Bush Plans Nebraska Visit

[norml]

Bush Plans Visit
Trip to follow State of the Union speech


President Bush will be back in the heartland next week. He's planning a trip to Nebraska after his State of the Union address according to Nebraska's U.S. senators.

Bush plans to talk about his Social Security initiatives, said Mike Buttry, a spokesman for Senator Chuck Hagel.

Bush's State of the Union speech is scheduled for Wednesday.

Precisely which city the president would visit and on what day was not immediately known, said Buttry and David DiMartino, a spokesman for Senator Ben Nelson.

snip http://www.wowt.com/news/headlines/1369076.html

[katinmn]

1. Lucky you!!!!

I hope this isn't the beginning of a country-wide sell job.

[ElectroPrincess]

2. Good! As long as he and his crones stay away from the

pristine plains of South Dakota. LOL

BTW how corny can you get?!?

Go Big Red! Nebraska (you're way ahead of me) CORNhuskers. :P

[Rainbowreflect]

3. So who's planning the protest?

Let me know & I'll try & bring some friends from Lincoln.

[norml]

5. He's going to be in Omaha.

http://www.wowt.com/news/headlines/1373401.html

Omaha On Bush Agenda
Bush To Make 6th Visit
President plans sixth stop in metro


Details are slowly emerging about the president's trip to Nebraska next week. He's expected to be in downtown Omaha, at a location yet to be announced. This will be President Bush's sixth visit to the metro since taking office.

The president was here three times in 2001. First, to push his tax cut, next to throw out the first pitch of the College World Series, and he was then briefly at Offutt Air Force Base immediately after the terrorist attacks of September 11th.

The president was back in 2003 to rally support for his economic stimulus package and just last fall he landed in Omaha for a campaign rally in Council Bluffs.

Republicans describe Nebraska as the reddest of the red states and that makes this a comfortable stop for Bush.

snip

[Rainbowreflect]

6. So are you going to plan a protest when the give specifics?

Depending on when & where I will try & be there.

[blueinOmaha]

8. I'm planning to protest

The Bush event is at the Qwest Center, and it starts at 8:30 a.m. I am planning on going to protest (having no desire to sit in the auditorium and listen to drivvel, even if they'd let me). I would appreciate being part of a group effort as opposed to being a crazed loner on some side street 11 blocks from the site. My preschooler would be with me, too.

Can we all coordinate?

[Koyaanisqatsi]

10. I am in the same situation!

I will be with my preschooler as well. Thank you for posting the time and place! I was having a hard time learning the time, but I had heard it would be at the Qwest Center.

I don't want to go inside either. What sign will you be bringing so we don't have the same one. I'm thinking of making one that says:

"Don't "mess" with Social Security"

only because I think that is what he will be talking about this trip. I have so many issues with this administration, that I have also considered making:

Please stop Mr. Bush.
You're hurting America!

or

Human Need
Not
Corporate Greed

To cover more bases.

[norml]

9. I would like to join any protests that might be going on there.

I'd be interested in car pooling, and in joining anyone protesting there.

[Maru Kitteh]

19. Where are you wanting to carpool from?

We'll be coming from Kearney.

[norml]

21. Wow, coming all the way from Kearney! I'm in Lincoln.

You're going to be driving all night. It would be great if I could catch a ride with you, or someone. I've a car, but it's small and has a tie rod problem that might act up on the highway.

[progressoid]

4. God I hate living here sometimes.

Chimpy comes here to the 'heartland' because he knows he won't be heckled like he would in NY.

He's safe in a state that went overboard for him.

[Koyaanisqatsi]

7. I hear ya....

I'm not from Nebraska originally, but have been here now 10 years. I'm STILL not used to it frankly. I'm from Minnesota and Iowa (parents were divorced...moved back & forth).

I will be watching this site for protest updates. I would like to join you guys. Depending on what time of day it turns out to be, I might need to bring our preschool-age son with. I have so many issues with the "president" I don't even know where to begin with the sign making for this protest. What will y'all be bringing?

[Koyaanisqatsi]

11. Okay, let's coordinate!

I'm not real familiar with the Qwest Center area. I hope one of you are and can tell us all where would be a good place to meet? How early do you think we should meet for this event being he is scheduled to speak at 8:30?

[blueinOmaha]

12. Where when how on a protest

I just read in the paper that the doors open for the Qwest Center event at 5:30 a.m., and close at 8:00 a.m., with Our Esteemed Leader speaking from 8:30 to 9:30. The Presidential entourage is staying across from the convention center at the Hilton. My guess is the powers that be are going to have as much of that area closed off as possible. In other words, I don't think we'll be able to park in the convention center parking lot, jump out of our vehicles and commence protesting.

One suggestion would be to meet at the main branch of the public library (215 S. 15th Street), walk northeast from there, and see how far we get. The convention center is on 10th and Dodge (455 N. 10th Street). I'm guessing it would be about a 10-15 minute walk.

As far as what time, I'm grappling with my kids' school schedule and the horror of organizing myself while it's still dark outside. I could probably be to the library by 7:15 with kids in tow, and stay until a) we're forced to leave or b)the kids start whining.

I haven't come up with signage yet. I want to hear what unspecific platitudes Bush spews during the SOTU address.

My motivation to protest increased 10-fold this morning when I read this quote from the NE State Auditor: Bush loves Nebraska....he comes to the heartland of America, which supports him 100%." I wonder about this fuzzy math and where I and other DUers fit into the equation.

[Koyaanisqatsi]

14. Thank you! The Library it is!

Let's meet at the library at 7:15.

Any others who can join us, please respond to blueinomaha's post to let us know!

Thanks.

:)

[blueinOmaha]

15. More Protest Information

I just went onto the Nebraska Democrats website. It appears that Nebraskans for Social Security is staging a rally in the Qwest Center parking lot at 7:00 a.m. on Friday. I spoke with the organizer and he said they were expecting about 200 people to show up. They would have hundreds of signs printed up. We're supposed to look for signs and a stage on the Qwest Center grounds at 10th and Capitol. I think the rally is sponsored in part by the AFL-CIO.

I'm still planning on 7:15 at the library, but thought I would pass on additional information.

[Koyaanisqatsi]

16. Still planning to meet at the library, too...

It doesn't sound like it would be that big of a hike to walk from the Library would it? Is there a decent parking ramp near the library? I'm embarassed to show how little I know about downtown Omaha. I don't actually live near downtown at all.

[Koyaanisqatsi]

18. ATTN. "BLUEINOMAHA" CHANGE IN PLANS FOR US...

Hi Blue,
We are planning on meeting the 7am group at the Qwest Center rather than the library. My husband seems to think I will be able to park in their ramp (???). I have my doubts, but am going to give it a try anyway.

We will have two large signs. One bright red that reads "DON'T "MESS" WITH S.S." and one yellow that reads: "HUMAN NEED NOT CORPORATE GREED" if you want to try to find us and introduce yourself.

Good luck everybody!

[blueinOmaha]

22. Re:Change in Plans

I'm happy to meet at the rally instead. You were the only one to commit to meeting at the library. I'll look for your signs.

From what I'm reading, the carparks at the convention center WILL NOT be open for parking. Street parking is abundant downtown, so unless the Secret Service stages a "lock down" of downtown, you should be able to find a reasonably close place to park.

I'm looking very forward to going to the rally. I decided to take my first grader along as well. I figure experiencing real life current events is as educational as practicing spelling words at a desk.

Hope to see you there!

[Koyaanisqatsi]

13. Also, what signs?

I'm planning to carry:

"Human Need NOT Corporate Greed"

and my son will have:

"Don't "Mess" with Social Security"

[Rainbowreflect]

17. Here is some info I received.

Dear MoveOn member,

Democrats in congress are standing united against George W. Bush's plan
to cut benefits in order to pay for private accounts, and Bush is
getting nervous. So after his State of the Union address, the President will
launch a divide and conquer approach by trying to break Democratic
ranks through a five state PR tour of red states with Democratic Senators.

This week we must show that the people of Nebraska will not be divided,
and will not be deceived by the President's plan to jeopardize Social
Security. Please join with MoveOn and other progressive organizations
for a rally in Omaha to counter Bush's visits.

The details for the rally are below.

WHEN:
Friday, February 4
7AM

WHERE:
Rally outside Qwest Convention Center in Omaha.
Meet at 10 th & Capitol at Qwest Center.
Look for signs and stage by Convention Center.

Please let us know you can attend, at:

http://www.moveon.org/socialsecurity/rsvp/ne.html?id=5078-1234088-coPxP4pmAAzAF_oLACO8Ww

In order to be sure the rally has a clear, consistent message, signs
will be handed out at the event. For the best press coverage, the
organizers have asked you use these these rather than bring your own.

Thanks, as always, for all you do.

Sincerely,

--Tom Matzzie
MoveOn.org
Wednesday, February 2nd, 2005

[Maru Kitteh]

20. It is going to be SO COOL TO meet other DU'ers from NEBRASKA

Don't you just feel so......... alone sometimes? I make buttons on ebay so I will bring some anti-bush buttons for folks to wear.