.gov/Biography/
There is nothing wrong with the statement, and I apologize for my post. However, I would like to know if he is going to back up his words with action. Words are cheap, as all of us here are painfully aware of. Is he working with Sen DeMint to cut off funding?
I would bet on it with my last dollar. If you go to his website follow the link to where he spoke about the Vietnam Memorial being defaced. He is one of the militaries best friends in Congress & a stauch conservative.
To DBNinKY,
That’s is indeed the case. Many of our labs here at UCB are regularly targeted for protest by unconditional pacifists and left-leaning groups. And yes, the veracity of the commenter’s statement is true; despite the perception of UCB, many of our laboratories work specifically on munitions for the U.S. military, particularly, in the nuclear field. Had a friend a few years back here at the School of Engineering who refused an internship in one of our labs because she would have been working on such a project.
Just for clarification,
THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, BERKELEY IS NOT THE CITY OF BERKELEY. From the earmarks that the senator is targeting, THE CITY OF BERKELEY would have received $1,125,000. The University of California, Berkeley is a state entity, that has not administrative or jurisdictional connection with the City of Berkeley. As a matter of fact, the University of California is older than the incorporated city of Berkeley. What the lunatics in the City Council do each day, we at UCB, have no control over. Hope that helps those on this board that are having trouble, deliberately or not, making that distinction.
We always called MRE’s “Meals Rejected by Everyone”
I have been told by nearly every soldier I know or am related to that the omelet MRE is by far the most gross and disgusting thing ever. My son saves all of his tabasco sauce, salt and pepper so that if he gets stuck with the omelet one he can burn his taste buds so he doesn’t have to endure the taste. Other than that they say the are pretty good. I have a tried a few, but I only eat a bite — way too high in calories.
I am sending over cases of Girl Scout cookies. If you all want to send a supplement to the horrible MREs you could send those… a little taste of home and it’s still early enough for the chocolate ones. If you need a soldier to send to go to Any Soldier’s website.
@ArmywifeArmymom (#55)
I’ve found when sending to soldiers and Marines that I know that as far as food goes, candy and cookies are very popular. Among the more non-standard things that are often requested are beef jerky and boxes of tuna snacks (a can of tuna or tuna salad with some crackers). I’ve had “complaints” about too many fattening foods (candy bars and cookies), so the tuna packs make a great light snack and can be carried into the field.
Everyone knows that kids often are diametrically opposed to everything their parents represent. Having a Marine Recruiting Office in Berkeley DOES make sense.
So far, I have emailed both of my State Senators, Senators Feinstein and Boxer and Governor Schwarzenegger. If I get any responses, I’ll happily post them.
I do hope that Sen. DeMint has the fortitude to follow through and that he gets backing from others to help push it through.
I am writing both of my senators and my representative to voice my support of his efforts.
Done! I have written both of my U.S. Senators and my U.S. Representative to voice my disgust with Berkeley and their vile treatment of the USMC and, by extension, all of our other military personnel too.
I wonder how long it will take me to get back the form letter response they are sending to others on it?
I sent emails to my Oklahoma Senators, Coburn and Inhofe on Feb.2nd and still haven’t received any acknowledgement from either of them. If I don’t receive one soon, I will be emailing them back until I do. I can say though that both Senators voted against the added earmarks (Coburn being a leader in fiscal responsibility) and I am proud of that.
Thanks, Oklahoma Senators
Some serious butt covering going on. Check out the insane comment from the Code Pink nut job. Using her logic no one should ever protest statements coming from the KKK or groups like them. She thinks she can say what she wants & no one should call BS.
http://www.nbc11.com/news/15245031/detail.html?dl=headlineclick
Iwrote both my senators about this but they are feinstein and boxer.
I received this email response this evening from my e-mail to the Berk. City Council (2/7/08):
I was one of the NO votes. I expect a correction to appear soon. Kriss W
I just emailed my congressman re: this. I know I’m a little late to the party, and maybe it’s not the most eloquent, but here is what I sent:
Dear Rep. McNerney,
By now, you have no doubt heard about the reprehensible behavior of the Code Pink protesters in Berekely, CA, who vandalized the Marine Corp recruting office, and the equally reprehensible actions by the Berekely city council who have decided that the Marine Corps are “unwanted intruders” by official proclamation.
I am also going to assume you are aware of Senator DeMints legislative efforts to have some of the pork barrel funding pulled from the city in response. I have heard you say that you are a supporter of the military. Even if you were not, I cannot imagine that a sane person, especially a representative of our country’s government, would stand by and allow these actions to go unanswered. I call upon you to join Senator DeMint’s bill and support his efforts. If you already have, then I commend you for standing with him. If you have not, I would strongly urge you to take action now.
We the people of your district can and will not stand by why the brave men and women of a branch of the armed forces are disrespected. While it is truly offensive for any person or organization like Code Pink to act the way they have, it is especially egregious for a government body, even as small as a city council, to justify it and even participate in such callous behavior.
I call upon you, and your fellow representatives to do the right thing. Rememember, we will still remember at re-election time.
Sincerely,
Branden Picanco
Escalon, CA
MSM has noticed. Just saw the Code Pink guys on CNN’s frontpage.
http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/02/07/berkeley.protests/index.html
CA Sen.Barbara Boxer is coming out against Sen DeMint’s move to defund Berkeley’s porky Fed funding.
CA. patriots – call her offices and express your anger:
(213)894-5000 LA
(202)224-3553 Wash.DC
PS:
I got the pablum response when calling both Boxer’s office and Sen. Feinstine’s office SOOOOOOOOOOOO:
It wouldn’t hurt to express your anger to D. Feinstein:
(310) 914-7300 LA
(202) 224-3841 Wash DC