Lawrence celebrates, protests as Bush sworn in for second term
Douglas County Republican Chairman Richard Todd didn’t get to watch President Bush’s second inauguration Thursday.
It’s tax season, and Todd, a certified public accountant, only heard snippets of Bush. But he plans on taking a closer look when he has time.
“I think most people that are interested in politics regard the inauguration as important,” Todd said.
Barber Christopher French watched the events Thursday morning. French doesn’t particularly care for politics, but the television at Amyx Barber Shop, 842 Mass., is always tuned to cable news or The Weather Channel during the week. The only exception is Saturday, when it’s on a sports channel.
“This is not a big deal to me,” French said, watching Bush walk down a hallway with an entourage that included former Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott. “Nothing is going to change except that nothing is getting cheaper. Everything is more expensive.”
About 50 people yelled and banged plastic tubs outside Strong Hall at Kansas University to let all who walked by know they disagreed with Bush.
“This is an opportunity to show people that Bush doesn’t represent about half of the American people,” said Lawrence resident Lauri Routh, holding a sign that read “demockracy.” Routh attended another protest rally Thursday evening at the Douglas County Courthouse held by the Lawrence Coalition for Peace and Justice, where 75 to 100 people protested the war and the inauguration.
Perry resident Marion Lynn, who attended a pro-Bush rally with three other people across the street, said he considered the inauguration “probably the most outstanding in the history of the United States.”
 “The celebration seems really expensive. I heard they brought in a ton of meat for the thing. I can’t imagine it all being eaten. So I’m wondering what they’re going to do with it? Are they going to wrestle in it?”— Kelley Sanchez, KU student, Topeka
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“It represented a return to moral values and ethics,” Lynn said.
The pro-Bush group taunted people at the coalition’s rally. They threw marshmallows while waving a U.S. flag.
Lynn said he didn’t agree with the people at the Lawrence Coalition for Peace and Justice’s rally, but “heartily approved” of what they were doing.
Harry Shaffer, an 85-year-old Kansas University economics professor, participated in “Not One Damn Dime Day,” joining others nationwide who quietly protested the war in Iraq by not spending any money Thursday.
Shaffer said he didn’t expect most people would join in the boycott, but he wanted to pass along a message.
“The image we give is that we’re having fun and dancing,” he said. “It’s just not appropriate when our boys are dying in Iraq or they are out there killing Iraqis.”
6News video: Residents protest Bush’s administration (01-20-05)
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