No Pink

I’ve been pretty open about the fact that I do not support the war my country is involved in. I thought it was a bad idea since day one. I do support our troops though. The men and women that have enlisted did so because they believe (believed) it was the right thing to do. Protest the politicians but don’t protest the soldiers.

Why do I bring this up? Because I read about Code Pink on CNN. Bay Area Code Pink is a group of women in the San Francisco Bay area that are against the war. Specifically they are in Berkeley California and they want the Marines out of Berkeley. Don’t take my word for it, just read what they say on their website and then read my thoughts below the quote.

No Military Predators in Our Town Campaign

CodePINK found out last September ‘07 that Marine Recruiters had invaded our peace-loving, anti-war town of Berkeley and set up an officer recruiting station targeting youth from U.C. Berkeley, Berkeley City College, and other colleges in the Bay Area. We have been holding “How Berkeley Can U BE” (see the Calendar) daily and weekly events and actions in front of the M.R.S.* (Marine Recruiting Station) to halt business as usual at the station.

We have formed a coalition that is adding another vital dimension to our campaign to SHUT DOWN recruiting in our town: a Military Recruiting Zoning Ordinance Initiative to further regulate military recruiting in Berkeley.

Our coalition is holding a Press Conference and Rally on Wednesday, January 30th, 10:00a.m. in front of the M.R.S. to launch this campaign. We will explain the Initiative in detail and we will begin to get the 5000 signatures necessary to put this Initiative on the November ballot.

The Press Conference and Rally will be followed by a Debate, noon to 1:00p.m., between Medea Benjamin, CodePINK, and Melanie Morgan, KFSO right-wing talk show host.

We need YOUR help with THREE things! Please let us know if you are willing to
1) endorse this action,
2) spread the word to your lists, and
3) if you can commit 5 folks (more if you can, less if you can’t) from your organization to being there.

Also, if you want to speak or perform during the rally, please email Zanne at info (at) bayareacodepink (dot) org or call 510-524-2776.

Together we WILL SHUT DOWN military recruiting in our town!

Predators? Invaded? I don’t think so. During the Vietnam war Berkeley was a hot spot for the anti-war movement. This is a different time and things have changed. During Vietnam young men were drafted into military service and shipped off to war. Today nobody is drafted and people have to volunteer to join the military. These people volunteering know that they have a very good chance, especially in the Marines, of going to war.

I don’t believe “military predators” have “invaded” Berkeley in an attempt to “target youth.” I think what has happened is that government has done it’s job in attempting to recruit new soldiers and some anti-war people are focusing their anger on the wrong targets.

Sadly this situation is worse that it first seems. Read the following quote from the CNN article.

The battle erupted after the Berkeley City Council approved a measure last week urging the Marine recruiters to leave their downtown office.

“If recruiters choose to stay, they do so as uninvited and unwelcome intruders,” the item says.

It goes on to say the council applauds residents and organizations that “volunteer to impede, passively or actively, by nonviolent means, the work of any military recruiting office located in the City of Berkeley.”

The city council has declared the military recruiters as “unwelcome intruders” and is encouraging people to interrupt the work of the recruiters by any non-violent means?! Excuse my language but What The Fuck?! How can the city allow this to happen? How can the city do this? If the police department tries recruiting can we setup a coalition to stop them? “Down with the fuzz. They kill our buzz!“

At least some members of the government have taken exception to this. It’s a Republican lead idea but one I’ll support. The following quote comes from the same CNN article.

In Washington, a group of Republican lawmakers have introduced the Semper Fi Act of 2008 — named after the Marine motto — to rescind more than $2 million of funds for Berkeley and transfer it to the Marine Corps.

“Like most Americans, I really get disturbed when taxpayer money goes to institutions which proceed to take votes, make policy or make statements that really denigrate the military,” said Sen. David Vitter, R-Louisiana, a co-sponsor of the bill.

Great! If the city of Berkeley doesn’t want a government office in it’s town then I say they shouldn’t have government money in their town either.

Let’s take one more look at this. The protesters have Freedom of Speech. They can stand up and say whatever they wish to say. More power to them. I’ve been quite clear on the fact that I LOVE the First Amendment and believe people should use it on a daily basis. Considering my support of the First Amendment allow me to use it myself.

Dear CodePINK and the Berkeley City Council,
While I understand why you are against the war, and I do support that, I believe that the way you have treated the military recruiters in your town is border line treason.

In response to your statements and mission I say: Fuck you! If you don’t believe in a recruiting system for the military then you are more than welcome to move to a country that still uses the draft. You may even want to consider going to the places our troops have been deployed and protesting there. If Angelina Jolie can get into Iraq to present her point of view I’m sure you can too. Just don’t go running to the troops looking for help if you happen to be attacked or find yourself in a hostile situation.

Thank you for your time and consideration.
Tony M.