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57 °F Forecast | Road Cams Tuesday, August 3, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics Tempo AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map SPECIAL SECTIONS Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Prime Times Wellness Connection Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Wedding Guide Rogue Valley's Finest EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People MARKETPLACE Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Classifieds Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend July 31, 2004 Faithful heap praise on vice president By DAMIAN MANN Mail Tribune CENTRAL POINT — As the temperature rose Friday afternoon, so did the fervor of about 3,000 Republicans who got a chance to hear Vice President Dick Cheney at the Expo Park’s Compton Arena. "He just said everything I believe in," said Rogue River resident Elizabeth Fickes. She said Cheney’s speech was refreshing after she viewed all of the Democratic National Convention on television this week and found nothing that resonated with her. "They talked about two Americas," she said. "That is so dumb." With the crowd occasionally chanting "four more years," Cheney received cheers when he voiced opposition to partial birth abortion and his support for keeping the words "under god" in the pledge of allegiance. Medford resident Joanne Strand enjoyed the speech, but, like many at the event, complained, "Too bad it was so terribly hot." Advertisement Bandon resident Ryan Sherman thought the speech was "awesome," but said, "It was a little disheartening to have some people opposing it who got a little radical." Linda Richards of Peace House was escorted out of the building after shouting "lies, lies, lies" during the speech. Lifting up her dress, she wore an undergarment with the words "Bush Lies for Profit" written on it. Richards, who had a ticket for the event, explained to Jackson County sheriff’s deputies that Bush was using the war in Iraq to exploit the interests of corporations. Another protester, Central Point resident John Scharff, stood a few rows in front of the podium with a T-shirt that stated, "F—K Bush Cheney Enron Halliburton Plutocrat at work." "This country is being run by the rich," said Scharff, who also managed to get a ticket. He wore another shirt over his T-shirt before coming in to the event. Scharff said the Secret Service approached him but let him stay. "They said they appreciated the fact that I didn’t disrupt," he said. Most Cheney supporters interviewed thought Scharff’s foul language was distasteful, but said it showed that free speech is an important right to uphold. Merlin resident Jim MacDowell said the vice president’s recent use of an expletive was appropriate because Republicans haven’t reacted strongly enough to accusations that Bush is a liar. "It was long overdue," he said. He disputed a recent Gallup poll that showed 27 percent of Americans view Cheney favorably. MacDowell said a lot of political "garbage" has been thrown out by Democrats recently to make Cheney look bad. Cheney’s speech underscored values that MacDowell feels are important, particularly opposition to gay marriage and abortion, and support for prayer in school. "You can’t be wishy-washy anymore," said MacDowell. "You’ve got to take a stand." MacDowell agreed the country has become more polarized, and he thinks that this polarization is only going to get worse, citing the Bible. "Sooner or later the Lord’s going to come and then it’s over," said MacDowell. Central Point resident Gwen Evans said the speech didn’t necessarily cover any new ground, but she added, "It’s what we need to hear over and over again." She also discounted polls that showed many Americans don’t view Cheney favorably. "The conservative talk radio I listen to says it’s not true," she said. Evans did compliment Secret Service agents who searched a knapsack and camera bag that were left unattended on the floor. "They said there was nothing in them, but it was so exciting to see them responding so quickly," she said. Not everyone who heard Cheney’s speech was inspired by it. Jacksonville resident Jack Duggan, a Vietnam veteran who received a Bronze Star, said the speech was obviously a prepared script and was partly a cheer-leading effort. Duggan criticized Cheney’s claims of supporting veterans while the Bush administration has tried to close veterans hospitals and reduce their health care. Duggan, who watched the speech on television, said he was amused that Cheney criticized Sen. John Kerry, the Democratic presidential nominee, for voting against an $87 billion funding package for the war in Iraq. "Most of that money is going to go to Halliburton," he said, referring to Cheney’s former company. While Cheney said the money would help pay for equipment for the troops, Duggan said this administration has failed to make sure soldiers are adequately protected. "We still have families buying body armor for their children," he said. Reach reporter Damian Mann at 776-4476, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. 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