If you listened to the American news media, you’d think no one showed up to protest President Bush on his farewell tour of Europe. Bush's "lame duck" status, and a warming of attitudes toward the hated American president, have been credited.
From the “liberal” NPR:
Anti-Bush Animosity WaningOh, really? Maybe this has something to do with it:
In scheduling what is expected to be his farewell visit, President Bush did not stick to countries where he'd be guaranteed cheers. Instead, he went to Germany, Italy, France and Britain — the capitals of "old Europe." Yet President Bush has seen little evidence of animosity or protest.
Anti-war protest erupts in violence with 25 arrested during Bush visit
AN ANTI-WAR demonstration held yesterday to coincide with George Bush's farewell tour of London descended into violent clashes between protesters and police.
What began as a peaceful demonstration in Parliament Square yesterday afternoon flared into scuffles as protesters tried to force their way past blockades on to Whitehall.
The road was sealed off by police as the US president met the Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, at Downing Street last night.
One protester, Suzanna Wylie, 29, was left bleeding from a head injury after being hit by a baton. She had been linking arms with protesters at the front of the crowd, trying to stop demonstrators surging forward.
She said: "I've been on lots of demonstrations before and every one of the Stop the War demonstrations has been peaceful.
"This time because Bush is here, specifically because Bush is here, because of his own security arrangements, they won't let us demonstrate. If they let us demonstrate, there would have been none of this."
And then there’s this:
British police say up to 2,500 people show up to protest Bush and 25 arrested
LONDON — Up to 2,500 demonstrators held a boisterous rally in London's Parliament Square on Sunday as U.S. President George W. Bush dined with his British counterpart nearby.
Protesters blew their whistles, banged their drums, and voiced their opposition to the so-called "War on Terror."
A few pelted officers with placards and tried to breach a police cordon set up to block them from getting near Downing Street, where Bush arrived for a private dinner with British Prime Minister Gordon Brown.
Demonstrators chanted "Bush - terrorist" only about 300 metres away from where the president and prime minister were eating.
And then there’s this:
George Bush in Britain: Police investigate anti-war protests
Police today will begin an investigation into protests against the US president, George Bush, that turned violent after clashes between officers and demonstrators.
Scotland Yard said 10 police officers suffered minor injuries during a demonstration in Parliament Square yesterday, while Bush met Gordon Brown a few hundred yards away at Downing Street.
[...]
Protesters blamed the authorities for not allowing a letter to be handed to Downing Street. The trouble began after a few cans and placards were lobbed over police lines.
"This was very predictable," said Stop the War. "If they had allowed us to deliver our letters of protests to Downing Street, as we had asked, none of this would have happened."
Way to go, U.S. media! Don’t let facts stand in the way of a good story fantasy. President Bush and his war: still hated, all around the world.
