August 10, 2003

By Kathy Gibson Boatman

480-570-1586 or hlphzarrived@aol.com

Last week I learned President Bush will be coming to Summerhaven, Arizona on August 11. I was elated to hear it, but a feeling of concern accompanied that elation.

President Bush is touring the community of Summerhaven, atop Mount Lemmon as the town tries to recuperate from the wildfire that ripped families and businesses as well as animals and birds from their environment. The presidential visit will provide support for the Healthy Forest Bill coming before the Senate in September.

Radical environmentalists, antiwar protesters, women's rights groups and some local democrats are expected to join together pulling in as many opposing groups as possible, including members of the Gay community. They are planning a protest at the base of Sabino Canyon near the forest service visitor's center, starting at 8:00 am.

I believe it is time for us to fight back and quit letting blonde boys with dread locks and radical activists rule our country. The activists were quoted in the Arizona Daily Star saying, "We think it is important for him to see the faces of patriotic Americans who are opposed to his agenda, even if he only sees us when he turns on the TV in his hotel room," they also say they want to give people something to think about.

In the past year of research, there is one thing I have learned. The radical groups have joined together, become very effective with the media, and they aren't afraid to stand up and speak their mind even if that means they do it at a protest. Funny thing, the Media loves a Protest and we really should give them something to think about.

I know I have at least a wagonload of research and burned remnants of my childhood home. I will load my wagon, with the notebooks of material that I have gathered documenting the damage the environmentalists are doing. I will take the protest signs from the rally in Flagstaff where Arizona citizens stood up for their beliefs and showed support for efforts to remedy the forest problems.

Pioneers in my family came to this state by wagon. They were farmers, cattlemen, businessmen, miners and schoolteachers. They were the kind of people that made this country what it is today. When treacherous events happened along the trail they would circle the wagons, gather their resources and work together. I believe the challenges facing America are just as critical today as they were when the wolves were at the door in historic days.

It is time to circle the wagons. Start educating the general public about the problems facing our country and the ramifications of doing nothing. Our forests are in a deplorable state and they are just one example of the problems facing our country nationwide. Special interests influence or control numerous parts of America and should cause concern for us all. Our economy as well as our power sources, food sources, military, borders, religion, property rights and basic American freedom are under assault.

This affects us all, and it is time for those with common sense to stand up and fight back. I want President Bush, the media and my fellow citizens to know common sense has a voice in Arizona!

I will fight back, will you? Bring your wagons or your strollers, wear your red, white and blue it's time to circle the wagons and do our part for America. Parking will probably fill up fast, so plan to arrive early. The visitors center on Sabino Canyon Road will be a great place to stand up for American values!