VIDEO: Protesters gather at Bethel College ( WNDU-TV South Bend)

[redacted]

http://www.wndu.com/news/presidentialvisit2006/022006/presidentialvisit2006_48161.php

Mishawaka, IN - The president met some resistance outside Bethel College on Thursday.

Protesters of all ages and races, with a variety of agendas hoped to send a message to George W. Bush with their signs.

"This is the heartland. You go to New York or San Francisco and see protesters. This is the heartland, this is the Midwest. This is where he thinks ordinary Americans live and we don't like him," says Paul Mishler of the Michiana Peace & Justice Coalition.

More than 400 people gathered just north of Bethel College, waiting for the president to arrive.

Never, in Mr. Bush's six prior visits to Michiana, have so many protesters assembled.

"What you're seeing here, a group so large, is that each of us here represents 10, 15 other people who are changing their minds, and are thinking about things in a new way. I think the country's getting tired of this," says Mishler.

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Posted: 02/23/2006 03:31 pm
Last Updated: 02/23/2006 06:41 pm
Story filed by NewsCenter16 Reporter
Kari Huston

[liberal N proud]

1. Not just the heartland but Indiana

Indiana, a republican stronghold and the protesters are there.

[Skarbrowe]

2. I lived just a few minutes south of there for 12 years. It was so lonely

on voting day. Actually, the South Bend area or at least a bit northwest of there in what we used to call "the region" was solid Democratic. The area close to Chicago. I still have a Chi-town accent from growing up there.

When you start going south of South Bend is when you might be the only Democrat like me going into the building at the (County) "Fair Grounds" to cast your vote. But it was so sweet. Clinton won twice while I was there. :) Also, we had a Democratic Governor, Evan Bayh.

Indiana was always a Republican state. But, it has gotten redder than hell since I left.

Absolutely great to hear that demonstrators are out in force against Bush.

[DeadManInc]

3. Should have mass mooned him!!

[redacted]

4. . .

[bobbieinok]

5. Bethel College: affiliated with the Missionary Church

http://www.bethelcollege.edu/about/history.php

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The Missionary Church (MC), headquartered in Ft.Wayne, IN, grew from the 1968-1969 merger of the Missionary Church Association (MCA) and the United Missionary Church (UMC) (formerly the Mennonite Brethren in Christ). The MCA had roots in the "Egly Amish" and the "German Branch" of the Christian & Missionary Alliance, while the UMC drew from a spectrum of Mennonite groups and the "River Brethren" of Ohio ("Swankites") and embraced Canadian districts. Both sides shared an Anabaptist history influenced by Pietist, Wesleyan-Holiness and Keswickian-Holiness movements, including the fourfold gospel preached by A. B. Simpson: Jesus Christ as Savior, Sanctifier, Healer and Coming King. By the time of the merger, both were active in the National Association of Evangelicals; earlier trademarks such as the peace witness and women in ministry had faded, while elements of fundamentalism emerged. Believer's baptism by immersion remains important; church polity is a modified congregationalism. The MCA had been more centralized nationally, the UMC more district oriented. Both found great meaning in camps and revival meetings. As the names suggest, overseas missions were a driving motivation and a means of self-definition: missions and evangelism prepared the way for the imminent return of Christ (Mt. 24:14 & Mk. 13:10).

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College also has a report of the visit on their web page.

http://www.bethelcollege.edu/news/displayarticle.php?id=315

Bethel College welcomed President George W. Bush to its campus Thursday, February 23 to speak at a congressional fundraising luncheon hosted by Indiana Congressman Chris Chocola in the Wiekamp Athletic Center. This was President Bush’s first time to visit Mishawaka, Ind., and the first time a sitting president has visited Bethel College.

“It was an honor to welcome President Bush, Congressman Chocola and other dignitaries to our campus,” said Bethel College President Steven Cramer. “This was an opportunity to showcase our institution and allow our guests to experience Bethel first hand. It was also a great educational experience for our students!”

Congressman Chocola also broadcasted the President’s luncheon speech live in the Everest-Rohrer Chapel/Fine Arts Center Auditorium for Bethel College students, faculty and staff.

“This was the best day of my life because it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see the person who runs our country,” said Bethel sophomore Tonya Coburn. “It was awesome to see the secret service and tight security all over our campus.”

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