Dissent is Essential when Governments Engage in Illegal Conflict and Impose Repressive Measures

Interview with Joy Gordon, Fairfield University philosophy professor conducted by Between the Lines' Scott Harris

As President Bush ordered the first air attacks against Iraq's cities, protesters took to the streets in legal and civil disobedience actions around the U.S. and abroad to express their opposition to a war that much of the world views as unjust and unnecessary. In response, right-wing politicians and conservative commentators have branded those opposing the Bush administration's war as "unpatriotic" and "traitors." Meanwhile the Clear Channel Radio Network, whose vice chairman has close ties to the President, has organized what they call "Rallies for America" in many cities to "support U.S. troops." Clear Channel, a giant conglomerate which built their empire on deregulation of the radio industry, is looking to the White House for support to further loosen the rules governing broadcasters.

Although the UN Security Council refused to authorize an invasion of Iraq, the Bush administration claims that UN resolutions from the first Persian Gulf war in 1991, and the more recent resolution 1441, provided all the legitimacy they needed to initiate hostilities. After the war began the White House boasted they had 35 coalition partners - most of whose populations oppose this war, with only Britain, Australia and a few others sending their soldiers to fight Saddam Hussein's regime.

Between The Lines' Scott Harris spoke with Joy Gordon, professor of philosophy at Fairfield University, who has closely examined the toll taken by 12 years of U.N. economic sanctions on the people of Iraq. Here, Gordon considers the ethical questions surrounding the U.S. justification for war and the role of citizens when their government defies international law and adopts repressive measures.

Joy Gordon is professor of philosophy at Fairfield University. Her article: "Cool War: Economic Sanctions as Weapons of Mass Destruction," appeared in the November 2002 edition of Harpers Magazine which can be read online at www.harpers.org

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