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Montage with only 1 photo of Obama, several of Bush concerns some guests at America's Freedom Festival

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Hmmmnnn... | 9:58 a.m. July 3, 2009

Well, to the Obama propagandists out there (I'm not anti-Obama but think it's pretty dumb how some of you have fallen down to worship him) how long has Obama been the president for? 7 months right? Now if I remember right Bush was the president for 8 years. So... don't you think that over an eight year period of time it would be possible to find a lot more heart moving photos than in only seven months? This wasn't anti-Obama at all. It's simply numbers and time. If Obama makes a second term I'm sure similar things will be compared after he is out of office too.

patriotism | 10:05 a.m. July 3, 2009

I am disappointed in the "patriots" of Utah county who show no respect for the President of the United States. Patriotism also means respecting the process, and whether Utah county citizens like it or not, Barack Obama is President of the United States after having been elected by the citizens of this country in a process prescribed by the Constitution of the United States. Do not call yourself "patriots" and then disrespect the Constitution and the President. Utah Mormons should stop declaring how they are going to "save the Constitution" and instead demonstrate respect for the document and our leaders. As a member of the military, my loyalty and obligation is to the Constitution and to the Commander-in-Chief, who is Barack Obama.

Anonymous | 10:10 a.m. July 3, 2009

Paul Warner is as anti-Obama as they come! Don't tell me this SNUB wasn't intentional!

Comments continue below

Puzzled by the Uproar | 10:18 a.m. July 3, 2009

The key question: do Independence Day and President Obama really go well together?

To Funny: | 10:29 a.m. July 3, 2009

No, not eight years. Only four. People will hopefully wake up and smell the stench Obama's pouring all over our country.

Candace E. Salima | 10:45 a.m. July 3, 2009

The song was "Put Your Hand Over Your Heart" which is a very stirring song about our American flag. Sadly, the Osmonds couldn't find any picture of Obama with his hand over his heart in regards to the flag! It was a video montage. Obama was in there for a second, but Independence Day not about Barack freakin' Obama. It's about the celebration of the America Obama is desperately trying to erase.

Leave the Osmonds alone, they are one of the most patriotic families in the United States.

Independence Forever | 10:50 a.m. July 3, 2009

Let's be serious. If you are making a montage of pictures and symbols that denote 'independence' why would you put Obama's picture in there at all? His whole political philosophy promotes DEPENDENCE. This isn't a knock on Obama, it's a cold, hard fact. He said he wanted to 'remake' America and he is. If you Obama supporters (giddy fans) have your way, America will cease to be what it is now. Don't put your trust in government. Be independent forever.

NS | 10:59 a.m. July 3, 2009

News Flash.

Utah County.

BUSH GOOD.

OBAMA BAD.

And...?

BG | 11:03 a.m. July 3, 2009

If Utah County Republicans don't want to acknowledge their President, it's clearly a choice they must live with! Delusional to the end!

RE: Larry 9:51 | 11:09 a.m. July 3, 2009

Are you kidding? A little respect? Ignoring Obama would be more respectful that the left's treatment of Bush.

Anonymous | 11:10 a.m. July 3, 2009

This is just stupid. Independence day is about our country and the ideals of it. Not the people who run it. Who cares who had what pictures!?

THEeyepatch | 11:24 a.m. July 3, 2009

Don't put nooo blax peple ya'all.

Patriotism | 11:35 a.m. July 3, 2009

There's nothing quite like the patriotism of single party states. Party bosses on the stand during spectacular parades celebrating the military prowess of their nations while their people starve.

Gigantic pep rallies. People worked up into a frenzy. Torches everywhere.

It's nice to know we're not alone.

GK from England | 11:35 a.m. July 3, 2009

One photo is enough of Obama! Just why do we need more??? The democrats should stop whinging...don't we see enough of Obama on our TVs and the Internet?

BG | 11:37 a.m. July 3, 2009

Sorry folkes, BG won't be attending the Provo freedom festival, until it's all inclusive, you know, a celebration of our divinely inspired freedoms, without political bias! I love America - not conservative extremism!

Give D-Snooze Credit... | 11:39 a.m. July 3, 2009

for (as expected) making a mountain out of a mole hill. This little pipsqueek was offended because there was one picture of Bush and not enough of Obama. I'm surprised the Snooze didn't contact the ACLU and Rocky Anderson.

When the left whines, the Snooze bends over backwards.

Stupid PR Ploy | 11:45 a.m. July 3, 2009

Obviously, this worn-out false-patriotic "guns god and anti-gay" procession isn't selling as many tickets as it used to.

Look at all the hatred that got stirred up here! I hope ALL of you haters rush down and buy tickets to this "we're the only patriots" carnival -- while the REST of us are supporting our country.

Yes, the REST of us. We send our children to fight the wars, we pay our taxes without complaint, we have generations of fighting men in our families, and we do NOT wish hatred upon the President of the United States.

When fascism arrives in the US, it will come in wrapped in the flag and carrying the bible. Glenn Beck, anyone?

Sawyer | 11:54 a.m. July 3, 2009

My gosh people you'd think a shot had been fired across the bow...instead of a breeze stirring up a few ripples. Who cares. Im glad that the former is gone and I didn't vote for the latter. You could of put Porky Pig, Elmer Fudd, or Daffy Duck for all I care as long as they uphold the flag... the Constituion and the country it represents. Give the kid a break there was no intent to slight anyone

s | 11:59 a.m. July 3, 2009

Give it time. Chances are there were more pictures of President Bush doing patriotic things because he was president for 8 years. President Obama hasn't been in office for very long. Yes, there are lots of pictures of President Obama, but how many of these could be used in a patriotic theme. They used the one picture they could find for this program. By the end of 4 or 8 years there might be more pictures to work with. Enjoy the holiday. Happy 4th.

Anonymous | 12:09 p.m. July 3, 2009

This is a conservative love fest. Why would you expect it to be fair and balanced. If I was Obama, I would want to be left out of an extremist gathering. The avowed goal of the leaders of this extremist group in the failure of America's economy. As a veteran and patriot a can't support treason.

c almond | 12:26 p.m. July 3, 2009

In response to the 'no patriotic pictures of Obama', and 'no pictures of Obama with his hand over his heart', if you have not seen such pictures you have clearly made no effort to. Simply do a google image search for "Obama" and "Hand over haeart" and now you will have seen many such photos.

suzyk | 12:41 p.m. July 3, 2009

To: Let's get it straight...you must have on blinders and use ear plugs and struggle with common sense because if you weren't doing this you would see, hear and understand the deceit of this man. You have been duped and will soon realize we know what we are talking about when we say Obama is a fraud, a cheat and liar. That is just the truth and he is proving that to be true a little bit each day and when you finally "see" you will be feeling a whole lot of regret. All he can do is talk(but has to have a teleprompter)or he is a cooked goose. Oh he is cool and slick with his words but they are empty and he has no integrity(he has already shown that).Take a moment for logic, look around you and ask yourself what has happened to our economy..your Obama did that and all his money-monering cohorts. Yes, you caused this and are responsible for the tragedy that has hit our United States of America because of your vote. You carry part of the blame for what is happening, soon you'll see.

Observer | 12:49 p.m. July 3, 2009

This should come as no surprise. The "Freedom Festival" projects a very narrow definition of patriotism - Hannity's "Great American" variety. It is what it is - a rally for conservative values. Just look back at who's been invited to MC and speak.

Grimble | 12:55 p.m. July 3, 2009

I have never witnessed a bigger group of whining, pouting, childish adults than Republicans in Utah, drunk on the wine of sour grapes from the 2008 election.

If you don't like Obama's policies, fine. You can even explain why, and I'll listen, but only if you use informed logic rather than paranoid clamor, and only if you turn off the all-caps. The more you shout over-the-top nonsense like Marxism, tyrrany, etc. etc., the less anyone listens. Pace the rage, folks,

But whether you like him or not, he is the President of the United States. He deserves respect. I despised Bush's policies, and made my displeasure known, but I still respected the office he held. And for goodness sakes I waited more than six months before calling his presidency a failure.

Capitalism | 1:00 p.m. July 3, 2009

When you realize that the goal of the festival is to sell tickets, it all makes sense. You play to the crowd by emphasizing Bush and bringing in Hannity and Beck. It's the model that is making Rupert Murdoch a wealthy man. You please your core audience, reinforce what they already believe, and roll in the dough. The costs are high - the permanent minority status of the Republican Party and an increasingly divided nation - but you can sure get wealthy doing it. The best thing to happen to Fox News, Sean Hannity, Rush Limbaugh, and Glenn Beck was for Obama to be elected. They've never had higher numbers of viewers. They're happy to betray this great nation for a few pieces of silver.

Tyranny on parade | 1:01 p.m. July 3, 2009

Most holiday parades are an exercise by the majority in lording their power and control of official messages over exploited and marginalized minorities.

celebrate the 4th | 1:23 p.m. July 3, 2009

I'm sorry, but Barack Obama, who????

Anonymous | 1:24 p.m. July 3, 2009

Hmmmnnn... | 9:58 a.m As a photographer I have edited photos. I would have no problem doing an edit with great pictures of any president. There is so much media today. It's no a time value issue.

Personally, I'm not offended by not being invited to parties for David Dude, the Hell's Angels or others.

If I was the president, I really would rather not be represented in this venue. It's a political event hosted at a LDS Church owned facility.

Being a liberal, I believe in the right of association. Americans can belong to any political group they wish to belong to.

I wish these Americans the best. Enjoy your conservative love fest. Hate a liberal for Christ. Whatever floats your vessel.

Don't try to install my intelligence saying the LDS Church is no a political entity.

Don | 1:47 p.m. July 3, 2009

Lets look at the balanced facts. If its necessary to compare President Obama to the ex President in order to prop up an image then okay. Here we go. President Bush compared himself to no past president not even his father! President Obama Immediately compared himself to President Abraham Lincoln! Sounds right to me! Place yourself next to a great president like the Soviet leadership compared themselves to Stalin and Lenin! It still did not make them great! President Obama does not lead by example in placing his hand over his heart! He does not attend church but on rare occassion when the camera is on. President Obama like other presidents talks about health care and prevention, but then takes his kids out to eat greasy hamburgers, hotdogs and then sugar filled ice cream? So what is the garden for? President Bush holds his tongue while President Obama claims all ills on someone else, anyone else. President Bush campaigned to lower taxes, and did. President Obama campaigned to lower taxes but has Lied. President Bush consulted with both parties on major issues. President Obama doesn't, and then presents bills in the middle of the night!

Hand over the heart | 2:09 p.m. July 3, 2009

Considering the first song was about placing your hand over your heart, and I've never seen a picture of Obama doing that, maybe that has something to do with lack of pictures of him.

From Missouri | 2:26 p.m. July 3, 2009

Hummmm, This is what our country is all about that you all can write all those totally hysterical comments in this newspaper.

Holy cow... | 3:53 p.m. July 3, 2009

...get a life people

SLMG | 4:17 p.m. July 3, 2009

So typical of Utah and Utah ultra conservatives. You know who you are and you should be ashamed.
Regardeless of weather you voted for, like or dislike President Obama, he is our President now not G.W.Bush and should be respected by all of us.
When do the people of Utah realize that there are 49 other states and they are not the center of the universe.
Wake up Osmond family!!!

Patriotic Political Moderate | 5:04 p.m. July 3, 2009

I don't go to the patriotic celebration or the Stadium of Fire anymore. The blindness of the Paul Warners and other organizers here in Provo who seem to think that only arch conservative Republicans are patriots is cloying, embarrassing--and frankly un-American. Whether this was a big or little slight, intended or unintended, the fact is since there has been no balance over the years it is easy to see this as a slight. If after a few years of Obama's presidency Mitt Romney is elected and then only one picture of Romney in a similar montage do you think there would be an outcry? The thing is, in Provo the organizers of our "Freedom" Festival wouldn't let it happen. My Dad is a lifelong Democrat, and so am I. He has the Distinguished Flying Cross and 5 Air Medals from action in WWII as a B-17 pilot and is at least a little responsible for our freedoms. We're both patriots and Democrats. Why is this seen as oxymoronic in this little valley? Grow into America Provo. Give us celebrations that are inclusive and that celebrate the core of freedom and patriotism.

Are You Kidding? | 5:12 p.m. July 3, 2009

Who cares, maybe one picture was too much. What has he done to earn a patriotic salute for yet? All he has done is make a bad situation a whole lot worse and not close to hitting bottom yet with his act. Bush only deserves one or two, he might have fought the terrorists but di anybody notice he left our borders wide open for an invasion unheard of in the anals of history! Thanks Bush, we owe you for the millions of illegals sucking the breath out of our economy. And don't give me that garbage about how they are an integral part of our economy. Does 9.5% unemployment mean anything to you? If that doesn't give you an excellent reason to boot out the ones nursing on the public teet then I don't know what would convince you!

worthhissalt | 5:13 p.m. July 3, 2009

Let's face it, Pres. Bush was and is more patriotic than obama!

californian | 5:13 p.m. July 3, 2009

I'm sure these same people are concerned that Obama has so many magazine covers compared to all other presidents combined. Maybe people are sick of being saturated with his arrogant sneering face!

JediMormon | 5:18 p.m. July 3, 2009

Welcome to socialism, folks. Obama has created the biggest budget deficit in the history of the U.S. Instead of letting free enterprise correct the problems, we see yet another example of government sticking their fingers in and making the situation even worse.

dogchow | 5:20 p.m. July 3, 2009

What a flock of Wa-Wa's

to sob to sob | 5:26 p.m. July 3, 2009

you say.

Well Spoken LINUS-- | 5:27 p.m. July 3, 2009

RE: Linus | 8:59 a.m. July 3, 2009 --Very well said.
BYW, the reason there were so few Obama pics is because they DO NOT EXIST of him being the least bit patriotic. This holiday is all about PATRIOTISM, in case no one noticed. I applaud Linus for the courage to speak the truth. OBAMANITES take the truth to be harsh. Duhhhh. ??? We "conservatives" are not stupid and stand for the rights of the Constitution. Read Beck's Common Sense. More liberals agree with him and don't even know it!!! He stands for GOD, Constitution and Family. I am so thankful for the freedom of speech that is coincidently being threatened by the Obama administration marked as the Fairness Doctrine which is an Oxymoron from the get go. Just another way to silence the opposition to the truth. For goodness sake, Wake UP America, it is later than we think. Gadiantons are alive and living in Washington running the Chicago machine right before our eyes, that have wool being pulled over them by the likes of Pelosi and Reid. Ugggghhh. HELP!! S. O. S., it is sinking every day one knot at a time.

Jann | 7:29 p.m. July 3, 2009

Independence day is what it is. Our forefathers fought for us to become a nation,under God and to be able to pursue our dreams if we so desired. That is what we should be grateful for. Even if we dont like Obama or Bush that is not the question here. It is not presidents day it is the day that we celebrate as getting our freedom from the british and becoming the great country of america. I have lived in the Phillipines when Marcos was in power and I was so glad when I landed in Los Angeles enroute to Omaha and seeing old glory wave as great as she does. God bless America again.

Goldi | 8:48 p.m. July 3, 2009

Don't we see him already on every magazine, every month and on tv every day. Get a clue!

lincoln | 10:08 p.m. July 3, 2009

WHat made me the maddest was when they had a keynote on lincoln. COME ON PEOPLE he's been dead for over 100 years, get over it.

Ryan | 10:51 p.m. July 3, 2009

Ut. County is mainly Republican, so what if that's how they want to celebrate the 4th. Last I checked it's a free country and you can express yourself pretty much however you please. At least they did something! Wish I would have been there.

GK from England | 1:16 a.m. July 4, 2009

The democrats should stop whingeing! Don't we see enough of Obama on our TVs and the Internet.

unbelievable | 7:52 a.m. July 4, 2009

that anyone in their right mind wishes to see more of Obama?? We are getting saturated daily with his 'phony' press conference and his repugnant efforts to convince people of ideas he, himself, has not pondered on enough. Friday's economic news were bad! and showed what many of us feared....that this man's ideas are crazy, to say the least. Also, that they do not work! Americans!! you must stop worshipping this president and beging questioning him, debating him, etc. etc. It is unhealthy for a democracy to have this kind of mentality, when you allow good rethoric to disguse the truth. I exhort the American press to do the same. You do the country and Obama as well a deservice when you do not confront him on his ideas and plans that are compromising the future of generations of Americans to come. Even Colin Powell is concerned about what Obama is doing!

Justin | 1:47 p.m. July 4, 2009

Utah County is becoming a place where you're simply not welcome if you aren't Republican enough or Mormon enough. Normally, this would concern local leaders, but you can't become a local leader in Utah County unless you demonstrate that you're more Republican and more Mormon than your opponent. Utah County is becoming an intolerant enclave of extremism.

Richard | 3:05 p.m. July 4, 2009

Good we're not the Hondurans, though. I mean, they actually still have a constitutional government down there.

Imagine that.

So the Civil War, like all other wars, is now to be regarded as a big mistake that solved nothing. The Revolutionary War too. We're hearing a lot of rhetoric these days that sounds like those warmongering founders of America. Can't understand why anyone would hark back to that kind of hateful and divisive bigotry, in this modern age of Obama and government ownership of everything. Now that the people share equally in all the means of production, who could be dissatisfied but those money grubbing capitalist pigs?

There are things in life that matter more than money. As well as a few that don't. But today, we declare anew our independence. Whether or not it matters.

it is time | 3:44 p.m. July 5, 2009

could have... could've

not

could of

repeat now, English 101........

could have, could've

right

could of

is wrong...

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