For Katie Allardyce, chairwoman of MSU Students for Bush, the inauguration of President Bush was an exhilarating experience.
The political theory and constitutional democracy junior witnessed the parade, speech and festivities first-hand Thursday in Washington.
"To see the sights and sounds and to actually be here to take part in the majesty and tradition of the presidential inauguration is exciting," Allardyce said in a phone interview from Washington. "It touched your heart as an American to see all the American flags flying - it was just amazing."
Bush was sworn in on the steps of the U.S. Capitol for his second term in office as the 43rd president.
For Tommy Simon, social relations and English sophomore, the atmosphere and purpose in Washington was different, but still positive. Simon took part in several protest marches against Bush. He said he enjoyed the experience, although he felt the police presence in Washington was too strong.
"I felt very empowered by some of the marches," Simon said. "I did feel that a lot of the energy was down on the side of the activists - it was kind of an uphill battle."
There were local protests and celebrations, too.
Members of The Ann Arbor Progressives joined Lansing residents at the state Capitol to protest the inauguration ceremonies.
They started at the Union in the morning and walked down Michigan Avenue to the Capitol carrying signs that read, "Stop mad cowboy disease," and "George Bush is a weapon of mass destruction."
Mason resident Josh Slivensky, 16, said he believes the president is "corrupt" because of the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq.
"Words couldn't express how I feel about that man," Slivensky said. "You can't deliver freedom down the barrel of a gun."
On campus, students gathered to express different views of the president.
Members of the MSU College Republicans and other Bush supporters gathered in the North Case Hall lounge to watch the president deliver his noon speech.
"His speech was very effective in generating a positive message for the country and for his term," said Kristine Osladil, an interdisciplinary humanities senior.
Erin Trussell, chairwoman of the MSU College Republicans and a political theory and constitutional democracy senior, said she was pleased about Bush's plans for the next four years.
"I thought the speech was wonderful," Trussell said. "He focused on Iraq and the future, as well as spreading freedom to the rest of the world.
"He gave great hope for the future."
Not everyone in the lounge watching the speech was a Bush fan, however. Social relations and women's studies junior Jon Hoadley said he was unhappy with Bush's speech, and shook his head during parts he didn't like.
"It highlighted the fact that Republicans promote inequality, which makes our communities unsafe," Hoadley said.
But MSU College Republicans said they thought the president's speech outlined how he planned to make the country more united.
"I thought he reached out and tried to reunite the country after a very divided political season," history junior Craig Burgers said.
But protesters at the state Capitol didn't agree that the United States has become any more unified since the election.
"I wanted to voice my opposition of Bush, his mandates and his policies," said Paul Makidon, a 36-year-old Ann Arbor Progressives member.
"I'm concerned with the direction the country's gone in, and I wanted to make it known a good half of the country doesn't agree with his policies."
