I would like to expand on Vanceone's Diaries here and here.
They discuss Berkeley's city counsel's insane and unprecedented stance against the military. Not against the war... against the military.
As many of you are aware the left tends to be labeled as anti-military. I personally have been accused of being a "poser" in many political chat rooms simply because I am a Soldier who votes Democrat. I think we can at least agree on this point, that fair or unfair, the stereotype is there.
So then the very important question to ask is... why? Why is that stereotype there? From what I see there's a divide among those of us who consider ourselves "Liberal". Quite frankly, there's a large element of self-proclaimed liberals who ARE anti-military. And from what I've seen anytime that issue is addressed it's met with great hostility. Either that or it's completely ignored. Undoubtedly this diary will be met with the same but I feel I cannot remain silent.
To make a distinction: If you speak out against the war, I'm not referring to you. If you complain about our total military spending, I'm not talking to you either. There are MANY specific complaints one might have that I may or may not agree with, but I don't feel fall into the previous category.
Now the Berkeley city counsel voting to "oust" the Marines, calling them unwelcome intruders? That alone is shameful and absurd. What's more they ENCOURAGED activists like Code Pink (specifically naming them) to obstruct college graduates from seeking a career as an officer in the USMC.
Even the Berkeley police refused to remove them from illegally blocking the entrance, claiming they want to "remain neutral".
I have always been a staunch Democrat and remain so to this day. Please God tell me these people do NOT represent my party. Unfortunately, being used as GOP Fodder, quite often they do. And least they're perceived to represent us. And in Vanceone's diaries, see how many Kossaks defend them and uprated comments in support of Berkeley and Code Pink. That shows the divide, the divide that is seldom discussed.
And even though the anti-military element IS a minority, they're just large enough and loud enough to easily be used as GOP fodder.
There's so much more I have to say but I'm off to work in a little bit. So for the purpose of expediency I'm going to close with a copy and paste from my previous post, which covers a couple more things.
I often wish to God my opinions on social and economic issues were more conservative. That way I wouldn't have to deal with slaps in the face from members of my own party. I also wouldn't have to deal with the condescending attitudes and stereotypes placed on me and my fellow Soldiers.
The only bright side is that whack jobs like those on the Berkeley city counsel aren't filling leadership positions on a state and national level.
The IS NO Marines' policy on gays. It's a policy imposed on the military by our civilian leadership. And under the fricking constitution the military is required to obey. The city counsel members are either complete morons for not realizing this, or they're using the gay issue as smoke screen for their anti-military feelings.
It's also completely maddening how some people will do everything in their power to discourage people from joining the military. We DO need a military, do we not? Recruiters recruit for the armed forces, NOT for Iraq. At my last unit, the 82nd Airborne, we sent thousands to help with Katrina. Damn, too bad a bunch of knuckleheads trying to relive the 60's didn't chain themselves to the doors when they joined. And of course members of all branches helped with the fires in LA county, and participate in all sorts of humanitarian missions that don't make the news.
The military isn't good option for just poor people who need help with college. In fact, only a small percentage actually join for college money. There are many reasons why people join, and we come from all walks of life. I have never met a person who joined not knowing there's a war going on, and that war is ugly. I don't need pictures of mutilated bodies to know that if I buy a Ford, I could die in a messy car crash. So please stop insulting my intelligence or that of my fellow troopers, regardless of what branch they serve in.
Closing Plug: VOTE OBAMA!