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Posted on 06/08/2009 10:07:22 PM PDT by NavyCanDo
Tempers Flare Over Potentially Making Bellingham A Sanctuary City For AWOL Soldiers
BELLINGHAM - A heated community meeting was held tonight at the Bellingham Municipal Building over whether the City should become a sanctuary for AWOL soldiers.
Bellingham City Council Chambers was jam-packed and at times raucous Monday night, as supporters and opponents of a plan that would allow AWOL soldiers to seek refuge in Bellingham gathered for a public forum.
Students from Western Washington University and local military veterans who started G.I. Sanctuary City Movement asked the city for the meeting. Gulf War Veteran Matt Bambara says war objectors need a safe place to go.
"The wars are illegal nobody should have to die for a mistake," said Bambara.
The group's proposal would prohibit law enforcement from arresting military members who are absent without leave. Those against the plan like Vietnam Veteran Tim Carpenter say this ordinance disrespects our armed forces.
"Deserters deserve a good spanking from their mothers. The point is they're acting juvenile, they decided they don't want to do their duty to America or their country," said Carpenter.
If the City Council eventually approves the measure Bellingham would join Berkley, California and Ithaca, New York as the nation's only sanctuary cities. Vietnam Veteran Bob Burr is all for it.
"I think the City should rally around those who show the courage to resist, I don't think its cowardice," said Burr.
Some Veterans on the other side of the aisle like Bill Converse believe a Bellingham Sanctuary would mean the City is stepping on federal guidelines for service.
"It's really against the law for the City Council, they're not upholding their oath of office," said Converse.
(Excerpt) Read more at q13fox.com ...
Q13 FOX NEWS POLL Do you agree or disagree with a proposal to create a sanctuary in Bellingham for AWOL soldiers?
http://www.q13fox.com/
My two sons served in Iraq, my oldest is still there on his second tour and I know many Freeper’s kids have also been there...
...but they are proposing to build a city for cowards?
Sheesh.
I hear Leavenworth is a very safe place indeed.
If a city declares itself a sanctuary for lawbreakers, they should have their charter revoked and all politicans who support it jailed, along with the deserters.
Sounds like a city for moonbats. Berkeley, California? Sheesh, does anything normal EVER happen in that cesspool? Ithaca, New York, the home of Cornell University. Another moonbat haven. Does Bellingham really want to join the likes of those two lefty enclaves?
I’d like to thank your sons for their service to America. God Bless.
Thank you, may God bless you and yours as well!
Q13 FOX NEWS POLL
Do you agree or disagree with a proposal to create a sanctuary in Bellingham for AWOL soldiers?
Tell us what you think by emailing us at tips@q13fox.com
Agree (36 responses)
12.9%
Disagree (244 responses)
87.1%
280 total responses
(Results not scientific)
Do you agree or disagree with a proposal to create a sanctuary in Bellingham for AWOL soldiers?
Tell us what you think by emailing us at tips@q13fox.com
Agree (36 responses)
Disagree (241 responses)
277 total responses
(Results not scientific)
This is the same GARBAGE political philosophies that California liberals have brought with them to Washington State when they migrate. Washington and Oregon are now full of unwashed, Berklezoid, ultra-leftist, old hippie IDIOTS pushing for STUPIDITY such as this at every turn.
Precisely the reason I sold my house and departed that sewer more than two years ago.
I recently visited Bellingham when they held their farmer’s market. I thought I was in a time warp from the 60’s. I saw a car full of student looking kids going up and down the market area in a car, yelling from a bull horn: “Come to the peace march! Come to the peace march! There will be music in the park afterwards! Join us in the park afterwards!”
The wars are legal and nobody was drafted. Get a life, loser.
Nonetheless, those of us who served in Vietnam (and I volunteered) very much resented those who went to Canada in order to avoid service, thus, as logic dictates, leaving it to someone else to fill their slot.
That said, after all was said and done (AND ESPECIALLY THE WAY WE WERE TREATED AS WELL AS OUR NOT BEING TO ALLOWED TO PROSECUTE THAT WAR TO A SATISFACTORY CONCLUSION--VICTORY) I always said that if I had a son who was subject to the Draft for a similar military engagement as Vietnam, I would PERSONALLY, escort him to the Canadian Border, (which BTW, is only a 1 hour drive, lol) rather than have him exposed to a senseless, war, without intent and will to win and having its prosecution be controlled from the White House by clueless loons, such as Johnson and McNamara
Fortunately, that consideration never materialized and I have been amazed at the number of young people who have stepped up to the plate (VOLUNTARILY) and raised their right hand, knowing what they were more than likely, going to be subjected to.
Thus, considering that ANYONE who enlists today and does not realize that there is a very real possibility they will be sent to harms way and thereafter, when they are ordered overseas, decide they would as soon not be exposed to the dangers associated therewith, should have the book thrown at them--AT the very least, a Dishonorable discharge (which would follow and haunt them throughout their lives and limit their future employment opportunities) and under certain circumstances, a Courts Martial, might be appropriate.
There is a right way and a wrong way to protest. As a Viet Nam veteran who watched Bill Clinton and George Bush and a bunch of other people escape fighting in Viet Nam, I stood behind and respected those who were drafted - STAYED IN THE US and stood up for their principals and were willing to pay the price. Sanctuary is a cowards way out. If you go AWOL because you truly do no believe in the war then face them in a court. Show that you will go to prison rather than meet your commitment. Anything less is cowardice and you are hiding in Bellingham to avoid facing a commitment you made. Be a man (or woman) stand up for your principals and be willing to pay the price for them - then I can disagree with you but I WILL RESPECT YOU AND SO SHOULD OUR COUNTRY.
I find it extremely offensive that you would compare George Bush’s honorable service in the military with Bill Clinton’s not only non-service but hate of the miliary.
Wow. The looks that keep on giving.
You have got to be kidding... Daddy got him a jet job and he did not even serve his full term. He never left the states while pilots I know had two and three tours. I think if you check he never showed up in Nam. Then again neither did Clinton. The priviliged and those who hid in college carry the real shame - cowards and not even under fire. My friends I lost for the most part were drafted becasue they could not afford college or whose Daddy could not get them in the National Guard. Check your facts first - honorable - you must be talking of Bush senior - who did serve with honor...
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