Silent Drill Platoon

An elite unit of U.S. Marines performed in New York’s Times Square this morning and filmed part of a recruitment commercial during the start of rush hour.  That’s something they were not able to do in San Francisco on the anniversary of 9/11. Depending on whom you believe, the Marines were slighted because of liberal politics or it was just an issue of traffic control.  We explored the issues in tonight’s I-Team report.

I remember watching the Silent Drill Platoon as a kid growing up in a Washington, D.C. suburb.  The memories of those twirling rifles and the precision march came back strong when I started researching this story.  The unit’s been popular since it began in 1948, so we wanted to stream our raw footage of their filming in Times Square.  It may be interesting, no matter what your political viewpoint.

Here’s the Silent Drill Platoon’s website and the U.S. Marines’ write-up on the new commercial, the concept and the production plan.

Comments

[MrPurpose]

I will make it a point to not go to, shop, or spend money in any way that may benefit the city and county of San Francisco. Further, I will actively discourage anybody I know or can influence from vacationing in this city. I hope SF goes broke.

[marinemomiv]

What a HONOR it would of been to have had the Few, the Proud, the Marines film in San Francisco! Shame on you, Ms. Coyote and for the City of San Francisco to allow this disgrace.

[Candy]

So I guess if it were an amnesty march it would have been denied as well. /s

That's okay, with regret it seems the West Coast will get their turn with the jihadis, maybe the guard and all branches could be unavailable for a while.

If there are any mil contractors or bases/posts in the area... they should be moved.

[EastBayResident]

Thank you to KGO and Dan Noyes for shining the spotlight on this shameful incident. Mayor Newsome recently asked for the resignation letters of all city officials. The mayor should relieve Ms. Coyote from her duties immediately, and appoint someone who is fair to all points of view. We have reached a sad state when the leader of a country that murders homosexuals and does not allow political dissent(Iran) is welcomed to speak at Columbia, but Marines are banned from the streets of one of our major cities.

[luckysnp]

San Fransicko.
Ms coyote is definitely a loser and has no real life experience other than coffee shop philosophers and pseudo intellectuals. I suggest she enlist the support of Al Queda who also hates the Marines.
Simper FI

[CSAR]

During the Loma Prieta Earthquake of 1989 members of the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, Coast Guard and the National Guard were brought in to help with Search and Rescue efforts as well as recovery efforts. My unit, the 129th Rescue sent Para-Rescue members and provided aviation assets to help. Next time SF needs help during a disaster don't call the U.S Military for assistance.
"The Things We Do That Others May Live"

[John Rogers]

This story and this blog speak volumes!

The volumes unspoken honor the Marines the most.

They will come, they will serve, they will protect even the officials of San Francisco, should terrorists seek to destroy one of the bastions of decadent society.

[Scott]

Gotta love San Fran! At least you people are consistent. Consistently fucked in the head, that is....

Another nail in the coffin. Don't expect a dime from my vacation dollar nor monthly business trips to Fremont.

[Britt]

I am thoroughly disgusted. I am a Marine who typically stands up for San Francisco, because, when I moved there I fell in love with the diversity and the city's open arms. Yet, my beloved city slammed the door on my beloved Corps. Unforgettable and unforgivable.

The world famous Silent Drill Platoon is breathtaking to watch... but because of one woman, the San Franciscans will not have the luxury of seeing our hard working and dedicated men.

SEMPER FI Marines

[Jackie Dupuis]

I was raised in my pre-teen years in San Francisco, also wrote a paper on the city in High School. I have always been proud of San Francisco.I have traveled through out the US and San Francisco is the most beautiful city. The last few years I have not admitted living there. The City has gone Anti-American. Keeping the Marines from shooting a commercial is an example of her Anti-American attitude.

[David Wunder]

Amazing. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad can speak all he wants in NY, but San Francisco shuns the Marines.

[David Wunder]

Amazing. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad can speak all he wants in NY, but San Francisco shuns the Marines.

[Rosann Hague]

No matter what your view on the Iraq war, our U.S. military has gone to all parts of the world to fight for other country's that are in trouble. That in itself should be honored. People like ms coyote who disrepect our military should step out of the safety zone that our men and women have lost their lives for. I'd like to see her protect herself and her family without the military. Someone should fire her.

[Marine]

i now know where america needs retired Marines. Be there shortly.

[Ed Anderson]

I picked up on this in Kansas from the FOX news website. We got Coyotes here too. I'm sure we would treat the SF kind the same way we do the KS breed. I guess the PC way to say female Coyote is the same in both places.

[Rosann Hague]

Yes, I do agree with the above comment...it is amazing that Mahmoud Ahmadinejad can speak at an American University, but our own citizens can not be filmed on US soil. Is the governor of California watching all this??
My son is a former Marine, two tours in Iraq. I see those pics of the men in their uniform and I see him. She has disrespected him and the men who wore the uniform but did not make it home, from all war. She should be embarrassed to show her face in public. She is a disgrace.

[Frank]

i was planing at trip to S.F but now we will go somewere else.
THE CITY WILL LOSE OUR MONEY THAT IS HOW YOU HURT THEM IN THERE POCKETS

[Steven B.]

I am a former Marine and this deeply saddens me. No, it makes me extremely angry that Stefanie Coyote's decision to turn her back on the very principle by which she lives her life today is looked upon as a form of treason. She and the commission should be barred from living in the United States and be forced to fight in the trenches with our fellow Marines. Shame on S.F. and America should boycot every activity it has in the future. This is un-called for and a disgrace to our fine Military.

[Dave McGhee]

The citizens of San Francisco should call for the removal of this bigoted waste of human flesh. What a disgrace. Can we just give San Francisco to Cuba, Iran or North Korea? Seems like their governments have the same political views.

[Michael]

If the US Military is so repugnant to the people of San Fransisco, why don't they secede from the union!!

[Mid West American]

COYOTE UGLY!

It seems like a bad dream when our military can't film a commercial in a US city. Isn't SF part of the US? Coyote should get a butt-stroke from a rifle right on the side of her head for being like that.

[Corporate Relocation Research]

Will keep this information on file ! I'm sure that the
Chamber will forget this issue ever occurred.
Will also keep a record of the post's to show how the local government follows it's citizens wishes. (Not) to smart Coyote

[Another Dan]

I represent a group of individuals who will now not consider San Francisco for their convention. This is very sad as the city is beautiful. I will not only keep over 2,000 people from spending any money there, but will continue to advise them to shun the city as long as the present Mayor and staff remain. Congratulations San Francisco. You now represent all that is embarassing to the United States and seem to have forgotten exactly where your freedoms were purchased and by whom. Disgusting.

[MESSAGE FROM THE FILM COMMISSION]

Here is what the Film Commission said in response to an e-mail I sent them. Is it a lie or half-truth?

"Hello,

Thank you for your email inquiry regarding San Francisco denying a film permit for the filming of a US Marine Corps television commercial.

The reports claiming that a permit was denied for filming were incorrect. A permit was issued on Friday, September 7th and filming took place on Sunday, September 9th from 4 AM - Noon at California at Mason Streets as requested. The permit was issued to Tight Productions by the San Francisco
Film Commission and was completed with the assistance the San Francisco Police Department.

The Film Commission issues film permits without regard to content. Our primary concerns are safety and managing disruption to the residents of our City.

The Film Office appreciates your concerns with regard to this matter."

[JD]

CONTACT THE COMMISSION:

The lady who sent the message pasted in the post above is:

Laurel Barsotti

Reach her at:
Laurel.Barsotti@sfgov.org

.