Rocky's park protest gets mixed reviews: disgraceful to heroic

Army 1st Lt. Ammon Redd, who was home on leave to visit his family in Farmington, was among the Bush supporters. Redd said Anderson's behavior was "disgraceful" and the protest would energize the insurgents in Iraq.

The mayor, who did not stay for the president's speech, said he meant no disrespect to the veterans by calling for a protest. But he acknowledged some people saw the move as unpatriotic.

"Nobody ought to just blindly follow our political leaders," Anderson said. "That's why these people fought, is for our freedoms to be able to speak out in opposition to our political leaders. I certainly as a political leader have plenty of people speaking out against me."

He said he did not believe his actions would hurt the city's convention business. "What I've done in the city has attracted a lot of conventions," the mayor said. "We're viewed as a very progressive community, belying a lot of perceptions of people outside this state."

One critic of the mayor's actions was Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, who "hitched a ride" on Air Force One with Bush. He said that he mentioned the planned protests and Anderson's support of them to the president during the flight.

"He knows there are people who don't like him, and he takes it in stride," Hatch said at the Utah Air National Guard headquarters at Salt Lake International Airport. "He's only bothered when people criticize (his wife) Laura."

While the protests did not faze Bush, Hatch said he was disappointed that Anderson would be such a poor host.

"I like Rocky, but it was very bad form," Hatch said. "Our mayor should welcome every president who comes here and who shows that consideration for our state, whether it's a Democrat or Republican and even if you don't agree with them."

His criticisms went beyond Anderson, as he targeted both the war protesters and fellow congressmen who criticize the war effort.

"I get disappointed in those people who continually undermine our troops, and that includes some members of Congress," he said. "It's pathetic."

Prior to Bush's arrival on Air Force One, the governor said that while he "disagrees" with Anderson, he respects the mayor's right to free speech, because it's the very right which both current soldiers and war veterans enlisted to protect.

"He's able to speak freely on issues important to him, and I hope that right is always preserved," Huntsman said.

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Contributing: Josh Loftin

E-mail: lisa@desnews.com