This piece betrays a moral apathy and intellectual laziness that has characterized much editorial coverage of civil conflict in this decade. As a piece of journalism, it has little worth: it neither explains the situation to people, nor does it take a well-reasoned moral stand, either for or against the bombing. So what is the point of writing it? To say that the ordinary person isn't in a position to make a moral judgment and shouldn't bother trying? And that the war is entirely in the hands of ordinary people, beyond the influence of leaders, and is therefore anarchy?

This implication is and has been an excuse for those who have committed crimes against humanity; it is the constant refrain of murderers in Bosnia and Rwanda. By painting a picture of chaos and disorder, one obscures the very insidious and well-planned policies of political leaders that lead to the death and suffering of thousands. If no one is calling the shots in Kosovo, then no one is responsible for anything except what one does in his own house. Milosevic is not responsible for massacring Kosovars. NATO generals are not responsible for bombing civilians. No one is right, no one is wrong, therefore no judgment can be passed.

And while we stand by refusing to make moral decisions, basking in our intellectual sophistication or confused helplessness, people die.

Darryl C. Lee '01

March 26, 1999

Higher Minimum Wages Will Lead to Labor Ceiling