JACKSON CONVENTIONEER SAYS PROTEST CORNER `NEAT'

Protesters at the Republican National Convention in San Diego have the green light. But they have the yellow and red lights too.

There are rules to these protests. Groups must hold short demonstrations at the protest site on a street corner near the convention center.

"It is neat where the protesters are," said Donna Lichtenegger of Jackson, an alternate at the convention.

"They have a stop-sign thing up. When the light turns green they get to start the protest, and when the light is yellow it is almost over. When it turns red it is over because the microphones go dead," she said.

Lichtenegger said protesters haven't distracted convention delegates and alternates.

"They keep yelling stuff, but nobody can hear," she said.

On Monday a couple arrived at the convention center dressed as Uncle Sam and the Statue of Liberty. "He was real tall, plus he had on a big hat," she said.

The couple had their picture taken in front of Elizabeth Dole, wife of presidential candidate Bob Dole, in the VIP box.

There are numerous elephant hats for sale at the convention, but Lichtenegger doesn't plan on buying one.

Lichtenegger has met a few dignitaries, including Betty Ford, wife of former President Gerald Ford.

For some state delegations, the view from the convention floor is obscured.

The delegations from Utah, Wisconsin and Hawaii are behind the Missouri delegation.

"Unfortunately, the pathway goes between the back of our delegation and the front of Utah's delegation," she said.

"These poor people, they can't really see anything because everybody is walking through there.

"The press is always stopping people and doing interviews," she said.