Cheney protesters pack Salt Lake sidewalks

[Robbien]

A crowd of protesters greeted Vice President Dick Cheney with the roar of chain saws and by singing cheery anthems about killing animals and destroying wilderness Wednesday morning.

The evolving throng of primarily environmental protesters crowded the sidewalk in front of the Grand America Hotel before Cheney's arrival at the hotel across the street and remained until his scheduled 12:30 p.m. speech. Throughout they chanted slogans and waved signs, calling for the vice president's "retirement" and urging protection of national forests and wilderness areas.

Initially, members of the Public Interest Research Group marched along Main Street, holding signs with slogans such as "Chain Up Cheney" and singing revised versions of songs such as "Take Me Out to the Ball Game," with the words "It's root, root, root for the industry / 'Cause if they don't win it's a shame." They also gave the vice president a "21 chain-saw salute" by revving seven chain saws — all bearing a "Home Depot rental" sticker — three times.

The group was angered by the repeal of a federal rule last week by the Bush administration that prohibited the construction of roads on about 55 million acres of national forest, PIRG spokeswoman Anna Swinson said. They were also protesting "other attacks" on forests, such as the Healthy Forest Initiative. It is clear that the Bush administration wants to see our national forests teeming with chain saws and bulldozers instead of wildlife and old-growth trees," she said.

http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,595080510,00.html

[CBHagman]

1. I love stories like this.

The chainsaws are a nice touch, too. And to have this happen out west is especially encouraging.

[JackintheGreen]

3. Will somebody please tell me...

Where were the Free Speech Zones?!? The Secret Service really cheneyed-up on this one.

[rkc3]

2. Chain saws...

I can't imagine they were allowed to let that happen.

Limbaugh will be outraged today - he can't stand those environmental terrorists and will want to know what kind of people think it's appropriate to bring a chain saw to a speech.

I say fuck Cheney and Limpballs. If they don't lke chain saws at speeches, I've got two words for them -- Whisper Chipper.

[bif]

4. I like the 21 chain saw salute

Beautiful.

[0007]

5. I hope chency got scared when he saw thos chain saws.

I love it!!

[Kikosexy2]

9. Was anyone...

dressed as Leatherface (Texas Chainsaw Massacre) or had on a Dick Cheney mask?

[LeinesRed]

6. but..but..but Utah is a RED state!!!

isn't anyplace safe for Cheeeney?

[msmcghee]

7. Let's start calling them . .

. . Cheney Saws.

[C_eh_N_eh_D_eh]

8. Or how about calling Dick "Chainsaw Cheney"?

It'll be a nice reminder of his years as Defense Secretary.

[yellowcanine]

10. In Utah! A chainsaw protest against Cheney - pure genius! Chainsaws

against Cheney! This could be the start of something big.

[porkrind]

11. Sweet !

Kick! Sorry I missed it!

:dem:

[Tight_rope]

12. "21 chain-saw salute" for Cheney....I love it!

[sandnsea]

13. lol, Go SLC!!

Too cool. Remember, SLC has a Dem mayor!

[Kenergy]

14. Good Post!!!

I too, liked this story...I love this country and I love
the people who stand up and fight the tyrants who are
trying to destroy everything we've stood for in the last
228 years.
May (insert religious icon here) bless you!