Vice President Dick Cheney's remarks that the country should not abandon Iraq was met with protest both inside and outside the Hyatt Regency in Dallas on Friday. "We must maintain the will to see the mission through," he told the World Affairs Council during a luncheon at the downtown hotel.
"We believe Iraq does matter. We believe the stakes are very high, he said. Mr. Cheney warned that a premature withdrawal from Iraq would destabilize the Middle East.
Mr. Cheney also said it was critical that Iran not be allowed to develop a nuclear weapons program.
A woman sitting in the back of the luncheon stood and shouted, "Get out of Iraq," and "Don't attack Iran." She was escorted out of the room.
JIM MAHONEY / DMN Mr. Cheney arrived in Dallas on Thursday and attended a fundraiser for Sen. John Cornyn and the National Republican Senatorial Committee. Another man in the front of the room stood and shouted at Mr. Cheney about Iraq. He was also removed as Mr. Cheney told the crowd that diplomatic strategies were being used to stop Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, but that "all options were on the table."
Outside the hotel, more than 75 protesters crowded onto a narrow strip of grass to protest Mr. Cheney's speech.
Some were graying veterans of many anti-war rallies, old enough to retool the Vietnam era Hey, hey, LBJ! How many kids did you kill today? into a chant that started Bush! Cheney! CIA! Others were younger, relative newcomers to public protest.
They held signs: Tyranny is no protection against terror! No war in Iran! Healthcare not warfare.
They cheered as a bus emblazoned with Iraq veterans against the war circled the hotel.
The protest was organized by the Dallas Peace Center and several local anti-war groups. Several of those in the crowd said they knew the vice president didnt much care about the protest, but the action was still worth the effort.
Ive been a peace activist all my life, said Amelia Core Jenkins, 69. Mostly its a gesture to show that some people care enough to give their morning to it.
JUAN GARCIA / DMN Sher Mecon of Dallas was among those who protested Mr. Cheney's speech. Rick Burnley, 68, carried a used-looking bullhorn. Hes a fulltime activist, he said, who came in on the Iraq veterans bus after visits to Philadelphia, New York City and Washington.
Democracy is not a spectator sport, he said. Its not just the people who are here. We are like the spear tip.
Elvan Sarigollu, 32, and her husband Burak, 36, held signs. Originally from Turkey, they moved to Dallas about 10 years ago.
Americans need to make a much stronger statement against a possible war with Iran, she said.
The protesters said they hoped their efforts would produce a shift in American government policies.
Eventually might be the name of the game, Mr. Burnley said.
Mr. Cheney arrived in Dallas on Thursday and attended a fundraiser for Sen. John Cornyn and the National Republican Senatorial Committee at the home of Dan and Gail Cook. Beforehand, Mr. Cheney and his wife, Lynne Cheney, went shopping at Highland Park Village.
Mr. Cheney said he was enjoying his stay in Dallas, where he lived for five years while serving as CEO of Halliburton.
On Friday morning, he departed the brand new Ritz-Carlton shortly after 10 a.m. and was taken to a live radio interview. He then was driven to the Hyatt Regency for the luncheon.