PRESIDENT BUSH IN MAINE FOR EARTH DAY (PROTESTORS GATHER)

WCSH6.com ^ | April 22, 2004 | AP

[fight_truth_decay]

President Bush's Earth Day visit to a Wells nature reserve has some Maine environmentalists riled up about what they see as the way his policies are polluting the state's air and water.

Wells-AP) -- Several hundred demonstrators lined Route One in Wells this morning to protest President Bush's environmental policies even before his arrival aboard Air Force One.

The group chanted, played drums and held up signs. Members also gave out mock environmental awards including a tail pipe for the state's summer smog problem and a fish representing mercury and polluted waters.

Maureen Drouin of the Sierra Club says it's ironic that Bush is celebrating Earth Day by coming to the town of Wells, which recently failed the federal government's new ozone standards.

Bush's speech at the Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve is expected to focus on the role of citizen stewardship and conservation partnerships in protecting the country's natural resources.

[fight_truth_decay]

Did you know:

#1. The only true Earth Day: March 21, 1970 It is devoted solely to "peace, justice and environmental issues."

#2 The subsequent Earth Day: April 22, 1970 It is devoted to Political and Financial interests under the auspices of the noble issues above.

[dts32041]

FYI

Is this where they found out the MTBE was a a cancer causing agent.

Or where they found the water was polluted by a teaspoon of this stuff.

[fight_truth_decay]

"Jonathan Reisman, associate professor of economics and public policy at the University of Maine in Machias, said he believes Bush's policies are important for a healthy economy. He accused environmental groups of playing on people's fears when they talk about issues."

"The reality is the air and water are substantially cleaner than they were 30 years ago, but you wouldn't know it by listening to our environmental groups," he said.

Kate Moffat of Kennebunk, a teacher, said the Wells reserve is one of her favorite places to spend her free time. She said to have President Bush at the reserve on Earth Day "is an insult."

"I was kind of upset that he is literally coming to our back yard on Earth Day, because his environmental record is just awful," she said. "It just feels to me like he's trying to look green for a day by coming up here to this beautiful spot."

Portland Press Herald

[fight_truth_decay]

Was the government right or wrong to ban MTBE from use in gasoline?

[dts32041]

Should have never been in gasoline in the first place.

[hobbes1]

A little reality check would be nice. How about instead of quoting idiot P.S. Teachers authoritative, we go to wherever it is the Protesters have Parked, and figure out the ratio of Volvos to Bicycles (Or Priusus....)

[Semper Paratus]

the Wells reserve is one of her favorite places to spend her free time. She said to have President Bush at the reserve on Earth Day "is an insult."

I like to hike there in the summer and knowing W was there will now make it more special.

And if it keeps the eco-nuts out so much the better.

[Russ]

The President should observe Earth Day by going back to his ranch for the week-end and cutting down a tree or two. Wouldn't that set off the wackos?!

[Rate_Determining_Step]

I want a President like who does not acknowledge "earth day". Gimme a break. Earth day celebrations do nothing but sanction the premises of eco-wackos.

The President should treat earth day the same way you treat "May Day".

I want a "Capitalist Day"!

[ohioWfan]

Unlike the wackos, the President actually CARES about the earth............which is what Christians are supposed to do.

Besides which, he makes the left act even loonier when he does stuff like thes..........

[ohioWfan]

Ummmm.....that should be THIS..........not thes........

[fight_truth_decay]

Can you see Kerry getting his hands dirty?

President Bush is, as you state,more in touch with the earth than Kerry..forget Kerry wearing flip flops..he wouldn't be wearing something that would expose his feet to Mother earth before first receiving a pedicure.[..does my hair look ok?]

[ohioWfan]

Can you see Kerry getting his hands dirty?

No.

But I can see him asking for a Purple Heart if he got a scratch bad enough to require Neosporin..........