Buffalo protestors denounce Bush

[cal04]

President Bush was met Tuesday by hundreds of protesters, who gathered in this city's downtown to denounce everything from the Iraq war to U.S. economic policies. The president, who had come to the city to promote the continuation of the Patriot Act, arrived to chants of "Go Home, Bush! Go Home, Bush!" Michael Rozendal of Buffalo was handing out flyers for the Western New York Peace Center.
"The military is a very blunt instrument," the 30-year-old registered Democrat said. "They talk about winning over hearts and minds and drop two-thousand bombs." Bill Pienta of Buffalo, a member of the United Steelworkers of America, was protesting the Bush administration's economic policies.

"We're seeing our jobs going overseas," said Pienta, 55. "They're abandoning the working class and they are abandoning our retirees."
Counter protesters in support of the Iraq war also turned out Tuesday, but were far outnumbered by those opposed to the U.S. occupation. Police officials estimated that about 500 protesters were outside the music hall where Bush was speaking. "I'm a mother of a soldier and I want them home," said 47-year-old Margaret Phillips of Rochester, whose son served in Iraq. "We were lied to about why we are going to war. I don't think people are realizing what is happening to our own men and women over there."

http://www.nynewsday.com/news/nationworld/nation/ny-usbush0420,0,1411063.story?coll=nyc-nationhome-headlines

[Deb]

1. Go Buffalo! Mayor snubs bush

Noticeably absent from the President's town hall meeting today, Buffalo Mayor Anthony Masiello.

The mayor explains his absence by saying it was in protest. :-)

more- http://www.wkbw.com/morenews/morenews.asp#5

(also a link to protest video on the page)

[fudge stripe cookays]

2. Good for him! n/t

[Bullshot]

3. Will the major networks this evening take note of the mayor's absence

and the large number of protesters, or will they continue Bush's charade by making him look popular and successful.

I still wonder about that Washington Post poll that came out this week showing Bush gaining popularity, after that flimsy performance he gave at last week's press conference, continued news of U.S. casualties in Iraq and the latest economic news.