Conversations on Iraq

Over the past few weeks, Barry students, faculty, and staff have discussed the growing tensions, the resulting war, and the steps toward stabilization in Iraq. Just war theory, Islamic perspectives, UN inspectors, human rights violations by the Iraqi leadership and the effects of terrorism have been discussed in a number of classrooms with professors lending their expertise to what are often emotionally charged topics.

Many have also participated in on-line discussions through Forums, an Intranet site developed by the Division of Information Technology. No opinions or views are censored on this site, although all participants are expected to follow the dictates of good taste and courtesy. Twenty-nine specific topics have been addressed on the site, with one topic generating more than 60 replies and more than 1300 readers.

Early in the discussions, the Department of History and Political Science invited Dr. Walid Phares to lecture at Barry University. Dr. Phares presentation, Jihad and Human Rights, emphasized the importance of understanding ideologies. Finding the roots of the conflict in differing ideologies and religions, Phares “urged Americans to resist ignorance of the ‘ideologies of the other side.’” (Lauren Rivers, Barry Buccaneer, Vol. 65, No. 2, March-April 2003).

The Student Philosophy Association sponsored a debate and discussion on the war. The debate was held on March 28th during the regularly scheduled Friday colloquium. Debaters included Barry students Gregory McCrath, Keith McCarthy, Carlos Camacho, Kyle McGovern, Albert Cornejo, and Charles Karrow.

A second debate, held on April 9th, was sponsored by the Political Science Club, the Student Philosophy Association, the Student Theology Association, and the Departments of History and Political Science and Theology and Philosophy. In order to accommodate the number of people interested, the debate had to be scheduled in Andreas 112, a very large multi-media room in the School of Business. Speakers included Dr. George John Cvejanovich Jr., Associate Professor of Political Science and International Studies; Dr. E. Timothy Smith, Professor of History; Ms. Perri L. Giovannucci, Lecturer; and Elizabeth Suergiu, President of Student Philosophy Association. Dr. Bernie Cantens, Assistant Professor of Philosophy, served as moderator. Presentations were well researched and conclusions were approached from the perspective of human rights violations, the right of a people to self-determination, current information regarding the intentions of the Bush administration, the history of American involvement in world affairs and the tendency towards hegemony. The following animated discussion ran well over the time allotted as students and faculty alike expressed their opinions and debated the analysis, conclusions, and even some of the facts.