Keep it up or this is what we will we looking at for 4 years...
Posted on 08/13/2005 11:55:08 PM PDT by kristinn
CRAWFORD, Texas – President Bush, noting that lots of people want to talk to the president and ‘‘it's also important for me to go on with my life,'' on Saturday defended his decision not to meet with the grieving mom of a soldier killed in Iraq.
Bush said he is aware of the anti-war sentiments of Cindy Sheehan and others who have joined her protest near the Bush ranch.
‘‘But whether it be here or in Washington or anywhere else, there's somebody who has got something to say to the president, that's part of the job,'' Bush said on the ranch. ‘‘And I think it's important for me to be thoughtful and sensitive to those who have got something to say.''
‘‘But,'' he added, ‘‘I think it's also important for me to go on with my life, to keep a balanced life.''
The comments came prior to a bike ride on the ranch with journalists and aides. It also came as the crowd of protesters grew in support of Sheehan, the California mother who came here Aug. 6 demanding to talk to Bush about the death of her son Casey. Sheehan arrived earlier in the week with about a half dozen supporters. As of Saturday there were about 300 anti-war protestors and approximately 100 people supporting the Bush administration.
Sheehan is seeking a justification for the war, as well as her son's death.
‘‘I don't want comfort from him,'' she said Friday. ‘‘I want answers. I want the truth.''
Bush on Saturday said, ‘‘I've heard their complaints about my policy. I think it would be a big mistake to withdraw immediately from Iraq, which is what they're suggesting we do.''
In addition to the two-hour bike ride, Bush's Saturday schedule included an evening Little League Baseball playoff game, a lunch meeting with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, a nap, some fishing and some reading.
‘‘I think the people want the president to be in a position to make good, crisp decisions and to stay healthy,'' he said when asked about bike riding while a grieving mom wanted to speak with him. ‘‘And part of my being is to be outside exercising.''
‘‘So I'm mindful of what goes on around me,'' Bush added. ‘‘On the other hand, I'm also mindful that I've got a life to live and will do so.''
Pro- and anti-war forces continued to gather in Crawford and demonstrators held dueling rallies on Saturday.
“We speak out ... so that your loved one can be next to you and not in a picture,” Fort Worth resident Beatriz Saldivar told anti-war demonstrators at Crawford's Tonka Park.
Saldivar's nephew, 23-year-old Army Sgt. Daniel Torres, was killed Feb. 4 by a bomb blast during patrol duty in northern Iraq.
Saldivar was among the seven speakers who lost a family member in the Iraq war. Veterans and families of servicemembers also spoke at the event, which was sponsored by several anti-war organizations including Military Families Speak Out, Gold Star Families for Peace, Iraq Veterans Against the War and Veterans For Peace.
There have been no arrests as the protests enter into the second week.
Raoul Deming of Takoma Park, Md., led a pro-Bush counter rally at the opposite site of the city park. The event was organized by Free Republic, a conservative grassroots organization. It drew about 75 people at its height.
Deming was critical of Sheehan and the various anti-war organizations who are supporting her cause, and suggested that such groups help to fan the insurgent uprising in Iraq.
“They're trying to market grief,” Deming said from the bed of a pickup truck. “That's why they want to see photos of coffins. That's why they want to see the amputees.”
Kim Barr, 48, of Killeen, said he wanted to voice his support of the U.S. military.
Barr said he felt compelled to do so in support of his neighbors, many of whom are stationed at nearby Fort Hood.
“If (Cindy Sheehan) went to Killeen, she wouldn't have been there for long,” he said, noting that support for the military in Killeen is one-sided.
Well, will you look at that! :)
Good job, Freepers!
Kristinn, Your radio interview was the best defense of our efforts in the War on Terror I have heard so far bar none, and that includes the POTUS. You did a fantastic job my friend
Great day :-)
The newspaper say 75 Freepers. That means way more :)
Great work to all who keep up the good fight.
A big thank you for holding up our end.
My local radio fellah said that the size of the anti crowd was much smaller than reported by the biased media and the Bush supporters' numbers were greater than reported. Easy to believe. But true?
It has been, hasn't it.
I notice Saldivar's just an aunt- could that be because Mr. Torres' immediate family honors, as do we, their son's decision and sacrifice?
Seven speakers is all the antiwar group could drum up? Did they have to keep counting out to third and fourth cousins of war heroes to get enough duped "family members" to continue their media charade that entire families are swallowing their antiwar bilge?
Not very flattering for our side, is it?
As for me, I'll immodestly take the compliment from you. :-) Thanks!
I've seen worse.
Imagine the same scenario in......say..........1943. Some mother staking out Roosevelt's haunts to get him to justify the war against Nazi Germany or Japan, and a fawning media hanging on her every word.
Fat f**king chance.
YES IT HAS :-)
Caught her on a good day, did you?
yea, sometimes she forgets to put on the coverup...
I'm not certain if I like the smile better or the dainty ears!
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