Toledo city council humiliates mayor, votes unanimously to apologize to Marines; Update: Mayor comments
posted at 9:44 am on February 14, 2008 by Allahpundit
Send to a Friend |
Share on Facebook | printer-friendly
Via Weasel Zippers, they realized the only thing “scarier” than Marines is a media firestorm and potential economic boycott. Compare and contrast this forthright correction with the wormy non-apology from the bien pensants in Berkeley. Not only did the mayor get de-pantsed by his own legislature but the resolution now goes to his desk, where he’ll have to decide whether to swallow his shame and sign it or double down and piss off the remainder of the country.
Toledo City Council yesterday attempted to quell the controversy surrounding Mayor Carty Finkbeiner’s order to cancel a Marine Corps warfare training exercise downtown with a unanimous vote of apology.
Without discussion, the 12-member council approved a resolution apologizing to Company A, 1st Battalion, 24th Marines, based in Grand Rapids, Mich., for the mayor’s action Friday afternoon…
The majority of those who spoke at yesterday’s hearing opposed the mayor’s order last week.
“The only thing he could do is spare us more embarrassment and resign,” said Chris Tiefel, of North Toledo.
Is it too much to hope that neighboring jurisdictions will step up and invite the Corps to train there, to compound the mayoral comeuppance? My friends, it is not.
Update: Here’s the mayor’s statement from a few days ago. He says this was nothing more than a logistical objection. The council obviously disagrees.
Statement from Mayor Carty Finkbeiner -Regarding U.S. Marine Corps.
February 10, 2008Frank Szollosi can play politics with anything. It is what he does best.
Today, I spoke with Major Jeff Brooks of the United States Marine Corps. I conveyed my sincere regret for the failure to communicate within the administration and any inconvenience that caused the U.S. Marine Corps.
I also conveyed, as my staff did on Friday, that we would make available abandoned buildings for Marine training outside of the CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT (CBD).
I concluded by reviewing my belief that the CBD, particularly on a weekday afternoon, was not available for military staging operations. 10,000 - 14,000 men and women would have been departing their offices in downtown Toledo on Friday afternoon with a major military training action unfolding - including the use of weapons being discharged with blanks.
My interest is not only in supporting the U.S. military wherever and whenever such support is sought, but also protecting the health, peace, and tranquility of Toledoans in every way possible.
For those who disagree with my priorities in terms of safeguarding Toledoans, we may disagree, but you have my respect.
You must be logged in to post a comment.
Blowback
Note from Hot Air management: This section is for comments from Hot Air's community of registered readers. Please don't assume that Hot Air management agrees with or otherwise endorses any particular comment just because we let it stand. A reminder: Anyone who fails to comply with our terms of use may lose their posting privilege.
Trackbacks/Pings
Trackback URL
Comments
Maybe Toledo will vote him out next time and elect someone friendlier to the people who protect their lives, property, freedom and other interests.
Mommynator on February 14, 2008 at 9:48 AM
Toledo is the “Glass City”? Well you know what they say about people who live in glass houses….
Just A Grunt on February 14, 2008 at 9:49 AM
Oh the power of the internet and the so called “right wing” bloggers. Sorry MSM the RWB are more mainstream than you think. Respect goes out to one of the fallen, training to do the job few could ever hope to do.
Seal dies on training jump.
http://www.kpho.com/news/15292886/detail.html
TroubledMonkey on February 14, 2008 at 9:53 AM
Good for the Toledo City Council. It appears that the drinking water from the Great Lakes is not infested with the slime that the people drink on the Left Coast.
Thanks to the other city for their invitation. It appears that they are very aware of who protects this country.
As always, thank you to out troops. Bless you all.
BobK on February 14, 2008 at 9:56 AM
That’s “our troops”
BobK on February 14, 2008 at 9:58 AM
And that has what to do with the Toledo mayor?
Wade on February 14, 2008 at 9:59 AM
“Maybe Toledo will vote him out next time…”
I live 20 miles away from Toledo and this is the second time as mayor for this moron. During his first tenure as mayor an air freight hub was coming and many residents near its location were complaining about the noise it would cause. The mayor’s answer was for them to relocate and for deaf people in the area to live near the hub. No, I’m not making that up.
All the council’s vote will do is cause him to get angry and behave like a petulant child, which is what he does best.
Bellicose Muse on February 14, 2008 at 10:06 AM
Sweet.
ronsfi on February 14, 2008 at 10:07 AM
How about a free steak dinner for Company A courtesy of the City of Toledo?
Blake on February 14, 2008 at 10:08 AM
I spent my high and college aged days in Toledo, then a great city. The high school I attended now closed. I enlisted in the Marines when I lived in Toledo and upon my active duty years I joined then a reserve unit B 1/24 in Toledo (not there any longer), I transfered out of B 1/24 Marines when I moved. Toledo has become a ghost town of what it was when I lived there and with a mayor,like the current turd, the future looks bleak.
While the US Marine Corps continues to shine and be proud, Toledo has become tired and lame, and with it current leadership will only sink further into despair.
Wade on February 14, 2008 at 10:12 AM
Ummm….they should change clothes in the basement?
Lone Star on February 14, 2008 at 10:12 AM
Finally one for the good guys! Let’s hope it is the start of a trend in the correct direction….doubt it but it is a start.
libhater on February 14, 2008 at 10:14 AM
Dear Al Qaeda,
Please attack Bazerkeley. They kicked us out and we will not defend them.
This is your one free hit.
Sincerely,
Semper fi
The Rock on February 14, 2008 at 10:16 AM
There are “tipping points” all over this country right now.
The Toledo mayor:
“They can’t train in our city”. Will they ask him to step down or at least vote him out come re-election?
Harry Reid:”the war is lost”, blocker of the Semper Fi bill. Will they vote him out in 2012?
The Berkley city counsel members:
“We don’t want the Marines”. Will they be voted out at re-election?
Jack Murtha: “These Marines killed in cold blood!”. Will he be replaced?
We are at a tipping point ladies & gentlemen. It is time to stand up for what is right and just. As the Toledo mayor and the Berkley city counsel members show us, this all starts at a local level! Be involeved in your communities. Know what YOUR city counsel & mayors are up to. If we don’t start on a local level, we wind up with people like Murtha & Reid on the national level.
kcd on February 14, 2008 at 10:18 AM
I think they should go ahead with the exercise in Toledo, issue the Marines live ammo, and put the mayor in the middle of square. EARLY RETIREMENT TO WHOEVER BAGS HIM FIRST! OOH-RAH!
Lone Star on February 14, 2008 at 10:20 AM
heh, we don’t have “out troops” not that there’s anything wrong with that
/sorry had to do it.
billhedrick on February 14, 2008 at 10:21 AM
Impeach!
Tony737 on February 14, 2008 at 10:28 AM
The MSM wouldn’t usually cover something like this. It is the power of the RWB that ia calling weasel like this mayor to account.
And, it is always appropriate to honor one of our fallen heros.
I wonder if you really need an explanation or if you’re just … .
davidk on February 14, 2008 at 10:28 AM
This retched behavior has got to stop. Apologies aren’t enough. Freedom of speech and all that, but imagine, before you talk trash about your own military, what other countries let alone our enemies, will think of a country who allows this to happen. It’s disgusting.
scalleywag on February 14, 2008 at 10:35 AM
Good for the city council.
Yakko77 on February 14, 2008 at 10:39 AM
RE Update: BS
davidk on February 14, 2008 at 10:45 AM
God Bless…
maintenanceman on February 14, 2008 at 10:45 AM
I certainly don’t approve of his anti-Marine tantrum, but I can’t help but feel pity for a man named Carty Finkbeiner.
funky chicken on February 14, 2008 at 10:46 AM
After reading his response I can’t find much fault with it. It could have been handled a lot better but there’s a big difference in what is going on in Berkeley and not wanting military personnel and equipment blocking traffic and possible blanks/gunfire.
bj1126 on February 14, 2008 at 10:48 AM
Umm actually, the City Councel of Toledo KNEW about the Marine Reserve coming. The Mayor on the other hand, could have called others to ask if anyone else knew about this BEFORE telling the Marines to leave.
But with that said and what is going on with Berkeley, do you think they want THEIR Federal Funds pulled? I think not!
upinak on February 14, 2008 at 10:55 AM
+1
RushBaby on February 14, 2008 at 11:17 AM
It’s good that I can go AROUND Toledo on my way South on I-75.
Dave from Flint on February 14, 2008 at 11:19 AM
TB, when they find out the identity of the Seal. Give Dan in VA an email and see if they will contact the family to do a PGR Mission.
No matter how they died, all Soldiers and Marines should be honored.
upinak on February 14, 2008 at 11:44 AM
Just what? Marine Force Recon who trained seals in Little Creek? I do need an explanation. Why do people post off topic. This thread is about Toledo and the treatment of the Marines and has nothing to do with that other post. Toubblemonkey should go to the trouble of her own blog and quit trying to steal threads.
My reply was not about the content of monkeys post but it is inappropriate in this discussion because it is off topic. Better known as a diversion.
Wade on February 14, 2008 at 11:54 AM
That’s awesome.
BadgerHawk on February 14, 2008 at 11:59 AM
… just the thread police.
Thank you for your service to and sacrifices for our country.
davidk on February 14, 2008 at 12:06 PM
Finkbeiner is the typical lib. Making excuses at the sign of any resistance at all. Whining “I was misunderstood” just means I do not have the intelligence to communicate on the level where people can comprehend the intent of my message. Why are politicians who are groveling cowards always liberal? If he dressed in a pink dress maybe he would be understood more easily.
volsense on February 14, 2008 at 12:19 PM
Funny how liberal politicians all sound alike when the slightest pressure comes up. It really takes cowardice to a new level.How do people of this caliber get into office. Are their constituents brain dead? The dumbing of America in its most transparent form.
volsense on February 14, 2008 at 12:24 PM
Love it the city council basicly tells the mayor to pull his head out of his backside. Hope the people throw this moron out of office at the next election. Big props to the other town that wants the Marines there. High Five
limowilliam on February 14, 2008 at 12:55 PM
Maybe Toledo is just following in Cleveland’s footsteps, trying to groom their own future Presidential wannabe. Confirmation will be the mayor’s announcement he’s seen UFOs…
Wind Rider on February 14, 2008 at 1:45 PM
I’m getting sick of this liberal bulls**t!
WHERE THE HELL DO WE LIVE?
In America, dissent is welcome. These kinds of actions are more than dissent. They are unAmerican and, in some cases, criminal, but the cowardly pols and cops do nothing about it.
Pretty soon, for lack of response, I would not be surprised if this were kicked up a level or two.
madmonkphotog on February 14, 2008 at 2:02 PM
Quite a difference in thread police and asking what that has to do with the topic. Those who go off topic and attack others, david, tend to be liberal as that is their style. I ask again, What does monkey’s post have to to with the topic? What is the thinking that a Seal dying in training has anything to do with the Marines training in Toledo and being kicked out? You defend that, david, with platitudes and calling me names, please tell me that is not the best you have in tying the topic to a seal dying. The only possible thing I can take from this is you and monkey think the troops should not train because someone might get hurt and you, david, object by calling me thread police to further get off topic.
Wade on February 14, 2008 at 2:03 PM
While I was with B 1/24 in Toledo, we trained all over Michigan and Ohio proudly and we were always welcomed. This during the Viet Nam times and people used to cheer us when we rolled down the streets in our 6by’s collecting for Toys For Tots. I am sure the people in Toledo remain the same today as then and will vote this Mayor out of office. I have many fond memories of those days and get plenty pissed when anyone screws with my Corps.
Wade on February 14, 2008 at 2:11 PM
How much of a bitter little worm must you be if you grew up with a name like Carty Finkbeiner? What a total pig.
Spanglemaker on February 14, 2008 at 2:23 PM
Fictional headline that SHOULD come true:
“Marines Plan Mass St. Valentine’s Day Bitchslapping in Berkeley.”
Travis1 on February 14, 2008 at 3:37 PM
Sorry to be off-topic: Way too much Wheaties today.
But like David said, thank you for your service.
Sultry Beauty on February 14, 2008 at 3:38 PM
Feeling not mutual. As if the Toledoans need safeguarding from the Marines. A**hole!!
I’m a little surprised McCain hasn’t mentioned this growing phenomenon in an ad or something. Sure he’d get accused of playing politics with the issue, but seeing as he has AMA (absolute moral authority) to speak on these matters, he could get away with it where others couldn’t. Nice to have DeMint acting on it, but it got bottled up both legislatively, as well as in media coverage. McCain could talk directly to the people about it, and bypass those logjams. What do you all think? Would that be leadership on his part or ????
smellthecoffee on February 14, 2008 at 10:42 PM
Cheer up, Mayor Finkbeiner. In just a few months, you can join your bffs in a bike ride.
Rico on February 15, 2008 at 1:12 AM