Semper Fi Act of 2008
February 8th, 2008 at 10:04pm Mark Noonan
Blogs for Victory offers its 100% endorsement of this Act:
February 6th, 2008 - Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senators Jim DeMint (R-South Carolina), Saxby Chambliss (R-Georgia), Tom Coburn, M.D. (R-Oklahoma), John Cornyn (R-Texas), James Inhofe (R-Oklahoma), and David Vitter (R-Louisiana) introduced the Semper Fi Act of 2008. The bill would rescind over $2 million in hidden earmarks for Berkeley, California in the 2008 Omnibus Appropriations bill, and transfer the funds to the Marine Corps. U.S. Congressman John Campbell (R-California) is introducing a companion bill in the House of Representatives.
Last week, the City Council of Berkeley voted to oust Marine Corps recruiters from their downtown office, saying the Marines were “uninvited and unwelcome intruders.” Berkeley officials also voted to give the radical protest group Code Pink space outside the recruitment office and urged them to “impede, passively or actively” the work of Marine Corps recruiters.
One earmark provides $243,000 in taxpayer dollars for the organization Chez Panisse to create gourmet organic school lunches in the Berkeley School District. Chez Panisse is dedicated to “environmental harmony” and their menu features “Comté cheese soufflé with mâche salad,” “Meyer lemon éclairs with huckleberry coulis,” and “Chicory salad with creamy anchovy vinaigrette and olive toast.”
Another earmark would spend $975,000 in taxpayer dollars for the University of California in Berkeley Matsui Center for Politics and Public Service, to create a new endowment and cataloging the papers of Congressman Robert Matsui. U.C. Berkeley currently already has a $3.5 billion endowment.
Actions have consequences - Berkerely hoped they could get some typically cheap leftwing moralism, but what they have done is insulted each and every man or woman who has ever worn the uniform of the United States Armed forces, especially those of the United States Marine Corps (which includes my 81 year old father, who joined the Marines at 17 in 1944 to defend the freedom of the American people - a freedom the people of Berkeley have degraded into the gutter). Money is, of course, is the prime desire of the left, as it allows the left to buy power. This money, it goes without saying, is desired without the requirement of earning it. Addicted to government largesse, the best way to punish them for their unpatriotic insults is to cut them off from the federal teat.
Entry Filed under: Corruption, Democrats, Kook Left, Legislation, Patriotism
97 Comments
1. Almiranta | February 8th, 2008 at 10:21 pm
This is a great idea.
I know a lot of people who refuse to go to San Francisco on vacations now, after their anti-war and anti-warship antics, and now it Berkely’s turn.
Maybe Babs and Susan Sarandon and Sean Penn can pick up the slack……
2. Kahn | February 8th, 2008 at 10:29 pm
Gentlemen, thanks for posting this.
I remember some years ago - many years ago as I passed through the crowd at Bradley Airport on leave after boot camp at Parris Island. As I approached my waiting family, I was surprised that they were looking past me. They hadn’t seen me yet. They didn’t recognize me. Then my mother said “Oh, there he is.” My dad said “where?” And she replied “Right there - the Marine.”
One of my uncles was portrayed in “Band of Brothers.” His brother, who I never knew was a World War 2 Marine. He’s buried next to my grand parents. An uncle on my dad’s side died in June of 1944 in Normandy. He’s still there.
My dad fought at the Iron Triangle and White Horse Mountain - two Korean battles I’m 100% sure no liberal here has ever heard of. For those in the know, their quad .50’s and bore sighted .155 long toms were not enough to keep from being over run. They had to thermite their guns.
I was a Marine. So was my little brother. My little sister was Army Guard - while attending Smith and Harvard. My nephew just finished his second tour in Iraq. His sister was in Kuwait. And their mother (my sister-in-law) is in Afghanistan right now.
The point? I know what the hell the military is about. I understand service, and honor, and sacrifice. I’ve attended the funerals of brave men I’ve known. And I’ve saluted the caskets of brave men I didn’t know.
With less than 12% of the military now claiming to be Democrat, there is very real and alarming disconnect forming between the military and liberals. Liberals are growing more and more ignorant of military affairs and of the people of the military every day. This is fact.
So what do we see? We see an ignorant government (no matter what the mayors history) in an area largely ignorant of the military taking prejudiced action against a group of people out of ignorance. That ignorance allows hatred, scorn, and general disdain to form in a vacuum. Kind of like, well… the Klan. Now don’t get me wrong. I’m NOT saying Berkeley is the Klan.
But, haven’t they just hung up a “No Military” sign? Think they’ll start having special bathrooms, water fountains, and restaurants for the military? Maybe regulate them to the back of the bus?
Every single Federal dollar earmarked for Berkely should be stopped now. The City Council has stopped nothing - despite the letter from the mayor. Code Pink still has a standing and permanent permission to park for free in front of the office and to protest and make excessive noise. It is literally a siege. The offices have been vandalized. The signage defaced. And the Marines working there have been harassed, slandered, and libeled. It is much uglier than the news stories are letting on. Little or no action has been taken against these criminals by the Berkeley Police (kind of a side justification for the 2nd Amendment).
I find it hard to argue this point without getting very very angry. We now see the fruits of ignorance. Berkeley California - the new capital of ignorance and hatred. Screw them. Semper Fi is right.
Oh, and are the Democrats so confident now that none support this? They don’t need the votes of veterans and current military and their families? Not one single Democrat is supporting these bills? Thanks for coming out of the closet you military hating ignorant turdballs. It’s so good to finally meet the REAL you.
3. jules | February 8th, 2008 at 10:31 pm
I heard Sen. DeMint was doing this. I’m glad it is going forward and he has support; however, I noticed there isn’t a single Democrat listed as supporting it. What a surprise. We’ll see what happens when it goes to a vote.
4. jules | February 8th, 2008 at 10:43 pm
Kahn,
Wow! Thank you and your family for your service. I am so grateful. 4 of my uncles and 4 of my brothers have served and I have a nephew currently serving in the Air Force. He’ll be heading to Qatar in July to support OIE and OEF.
God bless the U.S. military. Anyone who hates the military and spits in their face doesn’t deserve their protection. No military protection for Berkely or San Fransisco.
5. Kahn | February 8th, 2008 at 10:46 pm
jules - make them vote. Let them go on record.
Remember, the City Council in Cambridge Mass recently forbade Boy Scouts (another group liberals hate) from collecting soap and other sundry items for the troops? And of course, nothing says support like these people:
http://www.capveterans.com/national_veterans_memorials_protection/id110.html
6. Ricorun | February 8th, 2008 at 11:14 pm
I agree with Kahn 100%. If the Berkeley City Council wants to pass a resolution protesting the war, fine. That’s free speech. But they didn’t stop at speech. They decided to take action — an action obviously designed to make it more difficult for those so inclined to volunteer their services to their country. Well the hell with that. They want to pick and choose which federal services they accept and reject? Okay, then the federal government should be accorded the same discretion.
That menu from Chez Panisse does sound good though, lol!
7. Thrower | February 8th, 2008 at 11:39 pm
An excellent proposal and I hope it sails through. While these fine Republican gentlemen are at it, I hope they throw their own earmarks into the bonfire. Maybe we have the beginning of a movement here.
8. InDiGo | February 8th, 2008 at 11:44 pm
That’s right (R)epublicans, try to write legislation that punish the people for not agreeing with government policy.
The Punishing of the Chef!!…..The
(R)epublican written, pending legislation is causing this to happen. Of course it’s all the Dems fault.
Waste of time and our money to do this.
9. LiberalNitemare | February 8th, 2008 at 11:46 pm
Next time theres a disaster in the neighborhood, maybe they can get some of those awesome code pink helicopters to help them out.
I think its funny that the same people that constantly rail about Bushes ongoing crusade to trample thier freedoms, are now using the power of city government to block the access of law abiding citizens to a legal federal service.
Not to mention harassing the people that are actually working in the recruiting station (and in all likelihood, living in the same community)
Thank goodness we have the liberals to protect our rights
10. Retired Spook | February 8th, 2008 at 11:58 pm
I’m glad to see this legislation introduced. With rights go responsibilities and actions have consequences. Hopefully the Berkeley City Council is about to learn an important lesson — that freedom isn’t free.
And Kahn; Semper Fi. This is one old squid who appreciates the service and sacrifices of families like yours.
11. JD | February 9th, 2008 at 12:12 am
Ooh-rah! Marine Corps! Semper Fidelis!
12. LiberalMind | February 9th, 2008 at 12:46 am
Deleted - insults the men and women of the United States armed forces.
13. Christian Wright | February 9th, 2008 at 12:55 am
The recruiters are making false promises to get students to sign up. They make all these promises they know they will not live up to.
Just look at how the military is treating wounded soldiers. These recruiters are deliberately feeding our youth to the meat grinder called Iraq. They have to because if they miss their quota, they have to go. In the end, all they are doing is pushing innocent victims ahead of them so they don’t have to go.
They know they are lying. They know they are condeming these young people to severe injury and death. Get rid of them.
14. Baxter | February 9th, 2008 at 1:15 am
I marched with the Gathering of Eagles in March and September to support our Vets/Soldiers and their mission.We also let the jane fonda/cindy sheehan crowd know that there is zero tolerance regarding their bigoted comments like “mass murderer”,”baby killer”and any action such as spitting or throwing things at our Soldiers was met with swift justice.
NEVER AGAIN. was our rallying cry and every patriot that came by the tens of thousands meant it.
Just like we mean it when we say that if our elected officials that are up there on capital hill through the bravery and sacrifice of our men and women in uniform can not fight for their rights to recruit and enjoy the freedom of speech that they have fought for,than be prepared for us to fight for
them and it will not be pretty.
liberals have called our Soldiers “mercenaries”,”cold
blooded murders”,”Bush’s gangsters”,”mass killers”,
“nazis running gulags”.
They have thrown feces,blood,red paint,and broken out windows of their recruitment centers.
They have watched tv while liberal elected officals
have called them “cold blooded killers”,called them “stupid” for being in Iraq and told them
they are fighting for nothing and that the war is “lost”.
They have watched hollywood make movie after movie portraying them as “rapist”,”deranged” killers
without even so much as a commercial from this crowed congratulating them for freeing over 50 million people from some of the worst terrorist regimes the world has known.
They have watched newspapers and the rest of the MSM run with anything negative they can find about
their mission and make up propaganda about how they come home “vicious killers”(Thanks NYtimes)and hardly one word about a medal of honor winner or a front page picture of a Soldier
with 20 Iraqi children following them down the street
with smiles on their faces.
All this bigoted hate and more from the people
who talk about peace,free speech,and handling problems with intelligence and tolerance.
Not one democrat voted to support our military’s
rights that they have fought and died for.
Are democrats un-patriotic? yes they certainly are
and it is proven in their actions during war time.
Do liberals and their elected officials support the
troops? He11 no they don’t and it is proven in
their actions during war time.
liberals got away with this crap during Vietnam,but
they won’t get away with it this time.
NEVER AGAIN
15. JD | February 9th, 2008 at 1:37 am
I have to agree with Christian Wright. I spent three years of my Marine Corps career in Billings, MT. Our mission was to get young folks into the Corps. Whatever it took. Scott Wood, who is responsible for Marine Corps advertising on the west coast, can testify to this. He was the CO of RS Salt Lake City at the time. Of course he is a retired LtCol from the Marines and a sack of turd, but all that mattered was that bones rolled and that the Colonel was happy.
16. Kahn | February 9th, 2008 at 1:50 am
Liberal Mind said “I would encourage Marines to defy their orders on grounds that no enlisted person should be ordered to commit illegal crimes against humanity.”
Well, thanks for demonstrating that ignorance I was talking about. You want the military to ignore civilian leadership now? Ignore the authorizations of the Senate? The funding by the House and Senate? The chain of command defined in the Constitution? What if they decide they don’t like President Obama or Clinton? Idiot. Thanks for showing how mainstream Berkeley is.
The growing knowledge and experience gap is frightening. You better hope that the military doesn’t mutiny. It probably wouldn’t be conservatives they’d go after.
17. Kahn | February 9th, 2008 at 1:56 am
CW “The recruiters are making false promises to get students to sign up. They make all these promises they know they will not live up to.”
Again ignorance shows it’s ugly head. WHAT false promises? You do know that this is an officer recruitment office, right? Naw, you didn’t. You don’t think that after four years of incessant anti-war propaganda from the “main stream” press that people know what the hell they’re getting into? You actually just committed one of those libelous acts I was talking about.
CW just accused (out of some combination of ignorance and hate, I guess) United States Marine Corps recruiters with committing fraud.
I can’t believe that you assholes are exposing your true selves so readily tonight.
Obama’s national security staff is in town tonight for a town meeting. I think I’ll bring along a video cam-corder and see what they have to say about this. Could be Obama’s “Macaca” moment.
18. Kahn | February 9th, 2008 at 2:08 am
Just read JD’s blog. Compressed pig crap. He just committed libel, by the way.
19. David.B.Schmidt | February 9th, 2008 at 7:32 am
“It is the soldier, not the reporter, Who has given us freedom of the press.
It is the soldier, not the poet, Who has given us freedom of speech.
It is the soldier, not the organizer, Who has given us the freedom to demonstrate.
It is the soldier, Who salutes the flag, Who serves beneath the flag,
And whose coffin is draped by the flag, Who allows the protestor to burn the flag.”
- Father Dennis Edward O’Brian, USMC (often incorrectly attributed to Charles M. Province)”
Semper Fi from Fmr. Sgt. Schmidt. God Bless our men & women that serve (even the Army doggies ;-)
20. Marty13 | February 9th, 2008 at 7:55 am
….even worse, they want to turn the recruitment office into an abortion clinic. Staffed by French speaking members of the ACLU!!!”
Just what this country needs right now. More Senatorial “Freedom Fries” legislation.
Give it a rest people. If the locals don’t want the Corps in their community, so be it. Do you really think Berkeley was ever a hot bed of recruitment? Can you see the poor bastard recruiter assigned to this location? in living rooms trying to pitch entirely skeptical parents?
Instead of demonizing a community for it’s preferences, the Corps should redirect their recruitment resources into communities where there are potential recruits. With this economy, there are plenty of those.
Lastly, why is it that those who howl the loudest, generally are those who NEVER wore a uniform. Especially in Congress……….
21. Ken | February 9th, 2008 at 8:03 am
I thought it was funny that the Mayor of Berkeley issued an apology _After_ the Semper Fi Act of 2008 was set into motion. They were not sorry until they Federal Money Supply was threatened. It makes me wonder… Are they really sorry for what they did?
As far as recruiters lying… After 18+ years I still remember what I was promised when I enlisted in the USAF. I was told that every decision on what job I was selected for to the bases I would go to would be based on the needs of the AF. After Basic Training and Tech School, I would do both my main job and anything else that was needed. (Now that I’m a NCO, I do more telling than doing)
And, on a side note, some of my team members here got to go on a convoy to deliver supplies to one of the local orphanages here in Afghanistan. With luck, I’ll be on the next one.
Ken
22. David.B.Schmidt | February 9th, 2008 at 8:11 am
I have little tolerance for the stupidly of the liberals; however, just for shits & grins lets look at CW’s (#13) statements;
I was a recruiter for the U.S. Marines for almost two years in Miami, Florida (almost still part of the U.S.). In those two years I never lied about anything these fine people would face and for the most part I had to turn away folks because of the selective nature of the Marines at the time. Quotas existed but meeting them was never a problem.
Dude, it isn’t the military – never was. Look at your democratic congress to bitch at. Then again, from blanket statements like this I figured you have no concept how the real world works from your limited view (from mommies’ basement?)
Once again, quite delusional. First, the recruiters are not lying no matter what you believe. No need to. By your accounts, all those Marines, Soldiers, Sailors, and Airmen in the conflicts of Afghanistan & Iraq (plus other places worldwide) are also lied to when they are re-enlisting in record numbers? Loony left doesn’t quite cover this level of stupidity. Second, recruiting duty is a difficult duty to get and no matter what your pea-brain has devised—the recruiters will rotate out of that duty back to their units no matter. There is no “If you don’t get new recruits—you will go in their place” B.S.
BTW, are you saying that everyone in the US is soooo stupid (except for you liberals) that they don’t realize that if they sign up for the military today there is a real good chance they will be serving in a theatre of operations? I mean “Uh, dude, I’ll sign up if I can be assured that I will serve as a cook in Kansas”
They are not lying—you are. We (Marines) do not condemn anyone but you and your attitude (including those that think like you in Congress) are condemning our fighting forces to a defeat. Defeat snatched from the jaws of victory. Finally, if you want to get rid of the liars in this crowd—please excuse yourself from this blog forever.
23. phnx | February 9th, 2008 at 8:26 am
“If the locals don’t want the Corps in their community, so be it.” mary
Then they shouldn’t mind not benefiting from the largesse of the government either. Do you have a problem with that?
24. Marty13 | February 9th, 2008 at 8:48 am
phnx,
Do you really think that a contractor for the DoD gives two shits about local political beliefs when they’re looking for a think tank to solve a thorny tech issue? The irony is that when the gov’t needs a new and expedient way to destroy something, they inevitably turn to the liberal bastions. Cambridge, MA for example does not suffer for government monies because they happen to be entirely left-wing (and in your mind anti-military). The true recipients of federal largess are the regions that place less value on academic attainment.
25. neocon | February 9th, 2008 at 9:43 am
Marty,
Instead of just spewing drivel that you concoct to support your demented viewpoint, how about providing some facts. Prove to us that those who benefit more from the federal government are those that place less value on academic attainment.
And just a thought, I would wager to say that the overall amount of federal student loans used to send those students to those academic institutions would be quite a sizeable sum.
26. phil | February 9th, 2008 at 9:49 am
Mark,
Your faux-outrage about insults to the military on the part of the left rings a little hollow when one considers your ignorance of similar slights from those on the right. Like, how about the assholes who wore those purple heart band aids during the last Republican convention? They were making some sort of statement about whether Kerry really deserved his purple heart, I guess. But since Kerry did not award himself the purple heart, those wearing the band aids were in fact insulting the process through which all members of the military are awarded such medals. In so doing they were insulting all those who were awarded medals in the manner in which Kerry was. Stop kidding yourself, Mark. I’m outraged by any slap at those Americans serving us in the military, you should be too. Your callous attempt to score political points by identifying only those slights from those you disagree with while ignoring slights from those you support reveals a moral bankruptcy unbecoming of one who has served the country in the military yourself.
Have a great day!
27. js | February 9th, 2008 at 9:50 am
Its really a stupid situation.
Some of you call recruiters liars. Its true. Recruiters have lied to people before. Just like the bag boy at your local store that crushed your loaf of bread, the McDonnalds employee that gave you your order, short 2 burgers and napkins, your local city council man that claimed he would represent you but turned out to support exactly what you oppose in life, and yes, even the congressmen and senators that you elected and sent to the Nations Capital to run this country.
But I dont see them shutting down the grocery stores, fast food restaurants, and local, state or federal governments.
The real issue here is homosexuals. Thats it folks, its not about anything else, so stop BSing about it.
This nation went for over 200 years and banned homosexuals from military service. They are sexual deviants, mentally confused about the proper use and function of thier reproductive organs. What makes anyone think that they should hold the responsibility of aiming some of the most deadly weapons in the world if they cant separate fantasy from reality?
Wake up you half witted liberal dorf troddel’s.
28. eric | February 9th, 2008 at 9:51 am
Kahn,
I thought the same thing when I read that dumbass post by JD. Libel.
Who does the City of Berkeley expect to come to the rescue the next time there is a major earth quake in the area? Code Pink?
I have had a few experiences with recruiters. When I was in high school, I came within a short hair of going to the Naval Academy (1st alternate nominee from both a Congressman and a Senator in my state behind the same principal nominee). During college when I was drinking and chasing skirt too much and nearly failing out of engineering school, I again considered the Navy and I went down to the local recruiting station to see what options I would have. I declined to join. After law school, I moved to San Diego without a job or any connections and I had a tough time finding my first job as a patent attorney. Again, I found myself sitting in front of a recruiter and again, I declined to join. Each time I considered the Navy, I spoke with a recruiter. Each recruiter was brutally honest when answering my questions and I decided that Navy life was probably not for me.
As for the City of Berkeley, next, they will probably erect a statue to that car-keying, douche bag Jay Grodner. JD, that statement is not defamatory (because it is true).
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/chi-kass_bd_20jan20,0,1923633.story?page=1&coll=chi_tab01_layout
29. Brett Michaels | February 9th, 2008 at 11:05 am
“With less than 12% of the military now claiming to be Democrat,”
Kahn,
Please cite your reference to that figure.
thanks
30. Marty13 | February 9th, 2008 at 11:06 am
‘Instead of just spewing drivel that you concoct to support your demented viewpoint, how about providing some facts.”
Neo, my hypothesis has considerable merit. Again I say that there is a direct correlation between academic achievement and federal aid. Are you going to deny that there are areas in the deep south for example, that possess educational systems that consistently rank at the bottom. Conversely, these same states/regions receive a considerably greater share of what you’ve coined government largess.
Though I can’t recall the source, I do recently remember seeing a study that showed what parts of the country paid into the federal system versus what they received in return. In all cases, the states that paid considerably more than they received, were also regions that had demonstrably better schools and considerably higher standardized test scores.
31. kjstrouble | February 9th, 2008 at 11:09 am
I hope the Semper Fi bill passes. I was very angry about the Berkley City Council. But then, I live in a town with an Air Force base, so I have (I hope) a greater respect for the military. The only thing that prevented me from enlisting is a heart condition (and a serious one), as I had signed up, and went to the physical - and that is when it was found.
As for CW and the other liberals on this board - recruiters may lie - but mine did not. Not about what came next, what kind of training I was qualified for, and what kind of guarantees I would have (that they would work my ass off).
As Retired Spook said - freedom is not free.
32. Brett Michaels | February 9th, 2008 at 11:12 am
I dont agree with the the stance of the city government. But I do question the senators that are sponsoring this bill.
Why not sponsor a bill getting rid of all earmarks?
Why single out UC-Berkley? Last time I checked, the city council and UC-Berkley were to complete separate entities.
If we get into a tit for tat situation…California pays FAR more in federal taxes then it receives back.
Heck, the fact that UC system produces more nuclear engineers and nuclear physicists than all other higher ed systems combine and additonaly they run Sandia….We need california far more than they need us.
I know that just bugs the shit out of you neocons.
33. Brett Michaels | February 9th, 2008 at 11:18 am
Marty,
This is what you are looking for:
http://www.taxfoundation.org/publications/show/22685.html
34. Marty13 | February 9th, 2008 at 11:22 am
Eric snarkily inquires, “Who does the City of Berkeley expect to come to the rescue the next time there is a major earth quake in the area? Code Pink.”
Being someone well acquainted with the law, you of course know that an earth quake would be immediately responded to by local PD, FD, Sheriff’s Dept. and CA. Nat’l Guard. The USMC would not be responding to this hypothetical event.
35. neocon | February 9th, 2008 at 11:27 am
Marty,
But that’s exactly what the Democrats support. Re-distribution of funds. Taking from the more successful areas and giving to the less fortunate. Why don’t you support that?
36. Marty13 | February 9th, 2008 at 11:28 am
Thanks Brett, that exactly what I was referring to. Unfortunately, this kind of data is generally just labeled liberal tripe and immediately discredited.
37. Baxter | February 9th, 2008 at 11:38 am
Marty,
Look no further than DC,or Detroit if you want to find where sending billions of dollars into the educational system has not produced better educational results.
The post is about the bigoted actions of liberals toward our military and our elected officials actions
to enforce our Soldiers rights afforded them under the constitution.
Our Soldiers have provided and earned the right
of free speech and the right to recruit without the
liberal elite’s constant harassment and bulling tactics
to suppress their rights.
Our military is part of our government,if the people
of Berkley cannot respect their rights than they
should suffer the consequences of their bigoted actions and not receive the benefits from the very
institutions that they discriminate against.
38. Diane Tomlinson | February 9th, 2008 at 12:15 pm
Let’s turn the table a bit here. Let’s say a city in the great state of Alabama wanted to pass out Bibles to every tourist that stopped at it Visitor’s Center. Sonds like a nice thing to do. But for the sake of argument let’s say that some enterprising members of Congress thought that since the city was using taxpayer funds to buy the Bibles it was a breach of the wall that separates church from state. Of course these would be a list of Democrats that would sponsor this bill that would take away say 3 million in federal funds for the city for faith based programs etc etc.
I feel certain this town’s City Council, Mayor or City manager would tell Congress where to stick their federal funds and garner some face time on the cable news circuit. It would be a neat-o culture war moment where the little guy stood up to the big bad government.
I think that’s exactly what Berkeley needs to do, refuse the earmark money and stand on their principles.
America isn’t all Patriotic South and Homespun Midwest. There are a millions upon millions of people that don’t go gaga over military service choosing to exercise their right to be just a plain old American citizen. The Marines are and honorable group of the most die hard and dedicated members of the armed forces you will ever meet but i am sure each and every one of them would tell you that they take up arms so Code Pink and the government of the City of Berkeley can have the right to do what they are doing.
Semper Fi
39. TiredofLibBullShit | February 9th, 2008 at 12:35 pm
phil,
another USEFUL IDIOT of the liberal party.
“But since Kerry did not award himself the purple heart….”
Uh, he put himself in for those medals. He filled out the forms. All he needed was his commanders approval, which he readily got. His commander wanted to be rid of his sorry, cowardly ass. I mean he threw a grenade into a rice pile against the advice of a fellow soldier, launched a grenade at a “target” that was very close. The medical attention required for these wounds as a result of his stupidity were BANDAIDS. He knew if he got three it was his ticket home.
The protest was appropriate. It fit the circumstance. I guess you are appalled at the signs protesters were carrying at an anti-war rally in San Francisco - “We support our troops who kill their officers”.
Your faux-outrage is show your lack of intelligence.
Putz.
40. Pain | February 9th, 2008 at 12:37 pm
“Fascism begins not with the dictator mounting the podium before an adoring audience of true believers in the destruction of democracy and its enemies, but with the free citizen, in the street, whose mind has been poisoned by the first blush of tyrannical ideas and the glorification of violence in all its forms, who demands that his fellow man has no right to dissent against the government which is bent on fascism.”– Pain, On Democracy, Terra Immortalis
41. Kahn | February 9th, 2008 at 1:10 pm
Brett - nope. Been posted before ands I feel no need to do your research.
You ask: “Why single out UC-Berkley? Last time I checked, the city council and UC-Berkley were to complete separate entities.”. Well organizationally - that’s true. But the university is the largest employer and spender in town. But more imporatntly, this bill isn’t even about the University it’s about money earmarked for both. So your question is moot.
Diane, please stop doing drugs before you post. Your series of stupid hypothetical assumptions are just too silly to consider. We are talking about the United States Marine Corps trying to recruit officers (not enlisted) in a very heavy University area. The fact is. Your party now makes up less than 12% of the military. I would assume it’s less than that among officers and less still in the Marine Corps.
You are creating a knowledge gap that will soon (if it hasn’t already) make you unfit to lead the nation. Your attitudes (as expressed here) prove that you are largely ignorant. Your turns to libel and slander (again, as demonstrated here) call your character into question.
The mass liberal refusal here to support the Marines and instead to support Berkeley says more than you can imagine. Thanks for being so honest.
I’ll be at an Obama National Security Town Hall meeting tonight with a video camera in hand.
42. Kahn | February 9th, 2008 at 1:31 pm
I stand corrected.
Democrat 14.4%
Independent 21.1%
Libertarian 3.1%
Republican 48.9%
Other 4%
Decline to answer 8.5%
http://www.militarycity.com/polls/2007activepoll_politics.php
So apparently a a few people in the military - note the military as a whole. The Army and Marine Corps may well be MORE Republican.
So, you Democrats calling for mutiny. Calling for Revolution. You might want to read those poll numbers again. I’d start supporting the 2nd Amendment if I were you. Or supporting the troops. Whichever you find less distasteful.
43. eric | February 9th, 2008 at 1:39 pm
Marty,
Obviously, you don’t get the point that if the City of Berkeley hates the Marines, they probably don’t like the National Guard as well. And if they want to kick out a federal office, they should not expect federal help in time of a disaster.
I will quit being snarky and just speak plainly. You are a dumbass.
44. phil | February 9th, 2008 at 1:41 pm
Tired,
Thanks for the feedback, I appreciate it. you must have been in Kerry’s unit to have such good inside information on exactly what he did, congratulations are due to you, I suppose, for supporting your country in this way. Myself, I’m left to wonder what Kerry had against that pile of rice you mention.
I’m assuming that the procedure through which Kerry received his purple hearts was similar to the procedure used for awarding the same medals to others. That’s the point I was trying to make, apparently I didn’t do so in a satisfactory way to you. Sorry about that.
One might also point out that your guy (call him the pep squad prince) assiduously avoided service in the war in which Kerry volunteered to fight. He got the Golden Pom Pom award while cheering for the real men at Yale. That sort of heroism might be compared to your own, I suppose.
Have a nice weekend
45. TiredofLibBullSh** | February 9th, 2008 at 1:59 pm
phil,
oh yeah, every dog-face filled out the forms for their own medals and then pester their commanders to approve them - happens all the time.
Volunteered? Hardly, he volunteered for the navy before he would be drafted into the army. Also, serving on a destroyer would not put him in position to get three bandaid purple hearts and a ticket home.
Poor phil, can’t run from the facts that came out in 2004…..and still spewing the leftwing propaganda and the Rather lies that got him fired.
I would wish you a nice weekend, but how is that possible when liberals are such miserable people?
46. FmrMarine | February 9th, 2008 at 2:38 pm
Meat grinder called Iraq?
BOY we lost more Men at KHE SANH that the whole iraqui war has cost.
Our military won a smashing victory against sadam.
The following cleanup has taken longer than anticipated though.
Do your self a favor and look up casualties of various wars and battles then tell about the “meat grinder” you refer to.
Semper Fi all my brothers who have served. I hope when the next HUGH earthquake hits these communities the military stays home.
Then see what happens.
47. phil | February 9th, 2008 at 2:43 pm
Tired,
I’m not sure that Mark Noonam likes being called “dog face,” but I’ll leave that for the two of you to work out.
Speaking of being miserable, you seem a little bitter yourself these days. Are you on edge from watching the astounding collapse of the Bush administration? Worried perhaps about the legacy of the colossal debt that Bush and the Republicans have left for your children and grandchildren to pay? Or simply tired of being screwed by the people you voted into office, you remember, the ones who told you that they were fiscal disciplinarians, believers in small government? Indeed, that could make one cranky. But cheer up, soon enough you’ll really have something to complain about, when Bush and the rest of the witless troglodytes you cretins elected are removed once and for all from the political landscape and the country is returned to people who believe that the government can be a tool for good instead of being used to screw the many for the benefit of a few.
Gotta go, my shift down at the embryonic stem cell plant is about to start, enjoy the rest of your weekend, you douchebag.
48. FmrMarine | February 9th, 2008 at 2:43 pm
MILITARY DEATHS FOR TWENTY YEARS
Bet you didn’t know the following! I surely did not..
These are some rather eye-opening facts: Since the start of the
war on terror in Iraq and Afghanistan. In the time period from the
invasion of Iraq in March 2003 through now,
we have lost over 3000 military personnel to enemy action and
accidents. As tragic as the loss of any member
of the US Armed Forces is, consider the following statistics:
The annual fatalities of military members while actively serving
in the armed forces from 1980 through 2006:
>>1980 ……… 2,392
>>1981 ……… 2,380
>>1984 ………. 1,999
>>1988 ………. 1,819
>>1989 ………. 1,636
>>1990 ……… 1,508
>>1991 ………. 1,787
>>1992 ………. 1,293
>>1993 …….. 1,213
>>1994 ………. 1,075
>>1995
………..2,465
>>1996 ……… 2,318 8 Clinton years @13,417 deaths
>>1997 ………. 817
>>1998 ……… 2,252
>>1999 ………. 1,984
————————————————-
>>2000 …….. 1,983
>>2001 ………. 890
>>2002 ………. 1,007 7 BUSH years @ 9,016 deaths
>>2003 ………. 1,410
>>2004 ………. 1,887
>>2005 ……… 919
>>2006………. 920
————————————————————
If you are confused when you look at these figures…so was I.
Do these figures mean that the loss from the two latest conflicts
in the Middle East are LESS than
the loss of military personnel during Mr. Clinton ’s presidency;
when America wasn’t even involved
in a war? And, I was even more confused; when I read that in
1980,
during the reign of President
(Nobel Peace Prize Nobel Peace Prize) Jimmy Carter, there
were 2,392 US military fatalities!
These figures indicate that many of our Media & Politicians will
pick and choose. They present only
those ‘facts’ which support their agenda-driven reporting.
Why do so many of them march in lock-step
to twist the truth. Where do so many of them get their
marching-orders for their agenda?
Our Mainstream Print and TV media, and many Politicians like to
slant;
that these brave men and women,
who are losing their lives in Iraq, are mostly minorities! Wrong
AGAIN— just one more media lie! The latest
census, of Americans, shows the following distribution of American
citizens, by Race:
>>European descent (White) …… 69.12%
>>Hispanic …………………………..
12.5%
>>Black………………………………. 12.3%
>>Asian ……………………………….. 3.7%
>>Native American ………………… . 1.0%
>>Other ……………………………….. 2.6%
Now, here are the fatalities by Race; over the past three years in
Iraqi Freedom:
>>European descent (white) ….. 74.31%
>>Hispanic ……………………….. 10.74%
>>Black …………………………….. 9.67%
>>Asian ………………………….. . 1.81%
>>Native American ……………….. 1.09%
>>Other ……………………………… . 33%
These statistics are published by Congressional Research Service,
and they may be confirmed by anyone at:
http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/natsec/RL32492.pdf (Please look at
this
report site if you have the chance.)
Now ask yourself these two questions:
1. ‘Why does the mainstream Print and TV Media never provide
statistics
like these?’
2. ‘Why do the mainstream media hate the web as much as they do?’
You do the Math! These figures don’t lie… but, Media-liars
figure…and they sway public opinion!
49. Marty13 | February 9th, 2008 at 2:56 pm
Eric sez, “City of Berkeley hates the Marines, they probably don’t like the National Guard as well.”
And you know this how? Whereas, the Guard is made up of local citizens soldiers, you’re saying they don’t like their own peeps? hmmmmmm.
“You are a dumbass.”
Yeah you’re right, unlike you who almost enlisted, three times, I actually served.
Dumbass? Is that your best counselor?
50. Casper | February 9th, 2008 at 3:37 pm
FmrMarine,
Here are the correct totals from the document you referenced (page 10).
1993— 1,213
1994— 1,075
1995— 1,040
1996 — 974
1997— 817
1998— 827
1999— 796
2000— 758
Total during Clinton years 7,500
____________________________
2001— 890
2002— 999
2003— 1228
2004— 1874
2005— 1942
2006— 1858
Total during Bushes’ first 6 years 8791
51. Casper | February 9th, 2008 at 3:43 pm
FmrMarine,
From the same document page 11
Deaths due to hostile action during the Clinton years -1
Deaths due to hostile action during the Bush years -2596
52. phil | February 9th, 2008 at 4:55 pm
FmrMarine,
So I guess you’re implying that your hero GWB is actually SAVING the lives of our military personnel through his war in Iraq? In that case I’ll jump on your bandwagon and support the invasion of Iran simply so we can save the lives of even more military personnel. Thanks for the info!
53. Casper | February 9th, 2008 at 5:07 pm
FmrMarine,
I curious as to why you changed some of the figures from the original report. Are you that desperate to make Bush look good? Or are you that desperate to make the media look bad?
54. Brett Michaels | February 9th, 2008 at 5:26 pm
Kahn,
I wasnt asking you to do the research. I just couldnt find the data myself. Why do you always have to jump down my throat when I asked you a simple question?
Relax bro. It’s just a blog.
55. Brett Michaels | February 9th, 2008 at 5:32 pm
Kahn | February 9th, 2008 at 1:10 pm
Brett - nope. Been posted before ands I feel no need to do your research.
You ask: “Why single out UC-Berkley? Last time I checked, the city council and UC-Berkley were to complete separate entities.”. Well organizationally - that’s true. But the university is the largest employer and spender in town. But more imporatntly, this bill isn’t even about the University it’s about money earmarked for both. So your question is moot..
No, my question is not moot. They are not targeting a single bill that contained earmarks for the City and the UC-Berkley.
The earmarks are contained to in two separate provisions.
So why target UC-Berkley?
Im all for getting rid of earmarks. This is just political grandstanding. If they genuinely wanted to do something right for the COUNTRY, then they would have submitted a bill deleting all earmarks.
If those politicians genuinely cared about the Marines and military (instead of political grandstanding), then they would propose a bill directing all earmarks to Vet care and benefits.
56. Brett Michaels | February 9th, 2008 at 5:33 pm
I suspect math is not FrmMarine’s strongest suit.
57. Ricorun | February 9th, 2008 at 5:53 pm
Brett Michaels: I suspect math is not FrmMarine’s strongest suit.
I think you mean transcription isn’t his strong suit. No math was involved at all. All he had to do was copy and paste. So his math acumen is still very much in question. hehe.
58. TiredofLibBullSh** | February 9th, 2008 at 5:56 pm
phil,
douchebag?
maybe you should get off the internet. I hear your mommy calling you.
The “massive debt” by the Bush administration was a result of Bush offering the hand of bipartisanship to the libs, who, as usual, had no concern of money for something they wanted. You remember NCLB, the prescription drug program, the Department of Homeland Security and other attempts at pleasing liberals. With the exception of the DHS, liberals were demanding these so-called “improvements”. Remember libs think that school performance is directly tied to the amount of funding.
The War on terror contributed to this as well but spending of that type IS authorized by the Constitution and in most cased NOT your “tool of good”. Everything that libs implement always costs more than they project - welfare exceeded projection in just a few short years.
Benefit of the few? Been reading from the lib’s little red book again? Letting them do your thinking for you as you admitted in another post.
Don’t let mommy catch you on the internet again. You may have to move out of the basement.
Putz.
59. Mortimer | February 9th, 2008 at 6:05 pm
“Money is, of course, is the prime desire of the left, as it allows the left to buy power. ”
Okay if this measure passes and Berkeley doen’t not cave in, will you have the integrity to admit your cheap generalization is wrong?
60. Ricorun | February 9th, 2008 at 6:09 pm
ToLBS: The “massive debt” by the Bush administration was a result of Bush offering the hand of bipartisanship to the libs, who, as usual, had no concern of money for something they wanted. You remember NCLB, the prescription drug program, the Department of Homeland Security and other attempts at pleasing liberals.
Damn, Tired, you keep this stuff up and Bush won’t have any legacy at all! Where’s james allegro when you need him? Lol!
61. Kahn | February 9th, 2008 at 6:14 pm
Brett - This is a serious matter. That’s why I’m angry. The liberal posters here have a pretty consistent position of supporting Berkeley. So, I’m angry.
The people of UC Berkeley and the people of the City of Berkeley are the same people. Get it? Money to the University gets spent in the City paying salaries or buys goods and services. They are intertwined. Is this so difficult?
I understand that some liberal posters completely agree with Berkeley and so, are not in support of sanctions against the City and University. I guess this makes sense from your point of view.
My problem is that your point of view is based on monumental ignorance.
We won the Iraq War.
We are winning the subsequent insurgency.
We are now in a position to force the region to come to terms over Israel (which we are doing.)
We got two enemy nations in the region to stop building atomic bombs that would have been targeted at us.
The military is 100% volunteer, mostly (3/4) white and almost 1/2 Republican. That is up from last year, by the way. They feel (about 3/4) that can win or probably can win.
The military takes orders from the Civilians.
This move by Berkeley to harass the Marines, follows:
1. Oakland’s refusal to let traveling military to de-plane after a long flight,
2. San Francisco refusing the Marines the right to film a commercial there.
3. San Francisco previously refusing the Marines permission to practice urban warfare there - something that may have helped save their lives.
4. Cambridge denying Boy Scouts permission to collect soap and other sundries for troops deployed overseas.
5. Left wing protesters in San Francisco and Oregon (and elsewhere) carrying signs saying “F*CK the Troops” and inciting them to kill their officers.
6. Consistent aid and comfort to the enemy given by Democrat Congressmen and Senators characterizations of American soldiers and Marines as terrorists and Nazi’s.
7. Constant attempts to defund ongoing military operations.
So - we get it. As a party, as a movement - YOU HATE THE UNITED STATES MILITARY. We get it. We just disagree. Thats all, we disagree. You’re not traitors. You’re ignorant baboon assholes.
62. David.B.Schmidt | February 9th, 2008 at 6:47 pm
One thing that still amazes me is the liberals can not say a single good thing about anything without a giant “but” in place. Buttheads they may be.
The military is not full of the stupid & poor as Sen. Kerry wants you to believe. Then again, neither is the South. Elitists’ idiots. After nine years of service I have reached the conclusion that you (liberals) will never understand the calling to be more and to give more than to just to benefit yourself.
I am doing pretty well because of my own efforts—no handouts. Most of those I met in the Marines were equals or better than I. You might want to ask the relatives of Pat Tillman about that aspect but then again you liberals will claim Tillman as a fluke.
Diane’s response (#38) is too much of a joke to answer; however, I will point out that there is no wall of separation between church and state. Fabricated by an activist judge and repeated ad nausea by the left.
Have no idea where Marty13 actually served but the US Marines (where I served) were called to back up the National Guard in the 1980 McDuffy riots in N. Miami (we were the ones with real bullets). There goes his BS. BTW, there is a law why the “organized military” is not allowed to serve within the US without executive order.
It is obvious that Phil doesn’t understand the difference between enlisted and officers because he might not have made such an ass of himself otherwise. Enlisted were awarded the 3 PH and out. Then again I doubt he knows a tunnel rat.
Officers (including that slime Sen. Kerry) were not. Sen. Kerry took advantage of a loophole after nominating himself for three awards. Several are in question; however, all would be cleared up if he released his records as promised during his failed (Thank God) presidential run. I would ask my father to clarify this further if he didn’t sacrifice his life so you all could be such asses.
Personally IMHO, the city of Berkley can do whatever it desires however with “rights” come responsibility. All the liberal trolls here hoot to the heavens about free speech but apparently have no problem censoring speech they dislike. I would say the same about the City of Berkley. Then again—same for Puetro Rico. Be free ~ you have my blessings. Don’t look in the mailbox for the government check—it will not be there.
Berkley needs the US more than the US needs them. Period.
63. FmrMarine | February 9th, 2008 at 7:12 pm
I Re posted from an e mail from a friend.
I should have checked it out first, my bad.
However the amount of soldiers who died during a peacetime president and one who is at war in two countries is only a few thousand apart.
That was my original point, as TRAGIC as any young death is we have lost a remarkable low number of soldiers for fighting a two front war.
History will show W to have been one of our finest leaders.
64. NeoClown | February 9th, 2008 at 8:25 pm
I joined the Marines in 1972 when I was 17 years old.
I joined the Marines because I could not find a job and I wanted the G.I. benefits for college.
During boot camp our drill instructor told all of us to vote for Richard Nixon because George McGovern was going to disband the Corps and turn us into park rangers.
I didn’t know much about politics and neither did any of the other guys in my platoon. We were all just kids. My parents were Democrats and I supposed that made me one too. My father and uncle were both in the Corps and lived through several of the Pacific Island landings including Iwo Jima. They were both Democrats and loved President Roosevelt.
I went to boot in San Diego, schools battalion in Camp Pendleton, and permanent duty station at El Toro California.
I joined the Marines because I thought that that if you believe in something it is worth fighting for it. I believed in freedom. I believed that people have a right to speak their minds. I don’t believe people should be punished for speaking their minds. I joined the Marines so that these “Operation Pink” ladies could speak there minds.
There are plenty of other recruiting stations around the country and I don’t think my beloved Corps will run out of recruits any time soon.
Shame on the folks in Berkley, but don’t go passing laws punishing them for speaking their minds.
Semper Fi.
65. Ricorun | February 9th, 2008 at 8:58 pm
Neoclown: Shame on the folks in Berkley, but don’t go passing laws punishing them for speaking their minds.
If it were simply a matter of speaking their minds, then I would agree. But they went beyond that. I think that’s an important distinction. Whatever the context is, if you want to dance to the music you have to expect to pay the piper.
Or alternatively… if you bite the hand that feeds, expect to go hungry. Or alternatively… beggars can’t be choosers. Or alternatively… there’s no such thing as a free lunch. <– that one was particularly appropos, don’t you think? Lol!
66. Kahn | February 9th, 2008 at 9:26 pm
Neoclown - they are doing more than speaking their minds my friend. They have given a permanent parking space right in front of this officers recruiting office (not even a store front recruiting station) to Code Pink. They have also given a permanent permit to make noise and to demonstrate to Code Pink at that location. The signs in the lobby giving directions have beem repeatedly vandalized. The offices themselves have been attacked. The officers serving there have been repeatedly slandered and libeled.
And guess what? 14% of the military (less, I would assume in the Corps) is Democrat. So I guess current Democrats don’t serve much.
As Rico points out, they have gone beyond speech. They have in fact, entered the realm of “Hate Speech”. So have many posters here. And that my friend, thanks to liberals, is a felony.
67. Almiranta | February 9th, 2008 at 9:41 pm
Pain, do yourself a favor and pick up the book called “Liberal Fascism”—-and read it—before you give any more condescending lectures, even cut-and-paste ones—on the topic.
And the “purple heart bandaids” were NOT insulting to veterans, anyone in the military, or anyone who had legitimately received a Purple Heart. Boy, you guys are sooooo dense!! They were possibly insulting, yes—to those who had falsely claimed injuries so they could be awarded a Purple Heart.
And if those people, Kerry included, were insulted, well, good for them for getting it.
You do realize, don’t you, that Kerry admitted that his “bandaid” Purple Heart was not earned, that he should not have gotten it? Not only was his “wound” not received as the result of enemy action (he was hot-dogging and shot a grenade launcher at a nearby cliff, very stupidly I might add, and a very very VERY small piece of shrapnel lodged, just barely, under the top layer or two of skin. He refused to remove it, refused to let anyone else remove it, and carefully protected this sliver of metal till he could have a doctor lift it off, put on some Bactine, and apply a simple bandaid. When the doctor sneered at him and kicked him out of his office for requesting that he fill out paperwork to apply for a Purple Heart, Kerry hung around till the next shift and asked the new doc, who did not know the story, to provide the documentation.)
The protest against Kerry getting political traction out of such a farce was not only NOT an insult to anyone in the military, it was a DEFENSE of those who truly were wounded, and who DID deserve their medals.
I do have respect for normal Democrats who vote the way they do out of sincere belief in certain issues. But the more I read of the goofball pap spewed out by you radical Lefties, the more contempt I feel for you. There’s not even a pretense of rational thought, not even an effort to appear intelligent or reasonable, it’s all so transparently just an excuse to wallow in nastiness and hatred.
Ick.
You are so lucky to have a strong military to make sure you have the freedom to be as dumb as you like.
68. Almiranta | February 9th, 2008 at 9:51 pm
I live near some military bases, and am always seeing articles about fatalities due to training exercises.
Here’s a heads-up for you Code Pink types: Messing around with guns and tanks and airplanes and such is DANGEROUS.
Now, if you think we should not have an active and well-trained military, you are entitled to that irrational belief. But if you do understand the need for a nation to have the ability to defend itself, then you have to accept the fact that some of these military men and women will die, in the pursuit of the training needed to qualify as highly trained and prepared. Others will die as they maintain this high level of competence and preparedness.
They can die at home, in training exercises. Or they can die abroad, spreading the message of freedom and democracy, not only teaching others about Americans and America but at the same time being exposed to other cultures, learning about the world.
While you are quibbling and nit-picking about how many military died in combat and how many died in other ways, you are completely overlooking the fact that any proud warrior for this nation would prefer to die in the pursuit of freedom for a once-oppressed people than in a firing range accident on base at home.
I thank each and every one of you who has served, who is serving, who has family members in service. We owe all of you a debt we can never repay, and we ALL owe you respect and admiration for your sacrifices.
69. Kahn | February 10th, 2008 at 1:49 am
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,330197,00.html
Toledo Mayor refuses to let Marines (just as San Francisco has previously) do urban training that could save their lives. This isn’t a joke liberals. This is you trying to help get Marines killed. F.Y.
So much for the pretense of supporting the troops.
70. Marty13 | February 10th, 2008 at 8:12 am
Neoclown, what a GREAT post! We share many commonalities. Like you, I too joined the military in the 70’s. I did boot at Ft. Knox and trained at Forts Bragg, Gordon, Benning, Campbell and a couple of others. Much of my career was spent TDY so I never developed many attachments.
From my time spent, I learned that anyone wearing a decoration is worthy of my respect. Be it the newest shave tail recruit proudly displaying his Marksmen badge or long retired NCO wearing his Bronze Star from some forgotten engagement, they’ve earned it!!!
To read Almiranta’s rants agains’t Kerry and his multiple Purple Hearts, makes me ill. Hate the man’s politics, hate the man personally…..fine, that’s your right. You do not have the right though to denigrate an award he was deemed worthy of because he VOLUNTEERED to place himself in harms way.
Almiranta, your guy spent his time in a Texas O club telling lies and sucking down Southern Comfort. How do you reconcile this and do you realize that by demeaning Kerry you infer that medals for valor, wounds, service are in fact cheap and easy to obtain.
71. Kahn | February 10th, 2008 at 9:41 am
Marty, he has admitted the story Almiranta wrote. And he STILL hasn’t released his records. STILL.
But now we’re tit for tat and not discussing the real issue. That Liberals hate the curerent military and are willing to even undercut recruiting AND TRAINING to see them die.
Stop pretending to support the troops.
72. Magnum Serpentine | February 10th, 2008 at 11:19 am
Deleted - off topic, and in a really weird way.
73. Marty13 | February 10th, 2008 at 12:12 pm
Stop pretending to support the troops.
Kahn, you got me!! All that time spent in mother green and only you have discovered the truth. I’m a hater of all things military.
Seriously, your MOS had to have been counter-intel.
Regarding Kerry, he admitted to falsifying his Siver Star commendations? faking his wounds? No kidding. How’d the liberal media miss that bombshell.
Not for nothing, do you think your guy could get something for that time he got so loaded he fell off his bar stool. Detox has gotta be worth the same as time spent in injun country. Don’t you think?
74. eric | February 10th, 2008 at 12:55 pm
Marty (in response to your post #49),
Maybe, not my best, but I tried. Actually, it was inappropriate to call you a dumbass and I apologize. No snark, just an actual apology.
The Marine recruiting office is recruiting locally, so yes Berkeley does not like some of its own people. Also, the Marine recruiter probably lives locally, so, again, Berkeley does not like some its own people. And I doubt the Code Pinkos differentiate their hatred of men in uniforms.
I can truly respect Code Pink’s right to protest, but harassing the recruiter, defacing his office, and chaining themselves to the office doors and blocking potential recruits is pretty despicable. And for the City to not only condone those actions, but sanction them, they will have to deal with the consequences.
75. eric | February 10th, 2008 at 12:58 pm
Marty,
I tried actually posting my apology yesterday, but it got hung up in moderation due to some links that I had in the post showing pictures of the Code Pinkos harassing (not protesting) the recruitment office. If you get a chance, check out zombietime.com for some really good pics of the protesters and other left-wing kooks.
76. Marty13 | February 10th, 2008 at 1:12 pm
Eric, thank you..your apolgy is absolutely and gratefully accepted. I will check out Code Pink’s antics. I personally find them wayyyy over the top. Their especially annoying during Congressional hearings of import. Invariably they disrupt investigations and I’ve often thought their actions have done considerably more harm than good. Thanks again and I will check out zombietime.com.
77. Brett Michaels | February 10th, 2008 at 1:13 pm
Kahn | February 9th, 2008 at 6:14 pm
The people of UC Berkeley and the people of the City of Berkeley are the same people. Get it? Money to the University gets spent in the City paying salaries or buys goods and services. They are intertwined. Is this so difficult?
No it’s not difficult.
So what you are saying is that every single person working at UC-Berkley lives within Berkley city limits?
No UC-Berkley employees live in Walnut Creek? Richmond? Kensington?
You live in Virginia correct? So every time your local municipality does something bonehead, that means you are also boneheaded. You are both intertwined.
Right?
Just because a city council does something idiotic does not mean that every single constituent is idiot.
I seem to remember Charlottesville, VA passing a resolution opposing the occupation of Iraq. Since the city passed the resolution…why didnt you ask your congressman to withhold earmarks to to Univ of Va.?
So in your eyes, you want to affect the lively hood of a hard working American because some city council is full of idiots.
You and I both know that if funds are cut off to a city or university, the people that will lose their jobs are not the elites that passed the silly resolutions…no the people that will lose their jobs are the janitors, the garbage men, the firemen, etc.
The way you lump people together just doesnt make sense to me. Every single city in this great country holds a cross section of people with various political beliefs, economic status, ethic backgrounds.
I know what you are going to say..the people of Berkley voted the council members in..so they are responsible for the members actions…
Did you vote for Tim Kaine? Should you be held responsible for every bone headed thing he does?
Not everything is black and white Kahn.
This bill is nothing but political grandstanding. If these politicians genuinely cared about our military..they would introduce a resolution removing ALL earmarks and direct those earmarks towards Vet health and benefits.
78. eric | February 10th, 2008 at 1:25 pm
Marty,
Thanks for understanding. I sometimes have a problem shooting my mouth (or in this case, my fingers) without thinking. I spent too many years working with foul-mouthed construction workers. It is probably best that I never actually enlisted or attended the Academy. The last time I went to the recruiter, they wanted to put me in the JAG office because of my law degree. I didn’t want to join to be a military attorney. After all, I am just a patent geek.
79. Brett Michaels | February 10th, 2008 at 1:27 pm
Kahn | February 9th, 2008 at 6:14 pm
“My problem is that your point of view is based on monumental ignorance.”
Bro you need to seriously chill. You do not know me. You know nothing of my viewpoints with the exception of the very few times I posted on here.
I’ve never called you a name, I’ve never called you stupid and I have never insulted you. I have treated you with respect.
Please return the favor. This is just a blog and all we are doing is debating an issue.
80. Kahn | February 10th, 2008 at 1:30 pm
Um, I think if you check mine or Almiranta’s posts the Silver Stars were not mentioned. But why confuse your prejudice. See - you just added a non-existent fact into the discussion. That’s called lying. But yes. He admitted the story about the tiny sliver in his finger was true. You didn’t know that? Really?
How about in his book where he says he remembers going to Cambodia under Nixon? A full year before Nixon was president and his own boat records show he never left South Viet Nam? How about him throwing those medals (you know, the ones he now claims) over the fence at a protest on Capital Hill? Later he confirmed this on national TV? NOW he says they were someone else’s. Ever seen an interview from the “someone else”?
MEANWHILE:
Cambridge MA - No to Scouts wanting to collect soap and sundries for the Troops
San Francisco CA- No to Marine urban warfare training
Oakland CA- US troops denied permission to deplane after a long flight
San Francisco CA- No to Marine silent drill team filming for a commercial
Berkeley CA- City sponsored harassment of US Marines
Toledo OH- No to Marine urban warfare training
Now, I know that hardly ANY Democrats have served in the military in the last several years. But you DO understand that we are fighting in URBAN areas, right? You DO understand that we need URBAN areas to practice in, right? You DO realize that banishing the Marines to the desert means they don’t get this training, right?
You do realize that you are preventing Marines from getting training that could save their lives, right?
So please with your enormous liberal brains, explain to me how that is supporting them?
This is not to mention the constant attempts to cut their funding. The continued insults hurled at them by Democrats and Democrat political leaders. And downright slander and libel against them by the same people.
AGAIN, that supports them how?
This link sums you up. And it’s from YOUR crowd, not ours.
http://dc.indymedia.org/newswire/display/139812/index.php
81. eric | February 10th, 2008 at 1:44 pm
Kahn,
Don’t forget the actions in Olympia, Washington:
http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Content?oid=439162
The protestors actually poured concrete on the rail tracks leading to/from the port. Again, to our liberal friends, how is this supporting our troops?
82. Tractatus | February 10th, 2008 at 2:06 pm
Pain, do yourself a favor and pick up the book called “Liberal Fascism”—-and read it—before you give any more condescending lectures, even cut-and-paste ones—on the topic.
Oh man, this is freaking hilarious. And you probably don’t even know why, do you, Almiranta?
83. Marty13 | February 10th, 2008 at 2:14 pm
Kahn, you really are an angry individual….you’re right, Silver Stars (note the plural) were not mentioned. I just brought them up to again highlight the fact that you are running down a man who holds this country’s third highest military decoration. Like him or not (I personally find Kerry to be a bit too patrician) he still volunteered, saw the elephant and earned the right to wear multiple decorations for valor.
Kahn, just curious…..someone with your insights must sport quite an impressive military record. Have you ever directed your anger at an enemy of this country or are you just a blogosphere warrior? My sense is you are the latter….for vets don’t run down other vets, regardless of political affiliation.
84. FmrMarine | February 10th, 2008 at 3:20 pm
mary13-69
Sure we do!
Just because one “served” does not mean a “vet” cannot be a
- LIAR, TRAITOR, THIEF, murderer etc.
kerry fits most of the above , murtha the same.
If your convoluted imagery of the military were true there would be no courts marshals, as it would be impossible to accuse another “vet” of wrong doing.
So youre little game to shame one into silence has proven you to be a moron.
85. Kahn | February 10th, 2008 at 4:51 pm
Marty,First off, I didn’t really want into that conversation, but needed to point out that you were lying. Since you insist on sticking with it - HE ADMITTED the purple heart story. HE admitted it. It is also impossible for him to have been in Cambodia under Nixon as he claimed. AND, his testimony on atrocities in Viet Nam was almost 100% pure fabrication (thats a nice word for lies). OK?
But the rest of the crap you liberals have pulled is OK and Kerry is all we should care about?
You ARE defending the above acts - aren’t you?
Oh, better check my ribbons and see if I imagined them. Oh yah, the MCEM, thats what you’re talking about, right?
F%CK YOU LIBERAL ANTI-MILITARY WACKOS. Speak louder! Scream your hatred from the hilltops! Keep trying to deny the Marines and soldiers training places and recruits. Keep slandering them and libeling them here and overseas. We see who you are. What you are. But we need those undecided voters to see it also.
Oh and Marty, no matter what your history - if you’re OK with these actions then you are anti-military. Now, I’m not calling you a traitor and I’m just illustrating with this example. But outside George Washington, probably the greatest hero of the revolution was General Benedict Arnold. Past actions and history don’t count for much if you’re hurting the troops NOW.
86. Kahn | February 10th, 2008 at 5:15 pm
MEANWHILE:
Actions against the military:
Cambridge MA - No to Scouts wanting to collect soap and sundries for the Troops
San Francisco CA- No to Marine urban warfare training
Oakland CA- US troops denied permission to deplane after a long flight
San Francisco CA- No to Marine silent drill team filming for a commercial
Berkeley CA- City sponsored harassment of US Marines
Toledo OH- No to Marine urban warfare training
Rockville MD- Vandalism attack on Air Force Recruiting station
Olympia WA- Sabotaging rail lines leading to United States military facilities
Famous Quotes:
Congressman David Obey: Iraq violence is down because everyone is dead
Compiled from several sources, hat tip to Powerline
Harry Reid (on “the surge”):
Now I believe, myself, that the secretary of state, the secretary of defense and you have to make your own decision as to what the president knows: that this war is lost, that the surge is not accomplishing anything.
Dick Durbin (on Guantanamo):
If I read this to you and did not tell you that it was an FBI agent describing what Americans had done to prisoners in their control, you would most certainly believe this must have been done by Nazis, Soviets in their gulags, or some mad regime — Pol Pot or others — that had no concern for human beings. Sadly, that is not the case. This was the action of Americans in the treatment of their prisoners.
Hillary Clinton (to General Petraeus):
[T]oday you are testifying about the current status of our policy in Iraq and the prospects of that policy. It is a policy that you have been ordered to implement by the president. And you have been made the de facto spokesmen for what many of us believe to be a failed policy.
Despite what I view as your rather extraordinary efforts in your testimony both yesterday and today, I think that the reports that you provide to us really require the willing suspension of disbelief.
John Kerry:
Education — if you make the most of it and you study hard and you do your homework, and you make an effort to be smart, you can do well. If you don’t, you get stuck in Iraq.
John Kerry:
And there is no reason, Bob, that young American soldiers need to be going into the homes of Iraqis in the dead of night, terrorizing kids and children, you know, women, breaking sort of the customs of the — of — the historical customs, religious customs.
Charles Schumer (on “the surge”):
[L]et me be clear, the violence in Anbar has gone down despite the surge, not because of the surge. The inability of American soldiers to protect these tribes from al Qaeda said to these tribes we have to fight al Qaeda ourselves. It wasn’t that the surge brought peace here. It was that the warlords took peace here, created a temporary peace here.
Charles Rangel:
If there’s anyone who believes that these youngsters want to fight, as the Pentagon and some generals have said, you can just forget about it. No young, bright individual wants to fight just because of a bonus and just because of educational benefits. And most all of them come from communities of very, very high unemployment. If a young fellow has an option of having a decent career or joining the Army to fight in Iraq, you can bet your life that he would not be in Iraq.
John Murtha (on Haditha):
It’s much worse than reported in Time magazine. There was no fire fight. There was no IED that killed these innocent people. Our troops overreacted because of the pressure on them and they killed innocent civilians in cold blood. And that’s what the report is going to tell.
Edward Kennedy:
Shamefully, we now learn that Saddam’s torture chambers reopened under new management: U.S. management.
Barack Obama (on Afghanistan):
We’ve got to get the job done there and that requires us to have enough troops so that we’re not just air-raiding villages and killing civilians, which is causing enormous pressure over there.
87. eric | February 10th, 2008 at 5:46 pm
More “support” from Pelosi, today:
Anchor Wolf Blitzer asked: “Are you not worried, though, that all the gains that have been achieved over the past year might be lost?”
“There haven’t been gains, Wolf,” the speaker replied. “The gains have not produced the desired effect, which is the reconciliation of Iraq. This is a failure. This is a failure. The troops have succeeded, God bless them. We owe them the greatest debt of gratitude for their sacrifice, their patriotism, and for their courage and to their families as well.
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0208/8422.html
88. Marty13 | February 10th, 2008 at 6:06 pm
“mary13-69″
FM, that was clever….remove the t from Marty and you get Mary. 69 that’s for the sexual act? OK I get it! I’m dealing with a wit and clearly a superior intellect. I’ll proceed cautiously.
Sure we do!
Just because one “served” does not mean a “vet” cannot be a
- LIAR, TRAITOR, THIEF, murderer etc.
Of course not. Many I knew were highly deficient in many ways. Hell I bet you it’s plausible that someone who served could be all of the above and maybe even become CiC.
kerry fits most of the above , murtha the same.
Com’on FM….isn’t your biggest beef with these guys the “D” after their names. Also, if memory serves, Murtha separated as a light bird colonel. If the officer corps does one thing right, it would be that it does separate the wheat from the chafe. To get to colonel, he had to be doing something right. Wouldn’t you agree or was he able to fool whatever promotion boards he came across.
“If your convoluted imagery of the military were true there would be no courts marshals,..”
Courts Marshals? Are they those guys who announce “all rise” when the judge enters the room. Just kidding, knowing how much you like a good jest. I think you mean court martial. Did you sleep through UCMJ class. Regarding my convoluted imagery, whatever my memories of the military, I earned them and they’re neither cynical or negative.
“as it would be impossible to accuse another “vet” of wrong doing.”
See above response. What I find reprehensible are individuals like yourself who belittle a man’s combat record. Hate the man, fine. Hate his politics…but allow me to point those you admire were never even REMF’s.
“So you’re little game to shame one into silence has proven you to be a moron.”
Clearly my little game has not worked for your anything but silent. Moron? Does this mean I’ll have to edit my resume?
89. Kahn | February 10th, 2008 at 7:16 pm
Marty, um No. We condemn these people for their derisive actions. I’ve actually argued this with Kerry some years ago - before his senate days.
You are still stuc on this? You won’t join us in battling Berkeley and these other actions?
Why?
90. John | February 11th, 2008 at 10:18 am
Berkeley sure had a bone-headed idea, but watch out for the indignant senators trying to garner some publicity for themselves. Do they REALLY support the troops? Votesmart’s last rating on senators is for 2006:
Disabled American Veterans: Cornyn and DeMint each get a rating of 60%.
Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America: Cornyn got a D-, DeMint got an F.
Retired Enlisted Association: Cornyn got a rating of 6%. DeMint got a rating of 18%.
Talk is cheap. Senators who don’t actually vote for veterans won’t get my support.
91. eric | February 12th, 2008 at 9:29 am
Video of Code Pink’s “protest”
http://www.bayareanewsgroup.com/multimedia/iba/2008/player/?f=0131_codepink
92. Ray Blevins | February 16th, 2008 at 9:01 am
Regardless of the outcome of the Semper Fi act, I always want our BEST at the battlefront and that includes Berkeley!! Thanks to all our military for their service and to them and their families for their many sacrifices on our behalf. Please go here to hear a message of my thanks.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1koMIUS6nc4
God Bless
93. Stephen | February 19th, 2008 at 8:26 pm
Two points: 1. The menu of Chez Panisse restaurant has nothing to do with the school lunch program in Berkeley. It is highly misleading, albeit entertaining, to cite some exotic items from this restaurant’s menu when referring to the Berkeley school lunch program. 2. The University of California is a state institution and is a separate entity from the city of Berkeley. It has an ROTC program; does not oppose military recruiting; and its chancellor protested the city council action against the Marine recruiting center. Yet the largest cut in this act would be nearly $1 million to the university Robert Matsui center. It makes no sense to punish the university for the actions of a city council over which it has no control.
94. michael kelly | February 27th, 2008 at 9:11 pm
did David Vitter call a prostitute after he introduced the Semper Fi act? Did James Inhofe blame the weather channel of falsifying data for the sake of ratings concerning global warming after introducing the Semper FI act?
95. Tina | March 10th, 2008 at 11:21 pm
Kahn, do you really think liberals hate boy scouts? Why make a statement like this: “Remember, the City Council in Cambridge Mass recently forbade Boy Scouts (another group liberals hate)…” I don’t understand statements like that. For one thing, I know it is not true. Secondly, I’m not sure how it furthers your point. My dad, who is a veteran, retired union member, lifelong liberal Democrat, incredibly hard-working and staunchly against the war in Iraq, was a Scoutmaster and Assistant Scoutmaster (and coached Little League and taught gun safety for the NRA); my mom, who stayed home, served as assistant Cub Scout leader and Girl Scout Leader, provided shelter for battered women and volunteered for Meals on Wheels; my brother was a Boy Scout, his son is an Eagle Scout; I was a Girl Scout for many years. I live in the SF Bay Area, I’m progressive and leftist and I don’t hate the Boy Scouts.
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