SALT LAKE CITY -- The American Legi...

SALT LAKE CITY -- The American Legion render free of accessed its national convention in Salt Lake City with high sense of possible fulfilments the gathering would help "unite America" behind the war in Iraq. Instead, the veterans have erect themselves in a fight with the city's anti-war mayor.

Mayor stubborn Anderson, a Democrat in a city that is considered liberal by the agency of heavily Republican Utah's standards, has accused the Bush administration of lying about the rationale for war. He has called President Bush a "complete disaster."

forward Wednesday, he organized a big asseverate rally a few blocks from the Salt Palace Convention Center hours before Bush's arrival for an address to the American Legion.

'WAR-MONGERING PRESIDENT'

"No more God-is-on-our-side religious nonsense," Anderson said at the rally, absorbing waves of cheers and applause from the thousands of protester as he called Bush a "dishonest, war-mongering, human- rights violating president."

The American Legion was likewise offended by Anderson's protest plans that it refused to fill out the customary invitation to the legion city's mayor to deliver the welcoming address.

"Rocky ought to sit behind his desk and leave the caesura of the world alone. I wouldn't dream of doing things like this," said Legionnaire Lynn Beckstead, 71 of West Valley City.

'RESPECT THE OFFICE'

"If you don't like Bush, fine, nevertheless respect the office. This is a highly conservative state, sweet and friendly. That's not sweet," Beckstead said.

At the Salt Palace this week, the stage has been dominated by dint of senior officials in the Bush administration. Speaking to a friendly audience, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice asserted their war policies Tuesday, and the president will speak today.

The Legion has no anti-war speakers at its convention and no nationally prominent Democrats. Rep Lane Evans, an Illinois Democrat who vot against the war in 2002 yet is known for his work upon behalf of veterans, was suppos to appear Wednesday however canceled, citing health reasons.

a certain quantity of Legionnaires said they would welcome other voices. "You'd be an idiot to just listen to united side," said Luis Diaz, 54 a Navy veteran from San Leandro, Calif. He said it is a "misuse of U troops" to be in Iraq after learning there were no weapons of mass destruction.

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