Don Nash: I protest the ill-conceived designs of George Bush

I am an American and today is one of those days that, I don't feel very proud of that statement. Preemptive war, genocide, human rights abuses, and a government so caught up in arrogance, it refuses to hear truth. I protest the ill-conceived designs of George Bush and his pals. I am in dissent to my government's madness. I speak out but, to no avail. No one listens. It seems that no one cares. Not here anyway.

I am sickened and saddened by the atrocities waged on the people of Fallujah because, four mercenaries were killed by those in resistance in Iraq. I do mean, 'in resistance'. If it were my country and neighborhood being attacked by an occupation army, I would be in the fight as well.

I am sickened and saddened by the torture and rape of innocent Iraqi citizens. The Iraqi people it would seem, are unable to shake off dictators and oppressors, and are doomed to a life of constant fear. American service personnel rape Iraqi women and then photograph the atrocity as some kind of bizarre war treasure to take home and show their kids. Abu Ghraib prison is one of those truly cursed places on earth that, by all rights, should be torn down and the land fenced and made off limits forever. The degrading episodes caught on film and preserved for time immemorial, will not soon be forgotten.

I do not know or understand what my government is doing and that makes me sad and sickened. It also leaves me outraged. George Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld, Powell, Rice, Wolfowitz, Tenet, Myers, Sanchez, and a list that is too numerous to write down, must be sent to the Hague to be held accountable. It matters not to me, that my country has opted out of the International Crimes Tribunal. These men must still be held accountable. And of course, the woman. I mustn't forget the woman.

Possibly, you can understand my sense of frustration and utter despondence as my nation isolates itself from the rest of the civilized world. Possibly, you can understand my shame. Hopefully, you can understand my sense of outrage that now, fuels my desire to make some change for the better and more sane operation of my government. Please do not forget those of us here that are in dissent. We are doing what we can. We are up against some formidables obstacles.