Bush likens war on terror to world wars

For evidence that the anti-war movement is gaining momentum, look no further than this pro-Bush stronghold where some jeering protesters stood along the president's motorcade route Monday holding signs like "Republicans for Peace" and "Bush is a Liar."

Bush also had his share of cheering supporters waiting for the presidential limousine to pass, and he got an enthusiastic reception for his speech to the Veterans of Foreign Wars convention in Salt Lake City. But the roadside critics hoisting signs and unfriendly fingers and the throngs of people who gathered for a peace demonstration in a nearby park showed the war debate has reached even the reddest of states.

After more than a week of seclusion at his Texas ranch, Bush is emerging this week for two speeches designed to rally support for the U.S. military involvement in Iraq. His second speech is scheduled for Wednesday in Idaho, with a day off in between at the Tamarack Resort 100 miles north of Boise.

Bush acknowledged the fighting in Iraq is difficult and dangerous. But he told the VFW national convention that it is necessary to keep terrorists out of the United States.

As he did in last year's election campaign and more recently as war opposition has risen, Bush reminded his listeners of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks — reciting the date five times in a 30-minute speech.

"We're not yet safe," Bush said. "Terrorists in foreign lands still hope to attack our country. They still hope to kill our citizens. The lesson of Sept. 11, 2001, is that we must confront threats before they fully materialize."

Besides his repeated references to Sept. 11 and the war on terror, Bush also spoke of earlier global fights.

"In a single lifetime, many of you have seen liberty spread from Germany and Japan to Eastern Europe to Latin America to Southeast Asia and Africa and beyond," Bush told the largely gray-haired crowd.

"The generation of men and women who defend our freedom today is taking its rightful place among the heroes of our nation's history."

Bush spoke shortly before the Iraqi parliament failed to meet its second deadline to approve a draft constitution amid disagreements between different ethnic groups. Although earlier this month Bush said he believed the Iraqis should have met their original Aug. 15 deadline, he told the VFW that Americans understand the challenge of drafting such a document.

"We know this from our own history," he said. "The Constitutional Convention was home to political rivalries and regional disagreements."