Berkeley Madness

I blogged last week about the crackpots in Berkeley, California who have essentially declared war on the Marines coming through their city.  Well, the Marines' battle has finally been taken up by a very high profile advocate.  Before that, though, take a look at a partial list of what these crazies have done:
- repeated vandalism of the recruitment office
- repeatedly demonstrated against Marines
- openly demanded the Marines (and the recruitment office) leave town

These actions are sanctioned by the city council, by the way.

Now, in defense of the Marines, Senator Jim DeMint has finally stepped in:

"This is a slap in the face to all brave service men and women and their families," DeMint said in a prepared statement. "The First Amendment gives the City of Berkeley the right to be idiotic, but from now on they should do it with their own money."

"If the city can't show respect for the Marines that have fought, bled and died for their freedom, Berkeley should not be receiving special taxpayer-funded handouts," he added.

The Senator is working on legislation to withdraw all federal funding from cities that act this way.  Yes!!!  It's about time!

If you want to sign a petition in support of our troops and delivering a message to the Berkeley city council, go here.

Again, the point here is not to shut these people up - they have a right to free speech, just like you and I do.  But, speech does not include violence and vandalism.  Furthermore, DeMint is right - if this city wants the military presence gone, the money should go, too.

There's my two cents.