Welcome to Expats Against Bush in South Korea

Greetings,

I'm writing from Seoul and like those who put together this effort starting in London and now elsewhere, I am deeply troubled by the path our country has been on, by the actions and policies of the administration, and I fear where it would lead if George W. Bush were able to actually be elected next year.

Therefore I hope to do my part in seeing a different result, and I welcome those in Korea who share these concerns to join us.

There are so many reasons compelling me to do this that when George Soros said he was willing to give up his fortune if someone could guarantee a Bush loss, I had to concur, though I haven't such a fortune to lose.

Here in Korea there are a good many American expats, of course many are connected to the military, others teaching or other professions, and when speaking with people I find the natural split in opinion; the military folks are inclined to support Bush, though many are poorly informed. I would like to make the effort to communicate with these people, and I think the way things are going, many are prepared to listen. Just last night I met an Air Force pilot who shares my concerns and fears and said (I paraphrase here) he was troubled by having to drop bombs on people for misguided reasons or corporate gain. Being here on what they call "freedom's frontier", 40 miles from the axis of evil, the reality of Bush's actions can be quite stark. Therefore, love him or hate him, every American living in Korea should be as informed as possible as they make a very important decision next November about what kind of future America deserves.

My political background is mixed. In college I was an active member of the Republican Club, even attending the California State Republican Convention. What I saw and heard there bothered and worried me a great deal, and ultimately I supported Clinton.

I then re-registered Independent and remain so. The Republicans since my break with them have continued to behave in a way that pushes me farther and farther away.

But what has been happening since Bush took office is well beyond my wildest dreams, or nightmares rather. I have never felt fear of my own government before. Last February I visited home and actually was nervous, for the first time, to RETURN, rather than the other way around. I realized one day how far it had gone, when I was explaining to an English class that I was pleased to be able to freely tell them my opinions because I was here, and they pointed out the irony, that I come from the land that invented and supposedly protects freedom of speech. I will not soon forget that sad feeling.

Last year about this time, they were burning American flags downtown and protesting against the US by the hundreds of thousands. Without fail, every Korean person I asked about what was behind all this rage answered primarily Bush, the man and his policies. This has got to change.

Hopefully, if we all do our part, next November we can close these websites with a "mission accomplished" banner.