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Berkeley mayor unrepentant on Marines: “We don’t want them here”

By Michelle Malkin  •  February 22, 2008 02:33 PM

I wrote about Move America Forward’s new ads pressuring the Berkeley City Council on its anti-Marines stance here. Joe Wierzbicki of MAF sends along this local news report from NBC 11 in the Bay Area. Watch it to see Mayor Tom Bates voicing his unrepentant view that the recruiters remain unwelcome:

“The actual recruiters–we’re not prepared to apologize to them. We don’t want them here.”

Councilwoman Betty Olds is prepared for the continuing backlash:

“I think it’ll keep on until we face the reality that we do owe them apology.”

Just a reminder: Defend your neighborhood military recruitment center. (There’s more on the trashing of the DC military recruitment station I mentioned the other day here.)

They’re not going away. You shouldn’t either.

Contact info:
Mayor - Tom Bates
2180 Milvia Street, Berkeley, CA 94704
Email: mayor@ci.berkeley.ca.us
TEL: (510) 981-7100
FAX: (510) 981-7199
TDD: (510) 981-6903
Office Hours: Mon-Fri 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

====================
CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
====================
Linda Maio
Phone: (510) 981-7110
FAX: (510) 981-7111
Email: lmaio@ci.berkeley.ca.us

Darryl Moore
Phone: (510) 981-7120
Email: dmoore@ci.berkeley.ca.us

Maxwell Anderson
Phone: (510) 981-7130
Email: manderson@ci.berkeley.ca.us

Dona Spring
Phone: (510) 981-7140
Email: spring@ci.berkeley.ca.us

Laurie Capitelli
Phone: (510) 981-7150
Email: lcapitelli@ci.berkeley.ca.us

Betty Olds
Phone: (510) 981-7160
Email: olds@ci.berkeley.ca.us

Kriss Worthington
Phone: (510) 981-7170
Email: kworthington@ci.berkeley.ca.us

Gordon Wozniak
Phone: (510) 981-7180
Email: GWozniak@ci.berkeley.ca.us
(He’s a good guy–voted against giving Code Pink special protest privileges.)

Posted in: Berkeley

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  1. southchild » Blog Archive » Berkeley anti-Marine Moonbats
  2. Berkeley Mayor Unrepentant on Marines: : BigMouthFrog
  3. Neocon News » Daily Quick Hits 2/23/08
  4. How the City of Berkeley Supports the U.S. Military « The Sisyphus Files
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  6. Michelle Malkin » The left-wing bullies in Robert Reich’s backyard

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Comments

  1. #1
    On February 22nd, 2008 at 2:39 pm, graysonret said:

    Keep up the pressure and support the idea of revoking their Federal money. Money always talks and convinces.

  2. #2
    On February 22nd, 2008 at 2:40 pm, meatpieandtatters said:

    Nothing makes a liberal squeal more than standing on their air hose….read: financial entitlement pipe line.

  3. #3
    On February 22nd, 2008 at 2:43 pm, WarTip said:

    Can we cut off their funding illegally gotten redistributed funds and send them a bill for the mess in Vallejo too? Forcing people to share the rewards of their labor with those less fortunate is their idea of a Utopian paradise is it not? Let’s see how they like giving up their gourmet lunches so the people in Vallejo can feel better about themselves?

    Or should I just go ahead and wake up now while they reach for my wallet?

  4. #4
    On February 22nd, 2008 at 2:44 pm, right_on said:

    THIS is what they want as a legacy? They’ll be remembered alright…in infamy.

    Berkeley, the home of American Neo-Communism, and purveyors of hate-speech!

    Adopted hometown heroes? Hugo Chavez, Che Guevarra, and Fidel Castro…real human-rights models, and fighters for liberty.

  5. #5
    On February 22nd, 2008 at 2:49 pm, 509th Bob said:

    What is the status of the Semper Fi Act, the one Sen. DeMint has offered that would cut off the earmarks for these idiots?

    And why isn’t the Federal Government charging these idiots with conspiracy to obstruct the civil rights of people who want to go into a Marine recruiting office?

  6. #6
    On February 22nd, 2008 at 2:50 pm, MrVIBEMAN said:

    I believe these people WANT the attention, so when it begins to slow down a bit, they make some inane comment that they KNOW will get patriotic Americans riled up.

    So…if you resond to their garbage, you’re actually encouraging them to continue (much like responding to trolls on this site.)

    However, the way I see it, if you don’t face them down, than you feel like you’re compromising your principles and letting down the military, which no one here wants to do.
    Plus, even if you ignored them, they’d just find something else to whine about, and at least this way, our soldiers know that there are ALOT of people who support them.

  7. #7
    On February 22nd, 2008 at 2:52 pm, Dianeces said:

    I’m guessing they are a big braver now that the dems in congress were able to block the republicans from cutting off their earmarks.

  8. #8
    On February 22nd, 2008 at 2:52 pm, Dianeces said:

    big = ‘bit’

  9. #9
    On February 22nd, 2008 at 2:52 pm, right_on said:

    Here’s a funny thought…can you imagine the Berkeley City Council approving, and erecting a statue, to be placed in front of city hall, featuring…Yes…the above pictured activist, Medea Benjamin! (Eew! The mere thought of it gags me. Sorry…) Of course, federal dollars will have to pay for it.

    While this hasn’t been suggested or proposed, as far as I know, anything is possible when you have idiots running your city.

  10. #10
    On February 22nd, 2008 at 2:52 pm, BlameAmericaLast said:

    Can someone please tell the Mayor that the 60’s are over?

  11. #11
    On February 22nd, 2008 at 2:53 pm, emjem24 said:

    This schwein of a mayor deserves all the backlash and fury coming to him. Apparently, he’s some disaffected, discharged Army Captain from the ’70’s. What, did the Army not bow down before His Greatness enough?

    Yeah, funny how the moral superiority of the the mayor and the town council of Berkely works until it backfires in their faces. Too bad that this collective of idiots has decided to initiate another thought/social experiment on folks who deserve it the least- the Marines.

    My parents have begun to wonder why I’m souring on the civilian population in general (especially of the far-left persusion). As a military spouse, I look no further than Berkely for my reason. Hurrrahhhhh, Marines! Give ‘em a hell!!

  12. #12
    On February 22nd, 2008 at 2:54 pm, Thomas said:

    … The 60’s are never over at Berkeley.

  13. #13
    On February 22nd, 2008 at 3:10 pm, nyc123me said:

    What a pig that mayor is. I just got off the phone to my Dad in ICU in Los Angeles. He is a retired USN Lieutenant Commander. He does not have long left here. It is disgusting that any American, let alone one in a position of responsibility, should carry such a hate towards those who defend his life to live as an American, and is particularly shameful to me while talking for what may be the last time to my father. I don’t like violence, but I am so infuriated.. I have to stop sorry.

  14. #14
    On February 22nd, 2008 at 3:12 pm, md1964 said:

    Now we know what happens when we flush a toilet…

    It ends up at Berkely California.

  15. #15
    On February 22nd, 2008 at 3:17 pm, englishqueen01 said:

    The son of a family friend is a Marine, 20-somthing, living in California where he will be stationed for the next three years.

    On March 22, he will marry his childhood sweetheart and she will leave her family and home here in Wisconsin to be with him - who has also left his family and friends to serve his country.

    Back in August, his parents celebrated their 25th anniversary. This was the first time I’d seen him since he got back from basic training, and he wore his formals for the vow renewal ceremony. There was nothing more breathtaking than seeing him walk into the church, with all the dignity and discipline of a Marine.

    He joined the Marines to protect and serve his country, to honor his father’s service, and to provide a life for himself and his soon-to-be wife.

    He will be deployed - to Iraq, to Afghanistan, we don’t quite know where yet - sometime in May.

    He’s the kind of person these ingrates classify as a “death pimp”. He will sacrifice his time and possibly his life so we can all enjoy freedom. And these ingrates spit in his face and the face of his Marine brothers.

    For me, this transcends patriotism. This is deeply personal. By love, his mother is my sister-in-law, and he is my nephew. He is my family.

    So to mock his sacrifice and belittle his career is beneath contempt. These people have no shame.

  16. #16
    On February 22nd, 2008 at 3:18 pm, hatelibs said:

    This is what our once wonderful country has come to folks. This buttwipe is probably emboldened too by the notion that he will have plenty of support from the White House next year.

    Excuse my while I go and puke.

  17. #17
    On February 22nd, 2008 at 3:20 pm, Romeo13 said:

    On February 22nd, 2008 at 3:12 pm, md1964 said:
    Now we know what happens when we flush a toilet…

    It ends up at Berkely California

    Well, if you look closely at the shape of the United States…

    Florida looks kinda like a front leg…

    New England area… kinda like a head and long nose…

    Texas… back leg….

    That puts San Francisco bay as the A$$ hole…. and Berkley is about 30 miles up it…

    Kinda makes ya go… hmmmmm….

  18. #18
    On February 22nd, 2008 at 3:21 pm, realitycheck said:

    Expecting Cindy Sheehan to make a cameo appearance in 3..2..1..

  19. #19
    On February 22nd, 2008 at 3:24 pm, On-my-soap-box said:

    Bear,

    Still waiting for an update.

    Bear has been meeting with one of the CC members. This is just the thread we need for that update.

    Go easy on Berkeley. We don’t want to rile the Bear. Remember, the Mayor and CC do not represent all of the good citizens in Berkeley and Bear assures us there are plenty.

  20. #20
    On February 22nd, 2008 at 3:28 pm, RaisedRight said:

    This is completely unrelated (or, is the possibility of an Obama presidency very closely related to the lunacy in Berkeley?) but I know I really needed this laugh in the middle of the madness and I thought some others might enjoy a break as well.

    Can We Combine Hope and Change? Yes We Can!

  21. #21
    On February 22nd, 2008 at 3:40 pm, aunursa said:

    As a longtime Cal fan, I will continue to attend athletic contests and other events, and I will continue to support the University (which has active Army, Navy, and Air Force ROTCs). However I will not spend a dime in Berkeley outside of the UC campus.

  22. #22
    On February 22nd, 2008 at 3:44 pm, ACHefty said:

    On February 22nd, 2008 at 2:49 pm, 509th Bob said:

    And why isn’t the Federal Government charging these idiots with conspiracy to obstruct the civil rights of people who want to go into a Marine recruiting office?

    Bob makes an excellent point. Substitute recruitment office with abortion clinic and watch them howl. When it comes to denying a citizen access to a legal entity, what’s the difference?

  23. #23
    On February 22nd, 2008 at 3:48 pm, Dave from Flint said:

    Just emailed to the mayor

    Mr. Mayor:
    I sincerely hope that no natural disaster ever befalls your city. However, if one should, I assume that you will refuse any and all assistance from any branch of the military, including the California National Guard.

    You, and your city, are a disgrace to the memory of the fine young men and women who died so you could have the freedom to be an idiot.

    David Starr
    Vietnam Veteran

  24. #24
    On February 22nd, 2008 at 3:57 pm, Barry F. said:

    What has become of the Semper Fi Act. I remember hearing that Sen. DeMint introduced it, after Reid was no longer able to hold i tup, and that it was (as expected) blocked by some Democrat jacka**. But, I lost track of it after that.

  25. #25
    On February 22nd, 2008 at 4:10 pm, nyc123me said:

    It’s so utterly pointless - how will removing a recruiting office change anything? A marine in a recruiting office has about as much control over the war as the local gas station has over the price of oil per barrel. It’s ridiculous.

    The mayor was sworn to defend this country and uphold the US Constitution. This is treason. And once again the powers that be stand idly by and do NOTHING. Gawd I’m becoming so disgusted in this country. Islamic extremists may be complete psychopaths, but at least they believe in something.

  26. #26
    On February 22nd, 2008 at 4:28 pm, realitycheck said:

    February 22nd, 2008 at 3:28 pm, RaisedRight

    Can we combine Hope and Change?

    OMG that was funny!

  27. #27
    On February 22nd, 2008 at 4:29 pm, zorro said:

    Berkeley is a total write-off. They all deserve each other. May God help them.

  28. #28
    On February 22nd, 2008 at 4:31 pm, crashemt said:

    RE: Berkeley mayor unrepentant on Marines: “We don’t want them here”

    We share the same sentiment about Berkley, California. Please shut off the lights when you pack up your crap and board the boats to your socialist utopias in China, Cuba, or North Korea.

    Respectfully,

    The American Public

  29. #29
    On February 22nd, 2008 at 4:32 pm, Mixer14 said:

    OK, the mayor and some of the city council members are idiots. Fine. Where is the ‘civilian’ armed forces commander - A.K.A. the Chief of Police and why doesn’t he take a public stand here? Why isn’t he providing the same protection to the Marines as he seems to do for Code Pink & Co.?

    I think we need some Code Green actions here. I wonder, can you be fined for having several military vehicles ‘break down’ on major throughfares during rush hours (several times a week) to bring some focus to the situation. I’m sure the Marines know where to get marginally servicable vehicles ready for abandonment or public auction from across the US. Let Berkeley ticket and tow - it’s going to cost the city real dollars plus storage space. Ever try to tow a half track? That would be too funny. Let them try to collect the fines too. Tell them if they’re (the Marines) tax money is no good to provide police protection to them in the city - it is equally worthless to pay fines too.

    Just some thoughts.

  30. #30
    On February 22nd, 2008 at 5:14 pm, smellycat41 said:

    englishqueen01,your comment was beautifully written. I hope you have sent that to the Mayor in Berkeley as it really sums up my feelings My son is a Corpsman for his beloved Marines. Please know that your friends son, as well as all of the others, are constantly in my prayers. Personally, I do not plan to let go of this. All I have to do is see a picture of Me-me-media and my blood begins to boil. Keep up the good fight my Michelle Malkin frinds!

  31. #31
    On February 22nd, 2008 at 5:23 pm, Skydiver said:

    Maybe I’m in the minority, but “Death Pimp” sounds pretty cool. If I walked by the recruiting station and saw that womyn (heh, heh) holding that sign, I’d be inclined to join up.

    “What’s it take to be a Death Pimp?” I’d say. “Do I get the wide hat AND the gun?”

  32. #32
    On February 22nd, 2008 at 6:54 pm, englishqueen01 said:

    I hope you have sent that to the Mayor in Berkeley as it really sums up my feelings.

    Done, smellycat41. God bless you and your son - he is also in my prayers.

    Skydiver: You know, that’s a good idea. What better way to get under the skin of the Berkeley government and the crazy members of Code Pink than to spin their negativity into something snarky? :lol:

  33. #33
    On February 22nd, 2008 at 9:13 pm, Dimsdale said:

    I guess “death pimp” is the opposite of neo-communist cheese eating surrender monkeys.

    Liberals are the kings of pointless gestures and useless actions, which seems to be a direct result of their ignorance of the role of the military both in war and peace and the leadership of the U.S. in world affairs.

    It must really gall these closet commies to think that a capitalist nation such as ours can be the beacon of freedom and prosperity in the world.

    You don’t see anyone, particularly these fools in Berkeley, going to live in the communist utopia of Cuba, do you?

    No, the Cubans are doing everything they can to leave Cuba and come here! If these liberal rumpswabs had an iota of intelligence, they might ask themselves why.

  34. #34
    On February 22nd, 2008 at 9:39 pm, rightisright said:

    I did not read the posts on my way to make a comment…but I’m interested why the Marines, Army, A.F. Navy recruiters don’t kick some a$$ when these spoiled, ill informed, anarchists invades their territories. I will guarantee you a few of these little pukes get a bloody nose or cracked head the won’t be so eager to destroy government property(that’s yours and mine) and act like traitors which they are.
    I’m sick and tired of people bad mouthing, under minding our great country…time all this crap came to an end.
    I apologize for not being eloquent in expressing myself, but one thing for sure you don’t have ask twice how i feel about it.

  35. #35
    On February 23rd, 2008 at 12:37 am, RetFireman said:

    I have tried and tried again and again to get my mind around the way that these people think, and I just cannot do it. I cannot, for the life of me, hate so much as they do. I cannot be as hypocritical, or understand how any human being can possibly be as hypocritical as they are. How on earth can they possibly be so filled with hatred and loathing of this country, the military, the government and everything this coutry does and stands for and still live here. The hyposrisy of it alone is just numbing to my synapses.

    Seriously, I am not trying to be funny here. I have honestly tried to place myself in their shoes, to see things in their eyes, to try and see things from their vantage point and I just cannot do it. it is sort of like trying to think the way a serial killer or career criminal does. If you are not inclined to murder or commit crimes, it is impossible to do.

    I simply could not, in all good conscious, live someplace that made me so miserable, that I was constantly hating and angry at all the time. In fact, if I was as miserable as these Liberals are all the times, I would probably suck start a .45 at my earliest convinience.

    Can you just imagine for one minute living your life being so miserable, so angry, so freaking depressed ALL THE TIME??? That is the entire belief system of Liberalism in a nutshell. In order to be a true Liberal, you have to be miserable, depressed and angry. There is no joy, no happiness, no good feelings. Everything is a problem. Everything is someone else’s fault. Everything needs to be fixed and dealt with by someone else and there is no personal accountability or responsibility at all. It must be the reason why all therapists and psychologists are Liberals as well…a quest to understand themselves and their never-ending depression and anger.

    just try it. Try to be a Liberal for a day. Try to be what these miserable miscreants are for 24 hours. i swear to God, you will be unable to do it, because nobody can be that miserable and angry all the time. It does make you undersand why the have so many protest marches. Because they don’t have any friends and it is the only human contact they get. Why don;t they have friends? because NOONE wants to be around someone so freaking miserable and angry all the time.

  36. #36
    On February 23rd, 2008 at 3:01 am, graysonret said:

    RetFireman, you forgot “rose colored” glasses. You have to wear those in order to get into the mindset of radical liberals. Plus, you have to convince yourself that your life is going nowhere…no goals, no accomplishments done…a daily routine of nothing. Nothing to look forward to,nothing to look back on. Add some laziness and you’ll finally get a idea of being a radical liberal. Add TV cameras and a bunch of other drifters in life, and you will feel exactly like a Code Pink member, looking for something to do.

  37. #37
    On February 23rd, 2008 at 9:13 am, Irish Rose said:

    My son is also U.S. Marine, currently out on deployment.

    Sending a cyber hug to those of you with loved ones in the Corps… I’m just as angry as the rest of you are.

  38. #38
    On February 23rd, 2008 at 2:59 pm, Blind_Mule said:

    RetFireman said:
    I have tried and tried again and again to get my mind around the way that these people think, and I just cannot do it.

    It’s like trying to get your mind around Islam and the way Muslims think, it’s futile.

  39. #39
    On February 24th, 2008 at 6:54 am, graysonret said:

    I thought I would post this link. It’s a short film with 2 great actors. A tribute to all the vets. Please enjoy, especially to the end.

    http://www.tampa.defendersmc.org/public/reveille/reveille.html

  40. #40
    On February 24th, 2008 at 11:59 am, sfcmac said:

    Michelle,
    I fired this e-mail off to my Ohio representative, John Boehner:

    Representative Boehner:

    I am sending this to you in the hopes that you will pass it along to the other Republicans in Congress. I won’t bother with the Democrats. They hate this country and the military, so there’s no point in contacting any of them. Radical leftwingnut anarchists have been vandalizing recruiting offices and harassing military personnel. They’ve done it in Berkeley and now in D.C. The latest episode involved the Code Pink idiots and some leftover SDS moonbats from the 60’s. They assaulted an Army recruiting station on Washington D.C. on 15 February while the D.C. police stood with their thumbs up their rear-ends and did nothing. Senator, do one of two things: Either tell the police to start doing their jobs, or let the recruiters arm themselves for protection. I fought in Iraq to protect this country from Islamofascists who want to turn the planet into a Caliphate.
    Apparently, the war has reached the homefront in the form of leftwing miscreants who think it’s okay to trash recruiting offices in the guise of “free speech”.

    Take action Congressman, before the rest of us are forced to.

  41. #41
    On February 24th, 2008 at 12:04 pm, sfcmac said:

    Correction: Senator=Congressman…

  42. #42
    On February 24th, 2008 at 12:39 pm, baslimthecripple said:

    The problem, it seems, is that they don’t want to be in the same town as the USMC. Easy solution, get out of town, ditto state, ditto country.

  43. #43
    On February 24th, 2008 at 1:40 pm, terrig said:

    My parents have begun to wonder why I’m souring on the civilian population in general (especially of the far-left persusion). As a military spouse, I look no further than Berkely for my reason. Hurrrahhhhh, Marines! Give ‘em a hell!!On February 22nd, 2008 at 2:53 pm, emjem24

    My parents ask me the same thing. I don’t know that they really get it either. Not sure what the answer is.
    Anyone hear from Bear?

  44. #44
    On February 24th, 2008 at 8:04 pm, englishqueen01 said:

    Michelle isn’t the only one to get hate mail.

    This comment was posted on my blog, on a post about American Idol. Very telling as to the character and morals of the individual in question (bold emphasis mine):

    I just wanted to comment you to make sure that you’re aware that your comment on Michelle Malkin’s blog is NOT applicable to anything valid. You state that your son is sacrificing his life and time for our freedom. We are free enough without setting up client states around the world by killing them. Your son IS a death pimp, and he is an INVALID. You are a biased contributor as you have an emotional connection to the marines. You’d feel the same way if your son was in a bowling league and someone said bowling sucks. WAKE UP. K?

    He was referring to my comment above (which means he can’t read for beans - because I was speaking of my nephew and not my son).

    Funny how folks like Cindy Sheehan get unquestionable moral authority because of their “emotional attachment” to a subject - but not those of us who love the Marines and our family members who serve in them.

    We’ll see if he comments again.

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