Semper Fi
It must be the water. That's the only explanation from some of the crazy goings on in California. The latest was the attempt by the Berkeley City Council to boot the Marine Corps Recruiting Station and permit the outright harassment of Marines in the San Francisco Bay city. Guess they were looking for a fight.
Which, in fact, they got. Veterans groups and even congressmen came to the defense of the Marines, causing Berkeley to back down. First, some background.
Everybody knows Berkeley's quite a liberal city. It's home to the University of California and its residents and public officials pride themselves on being politically correct in the liberal sense of the word. America needs people like that in these dark and perilous times.
However, Marines have just as much right to exist as do anti-war commie pinkoes in this country. That's the way it works. The Hound knows a few jarheads and when the Chicoms are at the gates, you'll want them on at least one of your flanks. Trust me.
But they don't want them in Berkely. First, the City Council voted Jan. 29 to tell the Marines their downtown recruiting station was unwelcome. Then, they voted to give anti-war groups the right to harass the Marines, even giving protesters a parking space in front of the recruiting station. In fact, the proclamation called the Marines "unwelcome intruders."
Hmm, unwelcome intruders are like mice in the house, right? Or maybe a skunk or two.
Late last month, the City Council reversed itself after being bombarded by veterans and veterans groups, and after some members of Congress started talking about withholding federal funds. Still, they continued to advise the Marines they're not welcome in Berkeley, although council members say they respect and support members of the armed forces.
If you're planning your next vacation out West, do The Hound a favor. Avoid Berkeley. Stay in Palo Alto or Oakland instead. Semper Fi.
