Argentine city hunkers down for anti-Bush violence

Yahoo! Reuters ^ | 11/03/2005 | Kevin Gray

[rightwinggoth]

MAR DEL PLATA, Argentina (Reuters) - Shopkeepers raced to board up storefronts and residents fled this Argentine seaside resort on Thursday as thousands of protesters prepared marches against U.S. President George W. Bush during an Americas-wide presidential summit.

Bush was scheduled to arrive late Thursday for a two-day Summit of the Americas in a country where anti-Bush sentiment runs high due to the war in Iraq and U.S.-backed, free-market policies that Argentines say pushed millions of their compatriots into poverty.

"People see all the iron barricades and police on every corner and they get scared," said construction worker Hernan Brito, who received five last-minute requests to board up store windows from merchants who he said also fear looting.

U.S. interests like Blockbuster video stores and Citibank branches were covered with corrugated metal shields ahead of protest marches early Friday.

More than 7,500 police officers erected a security ring around the summit hotels and patrolled the streets and beaches of this normally bustling city of 600,000, which looked more like a ghost town. Coast guard boats and helicopters trolled the shore, while air space was restricted.

"We hope protests are carried out in a peaceful way, but if they are not, we are prepared to give wrongdoers a forceful response," said Federal Police commissioner Daniel Rodriguez.

[rightwinggoth]

Todos junto...

"Averia de Bush!"

[L98Fiero]

We do not live in a civilized world.

[injin]

what pathetic fools ....they rant and wail against the only man that is willing to stand up to the radical islam that would cover this entire world in no time ,were it unopposed.
How far into the nether regions have they placed their heads?

[philsfan24]

"Bush was scheduled to arrive late Thursday for a two-day Summit of the Americas in a country where anti-Bush sentiment runs high due to the war in Iraq and U.S.-backed, free-market policies that Argentines say pushed millions of their compatriots into poverty."

blaming the US for their country being in poverty? thats the funniest thing ive heard all day.

[marsh_of_mists]

Of course, wanton destruction violence is not too out of character for many "peace" protesters.

[Brilliant]

I'm not sure why Bush is going. Seems like in the 21st Century, you should just do a video conference.

[Semper Paratus]

Is he going to meet with that fruitcake Chavez?

[End Times Sentinel]

anti-Bush sentiment runs high due to the war in Iraq and U.S.-backed, free-market policies that Argentines say pushed millions of their compatriots into poverty.

Sounds to me more like they're upset their protective tariffs got taken down in favor of fair trade and a deep sense of irrelevance brought on by their impotence to do anything in the Iraq war.  Oh well, nobody likes to be reminded of their own insignificance.  How's about invading the Falklands again, maybe that'll be a tonic.

Owl_Eagle

(If what I just wrote makes you sad or angry,

 it was probably sarcasm)

[Tijeras_Slim]

Yep, he's gonna meet the little olmec.

[ClaireSolt]

I am not buying that Latin America is upset about Iraq.

[FearlessFreep]

Is he going to meet with that fruitcake Chavez?

----

W. should walk up to this punk and do some talking with the back of his hand.

[Quilla]

I worry every time the President leaves the country. On a past visit to South America (Chile, I believe), the President had to step into a fracas and rescue one of his Secret Service agents.

[OldFriend]

For heaven's sake. This kind of violence went on during Nixon's visit decades ago. Pat Nixon was a true hero in the way she comported herself when her car was attacked.

[hnorris]

Blaming America for their economic problems?

Didn't they get the memo? It's Isreal's fault!

/sarcasm

[calrighty]

: )

[drew]

Oh yes, the Argentines blame us for everything. I have a friend from there who told me in one evening that it was our fault that 1)Thousands were killed by the military junta (and since we supported them he kind of had a point, but then his logic went hay wire) 2)We betrayed that same junta that he and other freedom-loving Argentines loathed when they went to war in the Falklands (Las Malvinas) 3)It's our fault their economy went south even though their dumbass of a president (Menem) wouldn't allow people to pull their money out of failing banks 4)We should've been more involved in what was happeing, even though he complained that we were too involved, and for the wrong reasons. He then went on to extol the virtues of Che Guevara. Argentines are silly, as anyone from any of the other countries in South America will tell you (it's especially funny to hear Colombians make fun of them and the way they speak Spanish). Having said all that, I hear Argentina is a great place to visit.

[Cuttnhorse]

Argentina, like many Latin American countries, have a love affair with left-wing dictators...the more brutal the more loved. It only stands to reason the president of the most free nation on earth would be the object of protest.

These people are incapable of self government, which is why countries like Argentina remain TWSHs, (Third World S*!# Holes.)

Cheers from Argentina

[Black Tooth]

Argentina, like many Latin American countries, have a love affair with left-wing dictators...

And to think they are entering this country, illegally by the millions. Gives me a nice warm feeling.

[Cuttnhorse]

I'm sitting in Argentina as I right this and the Argies are not silly, they are waaay beyond silly. They are pathetic. They are horrible workers, more interested in their mate, and asados than work. Everyone in SA makes fun of them and rightly so.

At one time they were the 6th largest economy in the world...they have everything resource-wise, but continually manage to piss it away and now are just another dismal third-world country.

[Cuttnhorse]

I am not buying that Latin America is upset about Iraq.

Believe me, most Argies don't even know where Iraq is...it is very fashionable to be anti-American these days, (just ask the democrats) and the Argies are not know for their clear thinking or originality. They're sheep and are easily duped. Cheers from Argentina