Audience member slams Bush: 'You should be ashamed'

[buttmunch]

CHARLOTTE (AP) — President Bush, told by a critic he should be ashamed of his policies, defended the government's secret eavesdropping program Thursday and said he would not apologize for listening in on the phone and e-mail conversations of Americans talking to people with suspected al-Qaeda links.
A man who identified himself as Harry Taylor rose at a forum here to tell Bush that he's never felt more ashamed of the leadership of his country. He said Bush has asserted his right to tap phone calls without a warrant, to arrest people and hold them without charges and to revoke a woman's right to an abortion, among other things.

He was booed by the audience, but Bush interrupted and urged the audience to let Taylor finish.

"I feel like despite your rhetoric, that compassion and common sense have been left far behind during your administraiton," Taylor said, standing in a balcony seat and looking down at Bush on stage. "And I would hope from time to time that you have the humility and grace to be ashamed of yourself."

Bush defended the National Security Administration's survelliance program, saying he authorized the program to protect the country.

"You said would I apologize for that?" Bush told him. "The answer is absolutely not."

ON DEADLINE BLOG: A rare occasion

The challenge to the president came near the end of a lengthy appearance before the World Affairs Council of Charlotte, where he took questions from the audience. This has become a regular feature of Bush's appearances as he tries to revive public support for his leadership.

Despite a couple tough questions, the president got plenty of softballs. One woman requested a picture with him and another asked about how young people can get involved to help. One questioner simply told the president people are praying for him and another said he has a friend from Iraq who is grateful that he has made the country safer.

White House press secretary Scott McClellan said the non-partisan World Affairs Council handed out the bulk of the 1,000 tickets for the event, with the remaining 250 tickets handed out by the host, Central Piedmont Community College.

Outside, Bush's motorcade came within site of at least a couple hundred protesters outside the hall. They chanted, "Do your job!" and held signs with phrases such as "Liar" and "Worst President Ever."

Bush was also asked what he would have done differently in the Iraq war. He talked about different tactics for police and security training and for reconstruction and he expressed strong regret about the abuse of inmates at Abu Ghraib prison.

"What took place there and the pictures there just represented everything there that we didn't stand for, and it hurt us," Bush said. "It gave the enemy a fantastic opportunity to use it for propaganda reasons. ... I wish that can be done over. It was a disgraceful experience."

In his opening comments, Bush said he realizes that Americans are worried that Iraqis will not be able to take control of their violence-torn country.

Bush said he hears the debate from those who "wonder if these people can ever get their act together and self govern. I'm confident they can if we don't lose our nerve."

Defending his decision to go to war in Iraq three years later, Bush said it was important that he follow up his words with action when Saddam Hussein refused to cooperate with the United Nations.

"When America speaks, we ought to mean what we said," Bush told the World Affairs Council of Charlotte. "I meant what we said when we embraced that resolution that said 'Disclose. Disarm. Or face serious consequences.' Words mean something in this world if you're trying to protect the American people."

AP

Poor Harry's goose is cooked now. He'll be tied up in audits and similar for years after this little incident, so I say lets start a 'Save Harry' fund immediately, along with writing this guy and telling him that we admire his bowling-sized balls.

[Grimmlok]

"You said would I apologize for that?" Bush told him. "The answer is absolutely not."

he said you should apologize for BREAKING THE FUCKING LAW WHEN WARRANTS WERE EASILY OBTAINABLE WITHIN 5 FUCKING MINUTES AND WERE EVEN RETROACTIVE.

That's what you should apologize for. Had you stayed within the confines of THE LAW, nobody would care and you could spy all you want.

But you didn't want a nice papertrail of who you were spying on. Gee, I wonder why? Usually when you're being honest you don't fear a papertrail.

[Grimmlok]

They're trying for a more 'town hall' type meeting.. it's funny that this man, standing up for every American's civil rights AND the constitution was so soundly booed by everyone else in the audience.

I guess those people don't care for civil rights, and don't care to uphold their constitution.

Typical.

[buttmunch]

He was booed because he was the sole non neocon let in that day.