Interesting dilemma
Front page news on CNN.com - http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/02/07/berkeley.protests/index.html.
My initial reaction to the city of Berkeley, California, encouraging the protest of Marine recruiters in their city is one of sympathy and "How dare you?". Sympathy for the work of the Marines (including recruiters) whose jobs are literally to defend the United States of America. Without the dedication of the Marines, we'd be a much less prosperous and happy country. My "How dare you?" reaction goes directly to the city of Berkeley and the protesters themselves. Simply put: you are protesting and fighting against the very people that fight for your ability to protest.
Regardless - this is an interesting dilemma because I do believe the city of Berkeley had the right to make this call. I believe it is up to the city to make these kinds of choices. "Autonomous" city governments are some of the best systems of government as they can most effectively address the wants and needs of their citizenry. So what does one do?
Firstly, I believe the Federal Government did the right thing in threatening to remove $2 million in federal funding to the city. I think the government should in fact remove all federal funding if Berkeley continues to act this way. I also think the government of California should take away funding from and/or tax any city government that makes calls like Berkeley's. I believe this would set up the right incentives for Berkeley to act in its and the entire country's interest.
Secondly, the citizens who believe in the Marines and understand the fact that their work enables us to live the lives we do, need to make our voices heard to cities like Berkeley. Email, phone calls, letters, facebook, etc. to help them understand the mistake their making.
My initial reaction to the city of Berkeley, California, encouraging the protest of Marine recruiters in their city is one of sympathy and "How dare you?". Sympathy for the work of the Marines (including recruiters) whose jobs are literally to defend the United States of America. Without the dedication of the Marines, we'd be a much less prosperous and happy country. My "How dare you?" reaction goes directly to the city of Berkeley and the protesters themselves. Simply put: you are protesting and fighting against the very people that fight for your ability to protest.
Regardless - this is an interesting dilemma because I do believe the city of Berkeley had the right to make this call. I believe it is up to the city to make these kinds of choices. "Autonomous" city governments are some of the best systems of government as they can most effectively address the wants and needs of their citizenry. So what does one do?
Firstly, I believe the Federal Government did the right thing in threatening to remove $2 million in federal funding to the city. I think the government should in fact remove all federal funding if Berkeley continues to act this way. I also think the government of California should take away funding from and/or tax any city government that makes calls like Berkeley's. I believe this would set up the right incentives for Berkeley to act in its and the entire country's interest.
Secondly, the citizens who believe in the Marines and understand the fact that their work enables us to live the lives we do, need to make our voices heard to cities like Berkeley. Email, phone calls, letters, facebook, etc. to help them understand the mistake their making.
posted by Andrewaiesec at 9:09 AM
1 Comments:
I find this ridiculous on several levels. Kicking the military out of your city is not going to end the war--as the war is a policy issue, not a military issue. And it stands to undermine the legitimacy of the entire anti-war movement that sees the Iraq debacle for what it is.
At the same time, I think it's ok to display anti-military sentiment if you disagree with the military establishment (and not the policymakers that decide how to use it).
I'm curious what the Constitutional implications of the federal government's withholding funds are. This seems to be a freedom of speech issue, which should be upheld regardless of how contentious it is. And (contrary to some insinuations) we do not derive our livelihood or our rights from the military, but from the Constitution. Citizens and policymakers have just as much of a responsibility to defend the Constitution as the Marines do.
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