thedrifter
03-02-08, 01:29 PM
Hoping to send a message
Councilman urges resolution welcoming military to Port City
By Sam Scott
Staff Writer
sam.scott@starnewsonline.com
The Port City is a proud supporter of the military, and Councilman Jason Thompson wants to make that clear.
Thompson has submitted a resolution to be voted on by Wilmington City Council on Tuesday stating that members of the country's Armed Forces "are welcome in Wilmington to enjoy the fruit of southern hospitality, honor and respect for their services."
It contrasts the city to Berkeley, Calif., the liberal university community that recently voted to tell Marine recruiters they were not welcome in the city.
"If recruiters choose to stay, they do so as uninvited and unwelcome intruders," the Berkeley Council agreed at its Jan. 29 meeting.
Berkeley subsequently softened the language amid a firestorm of nationwide scrutiny. But its council left intact words encouraging "all people to avoid cooperation with the Marine Corps recruiting station" and applauding residents and organizations who nonviolently impede recruiters.
A veteran of the first Iraq War, Thompson credits the Marines for teaching him leadership skills, confidence and self-reliance.
He has no time for Berkeley's stance, saying he was at first disgusted by his Pacific peers and later felt sorry for them. His resolution says they showed a "true lack of patriotism."
"The men and women who give them the right to protest and disagree are they the ones they're disrespecting," Thompson said last week. "They don't seem to understand that."
The vote, of course, has no binding affect, and the Wilmington City Council has mixed feelings on supporting it.
Councilwoman Laura Padgett said the city has already passed resolutions supporting members of the military and wasn't sure it was council's place to criticize another city's vote - which she had not followed closely anyway.
"Should we be taking a stand on another city council especially one that is all the way across the country?" she said. "That is not to say we don't support and honor the military."
Thompson, who said he's received e-mails from as far away as London supporting him, thinks it's an important message for local Marines, a vital part of the community and economy.
Sam Scott: 343-2370
sam.scott@starnewsonline.com
Ellie
Councilman urges resolution welcoming military to Port City
By Sam Scott
Staff Writer
sam.scott@starnewsonline.com
The Port City is a proud supporter of the military, and Councilman Jason Thompson wants to make that clear.
Thompson has submitted a resolution to be voted on by Wilmington City Council on Tuesday stating that members of the country's Armed Forces "are welcome in Wilmington to enjoy the fruit of southern hospitality, honor and respect for their services."
It contrasts the city to Berkeley, Calif., the liberal university community that recently voted to tell Marine recruiters they were not welcome in the city.
"If recruiters choose to stay, they do so as uninvited and unwelcome intruders," the Berkeley Council agreed at its Jan. 29 meeting.
Berkeley subsequently softened the language amid a firestorm of nationwide scrutiny. But its council left intact words encouraging "all people to avoid cooperation with the Marine Corps recruiting station" and applauding residents and organizations who nonviolently impede recruiters.
A veteran of the first Iraq War, Thompson credits the Marines for teaching him leadership skills, confidence and self-reliance.
He has no time for Berkeley's stance, saying he was at first disgusted by his Pacific peers and later felt sorry for them. His resolution says they showed a "true lack of patriotism."
"The men and women who give them the right to protest and disagree are they the ones they're disrespecting," Thompson said last week. "They don't seem to understand that."
The vote, of course, has no binding affect, and the Wilmington City Council has mixed feelings on supporting it.
Councilwoman Laura Padgett said the city has already passed resolutions supporting members of the military and wasn't sure it was council's place to criticize another city's vote - which she had not followed closely anyway.
"Should we be taking a stand on another city council especially one that is all the way across the country?" she said. "That is not to say we don't support and honor the military."
Thompson, who said he's received e-mails from as far away as London supporting him, thinks it's an important message for local Marines, a vital part of the community and economy.
Sam Scott: 343-2370
sam.scott@starnewsonline.com
Ellie