Speech has sobering effect on Strip crowd

Tuesday, March 18, 2003 | 11:20 a.m.

Convention delegates and vacationers raised margaritas and frosty bottles of Corona, celebrating St. Patrick's Day on the Strip Monday.

On television screens in the casinos, meanwhile, President Bush issued his 48-hour ultimatum on Saddam Hussein's head, bringing a sobering tone to the festivities in Las Vegas.

"Saddam Hussein and his sons must leave Iraq within 48 hours," Bush said. "Their refusal to do so will result in military conflict commenced at a time of our choosing."

After those words, bar patrons sat in silence, their eyes glued to the screens, the only sound coming from blenders whirring more margaritas in the background.

Laura Doyle of Atlanta came for a business meeting at Bally's lasting until Friday. She has been to Las Vegas before for a convention, and said she was not particularly worried about the possible onset of war.

"We have to live our lives," Doyle said. "If we alter how we live, they win."

When Bush warned Hussein to leave Iraq within two days, Doyle raised her eyebrows.

Doyle said she supports President Bush. "I'm grateful every day that people are willing to put their lives on the line," she said.

For Den and Clea Hamik of Iowa, the thought of returning to their home near Des Moines today was reassuring.

"Worried," Clea Hamik said when asked to describe her feelings about the possibility of war. "We're going to leave soon."

Her husband nodded.

"I just wish we weren't doing it alone," he said of the proposed U.S. military action.

For 8-year Las Vegas resident Carol Kiviranna, removing Hussein is the only choice.

"I support what the president is doing," Kiviranna said. She said she voted for Bush in the 2000 presidential election.

"Of course no one knows what will happen if we go to war," she said.

Lela Caldwell of Corpus Christi, Texas, had just arrived in Las Vegas for a vacation scheduled to last until Friday. By the time she leaves for home, the United States may be at war with Iraq.

"I don't know if I'd be more scared to be there (in Texas) or here," Caldwell said.

Caldwell works at a restaurant on the coast and sees plenty of Navy activity in the Gulf of Mexico's waters.

"Every ship has a gunboat behind it now," she said.

At the moment, Caldwell said, she did not know whether she should feel afraid to be so far away from home, or concentrate on enjoying herself in Las Vegas

Her companion, Roger Sawyer of Valparaiso, Ind., said nothing and no one -- not the threat of war or terrorism -- would change his plans for enjoying a Las Vegas vacation.

"I wouldn't let anyone take any more of my rights away," Sawyer said.

As Bush brought up America's alliance with Great Britain and Spain, Sawyer spoke of America's reaction to France's opposition to a war.

"We call them freedom fries (rather than french fries) now," Sawyer said.

"Or home fries," Caldwell added.

For many tourists on the Strip, the president's message was drowned out by a sea of singing, shopping and sipping drinks.

Many had not heard that Bush's 48-hour clock started ticking at 5 p.m. Las Vegas time.

Three women attending a tea service convention said they would not change their plans.

Three other visitors from Pennsylvania, New Jersey and California had not heard the news.

Kandra Ball of Atlantic City did say she was glad she was going home late Tuesday.

"I'm lucky, I guess," Ball said.

The Paris hotel-casino was packed. People lined up three deep to watch a mime perform, as Bush's speech played mutely on a television in the background.

Handbags, jewelry and French perfume sales were stable in the shops on Monday night, clerks said, despite France's well publicized opposition.

Napoleon's Lounge served French merlots and champagne to a steady stream of customers.