The U.N.: Threat or Menace?
POSTED BY: Geezer
UPDATED: Saturday, March 28, 2026 17:52
VIEWED: 3813
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I was intrigued by your thread title: Threat or Menace? That's like SignyM: Leftist or Progressive? Precious little space between those choices huh?
In the interest of asking fair questions I must ask: Geezer, when DID you stop beating your wife? 
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Reality sucks. Especially when it contradicts our cherished ideas.
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Quote:
Originally posted by SignyM:
I was intrigued by your thread title: Threat or Menace? That's like SignyM: Leftist or Progressive? Precious little space between those choices huh?
In the interest of asking fair questions I must ask: Geezer, when DID you stop beating your wife?
What makes you think I've stopped? Besides, she asks so nicely!
The thread title reflects the two books mentioned in the original post. I was hoping someone could recommend another recent book on the U.N. that paints a more positive picture of the organization. Any suggestions?
"Keep the Shiny side up"
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No books but hey, a little Inet sleuthing can dig up info on their polio, TB, and fresh water programs. Also, their monitoring and certification of various elections around the globe where they seem to be quite useful. Their mine-clearing program.
Personally. I think the UN is so hobbled by competing interests that it's almost impossible for them to get anything done- good OR bad. But where they seem to have an edge is in health programs and in blessing political processes- almost like one of the many international standards organizations (ISO, IEEE etc) but for governments.
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Reality sucks. Especially when it contradicts our cherished ideas.
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The UN would fair a hell of a lot better if prominent member states actually played by it's rules in the same way they expect everyone else to.
More insane ramblings by the people who brought you beeeer milkshakes!
No one can see their reflection in running water. It is only in still water that we can see.
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Just to point out that the U.S. actually owes the UN about $1,246,000,000.
I expect they accept cash.
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Quote:
Originally posted by citizen:
The UN would fair a hell of a lot better if prominent member states actually played by it's rules in the same way they expect everyone else to.
Yep. France, Russia, and China undermining the Oil for Food program's review system and selling Iraq weapons in contravention of U.N. sanctions comes to mind. Or maybe Sudan's continuing genocide, or whatever is happening in Myanmar.
"Keep the Shiny side up"
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Yep, add to that the US and the UK deciding to do what the hell they like it the UN doesn't mandate the action they want and basically what you've got is a collection of nations that say "do as we say, not as we do".
More insane ramblings by the people who brought you beeeer milkshakes!
No one can see their reflection in running water. It is only in still water that we can see.
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Some times I feel like I'm talking to a vaccuum.
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Quote:
Originally posted by citizen:
Yep, add to that the US and the UK deciding to do what the hell they like it the UN doesn't mandate the action they want and basically what you've got is a collection of nations that say "do as we say, not as we do".
Actually, I was talking about violating U.N. sanctions, not taking independent action, as Clinton did when bombing Kosovo in 1999.
"Keep the Shiny side up"
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And I was talking about member states telling everyone they have to adhere to what the UN says and then not doing so themselves .
More insane ramblings by the people who brought you beeeer milkshakes!
No one can see their reflection in running water. It is only in still water that we can see.
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