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Friday, July 22, 2005
Protesters criticize Bush policies
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Brightly colored signs, loudspeakers and honking horns filled the intersection of Piedmont Road and Ralph McGill Boulevard as more than 150 protesters stomped and yelled their opposition to President Bush, who was speaking at the nearby Boisfeuillet Jones Atlanta Civic Center Atlanta Civic Center on Friday.
Demonstrators held up signs with a myriad of messages, such as “Hands off my Social Security,� “Civil Liberties = Moral Values,� and “No more blood for oil.� They chanted, “What do we want? Justice! When do we want it? Now!�
The coalition organizing the protest included the Georgia Peace and Justice Coalition, the International Action Center, Atlanta’s chapter of Women’s Action for New Directions, Planned Parenthood of Georgia and the Atlanta-North Georgia Labor Council.
Some of the protestors outside Bush’s event, intended to promote the new Medicare prescription drug plan and the president’s plan for revamping Social Security, were older than 65, but most of them were not yet old enough to be collecting retirement benefits. Krista Brewer of Atlanta WAND said the age of the protesters did not make a difference.
“Young, middle-aged and old people can see the fallacies in Bush’s social security privatization plan,� she said. “It’s not rocket science. It’s pretty easy to see this.�
Most of the protestors, however, were concerned with other issues.
“There is mammoth opposition to his agenda,� said Ann Mauney, coordinator of the Atlanta GPJC. “And his agenda includes Social Security, his war on Iraq, his judicial decisions, his environmental destruction.�
Anti-war demonstrators were both the most common and the most vocal protesters.
“As long as he attacks some country, he will be safe because people will support him,� said George Sossenko, an author and veteran of the Spanish Civil War.
“It was a pre-emptive war,� said Gloria Tatum of the GPJC. “We’ve never had a pre-emptive war on a country that has done absolutely nothing to us.�
Another hot topic was the president’s nominee to the Supreme Court, Judge John Roberts Jr., who has not yet clearly expressed his stance on abortion.
“Women’s health is most important and women have to make their own choices,â€? said Heather Branham of Planned Parenthood. “Right now we don’t know how the judge feels about that.”
Some protesters wondered why people who opposed Bush’s policy were not invited to attend his speech.
“It is really a shame that he is speaking to a hand-picked audience,� said Decatur High School social studies teacher Marcus Patton. “Bush coming here for a photo op with people who agree with what he says is a huge waste of money. It seems most self-indulgent for the president, a person preaching only to the choir.�
In January 2004, about 1,000 protestors gathered when Bush visited Atlanta to lay a wreath at the tomb of Martin Luther King Jr., commemorating the birthday of the slaim civil rights leader.
Friday’s demonstration was not as large as last year’s, which garnered national media attention, but organizers maintained it was still important to the anti-Bush movement.
“There’s another kind of emotional tinge to this demonstration, in how critical it is that all these people come together that have all these kinds of grievances,� said IAC coordinator Dianne Mathiowetz.
Respiratory therapist Sherry Biddle of Shiloh got up at 4 a.m. to travel to Atlanta for the protest.
“I love my country, but I’m not too crazy about my government,� said Biddle.
A resounding “boo� came from the protesters as President Bush’s moptorcade passed the intersection where they stood.
As the summer heat mounted, protesters held up umbrellas for some respite from the sun, but few retreated from the scene.
“We’re not afraid to take our bodies to the streets,� said the Rev. Timothy McDonald III, president of Concerned Black Clergy. “We’ve got a ticket to justice. We’ve got a ticket to truth.�
Permalink | Categories: President visits Atlanta
Bush leaves Atlanta
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
President Bush returned to Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport following his speech at the Civic Center, accompanied by Gov. Sonny Perdue and his wife, Mary.
The president mounted the steps to Air Force One, turned and waved to those who had come to see him off, and entered the plane.
Air Force One took off about 1:55 p.m., headed back to Washington, D.C.
Permalink | Categories: President visits Atlanta
Bush pushes revamp of Social Security
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Speaking at the Boisfeuillet Jones Atlanta Civic Center, President Bush extolled to an invited audience of 3,700 the advantages of the new Medicare prescription drug plan, which will take effect in January, and renewed his push for a revamping of Social Security.
He also expressed solidarity with the people of England, who experienced yet another apparent terrorist bombing attack earlier Friday in London.
“The citizens of that country will not be intimidated by thugs and assassins,” Bush said.
Joined onstage by his mother, Barbara, and community members, Bush emphasized that the new drug plan is voluntary, and urged seniors to sign up. He said the average recipient will get $1,300 in annual benefits.
He joked about the plan’s application for low-income seniors, who will get even more aid, saying it is four pages long, “but the print is big.” He called the program ” a good deal” and urged sons and daughters of seniors to talk to their parents about it.
On Social Security, he returned to his script from events he held around the country to promote the plan this spring. He said the system is headed for bankruptcy and needs the boost that would be provided by setting up private investment accounts for younger workers.
“I believe people can do better than this 1.2 percent return” under the existing system, he said.
The proposal has failed to gain traction in Congress and with the public, but Bush vowed not to drop the his plan and charged that “some people are playing politics with the issue.” He said if anyone has a better idea, “Bring it forth.”
His mother, in brief remarks, said talking about Social Security is a “political nightmare” and praised her son for having “the guts to do it.”
Summing up his message, Bush said, “These are important issues for today’s seniors and important issues for people who are going to retire.”
Bush also made brief reference to his new Supreme Court nominee, saying Judge John Roberts Jr. is a “strict constructionist” who will not legislate from the bench.
The receptive audience gave Bush a standing ovation before his departure for Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, where he will board Air Force One for the return flight to Washington.
Bush made no reference in his speech to the crowds of demonstrators outside the Civic Center, who protested on issues including Social Security and war in Iraq.
Permalink | Categories: President visits Atlanta
Bush visit stirs excitement
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Brothers Richard and Matthew Banks and their three nephews were anxiously awaiting President Bush’s visit on Friday, but not just to see the country’s leader.
They wanted to peek inside Air Force One. Richard Banks, 38, from Atlanta, and Matthew Banks, 34, of Augusta, and nephews Lorenzo Banks, 16, Jonathan Banks, 12, Chris Stallings, 9, were treated to a special tour of Air Force One. The Banks’ cousin works security on the president’s plane.
‘‘We just want to see all the gadgets, to be honest with you,’’ Matthew Banks said.
Several families toured Air Force One as it was parked at Hartfield-Jackson International Airport during the president’s visit, but others were happy just to get a glimpse of the president and his mother, Barbara Bush, who was already on the tarmac to greet her son when the plane touched down shortly after 10:30 a.m.
Joseph ‘‘T.J.’’ Smith of Lawrenceville and his family were among the lucky few to tour Air Force One, thanks to a good friend whom he said works as a flight attendant on the plane. Smith, a 20-year Air Force veteran, said the experience was ‘‘awesome.’’
‘‘Some planes have first-class in the front and coach in the back. This plane is totally first-class,’’ he said.
Many Georgians fought the sweltering heat for a chance to see and talk to Bush. Tina Fletcher, vice chairman of the Georgia Department of Human Resources, was an official greeter during the visit.
‘‘The president is coming here to have a conversation about senior security, and I want to be a part of that conversation,’’ the 56-year-old Warner Robins woman said.
Paige Smith, of Jonesboro, got just four hours of sleep after working the second-shift at UPS so she could be at the airport to drive one of the vans carrying members of the media and Georgia delegation in the presidential motorcade.
‘‘It’s a once-in-a-lifetime dream,’’ said Smith, 43, who is a member of the state Republican Party and volunteered to help with the president’s visit.
Permalink | Categories: President visits Atlanta
Bush says U.S. stands with Britain
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
President Bush says the U-S stands ’’strongly’’ with Britain during ’’these trying times.’’
The president says he’s confident Britons, like Americans, ’’will not be intimidated by thugs and assassins.’’
His words of support for Londoners came after this month’s second wave of attacks on the mass transit system.
Speaking about the attacks during a speech on Medicare and Social Security, the president said no one will ’’frighten us from our great love of freedom.’’
Permalink | Categories: President visits Atlanta
Bush visits Wesley Woods
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
President Bush, on his way to the Boisfeuillet Jones Atlanta Civic Center to speak on senior security, stopped for less than 10 minutes at Emory Healthcare’s Wesley Woods senior services center, where he met with about 15 senior citizens in a small conference room.
Bush talked about new Medicare prescription drug benefit his administration backed as the first major initiative of his second term, which won congressional approval earlier this year and will start in January.
“It will really help a lot of people,” Bush told the seniors. He also introduced them to his mother, Barbara, whom he called “my favorite senior citizens.” She told them the plan will save seniors money, as well.
Also accompanying Bush on the visit was Dr. Mark McClellan, head of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Permalink | Categories: President visits Atlanta
Bush arrives, heads into Atlanta
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
President Bush, visiting Atlanta to highlight issues of importance to senior citizens, landed in Air Force One at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport at 10:40 a.m.
He was greeted at the cargo area by his mother, Barbara; Gov. Sonny Perdue and his wife, Mary; Eric Johnson, president pro tem of the Georgia Senate; Glenn Richardson, speaker of the Georgia House; newly appointed Georgia Supreme Court Chief Justice Harold Melton; and Greg Dunn, chairman of the Fayette County Commission.
Traveling with Bush were Georgia’s U.S. senators, Saxby Chambliss and Johnny Isakson.
The motorcade went from the airport to the Wesley Woods geriatric specialty center of Emory Healthcare, where Bush was to make a brief stop. He is scheduled to arrive shortly before noon at the Boisfeuillet Jones Atlanta Civic Center, where he will speak on senior security.
Demonstrators were already gathered outside the center, protesting Bush’s proposal for individual investment accounts for Social Security and other issues.
Permalink | Categories: President visits Atlanta
Protesters heckle Bush event visitors
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
About 200 protesters crowded a busy intersection in Atlanta chanting ‘‘Hands off Social Security’’ and handing out leaflets chastising President Bush’s policies.
Some heckled passersby rushing to Bush’s event down the street, yelling, ‘‘Your time will come, Republican scum,’’ and calling his supporters ‘‘rednecks.’’
Others just wanted to remind the president he has detractors everywhere — even in a state like Georgia that went Republican in the last presidential election.
The Rev. Timothy McDonald helped organize the protest. As he put it, ‘‘We’re here to make sure the president knows there are Americans who disapprove of how he deals with national security.’’
Permalink | Categories: President visits Atlanta
Cathy among listeners at Civic Center
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Before the president arrived, the biggest star at the civic center was a man passing out coupons and wearing a tie emblazoned with the words ‘‘Eat Mor Chikin’’ — the slogan for the Chik-Fil-A chain.
Chik-Fil-A founder Truett Cathy — a social conservative — was surrounded by well-wishers, complimenting him on his food and his support of Republicans.
Cathy — who lives in Jonesboro — was laughing and handing out a stack of coupons for free chicken sandwiches.
He says he’s excited about hearing Bush’s speech. In his words, ‘‘I understand he’s talking about senior issues. I don’t understand why he’d invite me — I’m only 84.’’
Permalink | Categories: President visits Atlanta
Perdue greets Bush at airport
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Air Force One touched down at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport at 10:39 a.m. today for President Bush’s visit to Atlanta focusing on issues affecting seniors.
Bush was met by about 30 people, including Gov. Sonny Perdue.
The president, wearing a brown suit and red tie, appeared in the door of Air Force One to a smattering of applause and waved to the crowd before getting in a limousine.
The presidential motorcade left the airport at 10:54 a.m., headed for the Boisfeuillet Jones Atlanta Civic Center.
Permalink | Categories: President visits Atlanta
