Optimistic tone in Bush’s speech not shared by all

MARYSVILLE – While President Bush appealed to conservative supporters with his image of a hopeful society, a predominantly Christian, left-leaning group of residents that gathered in Marysville on Tuesday to listen to his State of the Union speech did not share his reasons for optimism.

A dozen people from Everett, Marysville and Arlington met Tuesday evening in the Emerald Hills Estate clubhouse in Marysville to watch Bush’s speech and then discuss it.

Dottie Villesvik of Everett organized the local discussion as one of 200 other similar interfaith events throughout the country put on by Sojourners, a Washington, D.C.-based group.

Sojourners was started in the early 1970s by a group of students who wanted to discuss the relationship between their faith and political issues, particularly the Vietnam War.

Most at the Marysville discussion attend local Lutheran, Catholic or Presbyterian churches.

The group was unimpressed with the president’s perspective on the war in Iraq. Most said he oversimplified terrorism issues in general.

“He spent almost the first half-hour focused on terrorism and fighting the enemy,” Sue Hanowell said.

“His speech tonight was very one-sided, either-or, either-or constantly,” Ed Coon said. “You’re either for us or against us.”

Elements of the president’s domestic agenda earned a bit of support in the group.

“I (liked) medical liability reform and to reduce our dependence on oil,” Villesvik said.

“Give him credit,” said her husband, Alan Villesvik. “He is talking about finding other sources (for oil) and you can’t argue with that.”

Bush also encouraged students to take more advanced math and science classes. He said he wants to get more teachers in these fields and give students early help.

“That’s a good one,” Shirley Solberg said.

As recent polls have shown, Bush’s approval rating has dropped, and that was evident in Reader Network responses to The Herald Tuesday night.

However, three readers spoke out strongly on Bush’s behalf.

“I have faith in President Bush. He believes in the values that made our country great, such as patriotism, sanctity of human life, family values and marriage between one man and one woman,” said Marlene Bryce, 73, of Lynnwood.

Kevin and Chantelle Gleed of Bothell said they are glad Bush is interested in leading, rather than in public opinion polls.

“President Bush is emphasizing the right issues and is trying to get us weaned off the reliance we have on the government, etc. His issues focus on personal responsibility, and we support that effort,” they said in an e-mail to The Herald.

But several responses echoed the president’s lower approval ratings.

“Polls overwhelmingly show we are headed in the wrong direction, wasting money overseas while neglecting the needs of the home folks,” wrote Joe Cloud, 61, of Marysville.

Earlier Tuesday, about four dozen peace advocates gathered at Hewitt and Colby avenues in Everett to plea for “peace and justice on the day of the State of the Union address,” said Lorna Frey, president of Everett Peace Action.

Attendees included members of the Raging Grannies groups from Bellingham and Seattle. People carried anti-Bush and pro-peace signs, and the grannies hammed it up with song.

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