LEWISTON – An assistant humanities professor is asking that President George W. Bush face criminal charges for orchestrating the war in Iraq for his own benefit.

In a four-paragraph letter sent last month to Maine U.S. Attorney Paula Silsby, Lewiston-Auburn College instructor Barry Rodrigue asked that Bush, his cabinet and advisors be indicted under federal anti-racketeering laws.

“These individuals have caused death and injury, as well as willful endangerment, to U.S. citizens and to people of other nations through a reckless war that has been orchestrated counter to the sage counsel of many U.S. citizens, the United Nations, and the majority of world states,” Rodrigue wrote.

“The indications are that these policies of Mr. Bush and his assistants will continue and will expand unless saner elements in the United States’ government intervene.”

Rodrigue says he believes there is “ample evidence” that Bush and his administration started the war and controlled the American military, government and media to benefit themselves and their corporate allies – such as oil giant Halliburton and computer manufacturer IBM.

He asked that they be turned over to the International Criminal Court in The Hague and prosecuted as war criminals.

Rodrigue hadn’t received a reply to his letter. He doesn’t really expect one. “But if we believe in our federal and state systems, we’ve got to start somewhere,” he said.

Silsby could not be reached for comment.

Rodrigue said he grew concerned about the war months ago when he read of the ties the Bush administration has with companies benefiting from the war. Although he had never written such a letter before, Rodrigue said he felt he had to do something about the situation that he saw as wrong.

“I wanted to do something to register my opposition,” he said.

Since writing last month, Rodrigue has shared his letter with friends and colleagues. He doesn’t believe his letter alone will force charges against Bush. But he hopes it will generate some discussion.

And, perhaps, more letters.

Said Rodrigue, “I would like to see other people writing.”

ltice@sunjournal.com