Keep Americans Terrorized

More fuel to the fire on the controversy of the growing military presence in our communities, but at least they had the courtesy to leave, unlike Berkeley where the controversy continues to be fueled by the right wing noise machine:
VACATE THE PREMISES
Mayor to Marines: Leave downtown
He says urban exercises scare people [Ya think?]
By JC REINDL, BLADE STAFF WRITER, 2/9/08
A company of Marine Corps Reservists received a cold send-off from downtown Toledo yesterday by order of Mayor Carty Finkbeiner.
The 200 members of Company A, 1st Battalion, 24th Marines, based in Grand Rapids, Mich., planned to spend their weekend engaged in urban patrol exercises on the streets of downtown as well as inside the mostly vacant Madison Building, 607 Madison Ave.
Toledo police knew days in advance about their plans for a three-day exercise. Yet somehow the memo never made it to Mayor Finkbeiner, who ordered the Marines out yesterday afternoon just minutes before their buses were to arrive.
"The mayor asked them to leave because they frighten people," said Brian Schwartz, the mayor's spokesman.
[...] Mr. Schwartz said the Marines declined Mayor Finkbeiner's alternative offer for them to practice their urban patrol tactics inside the former Jones Junior High School, 550 Walbridge Ave.
Major O'Neill said he was not aware of such an offer. [Marines lie? Incredible!]
A pair of Marines spent the better part of yesterday setting up the Madison Building with generators, heaters, radios, and food to become the unit's overnight headquarters.
http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080209/NEWS16/802090394