I believe you have taken a silly course of action in censoring the Marine recruiters, while giving Code Pink special consessions for protest.

The Marines did not ask the President or Congress to go into Iraq or Afghanistan (or Viet Nam).  However, once the Commander in Chief (however they got to office) makes such a decision, the Marines--fortunately for you--salute smartly, pick up their packs and rifles, and march or fly into harm's way.

They, more than any citizen, morn the loss of their brothers in arms--as well as the loss of innocent lives on either side.  They join because, something (God, mother, apple pie, et al.) moves them to be a part of the Marine Corps.  Generally speaking, joining the Corps has made most of us, who have survived, better people and better citizens.

We do understand war--and most of us hate it.  Some of us hate the politics and politicians who have sent us to fight for the most appallingly poor reasons, even more.  In the end, I believe most of us go to war because 1) the citizenry, through their President have asked us to do it, and 2) (most importantly) we feel very bonded to those with whom we serve--and are far more concerned about letting them down, than the citizens or the President.

This is a very bad set of wars the U.S. is currently fighting in Afghanistan and Iraq, making the world, in my mind, more likely a future victim of terrorism than before, BUT, you, the city council, are damned lucky that there are kids in Berkeley, and the Bay area, who want to be U.S. Marines.

I recommend that you step back both from censoring the Marines and for giving Code Pink special dispensation.  Each have their place in this, a free country.

Sincerely,

George E. Tucker