Tuesday, December 27, 2005

CRAWFORD, Texas (AP) -- Demonstrators on both sides of the war debate waved signs and argued their causes in President Bush's hometown again Saturday, though their efforts drew much smaller crowds than last summer's dueling rallies.About 200 war protesters joined Cindy Sheehan on a private lot outside Bush's ranch, laughing at a Bush impersonator and crying while listening to relatives of soldiers killed in Iraq.Sheehan, whose 26-day protest in August reinvigorated an anti-war movement, called on supporters to return to the campsite during the president's Thanksgiving holiday. Saturday, she held up a picture of 20 flag-draped coffins on a plane bound for the United States. (Watch as Sheehan rallies supporters -- 1:24)"This is George Bush's exit strategy from Iraq," said Sheehan, whose son Casey died in Iraq last year. "And we want our kids to walk off planes, not be loaded onto the back of a hearse from a loading dock. And that's why we're doing what we do."Several miles away in downtown Crawford, a dozen Bush supporters gathered with their own signs, one reading: "Real America won't wimp out."Throughout the day, dozens of others stopped by the pro-Bush tent to express their support."I'm just a flag-waver, and I disagree with what (the protesters) are saying," said Army veteran William Moore of nearby McGregor. "The fact is, we did go to war. I don't like war, but I don't want us to get out of Iraq before the job is done."The scene was far different from the last weekend in August, when several thousand Bush supporters and war protesters held separate rallies in the one-stoplight town of 700 residents. Both sides attributed Saturday's low turnout to the holiday weekend and rainy, cool weather.Saturday's biggest demonstration in Crawford turned out to be one involving about 500 Americans from Ethiopia, which has experienced political unrest and violence since the disputed May election. Demonstrators called on Bush to pressure the Ethiopian government to release detained opposition party leaders, who accused authorities of rigging the polls that returned the ruling party to power.In his weekly radio address Saturday, Bush mourned the growing number of fallen troops in Iraq but vowed to keep fighting for the cause they died for. (Watch as Bush gives thanks for the troops -- 3:24)He thanked U.S. service members and military families "who are making great sacrifices to advance freedom's cause."The anti-war campsite includes small, white crosses with names of some of the more than 2,100 U.S. soldiers who have died since the war began in March 2003.Bush supporter Gary Qualls, whose son Louis died with other Marines in Iraq last fall, said he and other military families see the protest group's use of the names as disrespectful."It is time to put an end to this unwarranted, unethical and un-American protests using our fallen heroes' names," said Qualls, who created a pro-Bush camp in downtown Crawford in August.He said he had already recommended legislation to U.S. Rep. John Carter, R-Texas, to ban anyone but the media from using a fallen soldier's name or picture without family permission. Carter could not be reached for comment Saturday.On Saturday, Sheehan's group release nearly 300 blue and white balloons with anti-war messages and pictures and names of fallen soldiers.Bill Mitchell said he was honored that his son Mike was being remembered."I'm very grateful for anyone who sees pictures and reads stories about Mike and to recognize the loss," Mitchell said. "Whatever your beliefs on this war, we've lost some great boys and girls."Copyright 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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