Bush ultimatum draws mixed local response

Deepa Bharath

President Bush’s address to the nation Monday night asking Saddam

Hussein to leave Iraq within 48 hours or face war got mixed reactions

from the community.

Some supported the president while others expressed concern and

even fear of consequences of a war without provocation may bring to

American soil.

In his 15-minute speech, Bush said the “Iraqi regime has used

diplomacy as a ploy to gain time” against disarmament.

“Peaceful efforts to disarm the Iraqi regime have failed again and

again,” he said.

Bush issued an ultimatum that Hussein and his sons leave the

country within 48 hours or prepare to face American troops.

“Every measure has been taken to avoid war and every measure has

been taken to win it,” he said. “We’re a peaceful people ... but we

won’t be intimidated by thugs or killers.”

Bush reiterated that the “security of the nation and the world

depends on disarming Saddam Hussein now.”

Rep. Dana Rohrabacher said he believed the president “spoke to the

people of the United States, the world and the people of Iraq.”

“The president delivered a clear message of our intent,” he said.

Rohrabacher said it is time for those who have been attacking the

president to “quiet down, at least for a few days.”

“By the way,” he added, “if our soldiers end up being hailed as

liberators, the left wing of the Democratic Party has much to

apologize for.”

But local Democrats were vocal in their opposition of Bush’s tough

stand on the issue.

“I was not at all impressed by the president’s speech,” said Carl

Mariz, member of the Newport Bay Area Democratic Club. “He mentioned

that there are risks, but never mentioned what these risks were.”

Mariz labeled Monday “a black day in the history of our country.”

“The president hears what he wants to hear and does not listen to

good advice,” he said. “We’re attacking someone without provocation.”

War is not the solution to any problem, said Jean Forbath, Costa

Mesa resident and founder of local nonprofit Share Our Selves.

“I’m disappointed that it has come to this terrible impasse,” she

said. “If we do go to war, I’d support our troops. But the fact is,

we are going to embark on something that is going to take away from

the peace of our country and the peace of the world.”

Forbath said she doesn’t doubt the president’s sincerity.

“I’m sure he believes it’s the right path to take,” she said. “But

this kind of preemptive strike is definitely not a good decision.”

Newport Beach Mayor Steve Bromberg said he believed Bush’s speech

was “very direct and very predictable.”

“I do support the president,” he said. “But I also believe the

watchword here is preparedness.”

John Wayne Airport will take a step in that direction after the

high, or orange alert was issued after Bush’s speech. The airport

will close two direct access roads into the airport -- Michelson

Drive to MacArthur Boulevard and the San Diego Freeway offramp that

leads into the airport, spokeswoman Ann McCarley said.

Commuters and passengers may use Campus Drive and the Costa Mesa

Freeway offramp to get into the airport, she said.

These closures will be effective beginning at about 4 a.m.

Wednesday, McCarley said.

“We will also have security checkpoints at the airport’s entry

points,” she said. “We’re working with the Transportation Security

Administration and the Orange County Sheriff to provide a safe and

secure facility for our passengers.”

* PAUL CLINTON covers the environment, business and politics. He

may be reached at (949) 764-4330 or by e-mail at

[email protected].