" ... Under the image of a stern serviceman in uniform, the sign in the window of the U.S. Marine Corps recruiting station extols the traits of America's armed forces: "Smart. Tough. Elite."
This famously liberal town recently added its own descriptor: Unwanted.
This famously liberal town recently added its own descriptor: Unwanted.
In a move reminiscent of Berkeley's 1960s antiwar protests, the City Council ignited a national firestorm last month by issuing a strongly worded declaration that blasted military recruiting techniques and labeled the Marine Corps as "uninvited and unwelcome intruders." One council member said U.S. troops were responsible for "horrible karma," and Mayor Tom Bates offered to help the Marines evacuate.
The return fire was swift. Several Republican senators sponsored a bill to reroute $2.3 million in federal funding from Berkeley to the Marines. In the last 10 days, city officials have received 26,000 e-mails, mostly from irate people who called the declaration irresponsible. Several council members have received death threats.
" ... Many critics said that although they were opposed to the war in Iraq, they believed the council had crossed the line, going beyond protesting the nation's foreign policy to demonizing men and women in uniform.
"The e-mails are running 15 to 1 in favor of the Marines," said Councilman Gordon Wozniak, one of the dissenters in the 6-3 vote on the declaration. "They've run the gamut from being very thoughtful to dismissing Berkeley citizens as liberal scum."
In recent days, Berkeley officials have backpedaled and Bates issued a public apology. Tonight, the council will consider a motion to remove the criticism about recruiting and express the community's support for U.S. troops fighting abroad.
Though the council's newest resolution is expected to pass, the city is bracing for a showdown between antiwar activists and pro-military groups who plan to picket at City Hall.
The return fire was swift. Several Republican senators sponsored a bill to reroute $2.3 million in federal funding from Berkeley to the Marines. In the last 10 days, city officials have received 26,000 e-mails, mostly from irate people who called the declaration irresponsible. Several council members have received death threats.
" ... Many critics said that although they were opposed to the war in Iraq, they believed the council had crossed the line, going beyond protesting the nation's foreign policy to demonizing men and women in uniform.
"The e-mails are running 15 to 1 in favor of the Marines," said Councilman Gordon Wozniak, one of the dissenters in the 6-3 vote on the declaration. "They've run the gamut from being very thoughtful to dismissing Berkeley citizens as liberal scum."
In recent days, Berkeley officials have backpedaled and Bates issued a public apology. Tonight, the council will consider a motion to remove the criticism about recruiting and express the community's support for U.S. troops fighting abroad.
Though the council's newest resolution is expected to pass, the city is bracing for a showdown between antiwar activists and pro-military groups who plan to picket at City Hall.
[ ... ]
Berkeley's declaration, introduced before the city's Peace and Justice Commission, accused the United States of repeatedly "launching illegal, immoral and unprovoked wars of aggression" and said "the Bush administration launched the most recent of those wars in Iraq and is threatening the possibility of war in Iran."
"Military recruiters are salespeople known to lie to and seduce minors and young adults into contracting themselves into military service with false promises regarding jobs, job training, education and other benefits," it added.
"Military recruiters are salespeople known to lie to and seduce minors and young adults into contracting themselves into military service with false promises regarding jobs, job training, education and other benefits," it added.
[ ... ]
In retaliation for the declaration, however, seven Republican members of Congress are moving forward with their bill to strip Berkeley of $2.3 million in federal funds earmarked for school lunches, ferry service, local disability organizations and public safety.
In Washington, one of the bill's sponsors, Rep. Ted Poe (R-Texas), fumed on the House floor recently that the city had a " '60s peacenik, hippie mentality that world peace can occur by sitting around smoking dope and banging on the tambourine." ... "
In Washington, one of the bill's sponsors, Rep. Ted Poe (R-Texas), fumed on the House floor recently that the city had a " '60s peacenik, hippie mentality that world peace can occur by sitting around smoking dope and banging on the tambourine." ... "
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