So . . . . U.S. Soldiers returning From Iraq Are Not Welcome In Oakland's Airport huh ?

Question

Just watched a news story about how U.S. troops returning from Iraq were not welcome in the airport . Officials put them in a staging area 400 yards away from everyone else . I don't want to go on too much further because I don't want to get any of the details incorrect . But there's much more . BTW , the story came from a military chaplain upset with the troops getting poor treatment from the airport .
Can anyone PLEASE provide a link ? I heard the story is also in the National Review , but I had trouble finding it . No 'Welcome Home' banners . No 'Thank You' signs . NOTHIN . Well nothin but a spit in the face !!
Thank you .

It should be noted that they had landed in Germany and New York prior to Oakland and experienced no problems whatsoever .

Here's the link for you inane doubters !!
http://corner.nationalreview.com/post/?q=Mjk1NDAxMWZjNDhhODI2Mjc5Nzk1MWMzNWIyYTI0NjY=

Answer 1

Remember, they're landing in The Republic of California. I'm not at all surprised.

Answer 2

Here is the link you asked for. Haven't had time to research and read up so I cannot not comment at this time.

http://corner.nationalreview.com/post/?q=Mjk1NDAxMWZjNDhhODI2Mjc5Nzk1MWMzNWIyYTI0NjY=

Will try to get back later after I get the kid from school.

UPDATE
here is what CNN says...

Lawmakers want Marine's complaints about Oakland airport investigated

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Two lawmakers asked Friday for a Department of Transportation investigation into a Marine's allegations that he and 200 other military personnel returning Thursday from Iraq were not allowed into the terminal at Oakland International Airport, but instead had to deplane 400 yards away.

"It felt like being spit on," the Marine, who was not publicly identified, wrote in an e-mail to the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. "Every Marine and soldier felt the message loud and clear, 'You are not welcome in Oakland.'"

Oakland International Airport spokeswoman Rosemary Barnes told CNN that airport officials are investigating, but believe the incident stemmed from the airport not getting needed information before the flight landed.

"We make customer service a priority here for our passengers," she said, and airport officials "bend over backward" to support the military. (Posted: 8:16 p.m.)

http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/europe/09/28/friday/

I find it odd that the towers brought them to Oakland once they were in our airspace but Oakland didn't know about it. I am holding off until the story develops to decide how I feel although I must admit, this really doesn't look good, esp after the way San Fran treated the Marines when they wanted to film a commercial.

Answer 3

I doubt that it was intentional, probably just insensitive which is hard to imagine from the sensitive Libs!
Why these people had guns! I suspect this a more realistic scenario, but no guarantee since Liberals are masters of insult.

I am sure it did feel like an insult. I have seen returning troops cheered and applauded in other cities.

Answer 4

Nothing in California surprises me. They will not allow military recruiters on the college campuses and have the left wing Liberal agenda throughout the state. It's time we let California know what the rest of the U.S. thinks. Stop going there on vacation, stop buying California products, and tell them why. And the next time they are screaming they need the National Guard or military to help them, don't send anybody. Let the peaceniks with their signs do the work.

Answer 5

Maybe their own government was torturing them, or better yet, teaching them how to torture! Electronic Harassment (More methods than you'd believe) Organized/Multiple/Gang Stalking (No one to report to) Advances in Mind Control technology, mind conditioning, Terror Tactics, Brainwashing techniques! These are being used on CIVILIANS around the world TODAY!

Answer 6

You know, this makes me sick. But it doesn't surprise me of Anti-American, Oakland. Definitely staying true to the character of the Bay Area.


****Robert J. What do you suggest to those of us who live in CA? I live in Orange County, though. The largest republican area in the state. I loathe the Northern California mentality. I think we should become 2 states instead of one.

****Mother- They are welcome in my part of the state, ANYTIME! Please don't lump all of us Californians in one group.

****Just a thought...since CA has such a HUGE amount of NON-natives (so many people move here from other states and countries), I wonder how many of us TRUE Californians feel the way the anti-American leftists do.....Just a thought.

Answer 7

I cannot imagine that, even in Oakland. While San Franciscans can be dumber than rocks, I'm surprised at the Oakland response. There are gazillions of Military Vets out there. I'll look for the link though.

here's one link....there are more
http://www.ocblog.net/ocblog/2007/09/oakland-airport.html

Why is this story ALL over the blogs and not ONE news source has either picked it up nor have they discounted the story. How interesting.

Answer 8

Wow!! I sorry I don't have a link for you but I just read from the one you provided, what is the world coming to? That makes me want to cry, I will pass this along in an e-mail so that we can get it circulating, this should not be happening especially in the US.

Answer 9

When I was a kid, some of my father's friends re-enlisted to go back to Vietnam because of America's social climate at that time. In fact, the behavior and treatment that you described in Oakland varies none in comparison to what occurred in the early '70s. Absolutely wretched.

Answer 10

This is an embarrassment to our country. These troops are over there fighting for us we can't even welcome them in an airport. Someone in Washington needs to put an end to this behaviour immediately. This is absolutely unacceptable.

Answer 11

Next time route the troops through DFW airport where we - sometimes over a hundred people - greet our troops properly.

http://www.dfwairport.com/flyer/06/05/troops.html