The Blue Angels still under attack in SanFran
Update 8/13/07:
The anti-Blue Angels resolution has been tabled 2-1 in committee.
Resolution supporter: "The Blue Angels are totally unnecessary. I believe they are sent here to terrorize this town because we are an anti-war city."
It reminds me of a scene in Band of Brothers where a private remarked that the Captain hated the company. The XO (Lt. Winters) responded that the Captain just hated him.
So to this particular resolution supporter, I am sure the Blue Angels are just gunning for you only, not the city. Besides, if you can check your records, they have been flying air shows over the city for quite a long time.
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A while back, I wrote a post on San Francisco Supervisor Chris Daly's attempt to shut down The Blue Angels, a team of Navy fighter pilots, and their flying performance during Fleet Week. During the week, the flashy blue planes would perform their maneuvers which includes vertical rolls and soaring through the sky with speeds up to 700 miles per hour.
Under the guise of plane safety, Chris Daly introduced a non-binding resolution in the Board of Supervisors Government Audit and Oversight Committee that would call on San Francisco's congressional representatives, including Sens. Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein, to "use all resources at their disposal to bring a permanent halt to unnecessary flyovers by military aircraft."
If sent out of committee, the full board will vote on it Tuesday (8/14).
With no surprise, his resolution is backed by three peace advocacy groups - CodePink, Global Exchange, and Veterans for Peace, Chapter 69. The primary reasoning alleges that the flyovers pose a public safety threat. They cite that in a 60-year period, there have been 26 fatalities during Blue Angel air shows including a recent one in April where a pilot was killed and 8 people injured in Beaufort County, SC. They also argue that veterans of war "are at risk of being traumatized," that the loud roars from the jets "terrorize small children, seniors, pets, and local wildlife," and that the jet fuel used harms the environment. (cue vomiting sounds)
Fortunately for us, there are only three members on this Committee including Daly. The other two, Supervisor Sean Elsbernd and Michela Alioto-Pier are not supporting the resolution. (cue applause) "[The Blue Angels] are just fantastic. I look forward them every October and I certainly do not support in any way Chris' resolution," Elsbernd said. "There is no way I am going to send this forward," Alioto-Pier said. "We should be proud of our American forces, particularly when we have soldiers fighting in Iraq. I think it's insulting to them and everything that they've done for us."
Well said. In essence, both supervisors essentially said "BITE ME" to Daly and his three peacenik groups.
Fleet Week is a great attraction for all. According to the city, it brings about 1 million people and approx $4 million in revenue. When the Blue Angels did not fly in 2004, attendance and revenue dropped by more than 50 percent.
So right now, it will die in committee, but it probably won't be buried. I am thinking Daly may try to force it on the full Board agenda where he may have more support. In the meantime, peacenik group Global Exchange are collecting signatures petitioning San Fran Mayor Gavin Newsom to stop The Blue Angels.
If you don't want the Blue Angels, I am sure another city would gladly take your place. Harming wildlife? How about shutting down the noisy highways instead? Noise pollution? How about the long hours of cars/trucks honking in the streets? If veterans are that traumatized, I guess we need to ban anything military in the city, take down our American flags, and introduce sensitivity training by Barney.
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