According to today's [Toledo] Blade, Mayor Carty Finkbeiner told a company of Marine Corps Reservists they could not conduct their planned urban patrol exercises in downtown Toledo.
"The mayor asked them to leave because they frighten people," said Brian Schwartz, the mayor's spokesman.
This is the most insane thing I've ever heard of. Marines don't frighten me! They give me comfort and confidence that our nation is so well-protected by such dedicated individuals. Perhaps it's only Carty who is frightened. (source).
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6 comments:
As someone who has worked with urban leadership in many cities, I think I can understand the Mayor’s issue. I suspect that it has little to do with the Marines…and much more to do with the perception that our urban areas are getting as being “urban jungles.” Anything that contributes to that perception can be seen as perpetuating the myth.
Except that this is a Liberal, outpsoken anti-war Mayor.
It is not like the Marines showed up unannounced. They got permits, etc.
I think on the heals of Berkley Mayor Fink saw a chance to make a stand on the war.
Just curious, is this a new exercise or location that Marines just started doing? Or has this been going on for a while, and only now the mayor seems to have some objection. If the latter, i agree thats pretty bad. But if its the former, i can see how a mayor might be concerned about the PR of having a bunch of armed soldiers patrolling the streets of his city, even just as an exercise. Especially if its an area not used to seeing a strong military presence, unlike your old stomping grounds of hampton roads.
Just to clarify, i don't agree with the mayor, and *if* the reporting on this is accurate, i think this shows pretty poor judgement on his part. There would have been much better ways to deal with the PR concerns. But i can see a possible motivation behind his actions other than a disdain for the military. anti-war != anti-military.
"Or has this been going on for a while, and only now the mayor seems to have some objection."
These sort of exercises have been going on nationwide for awhile. Also, it is not like the Marines showed up unannounced. There is planning, coordinating, permits, permissions, etc. The only thing done last minute was the Mayor's push back.
Maybe he was inpsired by Berkley. I think he was.
This Mayor has his fair share of crazy.
Marines should not have to practice in American cities.
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