Fight Over Toledo Marine Maneuvers Isn't Over

Lucas County, in northwestern Ohio, is somewhat of an island surrounded by sanity. Besides being the home of a one-woman anti-gun advocacy "group," Toledo has an interesting place in history. It was the hub of a "war between the states" back in the early 1800s.

Both Michigan and Ohio claimed the narrow strip of ground running west to east. Ohio officials snuck in in the middle of the night, established and operated a court for a few hours. Citizen militias from both states were headed for a possible showdown. Ohio had even adopted as its flag a "burgee" -- a pennant shaped banner similar to those used to commemorate military campaigns. This prompted Michigan officials to fear Ohio was going to be a somewhat militaristic state in the future.

Eventually, the parties stood down after federal authorities ruled that Ohio had first "governed" that area (due to holding a court on one night). The strip was awarded to Ohio, and "that state up north" was compensated for its loss with what is now the "U.P." -- more commonly known as Michigan's Upper Peninsula.

Why the history lesson? Because a new battle over Toledo is being waged between its mayor, Carty Finkbeiner, and a U.S. Marines reservist unit that was supposed to train in the city's downtown. Mr. Finkbeiner isn't backing down from his original orders, but other city officials are sending out apologies.