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Protesters Interrupt Bush Holiday Speech
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ShareJuly 04, 2008 2:52 PM
ABC's Matthew Jaffe reports: Protesters today repeatedly interrupted President Bush's Fourth of July speech at Monticello, Thomas Jefferson's residence in Charlottesville, Virginia.
No sooner had Bush started speaking at the naturalization ceremony welcoming new American citizens than protesters began shouting at him, calling him a "war criminal."
The President paused in his remarks and then responded, "To my fellow citizens, we believe in free speech in the United States of America."
One woman moved towards the stage before being stopped by security, but other protesters still made their voices heard.
Only minutes later, another protester shouted expletives at the President, while still another called Bush "a fascist".
By the time Bush finished his 10-minute remarks, at least nine protesters had been escorted out of the event by law enforcement.
Although Bush did not mention the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan in his final Fourth of July speech as President, he did thank the troops, while paying tribute to the author of the Declaration of Independence, who died on this day in 1826.
"We honor Jefferson's legacy by aiding the rise of liberty in lands that do not know the blessings of freedom," Bush said. "And on this Fourth of July we pay tribute to the brave men and women who wear the uniform of the United States of America," prompting a standing ovation from the assembled crowd.
Bush congratulated the new citizens participating in the naturalization ceremony, more than 70 men and women from about 35 different countries, including Iraq, Afghanistan, Norway, and Burma.
"From this day forward the history of the United States will be part of your heritage, the Fourth of July will be part of your Independence Day, and I will be honored to call you a fellow American," said the President.
While in Charlottesville, Bush toured Monticello with Virginia Governor Tim Kaine, a Democrat. Early in the afternoon, Bush returned to the White House to celebrate Independence Day, a holiday which falls right at the start of his birthday weekend.
"Thomas Jefferson once said he'd rather celebrate the Fourth of July than his own birthday," said Bush, who turns 62 on Sunday. "To me it's pretty simple, the Fourth of July weekend is my birthday weekend."
Protesters also lined the President's motorcade route, chanting "Arrest Bush" as he drove to and from the Monticello ceremony.
July 4, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (355)
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RedCoats are back. Emproro Bush orders protesters arrested. He could have asked his men in suits and DARK glasses to release the DEMOCRATIC PROTESTERS.They had no WMD.
IMPEACH BUSH.
Posted by: Tariq Ahmed | Jul 4, 2008 3:17:26 PM
Pro Bum, Bush would not be elected today even if he was running for dog catcher. His approval ratings are in the 20s percentiles.
Posted by: Fluffytoez | Jul 4, 2008 3:24:07 PM
Good for them. If we can't get those abusing their power in the government to listen to the people through the "systematic" channels then we need to do whatever it takes to get them to hear us.
Posted by: Don | Jul 4, 2008 3:30:19 PM
Good for them, kudos to the protester.
They have guts and convictions and while it lasts FREE SPEECH!
Impeach Bush and Cheney, war criminals and crooks.
Posted by: HP Boston | Jul 4, 2008 3:38:33 PM
Obama is more incompetent than Bush.. God help us all.
Posted by: tito | Jul 4, 2008 3:41:05 PM
He can't be taken to the Hague. The United States is not part of the Tribunal....They can throw any charge they want, but legally, they can not prosecute him. That is why he pulled U.S. out of the enrollment for the Tribunal when he first took office; he knew he was going to go to Iraq.
Posted by: tito | Jul 4, 2008 3:44:32 PM
tito - you are correct. Many in the know back in 2000 will tell you that he was planning to invade Iraq even before 9/11. This seems to be common knowledge in Washington.
Posted by: Don | Jul 4, 2008 3:45:59 PM
At least we know Bush's views Robert. Obama floats with the wind.
Posted by: tito | Jul 4, 2008 3:46:02 PM
Nonetheless, there is a potential leader that is far worse than he is. He started a massive racial divide in this Country and he is not even the pronounced president yet. Now what does that tell you about him??!??
Posted by: tito | Jul 4, 2008 3:49:37 PM
who is that?
Posted by: tito | Jul 4, 2008 3:52:30 PM
I watched the Bush speech in it's entirety and it was a great speech indeed. The vile communist "protestors" had no impact and no influence. They wasted away their day in their hateful triads. The "protestors" are mere fools paid by cpusa. Have a great 4th of July Celebration of our country.
Posted by: Bill | Jul 4, 2008 3:53:13 PM
God Bless America,Happy Fourth of July,Birthday of America,
do not follow Jane Fonda ?a lesson of VN war you did not learned ? some liberal and anti-war protesters,you made over 50,000 American lives who died in VN wasted ? do you still wants over 4000 American lives in Irak
wasted? think about it .Do you want "chicken Obama" in the white house?
Posted by: luuchu | Jul 4, 2008 3:53:26 PM
Yes, good for the protesters that is what We as a country are about. But, we have to keep in mind that we have troops that died and we can not go about making them feel their lives are a waste.
Posted by: tito | Jul 4, 2008 3:58:40 PM
All, maybe you have not learned they make of the American political system. First, a president has limited powers. You can also thank Congress for this war. Second, presidents have advisers; he/she can only do what their team advises them on. Then we have the cabinet etc. I honestly can not blame Bush for everything. I live in Texas and when he was a governor Texas was doing quite well actually. Crime was low, the economy was booming and many had jobs. I think his people in the White House mis-led him as well. General Collin Powell and the Pentagon to name a few.
Posted by: tito | Jul 4, 2008 4:04:49 PM
The right to protest is almost excusively American... and don't let the fascists tell you it's not! Happy 4th of July, and many more!
Posted by: Troy Street | Jul 4, 2008 4:10:26 PM
Colin quit because he was scared to get squealed on. Mind you, Colin was also in the White House when Bush Sr. was president; during the time of the Gulf War. Sounds coincidental.
Posted by: tito | Jul 4, 2008 4:10:44 PM
A great day when a man or woman becomes a citizen. Welcome to one and all! Sorry about the circus freaks that tried to spoil the ceremony, there must have been a traveling carnival in town as well as a break out at the local insane assylum. We hope it didn't ruin your day.
Posted by: dav_0107 | Jul 4, 2008 4:12:19 PM
uneducable is not a real word Robert. Sounds like you got your education from Harlem.
Posted by: tito | Jul 4, 2008 4:13:26 PM
President Bush was SOO presidential!
Posted by: Giovanni | Jul 4, 2008 4:14:31 PM
Obama is a baby killer that practices fornication. That is a known fact that he even wrote about in his own book. I would rather have Carter, Nixon, and Bush all in one office term than Obama.
Posted by: tito | Jul 4, 2008 4:17:21 PM
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