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Born at the Crest of the Empire

Friday, April 07, 2006

World opinion of the US has gotten so bad that we can't even strongarm our way onto the new UN Human Rights Panel. And forget that "we're opposing it on principal crap," if that were true, why would we be talking about applying for a seat next year?

we didnt want the human rights panel anyway.. so there!

By Yukkione, at 9:04 AM
China, Iran, and Cuba are applying.

It's just after renditions, Guantanamo, torture, we have no credibility left. And that credibility, once spent, will be almost impossible to regain without decades of work.

Mike

By mikevotes, at 9:10 AM
Sadly the UN itself is starting to look like just another political machine. Sadly because there is some fantastic work done by UN organisations. But with the US and self-appointed deputies Britain and Australia setting the standard for political behaviour it is litle wonder they are being seen, collectively, in such a bad light.
As it is they rode roughshod over the UN to get that Iraq adventure off the ground. A little mutual respect, as opposed to bullying, might go a long way in this troubled world.

By Cartledge, at 11:35 AM
The UN is largely dependent for its authority either by an agreement that it has authority or by military force. When dealing with a US that gives it no creedence, it has almost no avenue to exert influence.

And, yeah, they do some great work. One of my favorites is the WHO which was involved in containing the MArburg outbreak a year or so ago, but they also do critical health work all over the world, largely without the prejudice that single nation programs have. As an extreme example, the US "fighting" AIDS in Africa but not distributing condoms because of domestic politics.

Mike

By mikevotes, at 1:07 PM