After President Bush’s 48 Hour Deadline Speech, Dr. Curt Naser, professor of philosophy, created a petition on his website for faculty and staff to sign showing their opposition to a war in Iraq. Check back with The Mirror Online for the most complete list, which will be updated at least once daily.
“We, the undersigned faculty and staff at Fairfield University, oppose President Bush’s impending preemptive war as immoral and illegal. As persons of conscience-whether Catholic or not- we embrace the statement of the Jesuit order, which holds:
“We believe, with many others, that the reasons for a pre-emptive attack against Iraq are not convincing, and the effects of a possible war will turn out to be so devastating that it becomes very difficult, if not impossible, to justify a military intervention.
The doctrine of a pre-emptive war is neither in accordance with UN doctrine and law, nor morally defensible. The application of this doctrine would open the door to an infinite war, a war without end.
Rather than bringing a stable peace in the region (Middle East), a war against Iraq would heighten the tensions between Muslims and Christians. The seeds of dialogue between them so patiently sown would be trampled in a spiral of violence and intolerance.
The willingness to incur massive military expenditure that destroys life seems to stand in sharp contrast with the unwillingness to promote, with the same determination, the sustainable development of all. In a world of growing inequalities, where the majority lack basic necessities; in a world where trade and financial structures benefit the rich rather than the poor countries, many continue to question with increasing discomfort whether the true motives of war against Iraq have to do more with economic than security reasons.
In the new emerging world political order, vital decisions on global security affecting the lives of people across continents are proposed to be taken unilaterally by the leaders of a few industrialised countries outside the control of the UN, and disregarding their obligation to build a broader consensus through legitimate democratic processes.”
The UN anticipates that in the event of a war the destruction of electrical grids, as happened in 1991, will mean that potable water will not be available to the population, and that epidemics of cholera and typhoid are very likely to happen, as was the case in 1991, resulting in massive civilian deaths. The UN also anticipates that, given that 30% of Iraqi children under the agre of five are severely malnourished, the disruption of the food distribution system is likely to result in massive immediate child mortality.
A pre-emptive war of this nature seems to us a kind of terrible madness, with no plausible security justification, and inconsistent with the most basic precepts of human decency.”
140 signatures (as of Sunday, Mar. 23 at 8:00 PM): William M. Abbott, History Julie Achter, University College Don Adams, Computing ‘ Network Services Christopher Albrecht, Philosophy Mark B. Andrejevic, Communication Peter L. Bayers, English Steven M. Bayne, Philosophy Philip Bennett, Applied Ethics Alfred F. Benney, Religious Studies Chris Bernhardt, Mathematics ‘ Computer Science Susan Bickel, University Registrar Cachet Bird, Admissions Alexis Bivens, Residence Life Elizabeth Boquet, English Iris Bork-Goldfield, International Studies Jocelyn Boryczka, Politics Betsy A. Bowen, English Christine Bowers, Study Abroad James Bowler, S.J., Identity and Mission Keith Bradley, Biology Phyllis C. Braun, Biology Linda Brockman, Applied Ethics Cecelia Bucki, History Richard Burch, Applied Ethics Ann Burritt, Academic Vice President’s Office Patricia E. Calderwood, Elementary Education Javier F. Campos, Modern Languages ‘ Literatures Kevin J. Cassidy, Politics J. Michael Cavanaugh, Management (DSB) Loretta Cerrato, Program Assistant, Quick Center for the Arts M. Debnam Chappell, Dean of Freshmen Elia V. Chepaitis, Information Systems ‘ Operations Management (DSB) Joanne Choly, Biology Matthew Coleman, Mathematics ‘ Computer Science Lorraine Coyne, Corporate Relations Robbin D. Crabtree, Communication David Crawford, Anthropology Courtney Darts, V’PA – Art History Ronald M. Davidson, Religious Studies Joseph DeFeo, Ignatian Residential College Edward M. Dew, Politics Richard DeWitt, Philosophy Faith-Anne Dohm, Psychology / Special Ed (GSEAP) Elizabeth A. Dreyer, Religious Studies Pamela Dudac, Nursing (SON) Christopher Dunham, DiMenna-Nyselius Library King J. Dykeman, Philosophy Therese Dykeman, Adjunct – Philosophy John W. Elder S.J., Chemistry Joan D. Fleitas, Nursing (SON) Dina Franceschi, Economics C. Garcia-Devesa, Modern Languages and Literatures Elizabeth B. Gardner, Biology Johanna X.K. Garvey, English Paula M. Gill-Lopez, Psychology / Special Ed (GSEAP) Joy Gordon, Philosophy Rosemarie Gorman, Religious Studies Evangelos Hadjimichael, Engineering (ENG) Susan Haggstrom, V’PA – Theater Lloyd Harris, SCT Elise Harrison, Counseling Services Linda Henkel, Psychology W. Nick Hill, Modern Languages and Literatures Ella Holst, Computing ‘ Network Services Christopher L. Huntley, Information Systems ‘ Operations Management (DSB) Ramona Islam, DiMenna-Nyselius Library Krysia Kaminski, Administrative Computing (SCT) Alan N. Katz, Politics Lucy V. Katz, Management (DSB) Dennis King Keenan, Philosophy Joe Kelley, WVOF Wendy Kohli, Curriculum (GSEAP) Gregory D. Koutmos, Finance (DSB) Janet Krauss, English Kathy Krochko, Prep Business Office Paul Lakeland, Religious Studies George E. Lang, Mathematics ‘ Computer Science Martin A. Lang, Religious Studies Nikiforos Laopodis, Finance (DSB) Eve Andree Laramee, Studio Art Linda LaVine, Academic Vice President’s Office Chris Lawton, CT Writing Project Danke Li, History James Licari, Engineering R. James Long, Philosophy Nelson Lopez, Modern Languages ‘ Literatures Suzanne MacAvoy, Nursing (SON) Lisa A. Mainiero, Management (DSB) Anne P. Manton, Nursing (SON) Bernice Marie-Daly, Applied Ethics Janice Mattioli, Fairfield Prep – Theology Marsha McCoy, Classical Studies David W. McFadden, History Laura A. McSweeney, Mathematics ‘ Computer Science Duane Melzer, V’PA-Music Carolyn Monachelli, University College Kathryn A. Nantz, Economics Curtis R. Naser, Philosophy Victor J. Newton, Physics Karen O’Connor, English Lecturer Leo F. O’Connor, American Studies Sally E. O’Driscoll, Women Studies Edward J. O’Neill, Mathematics ‘ Computer Science Raymond P. Poincelot, Biology Sr M Julianna Poole SSND, TESOL / Bilingual Education (GSEAP) Richard Radocchia, Counseling Services Melissa Reardon, Campus Ministry Richard J. Regan, English Mariann S. Regan, English Thomas J. Regan, S.J., Philosophy Lisa Roberts, Development Sandra Robinson, Academic Vice President’s Office M. Sallyanne Ryan, Communication Ronald Salafia, Psychology David Alan Sapp, English Stephen F. Sawin, Mathematics ‘ Computer Science Kurt Schlichting, Sociology Aaron Seymour, Assistant Dean, Dolan School of Business Karen Soares, Development Services Marie-Agnes Sourieau, Modern Languages ‘ Literatures Lawrence Kraig Steffen, Chemistry Michael Sweeney, English Jan Tanner, Applied Ethics Angela Tauro, Modern Languages ‘ Literatures Winston M. Tellis, Information Systems ‘ Operations Management (DSB) Matthew Tellis, Fairfield Prep John E. Thiel, Religious Studies Susan E. Tomlinson, English Brian Torff, V’PA – Music Cheryl L. Tromley, Management (DSB) John Ur, Media Center Charlene Wallace, Secretary, Philosophy ‘ Religious Studies Barry Wallace, Fairfield Prep – English Joan W. Weiss, Computer Science Kathleen Wheeler, Nursing (SON) Sharon Wilcox, Administrative Assistant, University College Dawn Williams, Project Excel (S.S.S.) SWL Stephanie Williams, Studio Supervisor, VPA Maggie Wills, Communication Kathryn Jo Yarrington, V’PA – Studio Art
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