posted August 15, 2005 11:51 AM              

CRAWFORD, Texas (Aug. 15) - A man fired a shotgun into the air as about 60 anti-war protesters held a religious service on the road to President Bush's ranch.

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The gunplay, though legal in Texas, did get Mattlage a visit from the Secret Service and local sheriff's deputies. He said he'd continue to fire until the protesters go.

Sheehan, right, comforts Juan Torres during the prayer service. He also lost a son in Iraq.

Sheriff's deputies and Secret Service agents in the area of the demonstration site Sunday rushed to the home of Larry Mattlage after the shots were fired but did not arrest him.

"I ain't threatening nobody, and I ain't pointing a gun at nobody," Mattlage said. "This is Texas."

Cindy Sheehan of Vacaville, Calif., began a protest Aug. 6 on the road that leads to Bush's ranch in memory of her 24-year-old son Casey, who was killed in Iraq last year. Dozens of others have since joined her.

Sheehan said Sunday she will continue to demonstrate for three more weeks.

Mattlage said he was sympathetic toward the demonstrators at first, but they have blocked roads in the area and caused traffic problems.

He said he fired his gun in preparation for dove-hunting season but when asked if he had another motive, he said, "Figure it out for yourself."

Quotes From Bush's Neighbor



LM Otero, AP"I'm just ready for dove season."

"When they first came out here, I was sympathetic to their cause. Right? They as American citizens have a right to march, to protest. But it's like company. If you had your brother-in-law in your house for five days, wouldn't it start stinking after a while?"

"They moved one port-a-potty. Now we got two port-a-pots. And now we got three, and if this keeps up, they'll be all the way at the end of the road."

Source: CNN

Sheehan, 48, said she was not concerned with her own safety but has told others to be aware that "this could get physical, even though we are peaceful."

"I think we knew of the risks when we came down here," she said. "I'm surprised we haven't had more of that since we're in Bush country."

Sheehan says she won't leave her makeshift campsite until Bush meets with her and other grieving families or until his monthlong ranch visit ends. She met with two top White House officials on the first day of her demonstration.

Bush has said he sympathizes with Sheehan but has not said if he will meet with her.

Sherry Bohlen of Scottsdale, Ariz., drove with two friends to Crawford last week but did not leave Sunday as planned.

"This is history in the making, and it's hard to walk away from that," said Bohlen, whose son, Thor, has been in Iraq for a month.

8/15/2005 05:03:23

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posted August 15, 2005 03:36 PM              

I won't be surprised if you sleep in georgie's room.

posted August 15, 2005 04:25 PM            

but that is a heartbreaking pic.

I don't want to imagine anyone losing a son.

I think that billyjoebob could try and understand that this isn't a traffic issue.

posted August 15, 2005 07:50 PM              

the president of the company i work for is a big fat lazy redneck (he inherited the position)

a few years ago he went "big game" hunting in africa......when he got back i asked him if he got anything......

"yea, i got a zebra...." he said

i did a double take because i didnt even know you could shoot them (or why you would shoot them)

i said "wow that mustve been hard..what do you do?....just aim into the middle of the herd and squeeze off a few shots?"

he said "oh no....they'ze very sollutary animulz"

i said "oh yea,....thats how they evolved those stripes eh?"

he just looked at me and blinked...(i dont think he "gets" evolution)

posted August 15, 2005 08:19 PM              

You are just mad pidua. Because I told you the truth about you being ugly

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Gemini sun, Cancer rising, mercury in Gemini, moon in Taurus, venus in Taurus, mars in Libra

"You must live in the infinite blackness that exists when I close my eyes. I see you when I fall asleep, I see you when I dream."

posted August 15, 2005 09:33 PM            

Are you suggesting this picture is even a picture of Americans?

Are you suggesting this picture was even taken in America?

Are you suggesting this picture has anything whatsoever to do with the story which is the subject of this thread?

Are you suggesting only rednecks hunt?

Are you suggesting everyone who lives in the South is a redneck, Petron?

posted August 16, 2005 01:52 AM              

dude!!, why did you kill that little bird??

posted August 16, 2005 09:40 AM            

Let me further suggest to you....that if this was the United States depicted in your suggestive photo, the photo itself would be all the proof necessary for the state Dept. of Fish and Game to separate those hunters from a lot of their money, guns, vehicles and their personal freedom.

Now, let me suggest something more to you Petron. If you really wanted to make a statement about hunting.....and wanted to tie hunting to a political figure....you could and probably should have used this one.....one which is based on reality....and is not based on Michael Moore illogic.....in that this picture was taken in Ohio.....this picture depicts an American...though a traitorous American....a traitorous American too lazy to carry his own kill......So Petron, in Michael Moore speak.....let me say....Dude, why did you kill that goose?

posted August 16, 2005 06:01 PM            

I am not quite sure what you are trying to demonstrate with the example you used concerning your boss but yes, one can hunt zebras. Hunting helps cull the overgrown herds in various regions of Africa. Too many Zebras will kill the vegetation and also cause more destruction with the transfer of pathogenic diseases / viruses.

We have a problem right here in the US with the deer population in the Northeast (as well as other areas). People are so against killing Bambi that they forget Bambi is a vector for Lymes disease and Bambi's over population kills numerous motorists on the highways.

We can attribute this to the loss of habitat which pushed out the normal predators, but we can remedy this by culling certain herds.

I have known people to go on those African excursions. I can bet you money they don't just let any redneck go - you are still taken around by a guide and you can only kill specific animals (unless you pay enough to have someone find you illegal game).

Personally, I don't hunt but I am all for people hunting and eating their kill (or distributing the meat). I don't advocate hunting for sport nor do I really care for the Safari preserves that are just there to accomodate hunters.

But, I do take issues with you calling all hunters rednecks or using an ignorant term that comes so easily out of MG's mouth.

Oh speaking of MG...