Ingrates at the UN do it again!!!!!!

[Aragorn1]

I assume i'm included as a European? Oh well, might as well vote for the constitution, who needs sovereign power anyway, Brussles Bureaucrats do okay, don't they...

I'm not "fed" anything about the UN. What i know is from the reading of reputable sources, and I consider myself to be reasonably good at distinguishing fact, fiction hyperbole, usually the most common problem. I do accept that the UN has many flaws and that its aid had not been delivered as quickly as it could have. But i try to be balanced in my judgements, something which this source lacks. Also, try not to equate the UN to Europe, Europe to the EU, the EU to a nation-state, it does not help mis-conceptions. Again, why is not attention focused on improving the UN so that it may become as efficient as the US, and other individual actions, so that it can in turn provode a better response than any one nation?

It could be that the US views such organizations as a rubber-stamp, rather than valid bodies, to be ignored when convenient, hence an unwillingness to make them effective and respected, thus making ignorance more difficult. Just a musing rather than a firm idea

[ 01-31-2005, 05:33 PM: Message edited by: Aragorn1 ]

[Aragorn1]

As an illustration of why i am sceptical of the blog:
The following blog was written by Bob, Bob is in SE Asia, observing releif operations. He says, "The UN do al the work. The US are incompetant, do little to aid, are lazy and deliberately obsructive of the UN, who are far superior" This has been confirmed by my good friend Jim, who is also in the area.

Who is to say this is any more valid that whats-his-name? (okay and extreme example, but you get my point)

[shamrock_uk]

Originally posted by John D Harris: Sounds like your international relations tutor is honest in his beliefs, looking for the truth and not justifier for his side. Listen to what he says, you don't have to agree with it. But based on the little info you've parted with about him, He's not being blinded by his political leanings.

You haven't heard him talk about the Arab-Israeli conflict! Don't give him too much credit JD But yeah, you're right and I do generally try to keep an open mind when people with more 'wordly' experience are trying to tell me something.

Re. the validity of the source, Aragorn1 makes a good point. However, in a sense, we have to ignore that to a certain extent otherwise we'd never get any debating done. Usually those whose writings make it into the public domain are automatically the most passionate about issues and therefore generally occupy positions that are open to criticisms from the other side.

I would also probably agree with Aragorn's points about the US viewing it as a 'rubber stamp' institution but if we take the more pro-active view he suggests, what kind of reforms could be made to improve the UN? Is it even possible?

I have a natural aversion to large committees of any sort, but I understand that the security council is probably going to get two more permanent members in the near future (Germany and was it China?) which would only decrease the likelihood of a consensus being reached. If we move the other way and reduce decision making power to just resting with a select two or three countries then the UN loses what legitimacy and representation it has left.

It's certainly a tricky one...

[Davros]

Nah - read his stuff Ray and it is trashy whiny garbage. It's a classic case of find a few gems and laden them with bile so that in future he can write any crap he wants and get people to swallow it. The accountability that Diplo-doody-head has to the "truth" is bugger all.

How does it go [img]smile.gif[/img] trust me - I know, and my good mates Vlad and Jimmy saw it too .

PS : OutFOXed is being shown on Aussie TV tonight - I have been waiting for this . I will let you know what I think later tonight. (trust me - I will have seen it with my own eyes).

[Aragorn1]

There's seems to be a reveiw of the UN after sixty? years in a magazine in my college, i have been trying to find the time to read it, by the cover, an upturned, UN helmet with a bullet hole, it does seem to be positive! Still may be interesting.

However, i firmly beleive that co-operation is what is needed, lok at the league of nations, it failed due to lack of support and willingness to ntervene from those how were involved in it. That contributed to the start of one of the most bloody conflicts in history, and is equally as blame worthy, and perhaps influenced by, Chamberlin's policy of appeasement.

[The Hierophant]

Originally posted by Aragorn1: However, i firmly beleive that co-operation is what is needed

For what end(s)? Don't make the mistake of thinking that everyone values the same things and wants to live in the same world as you.

[ 02-01-2005, 12:28 AM: Message edited by: The Hierophant ]

[John D Harris]

Originally posted by The Hierophant: quote: Originally posted by Aragorn1: However, i firmly beleive that co-operation is what is needed

For what end(s)? Don't make the mistake of thinking that everyone values the same things and wants to live in the same world as you. [/QUOTE]JDH stands in A-Maze-Ment, well said...er...writen Hiero, you maybe a COC one day after all

[ 02-01-2005, 09:24 AM: Message edited by: John D Harris ]

[Davros]

JDH - you might be right, or maybe I am, and you are missing Hiero's intended sarcasm about man's inhumanity to man. I guess we will wait to have Hiero confirm one way or the other. I tell you what - if I am wrong you can remove that Davros won thing from your signature - OK?

I realise that some people consider sarcasm to be often a blindspot for Americans. If you managed to watch "OutFOXed" when it was on over there then you might clue in to the fact that the previous sentence was actually a sideswipe at Rupert's Evil Empire. I just watched the OutFOXed documentary. I shudder to think that I was exposed to so much prattle - not the documentary dialogue but the cuts to the Faux segments - time for an indigestion pill before bed.

Commentators (because in no way should we call them Journo's) at Faux News (for some people choke on their Rice Crispies to hear them called the "Fair and Balanced One") should be thoroughly ashamed that the more people watch their network the less they actually know of the truth and the more they are channeled into supporting the secular interests of one political party.

It is pure and simple a 24/7 paid political announcement. How I sympathise that you have no independant media commission that monitors broadcasts and penalises (and at last resort suspends) networks that do not display the minimum required journalistic integrity.

We the people of Australia owe the US and the world at large an apology for exporting ole Rupert. He was quick to give up his OZ citizenship when we placed too many rules upon him. He sure has embraced your more open system.

PS : Bill O'Rielly - is it just me, or are some people saying he is a giant toss-pot?

[Lucern]

A little on the sidelines here about Bill O'Reilly, but this thread is full of them at this point lol.

http://www.sweetjesusihatebilloreilly.com/

Some people hate him so much that they take each and every show they can get their hands on and ridicule him [img]smile.gif[/img]

[John D Harris]

Originally posted by Lucern: A little on the sidelines here about Bill O'Reilly, but this thread is full of them at this point lol. http://www.sweetjesusihatebilloreilly.com/ Some people hate him so much that they take each and every show they can get their hands on and ridicule him [img]smile.gif[/img]

ROTFLMAO, ain't capitalism great, I'm glad to see people making money off of others dislike/hate for a commintator(sp?). If they haven't figured out how to turn off their TV sets or change the channel when something comes on they don't like, Well... what's the old saying about a fool and his money.