President Bush got off to a rocky start in the rocky mountain state today as hundreds of protesters blew whistles, pounded on pots and pans and chanted “Impeach Bush” before the president arrived today for a fund-raiser. Protesters briefly blocked the path of two press buses that were trailing the Presidential motorcade, before police cleared them out of the way.
Streets around the Brown Palace Hotel in downtown Denver, where Bush was to speak, were blocked off with Regional Transportation District buses and concrete barriers.
"We'll just get as close as we possibly can, and make as much noise as we can. We want to show George Bush that he is not welcome in the state of Colorado. We oppose his policy. We oppose his administration. We want to end this war and bring the troops home now," protester Claire Rider told Watch 7 News.
President Bush was in Denver to help raise campaign contributions for right wing "Christian" fanantic Rep. Marilyn Musgrave, a second-term congresswoman.
Musgrave became a lightning rod for criticism by promoting a constitutional ban on gay marriage. She called the ban the biggest political issue facing Christians today during an interview with Pentecostal Evangel.
During that interview with Pentecostal Evangel Rep. Musgrave stated, "The problems in our culture are just symptoms of spiritual problems in our nation. We must return to God and biblical principles for answers."
Rep. Musgrave is listed as one of the thirteen most corrupt members of congress by the group Beyond Delay. Rep. Musgrave's ethical improprieties involve the misuse of official resources for political campaign activity and from abuse of franking privileges.
Eve Ventrella, 31, said Bush's backing for Musgrave and her support for a gay marriage ban were the big reasons she attended the protest. “Among other things, that's the biggest, to constitutionally amend something to take away people's civil rights,” Ventrella said.
Jeb Bennett, 51, carried a sign saying "Musgrave is Bush-league." He said gay marriage and other issues are being used to distract voters from more important matters.
Carla Lanza, 59, said the Bush administration has never proved its contention, voiced before the U.S. invaded Iraq, that Saddam Hussein had ties to al-Qaida and the Sept. 11 attacks. "It's a culture of deceit, corruption and cronyism, all under the guise of patriotism and Christianity," she said between blasts on a whistle. "Where is the morality in permitting all these deaths of young people?"
At least one group wants Republicans to reimburse taxpayers for the money the Bush fundraising trip is costing them.
"We call on Marilyn Musgrave, who does not represent any Denver taxpayers, to reimburse them for the tens of thousands of dollars spent to host her fundraiser," said Michael Huttner, of Progress Now Action.
He said that in June 2004, when Bush was in Denver for a political fundraiser, the city paid $57,500 for the president's visit to raise money for Republican candidates. This included spending taxpayer money for items that the Denver will incur Tuesday such as additional police officers, police barricades, helicopter patrol and other support efforts. Sources: Rocky Mountain Post, Watch 7NEWS, Denver Post, Beyond Delay, Pentecostal Evangel
No comments:
Post a Comment