San Francisco Moves to Boot U.S. Navy's Blue Angels

By Kimberly West, published Jun 08, 2007
Published Content: 189  Total Views: 167,406  Favorited By: 13 CPs
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San Francisco peace advocacy groups are calling for a halt to the U.S. Navy's Blue Angels annual aerial show that's been a San Francisco Fleet Week tradition, as well as a huge money maker for the city of San Francisco, for years.

The Examiner reports that CodePink, Global Exchange and Veterans for Peace, Chapter 69, are working with Supervisor Chris Daly on a Board of Supervisors resolution to address concerns over the Blue Angels.

Daly told The Examiner he is considering a call to halt the flyovers because, he said, "they seem dangerous and unnecessary." Daly said he plans on introducing the resolution as early as Tuesday, but is still drafting the language. A resolution is not legally binding, but states a board position.

KCBS spoke with one of the anti-war groups about their efforts to shut down the Blue Angels.

"They're weapons of mass destruction and there's really nothing, I think, about them that people should think of as being good or desirable," said Paul Cox with Veterans for Peace. "In a time where we've got a war going on in Iraq, it brings images of the kinds of death and destruction these things rain down on people around the world."

The Blue Angels flying overhead during the Fleet Week festivities has been the pinnacle of Fleet Week since 1981. The Blue Angels bring approximately $4 million into San Francisco during Fleet Week weekend. The San Francisco mayor's office is opposing the legislation to give the Blue Angels the boot. Daly has promised to introduce the legislation on Tuesday.

Edward Leonard, long-time chair of Fleet Week told KCBS San Francisco that, "without the Blue Angels flying overhead, the other activities do not amount to much."

"I think this kind of thing would be a shame. A lot of people love the Blue Angels and love Fleet Week and it would be very distressing for them if it wasn't here," he said.

Leonard also told KCBS San Francisco that other objections raised by the anti-war groups, such as noise pollution and safety, in an attempt to block the Blue Angels are also unmerited.

Code Pink and other San Francisco-based peace organizations are rallying to ground the US Navy Blue Angels from the San Francisco Fleet Week.

Credit: http://flickr.com/photos/matthewphx/290087194/

Copyright: http://flickr.com/photos/matthewphx/290087194/

Comments
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of a statement to say, all the money hungry people in goverment. P.S I gots a brand new Hummer, stay green people, long live the Empior.

Posted on 10/06/2007 at 12:10:00 PM

 
Sorry but I can only tolorate ignorant people for so long. I love San Francisco, no I'm not a fag or a queer However you god loving and tolerant people whom can always agree to disagree might put it, San Francisco is a City made up of a group of people whom include minoroties, hippies, liberals, and a big group of conservatives as well, we can all pick at each other but lets seperate issue and City, when we get to the point of Blue Angels in America I agree with the tradition, its a proud tradition that does honor all of our men and women in uniform. This tradition should continue , now people say that the event is only good for poluting, it cost way too much money, it is too loud and the whole propaganda that surrounds the event isnt worth it. How can you say that when it's a small price to pay. It shows our respect for what they have to do and go through loosing there famalies for long periods some times for ever and list goes on, God Bless these men and women I think it's adiquate o

Posted on 10/06/2007 at 12:10:00 PM

 
I lived in NYC during 9/11, 10 blocks from ground zero. Hearing these planes scream over my apartment all afternoon has been extremely unpleasant and caused countless unpleasant memories to surface. It is extremely irresponsible to allow ANY plane fly so close to ANY urban area. I will be leaving SF because of this.

Posted on 10/04/2007 at 4:10:00 PM

 
I was born and raised and San Francisco and one of the biggest and the most exciting thing that San Francisco can offered are the Blue Angels and Fleet Week they are our pride and what does San Francisco do slap them in the face My son -in -law served 10 years in the military and 1 year in IRAQ thank GOD he game home alive,This is our way of honoring the men and women of our armed forces to show our appreication to them for protecting us in this time of war,Thank God for the military Chris Daly can go to hell as for as i'm concern how dare you,You should go to war and then lets here you down out military you sick ass..

Posted on 10/03/2007 at 3:10:00 PM

 
San Fransisco, you are a disgrace. You absolutely love and honor a steroid using baseball player whose is grossly overpaid but won't honor the men and women who protect your freedoms every day. "Dangerous and unnecessary"...only if you are talking about your own city. Not only should the Blue Angels boycott your city, but president Bush should pull all military bases, personnel and affiliates and move them to area where they will be appreciated. After all, you must not need the revenue. Thank god I'm not from your country. I live in Pennsylvania, a proud member of the United States of America!

Posted on 08/04/2007 at 4:08:00 PM

 
I first moved to SF from Russia back in the 89, the place is a piece of shit and it was filled with commies, I wanted to leave the commies but it seems they where waiting for me in America, SOB.

Posted on 07/30/2007 at 6:07:00 PM

 
Here's a plan: Let's boycott San Francisco BUT send all the illegals there. I'll drive a bus of illegals there if someone comes up with a bus and gas money. That way when the "big one" takes SF into the ocean we can kill two birds with one stone. San Francisco is the most fucked up country in the US. They'd do us all a favor by committing mass suicide.

Posted on 07/30/2007 at 3:07:00 PM

 
One day that 9.0 earthquake will send San Francisco to the bottom of the Pacific. It will be a day of great celebration for the rest of California and the United States.

Posted on 07/30/2007 at 2:07:00 PM

 
stupid faggots

Posted on 06/11/2007 at 5:06:00 PM

 
this is another reason why people keep moving out of cali, the minority acting like a mob telling the rest what to think or do. I say move fleet week to another city that would appreciate the blue angels flying over head and the money they generate.

Posted on 06/11/2007 at 3:06:00 PM

 
WOW... I guess San Francisco is OFF the list for possible vacation destinations!

Posted on 06/11/2007 at 3:06:00 PM

 
Low flying aircraft the sound of freedom. It's that simple.

Posted on 06/11/2007 at 1:06:00 PM

 
EMAIL TEMPLATE It is best to put these type if letters in your own words but feel free to use this template. Also use your contact information so you're identified as a real person and not spam. **** I want the Blue Angels to continue to perform at Fleet Week as they have for years. In addition to clear economic benefits of the event this is an annual tribute which I have enjoyed with my friends and family for years. Please do not let special interest groups take away one of the most unique events in San Francisco. Thank you. Supervisors: Click on your district and their contact field. http://www.sfgov.org/site/bdsupvrs_index.asp?id=4385 Mayor's office: http://www.sfgov.org/site/mayor_index.asp?id=22018 Light Bulb Facts : http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=cfls.pr_cfls

Posted on 06/10/2007 at 1:06:00 AM

 
We would save more fuel and energy if everyone in the city used energy saving light bulbs than an annual 2 day air show. See link below. Buy am energy saving light bulb and spend your on educating American's on that issue. The airhsow is not only a point of pride for citizens also for the men and woman in the arm services. This is chance from them to display their professional excellence with honor. This policy is being considered and introduced by Chris Daly (Chris Daly | chris.Daly@sfgov.org 415-554-7970) NEXT WEEK, therefore please take just a moment and email your Daly and the Supervisor today. Additionally, take a few moments and email this to your friends, family and co-workers. If you're not a resident please email the Mayor. Keep in mind we don't have any special interest groups to help us this is entirely a grassroots effort. If you want to save the Blue Angel's please act today and encourage others to do so as well. Thank you, Adam EMAIL TEMPLATE It is best

Posted on 06/10/2007 at 1:06:00 AM

 
I live in San Francisco and I am tired of the Supervisor's wasting my tax dollars and their time on issues where they have no control. Please post this help us get San Francisco back. I live in San Francisco and on Friday I was watching the morning news and I learned that the San Francisco Board of Supervisors is considering a policy to ban the Blue Angels during Fleet Week. Since the tragic accident in South Carolina the US Navy has cleared the Blue Angels to perform. I am under impression this is more of political move than an issue about safety. Historically you'll see that the Blue Angels have an excellent safety recorded and the FAA and US Navy take every effort to protect the pilots and the spectators. The pressure to cancel the Blue Angels is coming primarily from special interest groups not San Francisco residents. Keep in mind that Fleet Week generates over $4 million in revenue for the city annually. In addition to safety Code Pink sites "fuel waste" as an issue. We wou

Posted on 06/10/2007 at 1:06:00 AM

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