It’s True: Iraq Beggers Homefront Needs

Since the Democrats’ calls for surrender in Iraq, er withdrawal, run counter to the advances from Bush policies’ improved security and governance there, the defeat-at-any-price Democrats have a new mantra: the costs of Iraq are beggaring homefront needs.

Ironically, Berkeley proves the Democrats’ case…but in reverse, earning again the sobriquet Berzerkeley.

San Diego’s international businessman Brian Dennard shot to national fame by having his vendors boycott Berkeley, because of its anti-Marine/pro-Code Pink antics. Dennard wrote Democracy-Project readers about his experience in “Berkeley: Individual With Strong Voice Makes Difference.”

The front page of the San Francisco Chronicle adds to the repercussions on Berkeley:

Berkeley is finding that having its own foreign policy isn't cheap. The city's recent dustup with the U.S. Marine Corps has so far cost the city more than $200,000, while businesses say they've been slammed by related protests.

And that's on top of the $1 million the city spends annually on domestic and foreign policy matters hatched by its 45 citizen commissions, which outnumber those in virtually every other city in America and debate everything from regime change in Iran to the plight of nonneutered dogs….

But some business owners, residents and officials say the Marines dispute, which brought international headlines and boycotts, is a perfect illustration of why Berkeley should spend less money on foreign policy and more on filling potholes….

Additional costs include city staff time to handle permits, the media, security and the thousands of e-mails that have intermittently crashed the city's computer server. In addition, businesses around the recruiting station have been hurt by the protests, and at least four hotels and a handful of restaurants have reported cancellations as a result of the boycott.

"The city is raising business fees and parking meter rates at the same time they're spending all this money on international issues and handling protests. It doesn't make sense, in these difficult economic times," said Ted Garrett, director of the Berkeley Chamber of Commerce. "We're very concerned about the effect this is having on business."

An Oregon Ducks football fan club and a Lafayette golf club are among the groups that have canceled junkets to Berkeley this fall, Wozniak said. A San Diego resort developer said he canceled three contracts with Berkeley suppliers and has persuaded other businesses to follow suit.

Michelle Malkin has more, and links to her prior posts.