UN wants more respect from US

[Skuzzy]

Just FYI Momus.  I think Goomba stated the situation well and I concur with it.  You might be surprised how many would concur.

[Momus--]

You're lost me Skuzzy. On the one hand, you say this:

...we are just as much pawns here as anyone. We have no say in what our politicians say or do, once they get into office. Just clarifying that a bit.

The only ones who can provoke a change in what our politicians say or do, is the media, and the very rich.

And yet on the other you claim agreement with a post which basically does little more than restate with a large helping of self-pity the basic neo-conservative line on the UN.

Doesn't really stack up from where I'm sitting.

EDIT: Let me add this; I find it incredibly bizarre that avowed conservatives can recognise the way your government is screwing you all over on issues such as  illegal immigration and are yet unable to apply the same level of critical thinking and cynicism to matters of foreign policy. It truly staggers me that a group of people can be so collectively obtuse.

[lukster]

Originally posted by Momus--
Agree 100% Skuzzy. I don't believe the man on the street in the USA has any more power over these type of events any more than the man on the street in London or Paris or Madrid does; i.e not a lot. Glad we can get that straight.
 

I dunno about that. Rush Limbaugh could arguably be considered a "man on the street". Isn't that what the UN was whining about?

All it takes to rally a discontented people is a charismatic leader who knows how to exploit that discontent. We need look only about 70 years back to see just how motiviating and powerful one man can be.

[Skuzzy]

Momus, you and I must be reading the post from two very different perspectives.

I find his sarcasm quite pointed.  And yes, many, if not most, Americans feel we, as a people, are hated throughout the world and everytime something goes wrong, we are to be blamed for it.
I think many people have a difficult time separating our government from the people who live here.  They are very different entities, yet day in and day out this very board sees many people from outside of the U.S. blaming the members of this board for all the ills of the world (an exaggeration of course).

Then when you do tell people they are different entities, we get told it is our (the people) fault for voting them in.  Guess what?  It does not matter who is voted in.  They do what they want regardless of what we (the people) want.

Yet, we (the people) still suffer the blame for what the government does.  This is not a self-pity statement.  It is simply the way it is and there is nothing that is going to change it.  I will go as far as to say it will get worse.

And why is it we (the people) have to put up with the endless complaints about the U.S. government?  I do not see those who do complain making any useful suggestions, including yourself.  Maybe due to the fact you really do know there is nothing that can be done and you are just complaining because you can?

I am guilty of complaining.  But I do so knowing I have also let the elected officials know what my complaints are as well.  One of my complaints is the U.N.  I voiced my opinion about it some time ago.  I want it gone from our shores.  I want our government to stop paying for other countries dues.  I am pissed my tax dollars are going to it.  It serves no useful purpose, from my perspective.  It is a monetary black hole.  Much like welfare.

The idea was sound, the implementation sucks.  Either fix it or get rid of it.

[soda72]

Nice post Goomba..

[storch]

I think the UN is long past overdue for a new and more befitting palace....er headquarters.  the best place for said location would somewhere in the low countries, perhaps the hague but somewhere in france would do just well also.  in fact the french capital brussels would be a good fit as well.  there is no need to have that organization on our soil and I question the need for the United States to be a member nation.  The United States has earned the priviledge of dictating policy to the rest of the world it is from out sense of fairness that we do not.  to the rest of the planet, count yourselves fortuitous that this republic was founded upon the judeo-christian ethic and not on sharia law.  had I read goomba's post I would not have posted mine.  good post goomba.

[Goomba]

TY, Gents for the positives.  

It's too bad the counter opinion had to border on snotty personal slights, as I tried to avoid that kind of shallow approach.  Discussion might have been more interesting.

However, it seems my point, while missed completely by some, still continues to be made for me.

[Saintaw]

... dang, I think this must have been one of these okies gathering or something...

[Saintaw]

Originally posted by Skuzzy

I think many people have a difficult time separating our government from the people who live here.

Welcome to my world. Apparently we're all little Chirac's.

[Skuzzy]

Yeah, I know what you mean Saw.  Dunt worry, as far as I am concerned, you stand on your own merit.

Well,...maybe "merit" is not quite right...uh,..hmmm,.."stand" may not be right either.  Uh,..

Awww, whut the hell.  I am jus a redneck frum Texas, whut do I know?

[Goomba]

Good point, Saw...sad to say I've been guilty as charged, now that I think about it.

[101ABN]

Originally posted by Nilsen
The UN has its flaws for sure, but its the best system we have had so far.

True... UN is failing just like the League of Nations did... here is how... lets see.... UN tells some country not to do something.. and that country tells them to take a hike and the UN is like.... aaaahhh.. ok... UN has no backbone what so ever and that makes me mad because when the UN cowers in the corner the US takes over and then ZING.. im sitting in some nasty, hot, and dirty taking care of something that the UN should be doing..  whew, i feel better now, thanks for listening.

[Holden McGroin]

Originally posted by Stringer
Not quite what you're looking for but close.....

Both links you showed were to reports dated 2004.  I'm looking for someone with 20/20 foresight.

What I'm looking for is the leader who's intel showed him what was what beforehand and made a statement saying so.

[Elfie]

Hamburger is filthy capitalist food!

Since you are trading stocks on a nearly daily basis.....doesnt that make you a capitalist? Maybe I should get some extra hamburgers ready?

[Elfie]

Originally posted by Goomba
Good point, Saw...sad to say I've been guilty as charged, now that I think about it.

I too think I may be guilty as charged when it comes to lumping European citizens into the same group as their gov'ts. In the future I will do my best to avoid this. If on occasion I fail, please dont hesitate to gently remind me.