I am horrified and nauseated after reading about the killing of Iraqis by Blackwater personnel. We, the American people, cannot stand for mercenaries to act for our country abroad. I demand that our Congress immediately call for a criminal investigation and withdrawal of all Blackwater personnel and equipment from all U.S. foreign operations. We are a country of honor.

There was consistent agreement among the witnesses at the scene that this was a massacre involving dozens of innocents with not a single shot ever fired at Blackwater mercenary forces. The Blackwater men are not evil, but they are not our military men and they are out of place. Now they have committed an egregious act and need to be removed, and face strict consequences.

Someone must make a stand for what is right in the name of God, humanity and all that is sacred.

Our honor as Americans is burning before our eyes. From denying habeas corpus to those imprisoned to this blatant news of U.S.-funded reckless mercenaries, when do we grit our teeth and stand up? We must demand Blackwater be removed, investigated and, if guilty, punished. In addition, our Congress and we the people also are responsible.

Let us take up our mistakes and our responsibility and move forward. We must put out the fire consuming our honor. March on your capitals, threaten your representatives in Congress with consequences, practice civil disobedience, and finally demand we act again like the United States of America.

George R. Lee

Belfast