Well they have "re-thunk" their position and it would seem they will not be sending their little letter to the Marine Corps. recruiting office in their fine city. (You can find the background on this circus act, HERE.)
So in a marathon session that lasted into early Wednesday morning:
... the council decided not to send the letter, saying they recognize recruiters' right to be in Berkeley. The council said they still strongly oppose the war and the recruitment of young people into it, but "deeply respect and support" the men and women of the armed forces.
So let's see if I have this straight, if you are already in the military they support you, but if you are in the military and you are fighting a war, they don't support you? If you wish to enlist in the military to support your Country they don't support you? And if the military has recruiting offices they also don't support that? Isn't that akin to saying we support Doctors and Hospitals, but are totally against Medical Schools?
Why the change? Why the 180, and do they really mean it?
Last first, I don't think they mean it, if they did then the proposal tendered by one of the members to issue an apology would have been passed, and the entire thing last night would have lasted minutes, not hours.
Now, why? As in all things political, follow the money. As I've written, so have hundreds if not thousands of others. If that city wishes to hold that line, they are certainly entitled to their view and belief, just so long as they realize that that is a two edged sword. There are millions that believe quite the opposite, and if their fine city wishes to live in that manner, then they should also be willing to live without the tax dollars they receive for their social programs.
This topic has gotten so much attention that both on the State and Federal level there are moves afoot to pull back millions in spending directed toward Berkeley. Even with this latest move, I'd still say they should have a majority of their soft money pulled. I don't think that they are sincere, their move is based solely on trying to not take a hit on their "income".
