When this first hit the news and more or less ever since, there are a few key points that, really, just bug the crap out of me.
The fact that the Berkeley CC is beating the Corps over the head with the 'recruiting lies' argument in order to grant some special privileges to Code Pink is pretty flawed from the start. I've had to look completely outside Berkeley media (and dig pretty deep in any other coverage) to find mention of the fact that this is an OFFICER SELECTION OFFICE, which means that you either have a college degree or are well on your way to completing one before you can even get the proverbial foot in the door. Well, that, and apparently bring some bolt cutters, Ben & Jerry's, and chronic to get past the protestors.
I'm pretty certain that the "dumbass 18-year-old" used for argument's sake will not be an issue in the Berkeley OSO. However, since there are many more recruiting stations than OSOs in the country (much like there are many more enlisted than officers in the military), it's a valid debate - if a bit out of place in this thread and grossly overused in Berkeley.
I am upset at the inflammatory language used by the City Council in
their original recommendations. I believe one or two of the Council members, who later came forward in interviews saying they felt the wording was wrong, even before they went home that night. Not so much Mayor Tom Bates, though.
I find it amusing, if predictable, that within a few days of approving their recommendations with but one dissenting vote, members of the Council and the Mayor himself tried to make half-assed apologies for the language they used, and stated more than once that they support the troops, just not the war or our government. Mayor Bates and the Council last week even decided not to send their "Hans Blix Very Angry Letter" to the Commandant, which is a shame.
If you're gonna stand up for something, stand up for it, stick with it, and don't bullshit anybody. Right or wrong, it builds character and generally earns respect from friend and foe alike... but I digress.
My gut feelings, without the nice language: The fact that leadership of any city would enact resolutions KNOWING that they would result in the over-the-top bullshit that Code Pink has pulled - just during this series of events - is mind-boggling. I've long, long since given up the notion that our Federal government doesn't have its own interests and organizations that it's in bed with. But at a local level, I'd really hope that some modicum of objectivity would be present.
Don't even get me started on the prior military service of the Mayor, who claims to "support our troops". Coming from him, after what's happened, is even worse bullshit than hearing it from anyone else in that zip code. It wouldn't surprise me at all to hear that he's bangin' one of the Code Pink chicks, but whatever. He can kiss my ass.
I'm not losing sleep over this, but I am frustrated that actions by an ignorant and noisy group of citizens on one extreme end of the political spectrum (City Council, Code Pink, etc.) will likely be met by further action by the most ignorant and noisy representatives of a different point of view (that dumbass SC Senator, for one).
It's a great way to start your own circus, but it makes rational solutions to the situation very, very unlikely.
I did have some serious questions about the legality of physically blocking the office, chaining yourself to property that isn't yours, and noise ordnances that aren't mentioned (but would probably be enforced in a heartbeat if I drove down that street blasting some Mudvayne or Jay-Z).
But it all subsided, and I sort of shrugged my shoulders thinking "It's fuckin' Berkeley, dude. Whatcha gonna do?"