Evaluating the Treatment of Prisoners of War
Wednesday, September 8th, 7:00 PM, PAC 134
While the indignation over the abuse of prisoners at Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq has been concentrated primarily on the U.S. soldiers seen torturing detainees in now infamous photographs, there are questions as to whether or not these seven alone, of relatively low rank on the military totem pole, deserve all the blame for what occurred. If they do, then what explains why they strayed from the dictates of the Geneva Convention (which specify legal and humane conduct in the treatment of prisoners of war)? If not, on whose orders, implicit or explicit, were they acting? Who is fully to blame for what occurred at Abu Ghraib?
Moreover, how widespread were such abuses and what motivated the perpetrators to engage in them? Does responsibility accrue at an individual or institutional level? Finally, how egregious were instances of the abuse of prisoners at Abu Ghraib in the first place? Were they in essence no more than a fraternity prank, as Rush Limbaugh and others have suggested, or do they, indeed, count among the very worst sort of human rights violations? What is the nature of the crimes these soldiers committed and what constitutes the proper punishment?Andrew Flescher, Director, Center for Applied and Professional Ethics (moderating)
Peter Lopez, Department of Psychology
Cynthia Siemsen, Department of Sociology Laurie Wermuth, Department of Sociology
Are Genetically Modified Organisms a Good Thing or a Bad Thing?
Wednesday, September 22nd, 7:00 PM, PAC 134
In November, the voters in Butte County will have the opportunity to vote on whether genetically modified crops and livestock can be grown in the county. What are "Genetically Modified Organisms" and what accounts for all of the controversy surrounding them? How do GMOs impact the food industry? Are they safe? How much do we know about the biotechnology responsible for their advent? Finally, what are the ethical implications of private versus corporate ownership of plants and livestock that are a result of genetic engineering?
Andrew Flescher, Director, Center for Applied and Professional Ethics
(moderating)
Jim Pushnik, Department of Biology
Cindy Daley, Department of Agriculture
Alan McHughen, Cooperative Extension Specialist in Biotechnology, University of California, Riverside Mark Stemen, Department of Geography and Planning
Presidential Election 2004: George W. Bush versus John Kerry
Wednesday, October 13th, 7:00 PM, PAC 134
The presidential election of 2000 was one of the closest in our nation's history. It perhaps demonstrated, once and for all, the validity of the old adage, "every vote counts." If the polling data is accurate, this election promises to be no different. Who are George Bush and John Kerry? Where do they stand on the issues? On October 13th the Center for Applied and Professional Ethics will sponsor a debate between the two candidates, answering questions first posed by Jim Lehrer and Tim Russert, and subsequently by the audience.
Andrew Flescher, Director, Center for Applied and Professional Ethics
(introducer)
Charley Turner, Department of Political Science ("John Kerry") Alex Oehler, Field Representative for Congressman Wally Herger ("George W. Bush") Alan Gibson, Department of Political Science ("Jim Lehrer") Jim Jacob, Department of Political Science ("Tim Russert")
Secrecy and Privacy
Wednesday, December 1st, 7:00 PM, PAC 134
What right does the government have to know what's going on in our life?
What right do we have to know what's going on in its? What may be kept secret? What must be kept secret? Under what conditions can privacy be breeched? What is the public private distinction? This forum will address these and other questions, examining them in the context, in particular, of the Freedom of Information Act, the First Amendment, and the Patriot Act.Andrew Flescher, Director, Center for Applied and Professional Ethics
(moderating)
Paul Persons, Department of Political Science Jed Wyrick, Department of Religious Studies Ann Fagan Ginger, director, Meiklejohn Civil Liberties Institute, Berkeley, CA