OUT DAMN'D SPOT

After watching numerous political ads of Congressman Peter Roskam boasting of his efforts to safeguard our drinking water, I pondered why such a mundane issue is given so much attention. Could it be a little guilt creeping into the Congressman’s conscience over his support of a criminal war that has fouled the Iraqi electrical grid and sanitary and drinking water systems which may have caused thousands of unnecessary deaths of innocent Iraqi civilians?

Although I could delve in amateur psychoanalysis, Shakespeare cannot be improved upon:

Doctor:What is it she does now? Look how she rubs her hands.

Gentlewoman:It is an accustom'd action with her, to seem thuswashing her hands. I have known her continue in this a quarter ofan hour.

Lady Macbeth:Yet here's a spot.

Doctor:Hark, she speaks. I will set down what comes from her, tosatisfy my remembrance the more strongly.

Lady Macbeth:Out, damn'd spot! out, I say!—One; two: why, then'tis time to do't.—Hell is murky.—Fie, my lord, fie, a soldier, andafeard? What need we fear who knows it, when none can call ourpow'r to accompt?—Yet who would have thought the old man tohave had so much blood in him?

Macbeth Act 5, scene 1, 26-40

Whether or not this applies to the Congressman, every legislator who supports and funds the Iraq war should eventually spend some community service time cleaning up the damn’d spots of destruction created there in pursuit of treasure and glory