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Bush talks Middle East, domestic issues in his fifth State of the Union address Terence Hunt THE ASSOCIATED PRESS WASHINGTON — A politically weakened President Bush declared Tuesday night that America must break its long dependence on Mideast oil and rebuked critics of his stay-the-course strategy for the unpopular war in Iraq. “America is addicted to oil, which is often imported from unstable parts of the world,” Bush said as he sought to drive the election year agenda in his annual State of the Union address. Rejecting calls for the withdrawal of troops from Iraq, Bush said, “There is no peace in retreat.” He also slapped at those who complain he took the country to war on the erroneous grounds that Iraq possessed weapons of mass destruction. “Hindsight alone is not wisdom,” Bush said. “And second-guessing is not a strategy.” In an unscripted moment, anti-war activist Cindy Sheehan, the mother of a fallen soldier in Iraq, was taken into custody by police in the House gallery just before Bush spoke to a joint session of Congress. She was escorted from the visitors gallery after she caused a disruption, a Capitol Police official said. With Congress facing midterm elections in November, there was a partisan mood in the I chamber as Bush, hampered by big budget deficits, offered a modest program. Democrats stood and cheered when Bush said that Congress did not act a year ago “on my proposal to save Social Security.” Bush shook his finger and continued, “yet the rising cost of entitlements is a problem that is not going away.” Switching gears, Bush asked lawmakers to join him in naming a commission to examine the impact of Baby Boom retirements on Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid spending. He declared that the “the state of our union is strong” despite Americans’ anxieties about the war in Iraq, the economy and soaring energy costs. Oil prices are inching toward $70 a barrel, throwing a cloud over the economy and pinching Americans’ pocketbooks. Bush called for increased federal research into alternative fuels such as ethanol made from weeds or wood chips instead of corn. Virginia Gov. Timothy M. Kaine, chosen to deliver the response for the Democrats, scolded Bush on the soaring national debt, the frustrated effort to rebuild the hurricane-battered Gulf Coast, Medicaid cuts and other issues. On Iraq, Kaine said that Americans were given “inaccurate information about the reasons for invading” and ► 4 4 that troops were given body armor that was inadequate. “The federal government should serve the American people,” the newly elected governor said. “But that mission is frustrated by this administration’s poor choices and bad management. Bush’s address came amid a changing of the guard elsewhere in Washington. Conservative judge Samuel Alito was sworn in as a new Supreme Court justice, replacing Sandra Day O’Connor, who has been a moderate swing vote. The Senate also confirmed Ben Bernanke to be chairman of the Federal Reserve, replacing Alan Greenspan after 18 1/2 years in the influential job. Alito was in the House chamber, alongside new Chief Justice John Roberts, another Bush nominee, and Justices Stephen Breyer and Clarence Thomas. The president was applauded 58 times in a speech that ran slightly more than 50 minutes. Facing budget deficits that may approach or exceed $400 billion this year, Bush had no room for expensive, new initiatives. But Bush did call for greater public spending on basic science research and more money for math and science education. He proposed an initiative to train 70,000 high school teachers to lead advanced placement courses in math and science. -----. lecture • cunTinueopRomi Iranians’ pursuit of political freedom,” said Atri. Today, Iran’s characteristics are working against terrorism. Atri started a campaign eight years ago to reform democracy for Iran. “My campaign’s effort to achieve democracy is fruitful because the theocracy cannot change,” said Atri. Atri realized this opposition when the militia tried arresting the students who were involved in the campaign. Alone, the militia destroyed 800 dormitories, arrested about 500 students and injured more than 500 more. The militia even shut down all newspapers and magazines. According to the U.S. State Department, the militia killed five to six students. Atri claims his biggest achievement was breaking the notion that no one can splinter the regime. “We wanted the freedom to choose our future,” Atri said. “No one could challenge the leader in Iran, but we did. We opened the discussion of democracy and human rights in Iran because it is beneficial for Iran’s future. It is embarrassing that the (Iranian) president is who he is. He isn’t representing the Iranian people in a democratic way.” Namdar and Atri asked students to support what Iranians want: democracy, human rights, freedom of political prisoners and a free election. Namdar said, “We are all human beings; therefore, we have to support each other for human rights. We need all the help we can get. It is imperative for the security of Americans that Iran becomes a democracy.” Steve Mance, a fourth year economics and political science student, questioned Atri on what students need to do as far as promoting democracy and human rights. Atri replied by asking the students to “tell Congress and officials at the highest level that dialogue with the Iran regime will not work.” “The- sooner we take non-violent action into this movement, the better it will be. We know what is it like and we can provide ammunition to making it better. Now. that is a democracy.” Anthony Busch, a second year business student and treasurer of Students Defending Democracy, said, “This forum was necessary for students to hear because there are not a lot of outside influences like this on campus. It is important because we are having a lot of trouble with Iran and their nuclear program. Students need to hear their We have to sup port each other for human rights. It is imperative for the security of Americans that Iran becomes a democracy. HOSSEIN NAMDAR Students Defending Democracy side of the story.” Before the end of the presentation, Namdar, who has lived in the United States for 30 years, gave students a blunt message. “The United States of America is the greatest country. Americans are the kindest people, and the Iranian people see that. Iran is similar to the United States because there are many diverse cultures,” he said. “After Sept. 11, 2001, the Iranian people filled the streets with candles. That shows how fond the Iranians are of the United States. Do not let others tell you otherwise.” To find out more on Students Defending Democracy, visit the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies at http:// www.defenddemocracy.org. Comments on this story? 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