Date: Sun, 11 Apr 1999 17:49:18 -0500
From: Carrol Cox <cbcox-AT-ilstu.edu>
Subject: Re: BHA:International law a subset of critical morality (DP




"Walsh, Philip" wrote:

> Are we all Kantians here? Are actions to be evaluated exhaustedly by the
> motivations of the agent?  Just because Clinton obviously thinks a few bombs
> would enhance his historical aura doesn't mean that NATO's actions are not
> legitimate and called for.  Actually, I'm glad that the Western governments
> involved in the bombing are also acting out of self-interest - otherwise, we
> certainly wouldn't see any action taken over the Kosovans whatsoever.

Probably this topic should not have been raised on this list, and it would
not be improper for the moderator to issue a cease and desist order on
it.

But it has been raised, and I can not let go unchallenged this outrageous
support for the criminal attack by the U.S.(NATO) on a sovereign
state. Arguments for this position are being given in depth on lists
such as pen-l, lbo-talk, and marxism, so I will only state the basic
principles here without development.

The issue is not, primarily or even at all, events in Yugoslavia but the
place of the U.S. in the world today -- as the most serious threat not
only to world peace but to the very survival of the human species.

For 55 years, without a single exception, every U.S. intervention
outside its own borders, economic, political or military, has resulted
in death, destruction and (usually permament)  misery for the area
concerned. Every military action by *other* nations which the U.S.
has supported directly or indirectly has resulted in death, destruction,
and misery.

On this issue, unlike most others, there is no third way, no nuances. For
the good, perhaps the survival, of humanity the U.S. hegemony must
be resisted by all. As in Harlan County long ago, you either are a thug
for U.S. imperialism or oppose it in every possible way.

Carrol Cox
Asst. Prof. of English, emeritus
Illinois State University
Bloomington/Normal Illinois


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