Anti-Bush protesters in Chattanooga, TN forced to move & pro-Bush allowed to stay

Protesters, Supporters Demonstrate Near Convention Center During President’s Visit
by Judy Frank
posted February 21, 2007

When Chattanooga resident Ethan Sklom learned last week that President George Bush was going to visit here, he knew immediately that he would be on hand for the occasion, he said.

So by 11 a.m. Wednesday, well before the President and his motorcade arrived at the Convention Center, Mr. Sklom was standing on the sidewalk at the intersection of M.L. King Boulevard and Chestnut Street, wearing the rubbery George W. Bush mask he bought last Halloween.

...snip...

Mr. Sklom said he was part of a group of protesters who originally gathered directly across the street from the Convention Center, about a block away from a group of Bush supporters. But a police officer confronted his group and demanded that they move three blocks away, he explained, as other protesters nodded in agreement.

“The group supporting the president was allowed to stay where they were, he said, “but when we asked the police officer why we had to move, he just said, ‘Because I say so,’ ” Mr. Sklom said indignantly.

more...
http://www.chattanoogan.com/articles/article_102177.asp

Wednesday will go done in the history book as the day President Bush came for lunch. It was a day for Chattanooga to shine in the spotlight.

The news showed him visiting Erlanger, the Trade Center and then Porker's Bar-B-Que. The Chattanoogan.com has wonderful pictures of Air Force 1 flying over the city and taking off from Lovell Field. The young lady who got an volunteer award was on the top of the list for the President. I hear that things went off without a hitch.

Granted President Bush has his downfalls, but so did former President Clinton. I do not remember former President Clinton taking time out to visit the Scenic City. He was busy lying about Monica and other things. I cannot think of a past president who did not lie about things while he was in office. One might not be crazy about Bush, but that's how I feel towards Clinton.

Most of the protesters looked too young to vote. I could be wrong, but they did. I know that does not have anything to do with protesting against the war. One of the protesters said that they will get back at Bush in 2008. I laughed so hard when I told myself that he will not be there.

I am a Bush supporter. I am glad that he cared enough to come to our fair city. We have a wonderful city that needs the attention and to shine in the spotlight.

Bush did not put this country in the toilet - it was going that way before he came into office.

I was glad that I did not work downtown today with the traffic jams and the roads that were closed down. What a headache. I felt for the people who had to brace for his visit. The employees at the airport, Erlanger and other places were in for a busy day.

Thanks, Mr President, for visiting our Scenic City.

Laura Crane
Tiktin Drive
Red Bank
ToBSketching@aol.com
http://www.chattanoogan.com/articles/article_102209.asp

Good Riddance, Mr. President - And Response
posted February 21, 2007

I was as excited about President Bush coming here as I get about a trip to the dentist.

The worst president in history pays our city a visit. It's definitely not something I will be bragging about.

I was amused to see that a group of supporters were allowed to be right there in front of where Bush was, but a group of protestors were made to move three blocks away from where Bush was. That's Bush's version of democracy.

I'm glad he left, and I hope he never comes back.


Mariah Smith
squidswife97@yahoo.com

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I was appalled that Bush came to visit Chattanooga. When will people in this country wake up?

This war of his should be fought by his family. Why not send his own daughters off to war?

We are fighting a war which is an impossible situation - a real "Catch 22" situation.

WRCB showed a lot of coverage on Bush's supporters, but only a minimal amount of the protesters. We have every right to protest,and disagree.

Bush will be remembered as the worst president ever, in my opinion.

Dale R. Souders
U.S. Navy, Ret.
North Chattanooga
drsouders460@yahoo.com

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Could it be that there were not that many protestors for WRCB to show?

Maybe the voices of the vocal and belligerent minority isn't worth showing?

Maybe the people of Chattanooga support the president more than those that do not? Who knows?


Daniel Hague
Ooltewah