Viewers take comfort in Bush speech

By Todd C. Frankel

Herald Writers

EVERETT — Mark Vandiver brushed away tears at one point while watching President Bush’s speech Thursday night.

"It’s the whole situation," said Vandiver, 39. "The injustice of it all, the horrible loss of life and the disbelief that it could happen."

He sat quietly focused on the television in the student lounge at Henry Cogswell College, while other students wandered in and out of the room during the 35-minute speech. When it was over, Vandiver proclaimed it "a good, strong speech."

"I think it’s wonderful that we finally have someone of strong character and conviction. It was pretty strong language, but I don’t think it was just lip service," said Vandiver, a digital animation student.

But not all of Everett watched Bush’s nationally televised address, in which the president detailed who is to blame for the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks and hinted at what military action lies ahead.

Perhaps hurt by a 6 p.m. start, or because it went up against the final innings of a Mariners game, the speech did not appear to qualify as must-see TV. People still walked down the streets. Traffic still flowed in the streets. At the Flying Pig restaurant on Colby Avenue, the televisions were all tuned to the seventh inning of the Mariners-Angels game.

But down the block at Romio’s Pizza, Bush’s speech played on a television bolted to an exposed brick wall in the rear. The volume was up just loud enough to be heard over the hum of exhaust fans. The closed captioning text of Bush’s speech also flashed on the screen.

Four workers were watching the speech in between serving customers and taking down to-go orders. All are Bulgarians who came to America two or three years ago.

Restaurant owner Stefan Petrov said he struggles with his English but wanted to understand what the president had to say. The speech text scrolling at the top of the television helped him, he said.

Petrov, 26, said he is also struggling, as many are, to figure out what course of action is appropriate.

"Something should be done, of course," he said. "War, we don’t like it. But I don’t know of any other remedies."

Restaurant manager Petia Velikova, 24, said Bush’s speech revealed little new information, but served the purpose of unifying the nation.

"It makes Americans proud, not afraid of war, patriotic," she said.

Velikova said the terrorist attacks haunted her, making her wish she could wake up and it would all be gone. But she was comforted by the national reaction and outpouring of support. This has been a moment of unity for the country, she said.

She even posted an American flag on the door of her apartment in Edmonds.

"It’s giving people hope," Velikova said. "It’s nice to see."

You can call Herald Writer Todd C. Frankel at 425-339-3429 or send e-mail to frankel@heraldnet.com.

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