Showdown in Berkeley and the Harry Reid chicken-out; Update: Morning mayhem in Berkeley; Update: Still trashing the Marines; Update: Reid speaks
Update 5:33pm Eastern. A picture that will warm your heart. The pro-troops protesters this morning in Berkeley. Video here.
Update 5:28pm Eastern. A Hill staffer sends the following partial transcript of Harry Reid’s comments to a reporter on the siege at Berkeley:
QUESTION: Do you think the statement made by the Berkeley City Council was appropriate? What should the response of the United States Senate be?
REID: To be very honest with you, I don’t know what the Berkeley City Council said. I have enough trouble keeping track of the Las Vegas City Council, so I’m sorry…
QUESTION: They said the Marines were not welcome in Berkeley.
REID: Well, if they said that, I’m disappointed. The Marine Corps should be welcome anyplace in the United States.
Update 1:49pm Eastern. Thought you’d like to see this sign from the Pinkos as they amass in front of Berkeley’s City Hall (hat tip – William Amos; source: CNN). No need to question their patriotism anymore. They have none:
Update 11:14am. Just received word from Cat Moy with Move America Forward of a physical confrontation by the Code Pinkos against pro-troops supporters. Cat writes:
Berkeley Police Watch “Peace” Freaks attack Patriots
Berkeley erupted in violence Tuesday morning when the Communist, terrorist-supporting anti-war group crossed into Martin Luther King Park and assaulted pro-troop individuals. Riot police stood by, but did not stop the assaults. Police agencies did not respond to calls for help.
Move America Forward, the nation’s largest pro-troop organization, received permits from the City of Berkeley to hold a daylong demonstration in MLK park against the City Council who passed three outrageous resolutions calling U.S. Marines “unwanted intruders.”
“It is mayhem on here,” MAF communications director Danny Gonzalez said from the park early Tuesday morning.
Code Pink was permitted for across the street. The two sides were to stay separated, according to rules laid down by the city. But the city has a history of giving Code Pink special preference. The City Council gave free parking permits and a free noise permit to the radical group, which has helped fund terrorist families in Iraq with a $600,000 gift. MAF Exeutive Director Catherine Moy attempted to get help from the Berkeley police as the mayhem unfolded, but an officer hung up on Moy. Moy asked the California Highway Patrol to help in the emergency, but the CHP refused. “I have never in my life experienced such inaction in the face of an emergency, “Moy said. “I will ask the Federal Government to investigate, as well as the State Attorney General. It is one thing to give free parking places to the City Council’s special interest anti-war groups, it is another to take sides and endanger the lives of others.”
Move America Forward and other pro-troop organizations will stand in support of the Marines all day Tuesday until they can enter the City Council chambers to address the City Council.
***
Today is the Move America Forward protest against the Berkeley City Council for its discriminatory anti-Marine measures. Check here for details if you’re in the area and able to attend. The council meets tonight at 7pm to consider retreat resolutions. It’s going to be one for the history books. The SFChron says it’s “expected to be its largest and most raucous protest in years as hundreds of demonstrators from near and far pour into town for Tuesday night’s City Council showdown over a Marine Corps recruiting station downtown.”
You’ll be very interested to know what happened back here in Washington last night related to the Berkeley debacle. And protesters in Berkeley might want to bring a couple rubber chickens as a reminder. As you’ll recall, Sen. Jim DeMint moved to deny Berkeley millions of dollars worth of earmarks to the troop-bashing city. This would have put Democrats on record: For the moonbats or for the troops?
Well, Harry Reid managed to stymie movement on DeMint’s measure. He used a rare maneuver to delay the vote until later today–giving the council a chance to backtrack and giving cover to the Dems. A Senate staffer told me: “It’s truly incredible that they went to such great lengths to avoid having to deal with this.”
Par for the course for the Move On-bought-and-owned Dems.
The Hill reports:
Senate Democrats left two days of legislative business officially open last week, hobbling GOP efforts to bring up a bill punishing a liberal California city for scolding Marine Corps recruiters.
Republicans said Democrats clearly wanted to avoid being forced to choose between the Marine Corps or Berkeley, Calif., known for its liberalism and fervent anti-war positions.
Instead of adjourning at the end of a day as usual, the Senate “recessed” twice, a move that, under Senate rules, slows the process of adding new bills to the calendar. Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) did not adjourn until last Friday, effectively pushing back floor consideration on the GOP bill until Tuesday — the same day that the city council is likely to tone down its call for Marine Corps recruiters to leave town.
“The only reason to recess is to block something, and the thing that got blocked by Reid’s stall tactic was the Semper Fi Act,” said spokesman Wesley Denton, referring to the bill introduced by his boss, Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.).
“Democrats have chosen not to defend the Marine Corps, but to pander to anti-war protesters and Berkeley officials that are actively trying to impede military recruitment.”
The recess move is highly unusual:
The process of recessing is very unusual in the 110th Congress. The only times the Senate went into recess were on Sept. 12 and before and after a number of quick “pro forma” sessions held late last year and in early January, in a tactic to keep President Bush from making recess appointments.
When the Senate adjourns, a legislative day officially comes to an end. To bypass committee consideration of a bill, a senator can request that a bill be placed on the Senate calendar two legislative days after it is introduced.
Once a measure is on the calendar, a senator can request the Senate to approve a bill by unanimous consent, or force at least one member to object to its passage.
But on Feb. 6 and Feb. 7, Reid and Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) closed the chamber’s doors by recessing until the next day, a move that, unlike adjourning, does not change the legislative day.
That tactic effectively delayed an effort by DeMint and five other conservatives to bring forward a bill, introduced on Feb. 6, that would strip Berkeley of $2 million worth of earmarks inserted into the $516 billion omnibus spending bill Bush signed into law at the end of 2007. According to three GOP aides, DeMint signaled on Feb. 6 that he would request that the bill be placed on the legislative calendar before the decision was made to recess, rather than adjourn, for the night.
“Berkeley needs to learn that their actions have consequences,” DeMint said.
Indeed, they are slow learners.
***
FYI, Sens. Boxer and Feinstein and Rep. Barbara Lee are the sponsors of the earmarks targeted by DeMint. Where do they stand on the Berkeley controversy? For the Marines or for the troop-bashers.
They are standing in defense of…their earmarks.
Code Pink camped out at City Hall last night reports the SF Chron:
About 60 activists, including a few of the tree-sitters from UC Berkeley’s Oak Grove, danced, sang, listened to jazz and drank carrot juice as they pitched their tents for the night.
“This is a great gift to us to be able to ignite a national debate,” said Medea Benjamin, Code Pink spokeswoman. “We’re drawing a line in the sand on Shattuck Avenue and saying the war stops here.”
Here’s the council agenda item:
From: Councilmembers Olds and Capitelli
Recommendation:
1) That the City Council, through adoption of this item, publicly differentiate between the City’s documented opposition to the unjust and illegal war in Iraq and our respect and support for those serving in the armed forces.
2) Rescind point 2 of Item 12, of the January 29, 2008 Berkeley City Council Agenda, “Marine Recruiting Office in Berkeley,” regarding communications with the Marine Recruiting Station in Berkeley.
Financial Implications: None
Contact: Betty Olds, Councilmember, District 6, 981-7160
Discussion probably won’t begin until around 9pm Pacific time, after such typically Berkeley resolution discussions as these:
15. Condemn Construction of Border Wall – United States and Mexico Border (PDF)
From: Councilmember Worthington
Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution condemning the construction of a border wall along the international boundary zone connecting the United States of Mexico and the United States of America.
Financial Implications: None
Contact: Kriss Worthington, Councilmember, District 7, 981-7170
16. Proclamation: February 2008 as Freedom to Marry Month (PDF)
From: Councilmembers Worthington and Moore
Recommendation: Adopt a Proclamation declaring February 2008 as Freedom to Marry Month in the City of Berkeley and urge the state to end discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered people and their families by removing references to sex and gender as eligibility requirements for a civil marriage license and enacting a law providing for equal access to marriage and all of its legal benefits and obligations by all persons, regardless of sex, gender identity or sexual orientation.
Financial Implications: None
Contact: Kriss Worthington, Councilmember, District 7, 981-7170
17. Letter To Canadian Officials Requesting Sanctuary For U.S. War Resisters (PDF)
From: Councilmember Worthington
Recommendation: Send a letter to Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Diana Finley and Liberal Party leader Stephane Dion requesting that the government of Canada establish provisions to provide sanctuary for U.S. military service members who are living in Canada to resist fighting in the Iraq War.
Financial Implications: See report
Contact: Kriss Worthington, Councilmember, District 7, 981-7170
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And I am shocked – SHOCKED that CNN would display a picture of Code Pinkos and not of MAF – NOT!
That CodeStupid hag with that sign should be a campaign ad.
Make it now!
You know I get the play on words code pink or code pinko whatever…but has anyone else noticed, this is not a flattering color for these women? Pink really? I bet if we polled them, none of them dated in school or went to proms and dances…thus they are overcompensating wearing prom pink now? It is as good an explanation as any other, for their behavior
You are right. Not flattering at all. Do these people even bathe?
I’ve decided I’m referring to them from now on as CodeStupid. More accurate in my view.
Get rid of all our military. If we have a disagreement with some people, pass the joint, and give them “a hug”. All will be well. Go back to your “opium dens” code pink.
If CodeStupid decided to do a strip show for peace, I would give them $100 to stay dressed and go away.
Apparently it was privatized by the council and contracted out to Code Pink, zorro.
They just didn’t think it would be in Berkeley…….
Brian72 -
Talked me into it? No, after I graduated high school, I went down and volunteered to jump out of perfectly good airplanes! And helicopters. And a balloon (part of the qualification procedure for Belgian jump wings). Except on the “black hole” night jumps, it was the best part of being in the Army. Of course, playing with machineguns, LAW rockets, recoilless rifles, etc., was pretty fun too.
Two things I never volunteered for – jumping out of perfectly good airplanes, and going to sea in a ship designed to sink(submarines)
Something has to be done about this. A city taking sides and refusing protection to a group they politically disagree with. It’s anarchy.
Members of Code Pink are traitors who hate the military. They can’t hide now.
I hear ya Barry!
They are a truly disgusting group of people. Traitors gone wild in a city of traitors.
And my friends down in the Bay Area wonder why I’ve vowed that I’ll never, ever again move back to the Bay Area.
Utterly shameful. Cutting federal earmarks should be just the start for condemning the actions (or lack thereof) of the B.C.C.
I was paid more to stay in the airplane and enjoyed the fun of playing the biggest real video game on earth. Refueling aircraft in flight is anything but boring. Ever eat an F-4? I almost did on more than one occasion.
Traveled most of the world too, did get to met interesting people, but never had to kill them. Wonder what I was doing wrong according to Code Pinko? The hold hags really need to get into the 21st Century and quit using the old 60s slogans those of us who lived through that era are very tired of.
In the dictionary next to the term “idiots” there should be a map of Berkeley.
Those people need to be put on notice their insane rhetoric and actions will not stand.
I thought so, Bob. That was just a little Blackfive style teasing there. There is lots of funny intra-service ribbing over there between Paratroopers, grunts, Jarheads and zoomies. I assumed correctly that 509th is parachute airborne unit. That takes a tough guy! Thanks for your service, and stay engaged in this fight at home!
I am so sick of the sentiment that people only sign up for the military because they were duped. It plays right into the same, very erroneous, thinking that military service members are all dumber than a bag of hammers.
The truth of the matter is Recruiters are looking for people to fill high needs positions. No employer on the face of the planet is only going to highlight the negatives and drawbacks. So, do they paint military service in a favorable light? Well of course they do.
We are supposed to be informed consumers and take responsibility for ourselves. That is what responsible recruits do. If you are so dumb that a Recruiter can lie to you in this day and tell you something like “you won’t be deployed” and you believe him, then you are too dumb for this tax payer’s Army. Boot to the head for you!
Further more, the citizens of Berkeley and other cities can rest assured in the knowledge that their babies are at higher risk of being taken from them by wild dingos than they do having them kidnapped by uniformed Soldiers, Marines, Sailors and the like. They don’t kidnap kids and they don’t “Send our kids over there.” Our kids join voluntarily and they gladly go to serve their Country!
Assume all the usual disclaimers, caveats, and common sense qualifications BUT…
At what point do we wake up fully and recognize that this is beyond simple “protest” and has moved to complete anarchy??? Or more accurately, a secessionist movement?
These people are formally and clearly rejecting the authority of the Federal government. Why are their actions even being tolerated?????
Bob / cpodug / boomer:
Spent most of my time with a glorious desk job in Korea. Of course, that changed in time and I found myself dismounted on the Syrian / Iraqi border at one point.
The military is kind of funny like that. I missed the first year of my marriage and I have to admit I was not excited or happy about going, but I went and I did my part and I’m glad I did. I grew up alot in that time, and learned a bunch about the world and myself.
I can’t say enough bad things about code wacko bat-s**t and the rest of these fools in Berkley. Might it interest them to know that I met exciting and unusual people in Korea and ultimately married one of them.
As for Iraq, I served alongside many exciting and unusual people (as a trainer for the Iraqi Army) and those people wanted the terrorists dead as much as I did.
They (code screaming mind-f**k) have absolutely no understanding of what actually goes on in the real world and they are complete dupes for propaganda that UBL wishes he could come up with, in fact he does.
It is very sad, but our nation is tearing itself apart. These aging hippies need to die off before the wounds can heal, I only hope this war doesnt truly give birth to a new generation of hippies.
Right on! My cousin just retired from the Air Force after a 25 year career serving Vice Presidents Bush 41 and Gore, then Presidents Bush 41, Clinton and Bush 43 aboard Air Force One, running the communications in that hump right behind the cockpit. Now that he’s retired from the military, Verizon made him a VP and he’s working on the future Marine One Presidential Helicopter program. Sounds like your average dunce who got duped, huh?
For the same reasons that they could march through the streets of San Fran carrying a sign encouraging soldiers to shoot their officers. There was a day when sedition like that would have landed you in prison… today it is considered free speech. Maddening, isn’t it?
Wow. I just popped over to Blackfive and saw this e-mail to them from some former hippie idiot. Check it out.
There may be hope for our Republic yet, folks.
cpodug— my man! these people are un-bee-leaveable.
when they decided to rewrite history they went all the way back to Creation and eliminated God. But when it comes time to show they have some soul, they trot out the black liberal female to sing about God blessing America….and some songs about a He God…lie to the base, lie to the masses, and hang the opposition.
Do they know that the French Revolution was the first fascist movement in Western history?
The founding Fathers of the USA knew that a godless “peoples” movement was not a just movement. Yet, this is Code Pink’s inspiration.
Pass the ammunition.
Gotta say this, Bear – they’re taking some kind of movement, but it sure does stink!
zeroangel I know how you feel about being separated from your bride. My honeymoon was interrupted to swap out an SR-71 from RAF Mildenhall. Was supposed to be a 3 day trip 2 weeks later I came home due to delays to weather, the SR-71 breaking right after we refueled it, launched it out after a recovery maintenance team came in, and finally sent it on its way across the pond. I broke her in right, but she was also active duty at the time so she was a pretty good sport about it. We spent many holidays and special family days apart just like any other military family. I would come back tomorrow on active duty if they would want this old broken down Senior NCO, but will settle for working for them fighting the battle of the budget as a simple servant.
Sure hope Code Pink does not come up to protest at the gates of Mountain Home AFB. I seriously doubt they would make it through the town of Mountain Home 10 miles from the base. Like everyone says here the Owyhee Mountains are a great place to leave a body. Yep, I live in a very pro-military town that holds the largest parade in the state in mid-September to show their support for the troops. If you are every up this way come on buy for the show and free barbeque too. Patriots will always be welcome.
I remember a similar type of assault on conservatives over illegal immigration by liberals when stationed in southern California in the early 90s. Those supporting the rule of law were physically injured and law enforcement did absolutely nothing to stop it. Just business as usual in the People’s Republic of Kalifornia. I feel sorry for Bear1909 and the rest of the readers and commenter’s that have to put up with all this uncivil stupidity and breach of MAF civil rights.
Did any of the Dems match Rush’s ebay offer to MC-LEF yet?
That city is pure evil, we should have spec op guys round up eager Jihadist with promises of getting on US Soil, and let them loose there. Its a win win to me. Jihadist kill themselves AND take out allies we seem unable to arrest or punish.
bear1909:
At the risk of getting off topic I DO want to highlight one thing that I firmly believe:
Religion (or even a lack of one) to me, has no bearing on politics and is a personal thing.
Is it true that many avowed aetheists are liberals? Yes. But I believe that is not because aetheism is a purely communist or liberal attribute. I think that the agnostics (aethism-light) or the full blown aethiests in the ranks of the firmly Republican are loathe to let thier views be known for two reasons:
1. Not wanting to be lumped in with libs.
2. Not wanting to alienate thier political allies.
I dont really see the connection between “Godlessness” and Code Pink. In fact, I am willing to bet there are a number of Code Pink wackos that think they are doing “what Jesus would do.”
In any case, hope I don’t derail the conversation into a theist vs. aetheist thing. I just wanted to make a small point. I honestly think that the founding fathers meant religious freedom also meant freedom to be an aetheist.
NOPE.
SR-71.
Mach 3.5
90,000ft.
(Drooling)
I just had a long conversation with a very accomplished human rights activist who lives here in Berkeley. He has written many articles against militarism, although he knows who he would call if we were attacked- and it would not be Code Pink.
He went on to say the Berkeley City Council (and the Mayor) erred by saying the Marines were unwanted, etc.
What they could have done was to “exercise influence” with the land lord and prohibit them from leasing a prime business real estate location in the center of town to one of their enemies. They hae done it before using the “City Plan” to keep chain retailers out of the downtown. Thus, the City could have denied the government access to a lease and had some other landlord rent the Marines space somewhere else.
That is how socialism works in B-town. The government decides what is allowable by extorting the local property owners to rent to non-competitive business owners that sell stuff most people in Berkeley don’t want (how many dollar storres can u have on the head of a pin?).
Where the Marines’ office is now is in the footpaths of Cal students and Berkeley High students. LOCATION! LOCATION! LOCATION!
The City Council is greedy because its socialist business practices cannot keep business real estate rented. So it allowed the Marines to rent.
In keeping with their pattern of relying on government money, they rented the prime location to the Marines.
DOH! Now their conscience, Code Pink, is pressuring them to break the lease.
Socialism cant win for losing.
The Marines will be out of there when their lease is up because the City will pressure for non-renewal more than likely— but they will have one more abandoned building in downtown. Or one filled with “alternative” business or yet one more greasy Chinese food joint.
The letter from the City Council was dead on wrong.
And they unwittingly dealth Code Pink a blow because public opinion in Berkeley is not in Code Pink’s camp—which CP has been able to pose against as if it was.
Attention to the lack of accountability by the CC, that now federal funding could be lost (3 mil to start with), is not going to bode well.
Here is another thing the City is not expecting: A federal investigation into Title VI violations in the schools will further jeopardize federal funds to this same City council that has ignored the need for policies in the schools that protect kids from abuse by their teachers, and give parents no recourse against teachers and no assurances that teacher union interference will preclude investigations into rights violations of students by teachers.
CHA_ching baby. This City has major compliance problems because the anarcho-marxist_greens think their ch*t don’t stink.
R-O-N-G.
Brian72,
Spent 3 ½ years flying against it in the KC-135Q at Beale AFB 80-83. It was an awesome job supporting an awesome mission.
zeroangel, you raise a very valid point. I won’t argue with you about the fact that some of the Pinkos DO believe they are doing Jesus work. The problem is, like many people over the centuries, they are being deceived by their leaders, who, for the most part, at least in this particular movement ARE avowed atheists/agnostics/whatever who are doing it as a political statement. The leaders don’t care what their followers believe, as long as they follow and carry out orders. In this case, they are trying to instill in their followers the belief that America is “The Great Satan” and that only by denouncing America and the most shining symbol of our freedoms, the United States Military, they are somehow right.
I don’t wear my faith on my sleeve, as if that, by itself, gives me the right to engage in anarchy or civil disobedience. I do have faith, but, as you rightly point out, that doesn’t have any meaning in this situation.
This is strictly the egotism of the Code Pink leaders and their sheeplike followers and hangers-on.
Thanks for reminding me that while I’m often disappointed with the GOP, I absolutely HATE the Democraptic party.
Boomer if I haven’t said it to you before, thank you for winning the Cold War by ensuring our zoomies could always outfight the Soviet zoomies. Job well done.
Hey, Bear – good to hear from you again. Missed ya, bro!
What a bunch of morons…
The first thing I thought of when I read this idiotic banner was the 40+ year pen-pal friendship my father had with a Japanese man – a native of Nagasaki.
As a member of the 5th Marine occupation force after the bombing of that city, my father befriended one of these ‘exciting unusual people’ – much like our troops do to this day when they are deployed. He befriended him and his family, as well as others in the area – as a messenger of goodwill and a proud United States Marine.
For the next 40+ years, til his death, he sent and received regular letter correspondence from this man whose city was obliterated by our military – and he always would sign his letters off, “Your Good Friend” – even though they hadn’t actually spoken in over 4 decades.
THAT is honorable.
Code Pink is not.
Exactly. You dont see it. The Jesus quote is a flip reply made by people who do not have a clue as to what Jesus even DID while he was alive let alone be able to extrapolate with any credibility.
Yer right. Another thread for another day. But, your points cannot be allowed to stand uncontested.
Liberal fascism is the product of the systematic efforts to destroy Judaeo Christian religion in this country.
Dead wrong.
Read the documents.
They addressed freedom of worship.
The separation of church and state was to ensure no primacy of one church or faith over others.
But to protect the rights of people “not to believe” something is absurd.
Extrapolation beyond that means a distortion of their logic.
And just because so many people today do not worship, or “do not believe in God” does not signify open season to change the context of the guiding philosophy by which they wrote.
Plus there is that lil “human factor” in all of this.
As soon as the garden variety “I don’t believe” type is hit with cancer or loses a child or some other grievous hardship, it is amazing to see how fast they discover they have knees.
I’m not buyin it, zeroangel. No disrespect to you personally— but this religion is personal issue is offbeat.
Here is why. Religions have churches. And in some of our cultures, churches socialized us. Churches provided a social structure where our kids are protected from nihilistic view points and sexualized imagery, and addiction.
Religion is personal, but in many of our lives, religion informed a family to community psychology as well as a personal relationship with God.
To reduce it to completely personal a matter is similar to the argument used by the state about kids– that they should be free to make their own personal choices independent of the family.
It is a destructive viewpoint for many of us. Yes, my relationship or non-relationship with God is personal; however, to say that religion is solely personal is to deny the great bonding power that church/worship/religion has in human culture and the formation of belief systems that inform the way we govern ourselves.
Bear1909 out.
I love hearing such real life stories, jrl. They become increasingly precious each year as the fine men and women “fade away”.
Had a teacher who fought in the Battle Of The Bulge, he could give wonderful first-hand details of what was what. The NEA would probably have him fired for that if he were still with us.
“what would Jesus do?” Jesus would tell you to repent and seek the Kingdom of God. He would tell you to obey the government. He would tell you that your opinion of things ought to conform to His, and to that of His father. That you ought to sell all and follow Him. Next question?
That’s an incredible story, JGB. I’m sure there are many more such stories. Someone should go and research that through the 20th century and do a book on it! I’ve heard about many similar things from the Korea conflict and Vietnam as well.
There are some ugly incidents in the U.S. Military’s past, but they are vastly outnumbered by stories like yours, JGB. The world needs to hear it now more than ever.
Ummm… Maybe Michelle is the perfect person for a project like that, she is after all one heck of a researcher, tenacious like a bulldog and has a deep rooted appreciation for what our military has done for all the (now) free peoples of the world. She’s also been to Iraq once already.
After it’s written she would have a blast going on FOX News Channel and debating the thoroughly documented contents of the book with the resident FNC liberals and reminding the viewers what some Democrats have said about our Armed Forces over the Bush years, and even before that. Not to mention our favorite trolls around here and over at HotAir.com!
If it gains some steam in a PR sense, then some troops support activities could be worked into the book tour.
(in my best Mark Levin impression) Whaddya think about that!?!
. . .for Planned Parenthood.
Sorry, somebody had to say it.
Amen.
Jesus didn’t smoke weed, fornicate, birth kids out of wedlock, kill the unborn, ride to Brokeback mountain, or any other such proclivities the re-writing anarchists want to foist upon His Legacy.
But He certainly did have a stick to take to his enemies hind parts when they violated the sacred.
Medea Benjamin is a first class narcissist angling for a book deal and a PBS documentary.
Good riddance to bad rubbish.
I thought unwelcomed intruder was a gay film from S.F.
If Leno uses this line, I should get paid.
Another idea could be to do a one hour FNC special, hosted by Michelle of course, from the WWII Memorial in DC with documentary footage and interviews with guests about the contents of the book.
Close it out with info about how the viewer can get in touch with charities and groups that can help our military personnel and their families, active duty, reserve, retired and wounded.
cpodoug:
Thank you.
I have to admit that there is one area I tend to start to squirm when it comes to my Republican and conservative brethren:
Religion.
While our nation’s laws and cultural norms are clearly Judeo-Christian, that does not mean that, as members of the right-wing, we should be invoking God to justify our opinions.
My opinions stand just fine on their own. As Franklin(?) said: “God helps those who help themselves.”
I get a bit miffed when it is implied that atheist = communist (or liberal). It simply isn’t true.
In fact, if anything, true atheists LOATHE Jihadists for obvious reasons. My feeling is that many libs are only “atheists” because it pisses off mom and dad or it’s perceived as counter-culture.
Bear1909:
It’s possible to believe that a person from 1776 who may have been an atheist might have found himself pretending to have faith for the 2 reasons I highlighted earlier.
“But to protect the rights of people “not to believe” something is absurd.”
Point taken, then let me rephrase, I believe the founding fathers would have intended that atheists are not discriminated against. That wording is not in the Bill of Rights itself, but I still think it’s valid.
“As soon as the garden variety “I don’t believe” type”
Those “garden variety” are probably the kind I was talking about earlier re: pissing off mom and dad.
I’m right onboard with you involving culture. In fact there are no doubt atheists that are “culturaly Christian.” However, you do not NEED church / worship / religion to form ties with your community. There are other things, like Little League, just one example.
The ONLY reason I brought this up is because I do not like the “Godless => communist” implication. As you say, nothing to you personally, but I see this often among my conservative friends.
I have been a conservative, Republican for years. I served my nation in war, I am a stout patriot. I am also an atheist (and not because its hip but because the idea of a transcendant God makes no sense to me) and it is sometimes frustrating to me that I often have to hide this fact in RL from friends and family because it carries more of a negative connotation then being a “scientologist” or even gay.
*Awaiting the ostracizing to being.*
caveat: Just because a transcendant God “makes no sense to me” doesn’t mean I’m right nor does it mean it shouldn’t “make sense to you.” Faith IS personal.
I’m not trying to start a flame war here, but I fear I may have opened pandora’s box.
Here is video from a protest from last week I beleive where the pinko’s blocked the door refusing to let anyone enter or leave and in my view assualted people and the police refused to intervene.
http://www.bayareanewsgroup.com/multimedia/iba/2008/player/?f=0131_codepink
zeroangel:
no ostracizing from me. not a shred. thanks for puttin it out there.
Bear1909 out.
One does not need to believe in God to believe that murder, thievery, deception, honoring ones parents, etc. are wrong.
One can be taught, culturally, morality, without invoking God.
You can also witness how those with strong beliefs in a God seem to have a twisted view of what we would call morality and have no problem with murder and the like.
So, zeroangel – I, for one, will not condemn or chastise your for being Atheistic. I salute your patriotism and your service to our country, and respect your opinion.
( Curious, however, about the screenname – is it to be taken literally – no belief in angels? Or does it refer to something else entirely? )
Zeroangel – while not always expressed this way, I think the formulation is the other way around, i.e. communist=atheist. One of the fundamental tenets of communism is that there is no higher power than the state, which is one of the reasons why Christians (and other religious adherents) were (and continue to be) persecuted severely in communist countries. While there is “liberation theology,” it’s only so much Marxism dressed up in misquoted and/or noncontextual Bible verses. So, while being a communist doesn’t necessarily follow from being “godless,” being godless is an element of communism, at least in the manner described above.
I hope the comment about ostracism was tongue in cheek…I would be astonished to see that occur just based on your comments on this thread.
There is an equal right to protest. The City of Berkeley and the City Police violated the civil rights of those supporting the marines by allowing physical violence against them. I suggest a civil rights lawsuit be filed as well as a civil suit on behalf of anyone injured. Unless the Government and its enforcement officials are brought to task for specifically allowing biased violence, this will happen again and again.
My hope is that this incident was videotaped for use on the national news and that anyone injured has a record of the injury. The next step is the immediate filing on a civil suits and a petition to the federal government civil rights enforcement offices (Although with a new administration coming in November, I have little hope of action here.)
DO I recognize atheists, Jews, Buddhists, etc as good Americans? Sure. Religion isn’t the arbiter of citizenship. But When invoking the name of Jesus, you need to know he had some very specific things to say. Dishonoring the government and it’s agents wasn’t among them.
I’d be more than mildly shocked if this got any airtime whatsoever other than possibly FoxNews. The MSM won’t want to damage the image of their fair-haired family member, Code Pink.
JRL, if this keeps up, before long the MSM will be treating Code Pink like a red-headed stepchild(no offense to any red-headed stepchildren out there).
Part of the rendering unto Caesar idea, I suppose. There’s a good bit about submission to the civil authorities in Paul’s letter to the Romans.
What are you expecting? The same protection afforded the border guards. Boosh needs to step down and turn the Country over to VP Cheney.
On February 12th, 2008 at 4:47 pm, Wade said:
That’s Darth Cheney to you.
I expect individuals to take action. To blame Bush for Berkeley is simply silly. This incident happened at the local level with the approval of the local government and police force. There are remedies under civil law, and the suit should not only name the City but each and every individual on the Berkeley Board – they violated their oath of office. The suit should not only name the police force, but each and every policeman who stood by and did nothing. You can bet there are records of telephone calls, e-mails and the like here, but the best evidence is photographic.
I have had it with these treasonous freaks! I know we have freedom of speech, but let’s just agree they do not support the troops like they claim to! How can you when you say things/make signs like that?????? I’m so happy Michelle keeps us informed about these idiots because I would not believe it if I didn’t see it with my own eyes.
Quote “Financial Implications:[of the proposed measure] None”. I don’t think they have that right.
Oh Lordy…these people really need to get a life. And they need to change the shade of that hideous pink…to maybe something a little more appropriate? Like a darker shade? A MUCH MUCH darker shade?
Like hell it is. Maybe to you, but you do not speak for me.
Gotta love those ugly Pinko babes.
They’re too gutless to incite the angry opposition themselves, so they send their token men across the street to do it for them.
Mrs. Malkin –
Thank you for keeping us all updated on the situation. I’m watching this all unfold with an unwary eye on Olympia, knowing they could do the same thing any moment.
And this is a bad thing? I thought that is what Marines are supposed to do? When I first read that I thought it was a recruiting poster for the Marines .
Does Code Pink eat all their pretty members? Or is fat and ugly a part of the uniform?
What a charming lie. If he didn’t know what was going on, why the big effort to keep the Semper Fi Act from being dealt with in Congress?
How inspiring. I am sure the Marines were thrilled with this show of support. Of course, coming from a Democrat, maybe that’s the best they can do.
On February 12th, 2008 at 4:21 pm, zeroangel said:
Not from me.
And I agree with you.
This moderate Republican Christian (and Marine mom) thanks you for your service to this Nation.
Yeah, I was thinkin’ the same thing.
Hey all, just got back from work. Drive home was ugly here in Jersey, snow.
ALCON:
Thank you for the understanding. It’s a testament to conservatives that we can all remain civil despite different points of view. It is my honest belief that if a strong believer in a transcendent God made his beliefs known on a liberal blog or in a liberal setting if he was not ostracized, he would be looked upon with contempt.
Jrl: The screename originally simply meant “not an angel.” When I made it years ago (before getting married) it was supposed to be an offhand comment on the fact that I had a bit of a wild streak. Since then, it’s shown itself to have many ways to interpret it. I think you just found another *smile*.
Insomniac: Yes, good points re: Communism. It wasn’t entirely tongue in cheek, I was bracing for at least one or two jibes. I am glad I was wrong.
Billhedrick: I agree, no doubt any Code Pink that BELIEVES they are doing God’s work misunderstood Jesus. BTW, despite being an atheist I think Jesus was a great man and I think the world would be a better place if more people took his teachings to heart.
Anyhow, thanks again all, I’ll now return to my regularly scheduled commenting *smile*.
Not so fast, IR. Those “men” may have been some of their brawnier womyn.
Stabd fast oh yea of little faith. It may take a little while. Seeing how these morons idiot S.O.B.s won’t be in town untill the convention of dipocrats. But the infiltration and plans to humiliate them with their own stupidity is underway.
The hackles on this old dawg are raised and ready for a little fun. They dare to think that only they are right and have the only opinion. They dare to get physical with those who are loyal and do support the troops.
Boycott Bezerkely now!!!!!
Call you congressional represenative, demand an investigation.
Get some legal action going against not only this disgusting city but those who think they wear the badge to protect the average person. If this had happened to a minority group the feds would be all over it.
Does anyone have vidoe or still pics of this? Lets get mobilized people!!!
Please Read
http://www.berkeley.edu/news/media/releases/2008/02/12_city.shtml
zeroangel, no ostracism from me, either. Just got home from work myself a few minutes ago. Pleasant, fifteen-minute(not counting stop at the store)drive on city streets in beautiful, cloudless, 70-degree weather.
You might want to look here and see what’s up.
Am I the only one that finds it ironic that the penalty for sedition is historically shown to be the same reward given to the “protesters” and other useful idiots once their socialist utopias materialize?
Just thinking.
Finally got the VCode pink link about the marines.
Video here
Code pink hates religeon
Yeah. Riiiiiight.
If anyone on here believes that Reid didn’t know what had happened and was happening in Berkeley, I have some prime oceanfront property in Tennessee for you.
Azygos (#154) When I saw the picture I was reminded of a t-shirt with the same slogan. I never bought one, even though I recognized the bit of ironic humor. (Not my style)
Zeroangel (#116 et sq) and others: Thank you for an interesting discussion, even if a bit off topic. I appreciate reading about the role of religion in politics, policy, society, and personal belief without the implied “if you do not believe my way you are …”.
The sheer cupidity of the Council is now totally exposed, and they, with the entire nation, no, the entire world watching, are reveled as the proforma American Communist Party. This is a good thing.
I can foresee this as tool with which to open some serious dialogue with Senator Fienstein and Congresswoman Boxer, the nature of which will also be as revelatory as the Berkley City Council. Support the Marines: Yes/No? Reasons for your decision?
This tool can be stored for further use in National election cycle which is bearing down like a runaway freight. I feel sure the nature of this tool is evident to the Senate, vis, Harry Reid’s machinations to forestall any possibility that he’d (and the Senate at large) should have to make a public deceleration of HUGE import; Do you stand with the troops or not?
I am in awe of the possibilities should Harry et. al. stand for the Pinkos and the Berkley Council…
William Amos:
Those idiots in your video link, who likely call themselves “atheists,” piss me off more than anything.
The outrageous hypocrisy drives me nuts. “Not afraid of your church or Jesus” huh? How about mosques or Mohammed? I’d like to hear them sing THAT song!
Code Mind-erasing acid-trip doesn’t hate religion (Ill bet they think Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, Shinto, Rastafarianism, etc. are great), they hate America and our culture (Judeo-Christian).
One can be “culturally Christian”, an atheist, and NOT raise a fit when the pledge contains the words “under God.” One can also recognize real evil in the name of religion and not be so blinded by moral relativism that they don’t know up from down. I think some of these Code Thorazine people need to refill their prescriptions.
’nuff said.
God they piss me off. *wink*
HEY! Harry!
Do you think the POTUS and the VP should be arrested if they go to certain cities?
Should the POTUS and the VP “be welcome anyplace in the US”?
Why stop at questions about Berkley and the Marines?
Just read a blurb that says the “powers” in Ho Che Min (USA) are relenting a bit.
Apparently, socialist ideology has pragmatic limits…