by Tom Fredriksen
March 26, 2009 - Eureka, CA Old Glory Radio
Organizers of what is being touted as a fundraising benefit to offset costs of defending local military recruiting bans in the cities of Eureka and Arcata California, have apparently duped many local businesses into quasi-sponsorship of military recruiter bans.
The leftist Redwood Peace & Justice Center, located in Arcata, CA is sponsoring a “Beer and Bread” tasting event Friday, Mar 27th 2009 in Eureka Ca. Cost of admission $15.00.
From the Redwood Peace & Justice Center press release:
“Proceeds from this year’s event on Friday March 27 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Vets Hall, at 1425 J Street will also go to the Humboldt Committee for Conscientious Objectors/GI Rights Hotline. The HCCO/GI Rights Hotline volunteers advise and support young people with military issues.”
Several local bakeries and micro-breweries were listed as sponsoring the event. When called, all of the businesses claimed no knowledge of the reason for the event.
Speaking for the Eel River Brewery, a company official stated, “we don’t make political statements and were unaware of the anti-military message.” A popular local bakery, Ramone’s, echoed the remarks, relating that the people requesting the donations of their products for the beer and bread tasting did not mention the anti-military focus of the event.
None of the event sponsors which we contacted, were aware of the use to which the money raised would be put.
Military recruitment within city limits came to the forefront of local issues last November when the cities of Arcata and Eureka voted to ban military recruiters within city limits. These measures are being challenged by the Department of Defense and Department of Justice. The “Beer and Bread” tasting is to raise money to defend the measures in court.
Humboldt Couny local and Southern Oregon Corporate sponsors listed are: Beer - Lagunitas, Sierra Nevada, Six Rivers, Mad River, Lost Coast and Eel River. Bread - The North Coast Co-op Bakery, Los Bagels, Brio, Tofu Shop, Wildberries, Wild Flower Café and Ramone’s.
Calls to phone numbers associated with the Redwood Peace & Justice Center for comment were either disconnected numbers or in one case, after identification as media request for comment….. denial of association with the organization. Even though the number is listed as their organization contact number.
FOLLOW UP: 26 Mar 09 - I received a call from Bill Prescott of Los Bagels, who issued the following statement: “we support the measures passed by the votors in Eureka and Arcata and the event”. Los Bagels is the only listed sponsor of the program spoken to that has issued support for raising money to defend the banning of military recruiters in the cities of Eureka and Arcata. NOTE: Mr. Prescott contacted me after the article went to print. His initial comment when asked about his support of the event was “no comment” prior to publication. It should be noted that they (Los Bagels) went out of their way to let the community know via this article that they are behind the banning of military recruiters in the Cities.
We have forwarded the comments made by the management of Los Bagels to the area VFW, American Legion posts as well as the Coast Guard station. We will be doing a follow up after the event and report expected blow back toward area businesses.
DISCUSSION THREAD on this topic via Free Republic
ED NOTE: Please forward pictures and video of elected city/county officials attending this event.
9 responses so far ↓
Alan Bestton // Mar 26, 2009 at 11:12 am
Thanks for posting this, can’t wait to see the pictures of who actually shows up to this anti American beer bash.
sa-man // Mar 26, 2009 at 11:27 am
My wife just sent me this link, she works for one of the beer companies mentioned. The management brought everyone into the office and they are pissed off big time. Just say this group won’t be getting any beer. Good reporting!
Mark Gathner // Mar 26, 2009 at 11:47 am
I don’t drink beer, but my wife and I are going to miss the bagel on Saturday morning. Either these businesses are too stupid to ask where their money and food is going or they support it with a wink and a nod. Either way, they have seen my last dime. Our service men and women and our contry deserves better. I agree with the other comment. Please put up pictures of our city leaders attending.
Paul in Bayside // Mar 26, 2009 at 12:15 pm
Don’t believe a word those bakeries tell you. They are behind every left wing nutball cause in the area. Don’t support them.
Humboldt VFW // Mar 26, 2009 at 1:05 pm
“FOLLOW UP: 26 Mar 09 - I received a call from Bill Prescott of Los Bagels, who issued the following statement: “we support the measures passed by the votors in Eureka and Arcata and the event”. Los Bagels is the only listed sponsor of the program spoken to that has issued support for raising money to defend the banning of military recruiters in the cities of Eureka and Arcata.”
I printed this out and will be posting it on the wall at the VFW. I guarantee no one associated with the military will EVER walk into one of those bagel shops again.
Samwise Sam // Mar 26, 2009 at 5:22 pm
if you are covered with tattoos and pierced everywhere that is the place you go in Humboldt county to get a job. I won’t go in any of their places.
Humpatriot // Mar 27, 2009 at 5:22 am
I would add dirty.
Dave in Mack Town // Mar 27, 2009 at 8:52 am
I’m a Vietnam veteran with three grown sons. None of them went into the military despite being hounded by recruiters. That’s because I made sure they always had access to both sides of an argument.I made sure they were well-informed about the horrors of war. I never tried to HIDE THEM FROM REALITY because I wanted them to be able to make important decisions based on facts. Especially life-changing ones.
Banning recruiters is like saying, “I’m afraid my kid is going to make the wrong choice (not mature enough), and that he/she’s not smart enough to decide, although they are going to be old enough to go into the military soon.”
Education starts at home folks. Not in spewing rhetoric against our troops.
Tom Sebourn // Mar 29, 2009 at 12:28 pm
Dave in Mack Town, not all kids have good parents. To the rest of you, I guess I will have to start buying bagels at Los Bagels. I’m more of a beer fan than bagel fan but I don’t think I will be buying any beer from these breweries that want people under the age of 18 entering into contracts that could end up getting them killed. Anyone that thinks the government should have full access to our youth without the consent of their parents is anti American in my book. Let the men and women do the fighting and let the boys and girls finish school without being brainwashed by the military. If there aren’t enough recruits to defend this country, we should re instigate the draft. This isn’t about being anti military, it’s about choice. If parents of kids under 18 want their kids to be recruited, they still have that choice. It should be a choice until they reach the age of consent. Does anybody here think that those under 18 should be exposed to recruitment from the porn industry? How about giving free cigarettes to kids in high school? You are saying that those under 18 are capable of making these decisions. Maybe some of them are. But the parents should make the decision, not the military.
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