The cost of being Berkeley, part II
Last week, I pointed you to a blogger’s analysis of how much Berkeley’s anti-troop stance was costing taxpayers.
The San Francisco Chronicle follows up today with a similar look at B-town’s military-bashing pricetag–as well as a tally of the city’s left-wing politicking on domestic and foreign policy matters:
Berkeley is finding that having its own foreign policy isn’t cheap. The city’s recent dustup with the U.S. Marine Corps has so far cost the city more than $200,000, while businesses say they’ve been slammed by related protests.
And that’s on top of the $1 million the city spends annually on domestic and foreign policy matters hatched by its 45 citizen commissions, which outnumber those in virtually every other city in America and debate everything from regime change in Iran to the plight of nonneutered dogs.
“We in Berkeley have one of the top universities in the world, which brings in people from more than 100 countries. Delving into foreign policy is unavoidable,” said Mike Sherman, a longtime member of the Peace and Justice Commission, which sparked an uproar two months ago with its resolution telling the Marine Corps that its recruiting center was not welcome in the city.
But some business owners, residents and officials say the Marines dispute, which brought international headlines and boycotts, is a perfect illustration of why Berkeley should spend less money on foreign policy and more on filling potholes.
City Councilman Gordon Wozniak put forth a plan last week to make the commissions more accountable. The plan, approved by the City Council, requires the commissions to post their full reports on the city’s Web site, to be more diligent about posting their agendas and minutes and to pass along more background information to the City Council, especially on controversial items.
“I think it’s out of hand,” Wozniak said of Berkeley’s commissions, most of which meet monthly and have two or three subcommittees that also meet regularly. “When we spend a lot of time debating things like the Marines issue, we’re not spending time on the serious problems in this city, like fire station closures. It’s easier to tackle international issues than deal with messy local problems.”
But filling potholes and controlling street crime is like, so, unfulfilling.
***
Commenter greenfairie: “They think globally, but don’t act locally.”
Not-safe-for-work flashback: Zombie’s gallery of half-dressed and undressed Berkeley loons from the annual “How Berkeley Can You Be?” parade.
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Suck it up Berkley.
L
Talk about a god-complex! It sounds like Mr. Sherman has allowed his degree-position to go to his head. What overbearing hubris!
Berkeley deserves the financial ruin that surely awaits it.
They think globally but don’t act locally!
All liberals are composed of overbearing hubris. Remember, they are the elite and know what’s best for everyone. Except I hate pink.
My boycott extends from San Francisco, south to Mexico.
45 different commissions? HOLY SWISS CHEESE, BATMAN!
God only knows how much thought and planning went into the Folsom Street orgy?
But, why worry? Diane Feinstein, Barbara Boxer, and Nancy Pelosi will just get the Government to reimburse them for the lost money.
mmmm visualizing whirled peas.
I am a Berkeley resident and do not spend a thin dime in this city. I go to Oakland and El Cerrito to buy food and clothing.
The streets don’t flood on rainy days either.
Most of us with half a political conscience know that it is our property taxes that keep the inept school district and the slothful public works department in business. Oh and don’t forget the city benefit plan overall!
They may force us to pay taxes but they wont get a dime more from me for staples, luxury items and entertainment.
They can kiss my rosy red….. sneakers.
my eyes-my eyes…
I haven’t seen a pink peep that big since the staypuff marshmellow man from Ghostbusters!
GSP
Those Berkeley folks must be in a real quandary over Tibet.
Support the Communists or the Bhuddists?
Wait until they raise the property taxes again in an already over-taxed community. Bye bye Berkeley
Oscar, meet Gordon. Gordon, Oscar.
If only there were Bhuddist Communists they could rally behind…
There’s really something sad and pathetic about some of the people in Berkeley(I exclude Bear and many other residents). If they have to go to these extremes to call attention to themselves, they must really have self-esteem problems.
It’s kind of a “look at me – I’m really important!” thing. If they only really understood what the real world thinks of them … but understanding the real world is one of their problems.
As somebody posted yesterday in another thread, I wonder what color the sky is in their world?
They think that the government has unlimited funds. Most of the protesters don’t work, don’t make money, so they don’t pay taxes. . . why would they care that they are forcing Berkley to spend money on issues that are less than priority? They’ll just say it’s another reason to raise taxes.
These people need to get a job.
If you go to the zombietime link there is a woman holding a sign which says “Jehovah’s Witnesses Against Soliciting”
Reminds me of some bizarre (fake) posters which someone would occasionally put up on the walls back in high school. The only one I remember was a rally of the “Gay Nazis for Christ.”
I’m loving reading the comments to this article:-)
I knew we were headed for trouble when they taught pink ameba’s to ride unicycle’s.
“It’s easier to tackle international issues than deal with messy local problems.”
I haven’t read Dicken’s “Bleak House”, but the Berkley folks seem to suffer from “compassion at a distance”:
“…the wonderful character of Mrs. Jellyby in Bleak House, so preoccupied with the plight of the natives of Borrioboola-Gha and so blind to the sufferings of the London poor and even to the needs of her own children.”
Here’s the link:
http://www.booksincanada.com/article_view.asp?id=407
Reminds me of someone (originally from California – figures, maybe?) in the (college) town where we used to live, who, every month or so could be depended on to be found on the town’s small central common, at the “protest” or poster-holding event du jour for some world cause or other…while at the same time at least a couple, if not more, of her kids had “issues” (the currently polite term), which she did not appear to be having any significant success at remedying.
Sen. DeMint had the answer to this problem. Cut off All Federal Funding to the Peoples Republic of Berkeley!
#13 On April 3rd, 2008 at 12:26 pm, TexasTiger said:
“Oscar, meet Gordon. Gordon, Oscar.”
Hey, TT: sounds like two Sesame Street characters (from way, way, way back!!) greeting each other – one, a person; the other, the Grouch that lived in the trashcan.
(Younger relatives – brother, then our kids, then nieces/nephews – used to watch it…SS started my senior year in high school.)
You gotta love liberals. Have you all seen the report, released in the past few days, regarding public school graduation results in many of the democrat-party controlled areas of our Great Nation? Some areas (Cleveland and Detroit in particular) only graduate 25% of their seniors?!
And now, liberals grow the balls to legally hinder responsible parents and communities from educating their own children?
I’m sure any parent can surpass the liberal graduation rate of 25% by just buying their kid one book!
Can you imagine what the liberal reaction would be if the US Military had a casualty rate of 85%, like some liberal-controlled school districts in America? Hahahahahahaha!
Man…looking at those pictures…aren’t there any attractive people in Berkley?
Looks like a pink shmoo on wheels…
Can’t be a shmoo – if I recall correctly, the were eager to please – in fact, they would gladly throw themselves into the frying pan for you. Besides, shmoos were white with no arms.
#26 – exactly. hes a sheeple. who would throw themselves into a frying pan….much less strap on a skin tight shiney pink leotard.
“The Online Etymology Dictionary claims “Shmoo” is derived from the Yiddish word “schmoe”, itself a euphemism for “schmuck”.[1]”
Works for me….(psst. and i he looked like a pink shmoo).
As Rush says it so eloquently, “Our most expensive commodity in this Nation is ignorance. That’s ‘Liberal thought’ for those of you in Berkeley.
hey look, its feebie, and to think someone said she was becoming a nun.
#29 – ha. i tried…they wouldnt take me. ho-hum.
if Berekley were ever invaded, i’d have to find a hill to watch it from. all i can see as a bunch of men flailing their arms screaming like girls, and all the women with their deep voices and low swinging breasts lecturing the invaders about their ‘rights’.
Glad to hear from ya, Feebs – we also had a bear sighting earlier in this thread – Berserkeley seems to bring us all out – BTW, this is the shmoo I relember.
Berkeley can’t really “tackle” any international issues, all they can do is posture. And, yeah, posturing is a lot easier than actually dealing with any problem.
More evidence that narcissism is rampant among “progressives”.
If Berkly hates America so much, they should cede from the union.
“wild-eyed Communist” That photo says it all. That entire city is insane.
The 45 idiots of the various Bezerkly councils cost the city $1.2 million due to their BS. That comes to $26,666.67 per person they owe the taxpayers of this dying city so far. With the continued performance art by Code Pinko and their minions in front of the US Marine Corps Recruiting Station the bill will only continue to grow before the California fiscal year ends on 30 June. I really feel sorry for bear1909 having to suffer these fools while trying to scrape out an existence in the beautiful Bay Area now made unliveable due to a very high cost of living, higher taxes, and some of the weirdest out of touch people on the planet.
I say we stop calling it Berkeley – and start calling it the name it has earned for itself – Pinky-Town.
TexasTiger, where can I get one of those T-shirts? It’s a MUST HAVE before I go to California next week! I wouldn’t go, but I’m dying to meet my 5 month old grandson. Leave me a comment on my website as to where I can buy one!
BTW, I’m going to the relatively conservative portion of Long Beach.
…”he looks like a pink nightmare”.
I said he looked like a PINK shmoo.
ahhhhh ferget it!!!!! i give up.
Methinks pink-thang wore that outfit to his audition for the Blue Man Group.
Berkeley is as Berkeley does!
BrianNY #23
I read the same article and realized our electorate will soon be comprised mostly of people who can’t even graduate from high school. I can’t even imagine what kind of decisions they’ll be making.
Boy if that does not speak volumes about self-importance! My hometown, Baltimore, also boasts a top world-class university (Johns Hopkins), but I sure do see that kind of ego in Baltimore.
ROFL
I wonder if the naked moonbat with the “Get Ashcroft” sign even realizes John Ashcroft isn’t the Attorney General anymore. And why do so many flabby moonbats always have to take off their clothes to express their political views? Are they trying to scare us? Why can’t Kristen Powers going rip off her clothes on Fox News to show her compassion for the oppressed?
The sheer arrogance and ignorance of the Berkeley CC is astounding.
He was when that picture was taken. Hence the term “flashback”.
Don’t forget the parking meter money they are losing by giving the code pinkos a free parking spot in front of the Marine Recruiting office.
Hey, it’s Thing 1.
Bezerkley goes broke from revenue loss and protest police protection costs.
The Other Slow Bleed Strategy!
#51 On April 3rd, 2008 at 2:42 pm, CommentGuy said:
“Bezerkley goes broke from revenue loss and protest police protection costs.
The Other Slow Bleed Strategy!”
And it couldn’t happen to nicer holders of a certain worldview!
That sure takes chutzpah for him to cite the University of California.
The $1.2M foreign and domestic policy spending figure almost certainly doesn’t include the hundreds of thousands of dollars that Berkeley is wasting on legal expenses in its ridiculous lawsuit against the University.
Berkeley is trying to prevent UC from building a Student High Performance Center and renovate 85-year old Memorial Stadium, which straddles an earthquake fault and desperately needs seismic upgrades.
http://stadiumcampaign.berkeley.edu/news-and-information/FactSheetFinal.pdf
One_American @ #37 said:
Hmmm, “Pinky-Town” has that disco ring of Lipps, Inc. Funky-Town…
[Repeat all 1x]
Speaking of idiots: Supermodel Naomi Campbell has been arrested at Heathrow Airport’s Terminal 5 for allegedly spitting at a police officer. link
I was going to send the bill for replacing my keyboard and refilling my coffee to gunslingerpatriot (#10) but bloghooligan (#31) will have to share the expense. Thanks guys! <ROFLMAO> You really made my day.
my pleasure.
My humble apolgies to the peeps and the cool peeps at hamnation in case Mary Ham and her peeps were offended (nothing but love to you Mary and the peeps!)
GSP
Whew! Thanks for reading the Chronicle so I don’t have to
It is so much easier to solve others’ problems than our own. We know that ourselves. And, it is a whole lot easier to critisize someone for their behavior than to look at ours. We know that too. That’s why Pinkytown spends most of their time solving and critizing foreign problems than solving their own. They’re experts at everything but when it comes to sidewalks and potholes, they go completely senseless. As far as supporting buddhists or communists go…that’s easy. They support the communists. It is much more inline with their political philosophy. No power in buddhists; lots of power in communists.
tre said:
Which President Glowbama will happily sign into legislation.
Must not bash own head in with hammer. Must not bash own head in with hammer.
Hey, I’m fine with it. As a matter of fact, Berkley should be allowed to spend themselves into insolvency, then beg the federal government for a bailout, which should be refused.
Is it time yet to stop federal funding for cities that try to ban military recruitment? Yes. It is.
Frankly, I’d happily pay more to have California removed from our union. I had a vacation to Cali planned for this summer, which has been cancelled. Instead, I’ll be spending my money travelling to Texas.
Do these people have jobs? Where I live in Maryland, these exhibitionists would be arrested for indecent exposure.
These nutballs are lucky to live in a country like ours, where even the parasites have rights and access to medical care. In third-world countries or another century, they would starve to death because they have nothing useful to contribute to society.
That comment made my day!
I attended the University of California, Berkeley in the late 60’s as an ROTC member. Interesting dynamic. Berkeley is a Land Grant school chartered on Federally owned land specifically to have an ROTC program. Should the school cancel the ROTC the property would by the original agreement revert back to the Feds. Put that in your foreign policy discussion and smoke it.
WHOA!! Not all of Calli is controlled by the goons and loons of the bay area and LA. If you look at the Red state/Blue state maps that are broken down by counties…mine is the lone red county on the coast from SF to LA. We’ve got world class and world famous beaches (Pismo Beach and the miles of the Pismo Dunes recreational area, Avila Beach, San Simeon beach, Moonstone beach). World famous Madonna Inn. World renowned Hearst Castle. Some of the worlds most popular and famous winery’s and vineyards (better than the bay areas Napa Valley by far). Some of the most perfect water skiing lakes in the country. Beautiful mountains and vast plains. We also boast 2 of the 21 California Missions, both of which are still in very active use (Mission San Miguel took a big hit in the 2003 San Simeon earthquake, but Catholic Mass is still performed by the Padres). Hunting and fishing opportunities just about everywhere, shooting ranges and gun clubs (and we boast a number of World class shooting venues, featuring some of the USA’s most famous competition shooters). All this, JUST in my little red county alone.
Not to mention, I live here
Did I mention that all of the above is year ’round? No snow to plow, no heat too great, no flood too deep.
San Luis Obispo CA…..it ain’t no silly Texas!!