A Just War Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

A Just War - Essay Example The power of modern means of destruction weighs very heavily in evaluating this condition. These are the traditional elements enumerated in what is called the "just war" doctrine. The evaluation of these conditions for moral legitimacy belongs to the prudential judgment of those who have responsibility for the common good. The first question the definition brings is who has "the responsibility for the common good" This is Catholic Doctrine so one would assume that the leadership of the Catholic Church is responsible for defining it for the Catholic community. The doctrine does put the responsibility on the leadership of the Catholic Church and that would be the Pope. But, the Catholic Church turns that responsibility back to the people when they ask the community to keep them informed (Catholic Answers). The Pope and the Church pass some of this responsibility to the members of the Church by educating the people of the church (using the Catechism). The idea of condoning a war would seem to be in direct conflict with many of the scriptures and teachings of the Catholic Church and the Bible. ... This gives the impression that when challenged one should not react in an aggressive manner (according to the Bible). This contradicts Catholic doctrine that allows for the evaluation of war as just or unjust. To condone war would mean acceptance, to some extent, of Catholic Doctrine over the writings of the Bible. In order to evaluate the Iraq war as just or unjust according to Catholic Doctrine (Catechism) the teachings of the Bible need to be set aside as not relevant. The Catholic Church is assumed to have evaluated it all for its congregation and given its rulings in its Catechism (like a judge interprets the law when making a ruling in a court case). Evaluating the Iraq War will be done assuming the Catholic Catechism is the law. 2. Just or Unjust War The first part of the Catechism to be examined is this: "the damage inflicted by the aggressor on the nation or community of nations must be lasting, grave, and certain."(Catholic Catechism paragraph 2309). This question challenges whether the Iraqi leadership (or the country itself) is expected to cause lasting, grave, and certain damage to the community of nations. During the first Gulf War it was evident that Iraq (the country) intended to take over Kuwait and cause great harm to Israel and any other country that was part of the coalition forces that liberated Kuwait. When the World Trade Center was bombed it was clear that it was an attack on the United Statesbut initially unclear who was responsible. The men who carried out the attacks on 9-11 were from the Middle East and were apparently funded by Osama Bin Laden. "Osama bin Laden Promises More Attacks on United States" (ABC News,

State Court System In Indiana Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

State Court System In Indiana - Essay Example The trial courts consists of (from the lowest to the highest level) city or town courts, it is county courts, superior courts and circuit courts (Indianacourts, 2009). City or town courts can be created by local ordinances meaning local law. They handle minor offenses, namely infractions, misdemeanors and city ordinances. Most commonly, this is where traffic matters are handled (Court Reference. 2009). Since city or town courts are not courts of record, their proceedings are not recorded. Hence any appeal from these courts to superior or circuit courts, they are trialed as if they are appearing for the first time at these higher courts. At present, there are 48 city courts and 27 town courts in Indiana with Avon, Carmel, Jamestown, and Plainfield as a few examples (Indianacourts, 2009). County courts handle contract (disagreements over written and oral agreements), tort (such as personal injury cases, perhaps from a car accident), and landlord/tenant cases where the damages do not ex ceed $10,000. Class D felonies, misdemeanor and infraction cases and violations of local ordinances are cases county courts hear. A small claims division is also available in county courts (Court Reference. 2009). Floyd, Madison, and Montgomery counties are the only Indiana counties that still have a county court system while the rest are upgraded to superior courts. Superior courts have general jurisdiction, and so all civil and criminal cases can be heard. Where no county court system exists minor offences and small claims are heard. The General Assembly divided Indiana into circuits, or areas based on county lines. Indiana has 92 counties, and 88 of these counties have their own circuit with their own circuit court. The remaining four small counties in southeastern Indiana (Dearborn, Jefferson, Ohio, and Switzerland counties) have been combined to form two circuits with two counties in each circuit. Circuit courts heard all civil and