I have apologized up and down, near and far, high and low, in many venues and in many encounters with people inside and outside the United States for the fact that George W. Bush holds power in the White House, irrespective of the valid debate as to whether he holds that power legitimately.

I now want to put this apology down in writing, to make it formal.

On behalf of millions upon millions of Americans, I want to apologize to the world

• for George W. Bush’s arrogance and high-handedness to friends and allies
• for Bush’s contemptible disregard of the terrorism of states such as Israel inflicted on an occupied peoples,
• for the death and destruction caused by Bush’s pursuit of power and dominance and wealth and glory,
• for the crimes against the peace shown by Bush’s illegal invasion of Iraq,
• for the stain on history that Bush is and represents.

Just as we Americans are not so quick to condemn the people of a nation for the megalomaniac who sometimes comes to power to the surprise of the people of that nation, we hope that the civilized world is not quick to condemn the American people for the megalomanic named Bush now in control of the United States.

I only wish I could say truthfully that a unanimity of Americans join in this apology.

Certainly Bush has his brutish following...fanatical nationalist supporters who chant that “America is Number One!” and “We Will Kick the World’s Ass!” This is certainly not indistinguishable from the Brown Shirts and other assorted thugs who declared their adoring allegiance to Adolf Hitler.

But it is important for the world to remember that even many Germans opposed the monster who Hitler was.

And an even larger proportion of Americans oppose Bush and despise his monstrous acts, not to mention the contemptible values for which he stands.

Many of us believe correctly that Bush is a war criminal, and that he should be made to defend himself and his actions before an impartial international tribunal.

But while Bush’s culpability is certainly an issue for debate, Bush’s fitness for office is not at all debatable. Although it can be argued that he is the worst president to have held power compared to the 42 men who preceded him, it is probably not arguable that he is among the worst five. Of course, history will give its final judgment.

And millions of Americans here hope that history will be in a position to make that judgment next January, when Bush must vacate the White House to a president-elect who will certainly restore honor and integrity to the office. The new president can not possibly do any worse than his immediate predecessor.

We hope that the first act of the new president is to apologize for the arrogance of, the contempt and utter disregard shown by, and the barbarity and crimes of George W. Bush. Both to the United States and to the world.

We hope that the new president acknowledges our friends and thanks them for being correct in trying to restrain us from wrongdoing, although George W. Bush brought this ignominy to us nonetheless.

We hope that the new president asks for forgiveness from those whom George W. Bush has wronged.

We hope the new president asks for the understanding of the members of families who are the survivors of those who were murderered or killed because of the immoral and criminal pursuits of George W. Bush and his henchmen for power and domination and wealth and glory.

Most importantly, we hope that the world is willing not to hold this against us for years without end. We hope for rehabilitation, and for the graciousness and goodwill of our friends, old and new.

And in return, we hope to put George W. Bush in his place. If it can not be in prison, then we will do our best to see he holds no place of honor, and that the mere mention of his name brings feelings revulsion and disgust.