The Military vs. Berkeley

... and when all is said and done, we're all like ants fighting over a molehill on the sinking titanic. How incredibly shortsided. The left has valid points as does the right. But in the end, we're missing the point. Our planet is either about to hit the iceberg, or has already hit the iceberg, and the inevitable biblical-scale changes will happen, no matter what you believe. I wish it wasn't so. I want a green earth for my grandkids. How long can this planet sustain our current means of doing business? Is our generation's comfort and convenience take away future generations' access to the same? My opinion is: more so than not. Let's stop, take ourselves out of our roles, our identities, for just a minute, to think about something greater than all of us.

Somebody wrote in a newspaper I was reading that without a recruiting station, the military has no recruits. Without recruits, there is no military. In the event that our country's independence is truly threatened, who will protect us? The hippies that are protesting in Berkeley? People seem to have forgotten that this country was built because of war. They have the right to protest against war because of the war that was fought so many years ago. I agree with RoscoP; why don't you protesters go over to Iraq and preach your message of peace? And when you're captured, because you will be, do you think your hippie friends will save you?

Simply sickening. We didn't ask to be sent to Iraq. We were ordered to and while there, were going to do what we are trained to do. Marines are not an occupying force, we are an amphibious fighting force. The government has misused us from day one. We are not trained to hand out food or supply towns with water, or entertain the little kids, that's the Army's job. Marines are groomed for combat especailly us grunts. After we took Fallujah, all the Marines should have come home. So yes there is a misuse of assets occuring but thats besides the point.

For all you tree huggers out there that sit here and complain and moan about something you know nothing about, go out there and make a difference in this whole mess. Go over to Iraq and preach your message of peace since you hate America so much. For your sake I hope you just get beheaded quickly because that's far less painful than the torture you would endure. And when your captured, I'm sure you'll be praying for the US Marines to come save you...Semper Fi

If you can read, thank a teacher. If you can read in English, thank a Veteran!!!

"We support troops who don't give in, who refuse to fight in an immoral war." Kids rode by on bicycles, while aging hippies strummed guitars

Sediments from the new Hanoi Jane.

???have a chance to debate the military recruiters on campuses or in cities. Because I don't think that our young people are hearing enough about Iraq before they get caught up in it. ???

At least this person has one thing correct, young people are not hearing enough about the war. I have two sons that have served in both Afganistan and Iraq. They were the some of the troops going door to door looking for the enenmy hiding behind women and children.

The left control media slat everything to provide these 60???s rejects planned and calculated releases about what is going on. When the surge proved effective they media didn???t want to show success but dwelled on things that happened 2 years prior. Can they think people are not intelligent enough to see through this attempt to spread lies.

???IN THIS WORLD OF GIVE AND TAKE, THERE AREN???T ENOUGH WILLING TO GIVE WHAT IT TAKES??? Lt C. Mcleary Viet NamVet .

If these self righteous, self promoting unpatritioric had made a similar statement I might be more open to what they say they are doing but again you have a VOCAL MINORITY trying to impose their will on the majority.

Comment: I am a six year Marine Corps Veteran and former officer from the Korean war era. I have been totally against George Bushs war in iraq since the very beginning, but a strong military in place to defend this country is an absolute necessity. We cannot tar our patriotic servicemen with the Bush brush, but need to support and respect them for their patriotism and loyalty to this country. They are fighting with obsolete and worn out equipment and flying airplanes that are thirty five years old. One day when you have finally destroyed our military and we are under the rule of another country you will probably regret this foolishness in Berkeley and wish there were a couple of divisions of hard fighting Marines to take our country back. I am against this war, but SHAME ON YOU BERKELEY, we all despise you!

Comment: I am a six year Marine Corps Veteran and former officer from the Korean war era. I have been totally against George Bushs war in iraq since the very beginning, but a strong military in place to defend this country is an absolute necessity. We cannot tar our patriotic servicemen with the Bush brush, but need to support and respect them for their patriotism and loyalty to this country. They are fighting with obsolete and worn out equipment and flying airplanes that are thirty five years old. One day when you have finally destroyed our military and we are under the rule of another country you will probably regret this foolishness in Berkeley and wish there were a couple of divisions of hard fighting Marines to take our country back. I am against this war, but SHAME ON YOU BERKELEY, we all despise you!

These protests are disgusting and incredibly un-American, anti-freedom, and cowardly. This is a result of the growing phenomenon of overprotective, helicopter parenting that is creating spoiled, bratty children with this sense of entitlement. Well, life is unfair, life is hard, and not everyone is given the opportunities these students at Berkeley and other "elite" institutions have.

The men and women of the armed services have every right to recruit in America, in the same way that elite institutions have every right to recruit America's brightest students. Unlike these institutions, the military provides great opportunities for people who don't come from privileged backgrounds.

I am happy that I was rejected from Berkeley and I look forward to the day when these protesting students graduate and realize they can't find jobs. Maybe they'll think about enlisting.

I think the city council was thoughtless in their decision about marine recruting. They certainally have the right to voice their opinion opposing.the war, however, they do not have the right to block the marine recruiting center. I bet soon they will have to eat crow. BS

when the big earthquake hits berkeley, they will be the first ones to want the natl guard and troops to help find bodies, and keep order , food water, etc i cant wait

I was drafted in 1966. I can assure you it was nothing to be tickled about.

It's not necessarily bull to say that someone doesn't hate a soldier, they hate a war. I have several friends currently serving in Iraq and Afghanistan, I have one who is now home after a slew of life threatening injuries and one who is currently in heaven enjoying the rewards he so greatly deserves. I love all of them, dearly, and am proud of their accomplishments, their sacrifices and their decision to stand up and serve the country as they see fit. But I also feel that by making my voice heard and asking that those who remain there be brought home is my duty as an American. I do not necessarily agree with the actions of many of these people in Berkeley by saying the Marines are unwelcome, though, because obviously they are not living up to the belief they are touting, and I understand why you would then comment that this is "bull." But please do not spread the actions and beliefs of a few to the many, for that is yet another reason all these men and women give up our lives, so that we can each have our own varied and different beliefs and opinions.

But you definitely are right, a few hand-shakings and sincere thanks are in order for those who merely trying to do what they believe is right, even if those in power have manipulated their good intentions.

since they think love and flowers can take the place of armed conflick, why don't they go and see if they can get terrorists to stop killing innocent people, also I suggest that the National Guard and or military branch refuse to help them if they ever need it, who do these (smart- intelligent?) people think gained them the freedom to protest and act like dummies?

As a soldier currently surving in the Army I would like to say one thing. It makes me sad when I have to come home to a country that I love and a people that I defend to find that my country men have no clue what is really going on. To say "we dont hate a soldier we just hate the war" is total Bull. Remember when you yell at thoes Marines that you wouldnt have that freedom to stand there and yell if it wasnt for them. How dare the city proclaim any soldier as an unwelecome guest that just makes me sick. It goes along way to show how corrupt and degraded our morals are as a country and truly makes me wonder if its even worth protecting.
AND TRUST ME THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO WANT TO KILL YOU BECAUSE YOU ARE AMERICAN AND IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH BUSH!!! NEXT TIME U SEE A SOLDIER BUCK UP SHAKE THEIR HAND AND BE THANKFUL SOMEONE ELSE IS WILLING TO DIE SO U DONT HAVE TO.....*** ARE U WORTH IT! WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO SERVE YOUR COUNRTY TODAY? I GUESS BUDDY'S JUST HALF A WORD

Our troops don't decide who and where they will fight. As a veteran I can tell you that they love our country and feel they are defending it. If we have anyone to get angry at it is the Bush admininstration. I chose to not re-enlist but if I were still in I would go to Iraq or Afghanistan. Almost all military members will tell you the same thing- we signed up so we will do what we are told. Maybe we as citizens can do a better job of who we decide to put in charge of our troops this election. That being said, give the troops our support. They are paying the ultimate sacrifice for all of us here at home including those who slander them in Berkely.