Union Losers Kick Out Marines!

[cegerer]

I figured somebody would have posted something on this already. It's been all over the radio here today and has turned into a PR nightmare for the UAW.

http://www.detnews.com/2005/autosinsider/0503/13/C01-115531.htm

In a nutshell, there is a UAW local hall located adjacent to a Marine base in the Detroit area. There's a parking shortage at the Marine base and the UAW has generously allowed the Marines to use part of their lot for the last 5-6 years. Last week, the UAW contacted the Marine base out of the blue and told them that Marines driving "foreign" cars or any car with a "George Bush bumper sticker" could not use the lot!!!!

The Marines told the UAW thanks, but no thanks, "you either support the Marines or you don't". The UAW doesn't. So the Lt. Col. issued an order that no Marine would use the lot.

To me this is the absolute pinnacle of pettiness and desperation by the Democrat UAW. First, what exactly is a "foreign car"? How about the new SAAB (GM-owned) SUV to be built in the US on a Trailblazer platform for example? 2nd, whether ya like it or not, Bush is the President and, more importantly, the friggin Commander in Chief of the Marines. These guys are fighting and dying for us ('us' includes Democrat union people .... ) I didn't hear a single person who supported this nonsense. Even UAW members were calling in to express their outrage.

[mikester]

While their message may be small minded and petty they are completely within their rights.

Buy a car from someone else - vote with your dollars.

[350HP930]

I thought the right wingers were all for this kind of behavior when that business owner fired an employee for driving a car to work that had an anti-bush bumber sticker on it.

That being said I do think its a dumb move for this group to be doing this since many of the cars they are assembling here are made with foriegn parts and I think that trying to ban someone from expressing their political opinion in a pseudo-public place is wrong.

[mikester]

Because there is no reasonable expectation of privacy in a parking lot that is likely just out in the open they may even be infringing on their rights to free speech.

[Oh Haha]

I figured something like this would happen.
A similar issues was going on in a town south of Flint recently. Walmart wants to build a Sam's Club and SuperWalmart behind the UAW hall.
The UAW opposed this very loudly as they don't want there members walking out of their local and seeing the Walmart empire that is so nonunion. Funny thing is, who do they think keeps them in business?!
Many UAW bummper stickers in the lot at Sprawlmart, people.
Just for the record, I could care less if Walmart or Meijer build a store in every city. I generally do not go to warehouse stores. I am not a big 'crowd' person. I shop at Meijer because they are a customer and I am in there for business ALOT. I prefer small shops where I can talk to someone, even if the price is a bit higher. ok, done ranting.

[cegerer]

Of course they have the right to dictate who uses their lot. The point is, why would a group be so stupid as to pick on the Marines during wartime???!!! Who's next, the firefighters and nursing homes? Speaks volumes about the UAW.

[kaisen]

Where do you draw the line?

GM owns Saab, Isuzu, Daewoo, Opel, most of Subaru

Ford owns Aston Martin, Jaguar, Volvo, most of Mazda

Chrysler owns Mitsubishi and Mercedes-Benz (or is it the other way around?)

So I guess you can't drive a Honda? (oops, what about the 04/05 Saturn VUE's with the 3.5L V6 from the Honda Pilot?)

Can't drive a Toyota? (oops, except the GM NUMMI Van Nuys, CA-built Prism/Corolla or Vibe/Matrix)

Nissan then? Didn't Nissan and Mercury team up to built the Quest/Villager? Even now, most US Nissans are built in Tennessee or Georgia, but they're non-UAW

For that matter Hondas in Ohio, Toyotas in Kentucky and Texas, BMW's in South Carolina, and Mercedes in Alablama, again non-UAW, but still 'Made In America'

But damn those Mexican built VW Jettas! Oh, what's that? Dodge builds Ram trucks and Neons in Mexico? Um, well, strike that then.

I guess the UAW workers are afraid they'll lose their $45/hour job mounting tires, and I can see why. But those Marines are the same ones protecting their jobs. They don't get it.

E

[Oh Haha]

....and people wonder why Delphi and GM stock is is at the lowest price in years.
You defend my country and brother, you can park anywhere you f'ing want!! He!!, , I'll wash your car while it's there!
WOOHOO

[Moneyguy1]

Now..would the RNC be pleased to have seen "Kerry/Edwards" bumper stickers in their parking lot last fall?

It is all a matter of who'se ox is getting gored.

The problem really isn't a matter of UAW vs Marines. It is a matter of political philosophy of an organization vs. the political philosophy of INDIVIDUALS that have been given use of a facility without charge. If the UAW charged for the parking, perhaps it wouldn't be an issue.

[cegerer]

If a capitalist pig business owner such as myself tried to ban certain types of people from parking in my lot, I'd be sued.

Regardless, this was such a huge PR blunder, I'll predict that the UAW will back off completely within a week. But it won't go away. You can bet that Republican political ads in the next go-round will bring this back to the headlines for years to come.

WJR - the local mega radio station - was all over this thing and they can be relentless. They were trying to get the UAW exec who made this decision on the phone all morning. He was "in a meeting". They did interview the Lt. Col and he was as polite as could be.

[SLO-BOB]

Here's the deal-They can't ban foriegn cars from their lot if those cars are owned by people who would normally be allowed to use the lot. Unfortunately, the Marines are guests, so the UAW could say only Marines that own "red" cars can park in the lot if they want. Legal yes. Shi*ty yes.

I'm a former IBEW member and the powers that be tried that crap on it's membership. They posted a sign-"Only American made cars allowed in this lot."at the union hall. They had to change the wording from "allowed" to "welcome". The union, while having some value, has a long history of shooting itself in the foot.

[rcecale]

Originally posted by cegerer
They did interview the Lt. Col and he was as polite as could be.

I find it difficult to believe that a Marine Lt. Colonel knows how to be "as polite as can be". Everyone knows Marines are ruthless murderers.
Randy

Randy

[emcon5]

Originally posted by kaisen
Where do you draw the line?
Can't drive a Toyota? (oops, except the GM NUMMI Van Nuys, CA-built Prism/Corolla or Vibe/Matrix)

Don't forget the Fremont California built Toyota Tacomas, assembled by UAW workers.

Originally posted by procon
Perhaps you should ask my Uncle, Marine Lt. Colonel Ret. Stafford Va. currently a lobbyist for the PVA.
After years as a Cobra Pilot, the only thing he's only in his sights are whitetails & elk.

I am guessing he can ask himself. (look under his user name).

Tom

[rcecale]

Originally posted by procon
Want to help some Marines, donate to the PVA.

Or better yet....sign up and serve!

Randy

[cegerer]

Well, this lasted all of about 4 days. The UAW did a complete reversal due to public pressure and told the Marines they could park any vehicle with any bumper sticker in their lot, just like they've been doing for 5 years! Unfortunately for the UAW, the Marines already made other plans. The Lt. Col. was interviewed this morning and I'm paraphrasing here: "we don't have time to play games with the UAW. We have SERIOUS issues to deal with, like re-deploying for war. We've already made other arrangements and we will not be using their lot. " Ouch.

[kaisen]

I'm glad it turned out that way. Hope it stings.

[Oh Haha]

He is absolutely right! What fools.

[kach22i]

Originally posted by cegerer
These guys are fighting and dying for us ('us' includes Democrat union people .... )

FALSE

They are dying because of lies and misrepresentations, which lead to a Preemptive war of choice and blunder.

They are dying because of poor planning and twisted ideology.

They are dying because of the political ambition of the guys in office - the head one gleaming when he says; " ..........but I 'm war time president" - bent on leaving his mark on history.

They are dying because the inept commander and chief decided that they should be put in harms way ill equipted and supported.

They are dying because our leaders have stated that it's better that they die there now than to have a fight elsewhere later.

We can support the troops without supporting the policies that they must follow. We must voice our disapproval of policies that harm the nation and the nation's long term interest. It's our duty as Americans to have our voice heard and registered anyway we can.

[RANDY P]

Originally posted by kach22i
FALSE

They are dying because of lies and misrepresentations, which lead to a Preemptive war of choice and blunder.

They are dying because of poor planning and twisted ideology.

They are dying because of the political ambition of the guys in office - the head one gleaming when he says; " ..........but I 'm war time president" - bent on leaving his mark on history.

They are dying because the inept commander and chief decided that they should be put in harms way ill equipted and supported.

They are dying because our leaders have stated that it's better that they die there now than to have a fight elsewhere later.

We can support the troops without supporting the policies that they must follow. We must voice our disapproval of policies that harm the nation and the nation's long term interest. It's our duty as Americans to have our voice heard and registered anyway we can.

Go chain yourself to a tree.

rjp

[mattdavis11]

Me thinks the gubmint ought to teach the UAW a lesson on how to practice the right of eminent domain.