I have received many comments and emails in response to the Semper Fi Act that I introduced into the House of Representatives last week. I feel that it is necessary to give you an update on what has happened since my posting last week.
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The nation has literally erupted in protest in reaction to the decision from the Berkeley City Council telling the Marines that their recruiting office is not welcome in their city, and if recruiters choose to stay, they do so as “uninvited and unwelcome intruders”.
Last night, the City Council met once again and decided to rescind the letter to the Marine Corps. This is an ineffectual attempt at appeasing the situation and I have no intention of rescinding the Semper Fi Act (H.R. 5222). To say that the Marines are welcome but they strongly object to the recruitment of young people into the Marine Corps is ridiculous. It's like saying I love hamburgers but strongly oppose them if they are cooked and made out of meat. Furthermore, according to press accounts, the radical anti-war group Code Pink will still be granted use of the parking space in front of the recruiting office once a week for six months and a free sound permit for protesting once a week.
Even with this toothless change, the Berkeley City Council continues to indicate that they have a disdain for and lack of appreciation for the Marine Corps, and the service they provide to the country.
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