Pubdate: Sat, 09 Feb 2002
Source: Denver Post (CO)
Copyright: 2002 The Denver Post Corp
Contact:  http://www.denverpost.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/122
Author: Kirk Mitchell

BUSH PANNED ON TAX CUTS, ENVIRONMENT

50 Protesters Gather At Convention Center

Saturday, February 09, 2002 - Protesters outside the Colorado Convention 
Center urged President Bush to protect wild lands, legalize "industrial 
hemp" and dump "Enronomics."

"Tax cuts are nothing but a gift to Bush contributors like the people at 
Enron," Denver freelance writer Dana Parker said while holding a sign 
reading, "Don't Enronize Social Security."

Parker said Bush should restore taxes already rescinded, stop raiding 
Social Security and forget about passing new tax breaks.

She and another friend stood across the street south of the convention 
center amid a group of boisterous student protesters from East High School, 
equally upset about the Enron financial debacle.

While about 50 protesters waved signs outside, Bush addressed participants 
in the Cattle Industry Convention and Trade Show inside.

The largest protest group was the Sierra Club, which mixed Olympic slogans 
with environmental goals.

"While he is here, the president should look around at the beautiful public 
lands that are threatened by his shortsighted, Enron-influenced energy 
policy proposals," said Steve Smith, the club's associate Southwest 
regional representative.

Sign waver Aron Sims Jr., 40, a Denver window washer, preferred not to call 
the product he wanted legalized "marijuana."

"It's industrial hemp," Sims said. "There's a difference."

The plant could help turn the economy around, he said. It could be used to 
produce diesel fuel, electricity and animal feed.

"It could also be molded into sculptures," Sims said.

Fourteen-year-old Tyler Kirkland didn't ride his bike 2 miles at 6 a.m. to 
protest. He just wanted to see the president.

"I'm a big fan of Bush," Kirkland said. As Bush's motorcade passed in front 
of the convention center, he waved.

"I've never seen a president before in my real life," he said. "My knees 
started shaking. He looked straight at me and waved. That was pretty cool."
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