About Contact Archives RSS Columns Photos

Berkeley of the Midwest update: Toledo council members call on mayor to apologize

By Michelle Malkin  •  February 11, 2008 12:34 PM

Following up on the story of the jerk Toledo mayor who told Marines to leave his town because they would “frighten people,” there are now calls from his fellow politicians to apologize. Via the Toledo Blade:

The pressure was on yesterday for Toledo’s Carty Finkbeiner to apologize to a company of U.S. Marine Corps Reservists whose weekend urban-patrol exercises on downtown streets were canceled by the mayor.

Five city councilmen, one of whom is a former Marine, called the order an embarrassment and demanded the mayor apologize - similar to calls from hundreds of people locally and on Internet blogs across the nation.

Former Marine and Vietnam War veteran John Schaub, 62, the owner of Holland Dry Cleaners in western Lucas County, said news of the mayor’s order brought tears to his eyes.

“I’m not an emotional guy, but after I put the newspaper down, it just really hit me,” Mr. Schaub said.

“We are at war and no one seems to understand that, so we should be rolling out the red carpet for these kids so they can be trained.”

As I noted over the weekend, Finkbeiner has quite the history of being a fink.

He gave a McCain-ish statement in response to his critics (a la “I respect your opposition”):

“For those who disagree with my priorities in terms of safeguarding Toledoans, we may disagree, but you have my respect,” the statement said.

The mayor refused to meet with the Marine commander on Friday:

Brian Schwartz, spokesman for Mr. Finkbeiner, acknowledged that Major Brooks asked to see the mayor Friday, soon after the battalion was ordered to leave, but was denied a meeting.

“The mayor was in another meeting,” Mr. Schwartz said.

Councilmen Frank Szollosi, D. Michael Collins, Joe McNamara, Michael Ashford, and Mike Craig spoke to reporters yesterday at Government Center and presented a proposed resolution apologizing to the Marines.

The resolution needs eight affirmative votes to be immediately considered during tomorrow’s council meeting.

Council President Mark Sobczak said the mayor had made arrangements for the Marines to come back to Toledo and use the vacant North Towne Square mall.

He declined to comment on the proposed resolution since he had not seen it.

The mayor’s statement, which was sent to media outlets after the 3 p.m. news conference ended, opened with the line: “Frank Szollosi can play politics with anything. It is what he does best.”

Mr. Szollosi dismissed the statement.

“His attempt to deflect responsibility for the situation is pathetic,” Mr. Szollosi said. “And this is completely not political.”

Mr. Collins, a Marine from 1963 to 1969, said the situation is an embarrassment for the city.

Indeed, a staining shame.

See what others have said

Note from Michelle: This section is for comments from michellemalkin.com's community of registered readers. Please don't assume that I agree with or endorse any particular comment just because I let it stand. A reminder: Anyone who fails to comply with my terms of use may lose his or her posting privilege.

Trackbacks

  1. Liberal Intolerance #66: Toledo Mayor Carty Finkbeiner Says No To The Military In His City | Political Vindication
  2. California Conservative » Berkeley to Marines: “You’re Uninvited and Unwelcome Intruders.”
  3. Sierra Faith
  4. Michelle Malkin » What’s the matter with Toledo and Berkeley?

Trackback URL

Comments

  1. #1
    On February 11th, 2008 at 12:40 pm, katieanne said:

    The mayor refused to meet with the Marine commander on Friday

    What a coward. He doesn’t even have the guts to stand by his convictions. This entire incident was appalling and an insult to the Marines, plus making out the citizens of Toledo to be total nimrods. I am sure they appreciate that. They need to boot this fink out of office.

    Don’t people pay any attention to who they put into office?

  2. #2
    On February 11th, 2008 at 12:41 pm, malkin_fan said:

    I will NEVER EVER go to Toledo.

    Oh Wait, It’s Toledo….I would never have gone anyway.

  3. #3
    On February 11th, 2008 at 12:46 pm, jrlingreenbay said:

    Even Max Klinger, Toledo’s favorite son ( or daughter, depending on the outfit of the day ), eventually became a great soldier….

    He doesn’t even have the guts to stand by his convictions.

    I think, more correctly, he doesn’t have the courage to squarely defend his convictions. He commands from on-high and then hides.

    This mayor doesn’t deserve the honor of standing in the same room as a U.S. Marine Commander.

  4. #4
    On February 11th, 2008 at 12:49 pm, meatpieandtatters said:

    Common sense prevails in the vast wake always created by some stupid liberal edict.

  5. #5
    On February 11th, 2008 at 12:50 pm, blues said:

    katieanne:Unfortunatly,the answer to your Question(of course you already know this) is NO.

  6. #6
    On February 11th, 2008 at 12:52 pm, graysonret said:

    In 50 years we have completely flip-flopped in our culture; values and morals disintergrating and people are proud of their anti-patriotism. Someone (I can’t remember who) once said that culture history swings like a pendulum…back and forth. Time to swing right.

  7. #7
    On February 11th, 2008 at 12:53 pm, JohnnyNJ said:

    Patent Nutroot Hypocrisy - They are the first to demand “Apologies” and “Firings” when Conservatives make bad judgements or a gaff…..

    When Conservatives are insulted, no apology needed.

    When Liberals are insulted, apologies, firings, 40 lashes.

  8. #8
    On February 11th, 2008 at 12:57 pm, bear1909 said:

    Whisk the Mayor away to a hotspot in Iraq and let him see what Marines do to earn the respect of the rest of us.

    Then leave him on his own to get back to base.

  9. #9
    On February 11th, 2008 at 12:57 pm, ACHefty said:

    COWARD!

    Time to start calling these people out for what they really are.

  10. #10
    On February 11th, 2008 at 1:02 pm, John Ansell said:

    Time to start calling these people out for what they really are.

    AC I think the word we’re looking for is traitor.

  11. #11
    On February 11th, 2008 at 1:02 pm, ramdoug2002 said:

    So the mayor did not want to scare the residents with Marines training and simulated gunfire ? Bet you a stack a money that if a Hollywood producer wanted to come in and film an antiwar movie that involved simulated gunfire, simulated cars blowing up ,simulated building explosives and everything else the stunt men do … the mayor would have welcomed them and their dollars with open arms. Mayor Finkbutts phony excuses are just his own version of gunsmoke and mirrors. Thank you to the Councilman who spoke up for the Marines. He ought to kick Finkbutts arse.

  12. #12
    On February 11th, 2008 at 1:03 pm, On-my-soap-box said:

    On February 11th, 2008 at 12:57 pm, ACHefty said:
    COWARD!

    Time to start calling these people out for what they really are.

    …and insult cowards? Why?

  13. #13
    On February 11th, 2008 at 1:06 pm, letget said:

    I bet the Fink would be screaming bloody murder if some terrorist attack, riots, or other disaster effected his city for the National Guard or Marines come save his sorry Dem. rear.
    L

  14. #14
    On February 11th, 2008 at 1:09 pm, TXRose said:

    Have the good citizens of Toledo considered tar and feathers and a railroad tie to ride him
    out on? That would be my thought about now. If we did this every now and then, perhaps
    these nuts might keep their mouths shut so that we could just suspect how stupid they are
    and not be so certain that they are stupid.

  15. #15
    On February 11th, 2008 at 1:21 pm, cpodug said:
  16. #16
    On February 11th, 2008 at 1:31 pm, DesertLover said:

    Let’s get this straight … the original plan was to use a run down area of vacant buildings in an industrial area of downtown Toledo … that was not acceptable … so now he says they can come back and use a “vacant mall” …

    huh?????

    This was training for “urban warfare” … that means streets, alleys, buildings … not empty Sears, Macy’s and Toys-r-Us stores in a “mall” …

    Can anyone here name a single “mall” in Baghdad? … How about Fellujah? … hmmm … Maybe there’s one in Anbar. or Diyala, or Mosul? …

    What an idiot …

  17. #17
    On February 11th, 2008 at 1:32 pm, Barry F. said:

    On February 11th, 2008 at 1:02 pm, John Ansell said:

    “Time to start calling these people out for what they really are.”

    AC I think the word we’re looking for is traitor.

    I think you’re spot on, John.

  18. #18
    On February 11th, 2008 at 1:33 pm, DesertLover said:

    Fallujah … sorry … finger check

  19. #19
    On February 11th, 2008 at 1:34 pm, purplepeep said:

    Mr. Collins, a Marine from 1963 to 1969, said the situation is an embarrassment for the city.

    I’d disagree on one point with this fine man who served his country during a time of war; the situation is not the embarrassment, Finkbeiner is the embarrassment.

    (Or “Finkbeiner is an ongoing situational embarrassment”)

  20. #20
    On February 11th, 2008 at 1:35 pm, Barry F. said:

    On February 11th, 2008 at 1:03 pm, On-my-soap-box said:

    …and insult cowards? Why?

    No time to worry about feelings now, Soap. LOL ;-)

  21. #21
    On February 11th, 2008 at 1:39 pm, purplepeep said:

    DesertLover said:
    now he says they can come back and use a “vacant mall” …

    Hmmm…I can see it, DL. Never know when a mall might be overrun by flesh-eating zombies. Didn’t you ever see “Dawn Of The Dead”?

  22. #22
    On February 11th, 2008 at 1:43 pm, DesertLover said:

    purplepeep

    More like the recent “mummy movies”

  23. #23
    On February 11th, 2008 at 1:57 pm, zorro said:

    These anti-American democraps, like Mayor Fink, are just flat-out disgraceful. He has shamed his city, the State of Ohio and our Country. He shouldn’t apologize, he should resign.

  24. #24
    On February 11th, 2008 at 1:57 pm, supersean said:

    Given the fact that no one is calling for the bombing of Toledo I am hoping that we have gotten rid ( or at least converted) the treasonous posters here!

    Sad, sad day when a mayor/city council/support group try to stick their head into the complex realm national security and international relations when 9 times out of 10 they can’t manage meter maids or garbage collection!

  25. #25
    On February 11th, 2008 at 2:12 pm, in_awe said:

    So if I understand this right, liberals “hate the war / military, but support the troops”. But if the best way to provide realistic training that will save the lives of our precious Marines is to allow them to use vacant buildings in an isolated part of the city, then the Mayor says no.

    So which is it? If you support the troops then you’ll accommodate their reasonable request, otherwise you really don’t give a s##t about them afterall.

    I remember spending time in the hill country of NC in the late 1960’s when the Army would run field war games. Whole Divisions of troops and their equipment would “invade” the towns and roads and forests with mock battles going on for days at a time. Never once did I hear a civilian complain. What I did hear were comments like “that is the sound of freedom being protected”. That is what supporting the troops sounds like to me.

  26. #26
    On February 11th, 2008 at 2:13 pm, ammo john said:

    Toledo is a crap town anyway. I’ve driven through it enough times. Remember when the Klan marched there a few years back and the blacks rioted?

  27. #27
    On February 11th, 2008 at 2:31 pm, pecze said:

    Council President Mark Sobczak said the mayor had made arrangements for the Marines to come back to Toledo and use the vacant North Towne Square mall.

    Maybe if these people actually did their jobs instead of pandering to the anti-war left, there wouldn’t be entire malls vacant in his city.

  28. #28
    On February 11th, 2008 at 2:32 pm, TXRose said:

    I still say you cannot support the troops without supporting the war! In order to support the troops you have to provide what is needed to support them while they fight the war. That means supporting the war. Duh.

  29. #29
    On February 11th, 2008 at 3:29 pm, Christian Soldier said:

    Isn’t it time for Toledo’s Fed. $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ to be added to Sen De Mint’s proposal re: Berkeley?

    It would be a good idea to include Madison,Wis.

    I don’t want my tax $$$$$$$$$$$$$ going to there socialist cities.

  30. #30
    On February 11th, 2008 at 3:29 pm, katieanne said:

    On February 11th, 2008 at 2:32 pm, TXRose said:
    I still say you cannot support the troops without supporting the war! In order to support the troops you have to provide what is needed to support them while they fight the war. That means supporting the war. Duh.

    Exactly Rose. Well said.

  31. #31
    On February 11th, 2008 at 3:30 pm, Christian Soldier said:

    these socialist cities.

  32. #32
    On February 11th, 2008 at 4:02 pm, Laree said:

    Gov Gray Davis treatment, Toledo needs a recall on their present Mayor. Is there any movie action heros available? GRIN.

  33. #33
    On February 11th, 2008 at 4:14 pm, twoninerkilo said:

    The Nation has always had a problem with this ilk going back to the founding of the country; at that time we called them Tories, and ran most of them out of the country after we won, even managed to hang a few.During the Civil War they were called copperheads, Democrates every stinking on of them, I was around during Viet Nam, that was even uglier then now. They did’nt even pretend to support the troops, They were the stinking hippies who dominate the Democrat party today. Their aversion to war comes from the fact that they are made up entirerly of spineless, craven cowards, who wouldn’t even defend their own wives if they were being raped before their very eyes, instead they would contact the UN, and have a letter of comdenation sent to the rapest. Don’t worry though there have always been real men, patriots, with enough courage to take a stand for what’s right,about 30%of the country. There’s about 30% who say they’ll stand up,but get a little shaky when the lead actually starts fling, then the rest is made up of these cowards, and politicions. It’s always been that way. God help us.

  34. #34
    On February 11th, 2008 at 4:35 pm, Wade said:

    Take away Toledos federal monies and give it to Marine Corps Association

  35. #35
    On February 11th, 2008 at 5:08 pm, Richard Romano said:

    This story makes me so mad — these stupid code pink idiots and the useless politicians who aid them. What a waste of tax dollars!

  36. #36
    On February 11th, 2008 at 5:36 pm, Archon said:

    Council President Mark Sobczak said the mayor had made arrangements for the Marines to come back to Toledo and use the vacant North Towne Square mall.

    That doesn’t solve the problem of time and money WASTED because of this dunderhead. 206 paychecks, hotel rooms, 5 bus rentals, chow….lost training time, lost time with family and friends, lost time for studies (a lot of those Marines are in school, and they lost time to study for tests because they had planned to be gone all weekend for GOOD training)….the new training opportunity doesn’t give all that back. The mayor should have to reimburse the unit. Notice I said the mayor, not the city. Most residents of Toledo are with the Marines on this.

  37. #37
    On February 11th, 2008 at 6:25 pm, John Ansell said:

    libs just don’t get it and we will pay a price for their actions.

  38. #38
    On February 11th, 2008 at 9:38 pm, Michael said:

    As a Toledo native, I have to put my two cents in. (Yes, I’ll claim being a Toledo native. Most of the people are great until they step into a voting booth.) I’m not surprised Carty made news by doing something stupid like this, it’s a regular occurrence for him. This one just went national. Don’t forget he’s also known as the “moving deaf people out by the airport” mayor.

    But the sad part is that Toledo not only elected him twice the first time, they re-elected him after he was term-limited out for four years. Granted, the mayor in between was hapless, but that’s no excuse when there were at least a couple other good candidates on the primary ballot.

    As for this situation, knowing how downtown Toledo is in February it would have been a perfect scenario for the Marines. There’s no one down there to scare, Carty!

    Another black eye for the old hometown. *sigh*

    Michael Swartz
    http://www.monoblogue.us

  39. #39
    On February 12th, 2008 at 12:15 am, DannoJyd said:

    Apologize? Give be a freakin break already!

    Time for that Mayor to Resign!

  40. #40
    On February 12th, 2008 at 11:41 am, Bigurn said:

    Toledo update:

    Local Toledoans are asking for a formal apology from Mayor Finkbeiner. He insists it was all a misunderstanding, and continues to assert his belief about a “safety hazard”. BS detectors are beeping everywhere.

    Like I said before, Ohioans are very pro-military. I don’t see any positive end for the Fink.

  41. #41
    On February 12th, 2008 at 12:39 pm, Chuck_g said:

    More Toledo update:
    If you want to hear what the public has to say about the “Mayor” and this whole snafu, go to wspd.com (local talk radio) and listen to the podcasts of the shows so far this week, or just look at pictures of a three hour protest that took place Monday afternoon. By my count there were about 70 folks at 5:30 (when I was able to get there), many with Corps gear on, and lots of people riding by honking and waving in support. This was organized by Fred Lefevbre of WSPD’s morning show, and was a last minute thing or I think more would have come out, plus it was bitter cold, in the single digits. I was only walking with them for about 30 minutes or so, but Fred and others, clearly some were veterans, were out there in the cold for the whole time. Not all Toledoans are jerks, in fact most are very pro military. There was a failed recall effort for Hizzoner last year; too bad it wasn’t in progress now, I think just maybe the results would be the other way…

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Saving JROTC in San Francisco

July 8, 2008 01:48 PM by Michelle Malkin

28 Comments | 2 Trackbacks

Scenes from the counterinsurgency.

Sliming the greatest generation on PBS?

June 30, 2008 05:07 PM by Michelle Malkin

124 Comments | 8 Trackbacks

Your tax dollars at work.

Save JROTC in San Francisco

June 8, 2008 11:01 AM by Michelle Malkin

36 Comments | 1 Trackback

Counterinsurgency in the Bay Area public schools.

Beltway jerks harass uniformed military personnel Update: Bob Owens vets the memo

May 21, 2008 09:44 AM by Michelle Malkin

114 Comments | 3 Trackbacks

They don’t support our troops.

Michael Moore vs. Michael Yon

May 20, 2008 07:27 AM by Michelle Malkin

46 Comments | 2 Trackbacks

War.

The return of an unhinged IVAW member

April 1, 2008 07:36 PM by Michelle Malkin

54 Comments | 2 Trackbacks

Er, um, well, uh, oh, hell, no

March 27, 2008 12:01 PM by Michelle Malkin

42 Comments | 2 Trackbacks

A proper welcome for the Vets for Freedom in the Twin Cities

March 25, 2008 04:47 PM by Michelle Malkin

16 Comments | 3 Trackbacks

Counterinsurgency alert!

All they are saying is give Mercedes Benz a chance

March 25, 2008 12:09 PM by Michelle Malkin

43 Comments | 3 Trackbacks

D’oh-d’ohs in the Bay Area.


Categories: They don't support the troops


David Frum

» Palin

Belmont Club

» Bounce

Stop The ACLU

» And The Thunder Rolls

Redstate

» On Sarah Palin

Marginal Revolution

» The experience trap