---- and it's stated plan to oust the Marines....
Berkeley mayor offers to help Marines leave
Berkeley Mayor Tom Bates offered Friday to help the U.S. Marines leave town by negotiating an end to the lease for their recruiting station, even as he backpedaled on a City Council resolution declaring the Corps "uninvited and unwelcome intruders" in the city.
In the face of an onslaught of pro-military criticism from around the country, Bates, a retired Army captain (see note below), also issued a statement that said the City Council's resolution Tuesday night "did not adequately differentiate our respect and support for those serving in the armed forces and our opposition to the Iraq war policy." He said he would ask the council to modify the resolution at its next meeting, scheduled for Feb. 12.
A Marines spokeswoman said Friday that the Corps has no intention of abandoning its space at 64 Shattuck Square that has been the subject of protests for months.
In an interview Friday, Bates said he has received more than 1,000 e-mails on the resolution, mostly from "the right wing that has really seized up on this and mobilized to pound us."
"I spoke with the landlord, who is a very nice friend of mine, and the Marines have a year and a half to go," Bates said. "I'm sure if they wanted we could work it out (so they can leave) without penalty. The situation there has disrupted the whole block."
Bates said he wants the council to rewrite its item to focus on three issues: that Berkeley does not support the Iraq war, free speech is honored in Berkeley, and "given our druthers we would like the Marines to relocate."
"We are against the war in Iraq, and when you put a recruiting station in our midst, people are going to use that symbol as a way to oppose it," Bates said. "If pro-war people want to come here, we'll give them a permit, too."
Gunnery Sgt. Pauline Franklin said the Corps "appreciates" the fact that the City Council is exercising its right to free speech.
"I can't predict the future, but I will tell you at this point there is no reason for us to leave," Franklin said Friday. "We take an oath to defend the Constitution of the United States, and part of the Constitution is the right of free speech, and the fact that they are exercising their rights solidifies our resolve to continue what we are doing." [...]
(Note - When you see a bio with "Retired Army Reserve Captain", that means that he served a total of at least twenty years of active and reserve time --- and in that time achieved the officer rank equivelent of corporal in the enlisted ranks. He served one tough tour of duty in Germany in the '60's and then got out. A warm body with a temperature of 98.6 would be promoted higher than captain in twenty years...... You don't reckon that this patriot has some axe to grind do you? Also note that he is serving as mayor in an office his wife vacated after warming his seat......)
Berkeley mayor offers to help Marines leave
Berkeley Mayor Tom Bates offered Friday to help the U.S. Marines leave town by negotiating an end to the lease for their recruiting station, even as he backpedaled on a City Council resolution declaring the Corps "uninvited and unwelcome intruders" in the city.
In the face of an onslaught of pro-military criticism from around the country, Bates, a retired Army captain (see note below), also issued a statement that said the City Council's resolution Tuesday night "did not adequately differentiate our respect and support for those serving in the armed forces and our opposition to the Iraq war policy." He said he would ask the council to modify the resolution at its next meeting, scheduled for Feb. 12.
A Marines spokeswoman said Friday that the Corps has no intention of abandoning its space at 64 Shattuck Square that has been the subject of protests for months.
In an interview Friday, Bates said he has received more than 1,000 e-mails on the resolution, mostly from "the right wing that has really seized up on this and mobilized to pound us."
"I spoke with the landlord, who is a very nice friend of mine, and the Marines have a year and a half to go," Bates said. "I'm sure if they wanted we could work it out (so they can leave) without penalty. The situation there has disrupted the whole block."
Bates said he wants the council to rewrite its item to focus on three issues: that Berkeley does not support the Iraq war, free speech is honored in Berkeley, and "given our druthers we would like the Marines to relocate."
"We are against the war in Iraq, and when you put a recruiting station in our midst, people are going to use that symbol as a way to oppose it," Bates said. "If pro-war people want to come here, we'll give them a permit, too."
Gunnery Sgt. Pauline Franklin said the Corps "appreciates" the fact that the City Council is exercising its right to free speech.
"I can't predict the future, but I will tell you at this point there is no reason for us to leave," Franklin said Friday. "We take an oath to defend the Constitution of the United States, and part of the Constitution is the right of free speech, and the fact that they are exercising their rights solidifies our resolve to continue what we are doing." [...]
There is hope however Pilgrims -- folks in Berkley (including the good mayor I hope, have signed the following climate pledge --- I reckon they ain't gonna be exhaling near as much in the future and flatulance is on the down scale.......!
Climate Action Pledge
Nearly 1,000 people have taken the Berkeley Climate Action Pledge already! Help us get to 1,500 by emailing us at measureg@ci.berkeley.ca.us or writing a comment below saying that you will take the pledge too!
The Pledge:
I, _______________________, will address the climate crisis by taking responsibility for my greenhouse gas emissions. I pledge to reduce my greenhouse gas emissions by at least 10% within one year and 2% every year after that.
How We'll Help:
We provide resources and ideas to help you reduce your greenhouse gas emissions. Coming soon... a Berkeley carbon calculator so you can tally them up on your own. In the meantime, use our carbon reduction handout and resource list.
Take the pledge today!
No wonder they call the Left Coast the 'Land of Nuts & Flakes'..... how about a comment from one of you sane ones?
Nearly 1,000 people have taken the Berkeley Climate Action Pledge already! Help us get to 1,500 by emailing us at measureg@ci.berkeley.ca.us or writing a comment below saying that you will take the pledge too!
The Pledge:
I, _______________________, will address the climate crisis by taking responsibility for my greenhouse gas emissions. I pledge to reduce my greenhouse gas emissions by at least 10% within one year and 2% every year after that.
How We'll Help:
We provide resources and ideas to help you reduce your greenhouse gas emissions. Coming soon... a Berkeley carbon calculator so you can tally them up on your own. In the meantime, use our carbon reduction handout and resource list.
Take the pledge today!
No wonder they call the Left Coast the 'Land of Nuts & Flakes'..... how about a comment from one of you sane ones?
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