Bush has said it would be bad policy to bring the troops home now because Iraq's new government needs the stability of U.S. forces. Iraq's government has praised Bush's decision, and many in Iraq have thanked U.S. troops for ending Saddam's reign. Many Iraq war veterans have similarly complained about the media, saying news reports focus on the negative and haven't brought to light the positive developments like new schools, new freedoms and new jobs for the Iraqi people.

There were a few counter protesters at Saturday's rally expressing support for Bush.

"Ross Anderson and Cindy Sheehan, you don't represent anybody but the fringe left," one sign said.

But with terrorism in Iraq continuing, many at the protest said now is the time for U.S. troops to leave. Many at Saturday's rally said the United States should respect the Christian principle of peace.

"It's time to wake up from the lies. It's time to wake up from the deception," Episcopal Rev. Dan Webster said.

One protester held a sign saying, "George W. Bush is a Category 5 Disaster." Another read: "Nutcase for Peace"— a reference to a comment by Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, that people who attended an Aug. 22 protest in Pioneer Park, which coincided with Bush's speech at the Veterans of Foreign Wars convention in Salt Lake City, were "nutcakes."

Anderson was both criticized and praised for urging people to protest Bush's visit back in August.

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E-mail: bsnyder@desnews.com