It's war between Code Pink protesters and the pro-troops organization, Move America Forward, after the Berkeley city council declared the Marine Corps to be "unwelcome intruders".
Patriots and Pols shoot back --Michelle Malkin reports on the backlash
DeMint to Berkeley: Support Our Marines or Lose Federal Funds
Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Jim DeMint (R-South Carolina) released the following statement in response to the decision by the City Council of Berkeley, California to evict the U.S. Marine Corps Recruiting Station from the city.
“This is a slap in the face to all brave service men and women and their families. The First Amendment gives the City of Berkeley the right to be idiotic, but from now on they should do it with their own money. If the city can’t show respect for the Marines that have fought, bled and died for their freedom, Berkeley should not be receiving special taxpayer funded handouts. I am currently drafting legislation to ensure that American taxpayers aren’t forced to pay for this insult by rescinding all of the earmarks for Berkeley in the Omnibus Appropriations bill, and to transfer the funds to the Marine Corps.”
UPDATE:
Berkeley City Councilwoman Betty Olds is now 'ASHAMED' of her vote.
The vote to award the Code Pink parking spot was 8-1, and the condemnation resolution was 6-3. On Thursday, the polarized emotions that went into those votes had not abated.
“I’m ashamed of my vote,” said Councilwoman Betty Olds, who helped approve the parking spot but not the condemnation. “The protesters should have free speech - this is where Free Speech was born, after all - but to tell the Marines they are not welcome is shameful. If I had to do it again, I wouldn’t even go for the parking spot.”
The Council has been flooded with thousands of calls from all around the country, and patriots shut-down down the e-mail in angry reponse.
One down, six to go.
"I believe in the Code Pink cause. The Marines don't belong here, they shouldn't have come here, and they should leave," said Berkeley Mayor Tom Bates.