Posted on 10/17/2007 2:58:11 PM PDT by SmithL
Berkeley -- Dozens of flag-waving military supporters squared off boisterously with peace activists today in the first major showdown over of a U.S. Marine Corps recruiting station that until recently had been operating below the radar in downtown Berkeley.
Demonstrators led by conservative radio talk-show host Melanie Morgan shouted down members of Code Pink, a group spawned by Bay Area peace activists, as both lined Shattuck Avenue and Addison Street outside the recruiting station, which was closed today.
Shortly before noon, there was a physical confrontation between the two camps, which prompted Berkeley police Sgt. Randy Files to bellow at Code Pink protesters to"move back," forcing them to gather at the opposite side of the street.
"I determined for everyone's safety to separate the two groups," Files said.
There were no arrests, and numerous police officers stood watch, including Berkeley Police Chief Doug Hambleton at one point. "As long as people stay peaceful, we're as happy as we can be," Hambleton said.
The two sides shouted at each other and at times yelled the same slogans, including "Support the troops."
"USA," one group chanted. "Out of Iraq," responded the others, who said they were angry that the station, which relocated from Alameda, is in close proximity to Berkeley High School, UC Berkeley and Berkeley City College.
Some demonstrators squared off individually.
"None of us is pro-war! I'm pro-defense," Kevin Graves, 50, of Discovery Bay shouted at one protester.
Graves, whose son Army Spc. Joseph Graves was killed in Baghdad in July 2006, continued, "My son died so you and I can stand here and disagree."
In an interview, Graves said, "I think they're misguided," referring to Code Pink.
But David Santos, 15, of Oakland, said the conservative element was on the wrong side of the issue.
(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
WOO HOO! You go, Melanie.
The Code Pink co-founder is named Medea? That is hilarious! What a self-fulfilling prophecy!
“But David Santos, 15, of Oakland, said the conservative element was on the wrong side of the issue.”
The commies trained this one real well...
15? And knows all of life’s solutions! I’m sure.
Gotta get me one of them t-shirts
“I determined for everyone’s safety to separate the two groups,” Files said.
This means, “for the safety of the Code Pink traitors”
Oh! Well, in that case...
Exactly...but it’s exactly the intelligence of a “not so bright” 15 year old that is representative of the Code Pinko group!
We need a good shot of those t-shirts, or that logo in jpg format...
Not just yes but HELL YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Damn I believe that conservative women are going to save this party yet. Too many wimp ass men like Bush, Huckabee, Brownback et.al. are why the GOP is destroying itself. If it takes a woman than fine with me, white males for the most part have been shamed into not speaking out. Time to start turning the tide and BRING IT!!!!!!!!!
I listen to you every AM while I drive 101 to work. Keep up the good work.
Would sure have been great to have been there - the job calls... Semper Fi
That’s because the Code Pinkos intelligence level isn’t much more that the 15 year olds.
Duh,,,,,
That’s what YOU said...
And I’m not even 15!!!! (anymore)......
:0)
Old gray vets will beat old gray, and still smelly, hippies, every time.
Note the “conservative” label two or three times; no acknowledgement whatsoever that Code Pink is “liberal”, subtly implying that Code Pink is mainstream and Melanie’s group is not.
Also note the passive voice — “there was a physical altercation” — to eliminate any thought that Code Pink waw the instigator. It, well, just suddenly existed, yeah.
“But David Santos, 15, of Oakland, said the conservative element was on the wrong side of the issue.”
What the hell is an “issue”?
I'd say something, but I might get in trouble...
Ogod, you're right.
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