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| Let Berkeley keep its protest |
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| Written by Jon Mendelson / Tracy Press / | |
| Friday, 02 May 2008 | |
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While folks in Berkeley direct their anger at the men and women on the ground, Jon Mendelson says people in Tracy know the difference between the fighters and the deciders. The Iraq War is well into its fifth year. And it’s never been less popular. A mid-March CBS poll indicated two-thirds of Americans think the war was not worth fighting. The man who led the charge to war, President Bush — whose disapproval rating has soared to a historic high of 71 percent — is also at the nadir of his popularity. Fortunately, the same cannot be said of those in the armed services. Across the nation — with few exceptions — the men and women of the military are treated with honor and respect, despite the country’s overall aversion to our Middle East misadventure. Nowhere is this more true than Tracy. Staff Sgt. Craig Barringer, a U.S. Army recruiter assigned to West High School, has served two tours of duty in Iraq. I tagged along with him on a visit to the school last week to find out how those in uniform feel about the Hamlet by the Highway. Even though he’s been in Tracy only 10 months, Barringer’s already come to appreciate our town’s all-American support. "I think Tracy as a whole is a pretty supportive community," he told me at his West Valley Mall office, as he reflected on the generosity and patriotism he sees every day. "When I go to lunch today, there’s a good chance somebody’s going to buy it. … I would say at least half the time when we go to get our check, they say, ‘Somebody already got it.’ "I’ve been stopped and thanked by random people. So, yeah, the support in this community is pretty good." Of course, it’s not all roses for someone pitching the service to high school students. Aside from teens already convinced against joining the Army — I saw plenty of those listen to Barringer talk at West High last week — parents are often hesitant to have recruiters talk to their children, even if they’re grown adults. Not to mention those of us who don’t quite know how to feel about kids being asked to sign their lives over to the military. "Occasionally, you have somebody who’s less supportive," Barringer said. "We don’t get bashed, we don’t get spit on, we don’t get any of that. But some people are less open to talking to us, less open to support us talking to their child …" That, though, is about as far as it goes in Tracy. No abuse, no name-calling — just respectful disagreement. The folks protesting the U.S. Marine recruitment center in Berkeley — the ones directing their anger at everyday troops instead of the high-and-mighty who make the policy decisions — could learn a lesson from over the hill. But Barringer has a response to those detractors as well, one befitting someone who wears the uniform. "People are entitled to feel the way they want to feel," he said. "That’s one of the things that the Army defends. The right to have your own opinion and your right to freedom of speech, that’s one of the things we defend. And I can’t pick and choose who I defend that right for." That’s the statement of a man who deserves a heap of thanks. And that attitude is why support for men and women like him has been nearly universal here and elsewhere. We get it here. We know that it isn’t men like Barringer who decide to make war. That burden rests with the so-called leaders in the White House, with the lawmakers on Capitol Hill. Barringer and his brothers and sisters in arms are charged with faithfully executing their duty as assigned by those leaders. And they do it well, whether they personally agree or not. Servicemen and -women have that duty, just as the rest of us have the responsibility to question civilian leaders while thanking those who actually put their lives in harm’s way. We get it here. Let Berkeley keep its wild-eyed protest. In Tracy, we know how to support our troops, even if we don’t support the decision to send them off to fight. • Check out Tracy Press columnist Jon Mendelson's blog for more Second Thoughts, or share your thoughts with him at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it . Trackback(0)
Comments
(31)
 written by Ubbo Coty , May 04, 2008
You know Jon, you ought to think twice before slamming the current Comander in Chief. The next one most likely won't be any better (especially if a Democrat gets elected) and remind yourself (if you're capable) that President Bush didn't start this war. In fact the actual events that lead us to Operation Iraqi Freedom (not the Iraq War as you refer to it) and the War on Terrorism happened long before the current administration. President Bush was hardly nine months into his presidency before a group of savage cowards committed unthinkable acts. What YOU have done? Would have have just sat back and took it, or would you have tried to prevent more? It must be easy to sit wherever it is you sit and arm-chair-quarter-back a President when you hardly have the knowledge or experience to do so. I don't see your name on any election ballet. Who is the "we" you refer to in your last sentance? Who are you speaking for?
 written by East of Eden , May 04, 2008
It has become popular to say nasty things about GWB. Probably because some comedian on TV thought he/she was smarter than the President and had the cahones to lead our country into an outright, joke. A "scarecrow" without any stuffing for brains or a soul. And now the Muslims are saying they are the only ones who can hurt America. Nice! Now, what about Hillary? Does she have the cahones? She says she will pull the troops. She says she "took fire" over there. Wow! What a woman?!?! Thanks for more BS, Hillary! Not only do you not have cahones. You can't even get your lies straight !
Why not put on a burkha and go do the nasty with Obama, or Ohama, or Osama. We know you're a real mother??? But why can't we just vote for you husband's girlfriend instead. At least she can get the job done without lying about it.   written by BernieS , May 04, 2008
Dear East of Eden,
The most effective way to show others how they should behave starts with your actions. If you felt that Jon said nasty things about Mr. Bush and using character assasination was wrong, you don't turn around and do the same to other presidential candidates. You are basically repeating what you felt Jon did. Furthermore, if you wanted to point out that Jon was wrong you should point out the positive points of President Bush's policies and administration. I think it is also wrong to assume that the author Jon is a "Hillary Clinton" or "Barack Obama" supporter when he had not mentioned any of these candidates or their policies. As far as we know, he may not even have a favorite candidate. We as concerned citizens of America should be more respectful of each other and the presidential candidates. written by East of Eden , May 04, 2008
What? I am not so sure that it is a bad thing. Just pointing out that all the Presidential candidates live in glass houses. Hillary said that herself. So where is the respect in being dishonest about "taking fire" when you are running for the job of commander in chief??? Come on, Bernie, people just want to know. Let's not try to squelch the truth. People want to talk on here. You too. Let the people's voice be heard. Go ahead you can do it too!
  written by AIraqVet , May 04, 2008
I am a US Soldier and I want to thank Tracy for the dedication and support you show to us. It is nice to have some random person come over and say thank you. SO THANK YOU TRACY!
written by BenieS , May 04, 2008
Dear East of Eden,
I don't think I mentioned my endorsement of any candidate. I merely pointed out that if you feel that it is wrong to bash GWB then you shouldn't pick and choose who you bash. Rather you should be bashing the policies and issues they address. If we divert our attention to their personalities then we are merely helping to create sensational gossip news rather then "real news" about critical social issues we are facing as a nation. written by supportbraaa , May 04, 2008
Bernie,
I happened to notice too, that the author's work was one sided, as you suggested. Too bad Mr Mendelson didn't open things up a little bit and show more objectivity, in this piece. I agree with East of Eden. All sides should be told. Isn't that what the forum is for? Yes, of course. Let's hear all sides!  written by Patriotic America , May 04, 2008
President Bush did not start the war, nor do I think it was some sort of wild conspiracy occurance of 9/11/01 either. America love it or leave it. If jimmy Carter was in office he would have found a way to screw anything up militarily. Thank goodness we have a Commander & Chief who doesn't cower or turn to negotiations. The whole world now knows that, IF you suckerpunch us we will kick your asses back into the cave man era.
As for our troops, GOD BLESS ALL OF YOU and KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK. God Bless the parents and family members who have lost a relative in harms way. And for all of you Berkely war protesters, do the following, go find some lumber, find a river and build a bridge and GET THE HELL OVER IT. Or move to Hugo Chavez land. That go's for the anti-Bush peeps too. written by East of Eden , May 04, 2008
Duh, Don't you think Hillary was talking about the "issues" when she said that she "took fire"???
Dude, I could see the first comment; and the platitudes are nice and all. But you might want to do your homework next time. Hillary said it not me! And she was talking about the "issues" when she said it!  written by East of Eden , May 04, 2008 That's no "gossip"! That's no "sensationalism"! That's no "bashing"! That's just me - just calling it like it is! You want "real news"? Get a "real newspaper!  written by Navy Dad , May 04, 2008
Jon Mendelson, You say the people in Berkeley shouldn't direct their anger at the everyday troops, but at the high and mighty? And then refering to the "so-called leaders in the White House"?. About the only thing you do get is these wackos in Berkeley are just that. Whacked out. My wife and I were there to support the Corps against these anarchists and I cannot repeat the vile things these vermin were spewing at us. Even after we ID'd ourselves as Gold Star Parents. Our Son was a Marine from right here in Tracy who was K.I.A. in Iraq in '06. Berkeley sucks. Nobody should be the brunt of these loonies. The only good thing in Berkeley is Capt. Lund and the recruiting center.And by the way jon, what do you know about any of the people serving, and the rhetoric you use by questioning those in charge. This is a Volunteer Military, and those serving thank God don't have your mentality. That's why your not in the service brother.
written by BernieS , May 05, 2008
Dear East of Eaden,
"He said", "She said" topics and name calling: 1) Are not "issues" that the citizens of America are facing today 2) Make for excellent "gossip" and "sensational" material for the corporate media because it sells. 3) You seem to not understand that Mr.mendelson did not even address anything related to Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama. 4) The more that we keep playing along with the "same old", "song and dance" of focusing on presidential candidates personalities or what they "said", we are missing out on the real issues and the politicians and the corporations are laughing their way to the bank to the tune of "rising gas prices", "rising healthcare and pharmaceutical costs", "rising food prices", "rising unemployment", "rising povety rates", "rising incarcaration rates", "rising number in offshoring and outsourcing jobs", "rising college tuition and student loan rates", "rising energy costs" etc...... we have much more important issues that we as citizens should be discussing to address for America's future.  written by notnice , May 05, 2008
To "I don't believe TRacq.....I think YOU should try to keep on "track" and stop bringing Tracy politics into everything. You have a one "track" mind. (No pun intended)
Actually, this whole Iraq situation started with his father's term in office. It was transferred to Clinton who passed it on to George W. We went this route in Viet Nam and now Iraq. We don't call it a war, the government calls it that. The difference between the two is that we pulled out of Viet Nam. Pres. Bush has no intention of pulling our troops out. Our troops are fighting religious fanatics, unlike Viet Nam, who will die for their cause. We don't see the positive in Iraq, we only read and see what the media wants us to.  written by newsflash , May 05, 2008
Jon's getting unfairly pilloried by the usual suspects, the brainwashed few who somehow, someway, are still convinced that the war in Iraq had anything to do with 9/11, and that it was not a war of choice, a war of convenience, planned and perpetrated by President George W. Bush and his cadre of Washington friends.
Those few refuse to admit that none of the 9/11 hijackers were Iraqi. Those few refuse to admit that Saddam's Iraq was a secular regime, and no friend to fundamentalist OBL. Those few refuse to admit that the five years, trillions of dollars and thousands of lives needlessly wasted have made the US less safe and less secure. Those few will only become fewer as history marches on. Hey, even the Holocaust still has its denies. written by newsflash , May 05, 2008
And you KNOW you're getting defensive when your kneejerk reaction to a piece supporting the troops is whining about Bush-bashing. 21 percent and dropping...
written by Navy Dad , May 06, 2008
Here's a newsflash, newsflash, Jon's a big boy. And what he writes is his opinion. He puts it out there and has to deal with those who disagree with it. As far as the "usual suspects" buddy, we are proud of our son's decision to join the Marines to fight these murderous terrorists no matter where they are. Yes, none of the 9/11 hijackers were Iraqis, but that is old news. We don't feel that any of our servicemen or women were " needlessly wasted" and I assure you, most of those who are serving will disagree with you. Obviously you don't have any one in harm's way or you would have a little more respect for those of us who had, and still have serving overseas. And by the way, 21 percent is not good, but Congress is below that, and that is headed up by your friends, Pelosi and Reid.
 written by Annoyed , May 06, 2008 Navy Dad and Ubo, Sorry to burst your bubble that despite your right wing emotion, the war in Iraq is a vane and without any cause or direct American security interest. You and hundreds of other Right wing idiots are not going to change the fact that the war was started on lied premises by the most unpopular President in the history of this country (the current occupant). I have respect for your sons and daughters for their service in Iraq and elsewhere, because they are simply being a soldier and following the order. However, no matter, how much you two try to connect the Iraq war with 911, you are not going to convince millions of people who know that is not true. Piece of advise! Get out of the American military complex mind set and see the world as it exists, or stay ignorant and keep arguing in vain. Your continous support for the Iraq war only proves your inability to think rationally.  written by AIraqVet , May 06, 2008
Navy Dad!!! Thanks for being a Military Dad!!! No Soldier, Airman, Seaman, or Marines life is 'needlessly wasted' and I WAS AND AM STILL PROUD TO FIGHT FOR THIS COUNTRY! All I can say is if you dont wear the uniform dont try to deicipher our mind thoughts... Because even some soldiers who 'Hate' this war still would lay down thier lives to fight it. My friends lives were not NEEDLESSLY WASTED Newsflash. They are HEROES. Dont make them out to be worthless!!!
written by newsflash , May 06, 2008
I have respect for the troops -- I don't want to see them killed for some rich guy's folly that ultimately makes us all less safe. Sorry, but everyone who's died thus far in Iraq didn't need to die. That's a waste.
 written by K.D. , May 06, 2008
The protesters were probably college students, many of whom are attending on their parents' dollar and haven't a frog's fat patoot about how the real world operates. Debating Nietzsche vs. Aristotle, or the subtle difference between the Bronte sisters might make for intelligent conversation, but book smarts and street smarts CAN be mutually exclusive.
How ironic is it that these people, college age or otherwise, owe their right to free speech and right to assemble to the military? If you can read this, thank a teacher. If it's in English, thank a soldier. written by notnice , May 06, 2008 newsflash ... it's a waste of life in any armed conflict, not just Iraq, but we should praise and honor those young men and women who are in our Armed Forces. It's a nasty job, but someone has to do it. Those soldiers lay down their lives everyday so that others will be able to live as we do. We may not be perfect but I would surely not want living conditions like it is in some other countries. K.D. said it but let me clarify it....if it weren't for our Armed Forces we'd be speaking German or Japanese right now. (No offense to people of German or Japanese ancestory)  written by Uncle Sam , May 07, 2008
To: Berkely residents and sympathizers.
"A nation can survive its fools and even the ambitious. But it cannot survive treason from within. An enemy at the gates is less formidable, for he is known and he carries his banners openly against the city. But the traitor moves among those within the gates freely, his sly whispers rustling through all alleys, heard in the very halls of government itself. For the traitor appears no traitor; he speaks in the accents familiar to his victim, and he wears their face and their garments and he appeals to the baseness that lies deep in the hearts of all men. He rots the soul of a nation; he works secretly and unknown in the night to undermine the pillars of a city; he infects the body politic so that it can no longer resist. A murderer is less to be feared. The traitor is the plague." Cicero< /B> written by Navy Dad , May 08, 2008
Annoyed, It doesn't sound like you have a lot of respect for the fallen when you refer to Gold Star parents as "right wing idiots". Our son joined the Marines in a delayed entry program out of West High here in Tracy in '03. He knew damn well he was going to Iraq and that is what he wanted to do, to serve his Country in a time of need. This kid was born to be a Marine. And no blather from some left wing fool like you is going to ever change that. We honor our son, as well as our daughter still serving. You could not walk two steps in our shoes buddy. Save your left wing B.S. for your friends.
written by Navy Dad , May 08, 2008
K.D., Well said brother! and newsflash, there is no helping you.
written by Navy Dad , May 08, 2008
AIraqVet, Thanks for putting your butt on the line for all of us here at home. Thanks for your kind words, I will pass them on to my wife as well. Thank You
 written by amy , May 08, 2008
K.D. I like your last line,
"If you can read this, thank a teacher. If it's in English, thank a soldier."......so very true!!!! Thank you, to all who served in the Military, keeping the war from taking place on our homefront. I can't imagine devastating destructions should war takes place in USA. True, we were "attacked", but the war did not take hold here, why? Because our troops are keeping it THERE! Berkeley, I am not sure if they are "unbaised". Believing in the freedom but not allowing others to practice their choice in their decision, in joining up or not, is not right? Thanks, Troops!!!  written by Berkely basher , May 08, 2008
I HONESTLY DO NOT THINK BERKELY LIKES ANYTHING THAT IS NOT IN THE MYOPPIC THOUGHTS OF THEIR BELIEFS. I THINK IT IS SELFISH OF THESE SMALL PEA MINDED URCHANTS TO HELP DIVIDE THIS AMERICA WITH THEIR ANTICS OF HATING THE US MARINES AND RECRUITERS. IF THEY BELIEVE IN FREEDOM OF SPEECH AND FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION LIKE THEY DO, THEY WOULD LEAVE THE MARINES TEND TO THE BUSINESS OF KEEPING THEM FREE AND SAFE. THESE PEOPLE ARE MORE DESTRUCTIVE AND BOTHERSOME THEN WHAT THEY THINK OF WHAT THE MILITARY IS. SO SELFISH AND SO HYPICRITICAL OF BERKELY. GET OVER YOURSELVES BERKELY, WHAT MAKES YOU SO SPECIAL ANYWAY.
 written by k.l .vosburg , May 09, 2008
There's no disquising the fact that (militarily) one needs to occupy the Persian Gulf ("for the next hundred years") as a necessary fuel source.
Not only for "protected interests" in the global market, but here at home, heating the heartland during winter months and our European allies, inclusive of Russo-Asian counterparts. Which according to Bush '41 -"There's a new world order." This content has been locked. You can no longer post any comment.
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