WhatFinger


Code Pink and the Marines of Berkeley

Code Pink lays bare soft underbelly for easiest attack for those who mean America harm



Question on the day after Berkeley Police stood by and watched “Peace Freaks” attack Patriots in Hotel California: If Code Pink can take over Berkeley why can’t Al Qaeda? “Berkeley erupted in violence Tuesday morning when the Communist, terrorist-supporting anti-war group crossed into Martin Luther King Park and assaulted pro-troop individuals. (www.MichelleMalkin.com). “Riot police stood by, but did not stop the assaults. Police agencies did not respond to calls for help.” Code Pink suspended public safety in an American city if only for a day.

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They must have been whooping it up and dancing over at al Jazeera. What encouraging news to pass on to the Brotherhood. “It’s mayhem on here,” Move America Forward communications director Danny Gonzales said from the park early Tuesday morning. Move America Forward, the nation’s largest pro-troop organization, received permits but not the protection of the City of Berkeley to hold a daylong demonstration in MLK Park against the City Council who passed three outrageous resolutions calling U.S. Marines “unwanted intruders”. Code Pink was ostensibly permitted peaceful assembly across the street. The two sides were to stay separated, according to rules laid down by the city. But the city has a history of giving Code Pink special preference. The City Council gave free parking permits and a free noise permit to the radical group--which has treasonously helped fund terrorist families in Iraq with a $600,000 gift. Howling Code Pink members crossed the street and assaulted pro-troop supporters, many of them war veterans and the parents of troops serving in Iraq. MAF Executive Director Catherine Moy attempted to get help from the Berkeley police as the mayhem unfolded, but an officer hung up on Moy. Moy asked the California Highway Patrol to help in the emergency, but the CHP refused. “I have never in my life experienced such inaction in the face of an emergency,” Moy said. “I will ask the Federal Government to investigate, as well as the State Attorney General. It is one thing to give free parking spaces to the City Council’s special interest anti-war groups, it is another to take sides and endanger the lives of others.” Obviously emboldened by the free rein provided her by the pink tam-wearing Berkeley Mayor Tom Bates, Code Pink spokeswoman Medea Benjamin said: “We’re drawing a line in the sand on Shattuck Avenue and saying the war stops here.” Not one of the presidential candidates commented on the Berkeley situation as it was unfolding. A blogger on Michelle Malkin’s website wrote of her disgust with California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger for “his silence in this entire mess”, writing, “This was his response to an email I sent him:
“Thank you for writing to Governor Schwarzenegger and sharing your concerns regarding the resolution passed by the Berkeley City Council concerning the Marine recruiting Office. Government works best when people like you add their voice to important issues. “Decision-making authority for the matter you describe rests entirely with the Berkeley city Council. The Government values your perspective and encourages you to share your thoughts with them. The Berkeley City Council can be reached at”…
Ironically while members of their special interest group were assaulting some of their own constituents, Berkeley council was voting to write a letter to Canadian officials requesting sanctuary for U.S. War Resisters in the Land of the Maple Leaf. From Councilmember Kriss Worthington: “Recommendation: Send a letter to Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Diana Finley and Liberal Party Leader Stephane Dion requesting that the government of Canada establish provisions to provide sanctuary for U.S. military service members who are living in Canada to resist fighting in the Iraq War.” The most high profile deserters among the 50 entering this country are Jeremy Hinzman and Brandon Hughey, who Canada Free Press Associate Editor Arthur Weinreb says “received their 15 minutes of fame because they were first to base refugee claims on the Iraq war.” “Their objections to military service were based solely on their belief that the war in Iraq was illegal. The Immigration and Refugee Board refused to admit evidence that pertained to the illegality of the war, holding that if military personnel refused to carry out illegal acts, they could raise the subject of that illegality at a U.S. court martial. The Board further found that although the maximum penalty for desertion was death, most deserters were simply given dishonourable discharges. In some cases, short prison terms were handed out. The consequences for desertion were found to be prosecution not persecution. “Both men brought applications for judicial review to Federal Court and both applications were dismissed. Further appeals to the Federal Court of Appeal were likewise unsuccessful and on November 15, 2007, the Supreme Court of Canada refused to hear their appeals. Their judicial proceedings having come to an end, both Hinzman and Hughey were subject to deportation to the United States.” Both men are now at the mercy of the Canadian Parliament who will debate the issue sometime this month. Meanwhile, as of Feb. 12, 2008, everyone—including those who mean America harm—now knows where the soft underbelly for easy attack can be located on the Google Map—Berkeley, California. 


Update: Berkeley City Council moderates anti-Marine position

BERKELEY, California (CNN) -- The Berkeley City Council voted early Wednesday to rescind a previous vote that said Marine recruiters are "not welcome in this city," but held tight to its anti-war stance. Military supporters and anti-war demonstrators began gathering in Berkeley early Tuesday. 1 of 2 more photos » The vote came after more than three hours of animated citizen input and council debate. More than 100 speakers took turns at the podium. Each speaker was given up to a minute to comment. In a 7-to-2 vote, the council said it would no longer send a letter to the local Marine Corps Recruiting Station and Marine Corps Commandant Gen. James Conway saying recruiters aren't welcome in Berkeley. Instead, the city is now simply stating it's opposed to the war and the billions spent on it. However, "we recognize the recruiter's right to locate in our city and the right of others to protest or support their presence," the council said. The council also said it supports and respects the men and women of the armed forces. Ahead of the vote, passions ran high on both sides of the debate as pro-military demonstrators squared off with anti-war protesters. Berkeley police reported four arrests before the meeting began, all misdemeanors. Police said there were minor scuffles between the anti-war and pro-military camps. An American flag was set aflame outside the City Council chambers, damaging a pair of bicycles, police said. Inside, members of the anti-war group Code Pink lined up at the podium to speak. Their salmon-colored signs read, "Berkeley says No to War" and "City Council - We have your back." But others scolded the City Council. "City Council -- shame on you," said one sign, and "Don't surrender to terrorists," read a T-shirt worn by a Vietnam veteran. Debbie Lee, whose son Marc was the first Navy SEAL to die in the Iraq war, demanded an apology from the council. "My son gave up his life for you," Lee told the council as she clutched his framed picture. "I'm appalled at what you did," she said, referring to the council's vote on Marine recruiters. More...

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Judi McLeod -- Bio and Archives -- Judi McLeod, Founder, Owner and Editor of Canada Free Press, is an award-winning journalist with more than 30 years’ experience in the print and online media. A former Toronto Sun columnist, she also worked for the Kingston Whig Standard. Her work has appeared throughout the ‘Net, including on Rush Limbaugh and Fox News.

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