I'm sure I'll be attacked as a "moonbat" and an "Andrew Sullivan clone" for echoing criticism of George W's latest dumb idea, but here you go:

President Bush has demonstrated his willingness to stand alone internationally. Yet for little better reason than go-along, get-along multilateralism, the administration is now pushing the Senate to ratify the Law of the Sea Treaty, which was just unanimously voted out of Richard Lugar's Senate Foreign Relations Committee. At a committee meeting in February, Lugar noted a wide range of support from American interests "for U.S. accession to be completed swiftly." However, the treaty is a flawed document, and there would be serious costs from accepting it.

The Law of the Sea Treaty originated in the 1970s as part of the United Nations' redistributionist agenda known as the "New International Economic Order." The convention covers such issues as fishing and navigation, but the controversy arose mainly over seabed mining. In essence, the Law of the Sea Treaty was designed to transfer wealth and technology from the industrialized states to the Third World.

Two decades ago, President Ronald Reagan ignored criticism of American unilateralism and refused to sign the treaty. U.S. leadership caused the Europeans and even the Soviet Union to stay out. Many Third World states eventually acknowledged the treaty's many flaws.

But treaties attract diplomats as lights attract moths. The first Bush and Clinton administrations worked to "fix" the treaty, leading to a revised agreement in 1994. Washington signed, leading to a cascade of ratifications from other countries. GOP gains in Congress, however, dissuaded the Clinton administration from pushing for ratification. Now George W. Bush has stepped in where Bill Clinton feared to tread.

Posted by: Ragnar at 12:34 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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Press Release from Eye on the UN:

NEW YORK—EYEontheUN Editor Anne Bayefsky announced today that the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Louise Arbour, attended a human rights meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), chaired by Cuba, in Tehran. The meeting was held to redefine and relativize human rights in accordance with “cultural diversity.” The Iranian concept of cultural diversity is last month’s stoning of a man for allegedly committing adultery and the hanging of corpses (recent victims of mass executions) from cranes placed in public squares.

While Arbour sat in the front row listening to Ahmadinejad, some Iranians were being made ready to be publicly hanged—21 prisoners were executed the next day.

Posted by: JaneNovak at 09:07 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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The Kofi Annan legacy.

More here.

Posted by: Good Lt. at 03:37 PM | Comments (9) | Add Comment
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You won't be missed. Feel free to leave your sentiments in the comments for this miserable, pathetic waste of oxygen.

Posted by: Good Lt. at 05:25 PM | Comments (25) | Add Comment
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(Wazirabad, India) A force of 125 female Indian police officers is preparing to deploy to Liberia as UN peacekeepers to assist in the nation's recovery from years of civil war.. The women are aged 25 to 30 and attached to India's Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF).

According to battalion commander Sunita Dhundia, her tanned and toned physique glistening in the sun-drenched drill field,

"We're prepared to take casualties. My girls know the hazards of the call of duty -- they have to do it, they're soldiers."

I think it warrants noting that the UN also seems to have finally figured out how to solve the problem of male peacekeepers committing rampant rape, as is occurring in the Congo and elsewhere. Just send people less prone to be rapists, such as women.

Tactically, it's ground-breaking and innovative, however, the success of sending an all-female peacekeeping force remains to be seen. I'll pray for their safety and success.

Companion post at Interested-Participant.

Posted by: Mike Pechar at 09:01 AM | Comments (15) | Add Comment
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Israel "may have" committed a "war crime" with the Qana incident, says supreme do-nothing/ head of the Blue Helmet Sudan rapists Kofi Annan.

Hezbullah's indiscriminate rocket attacks on Israeli towns and civilians escaped condemnation and calls for investigation. Hezbullah's use of human sheilds and civilian homes for rocket positions and bunkers went without condemnation. No comment form Mr. What-Oil-For-Food-Scandal on the ubiquitous "White T-Shirt guy" or "Green Helmet guy" and why they were running around for hours parading corpses for Reuters and other "truth gatherers" (among them our newest, bestest friend Adnan Hajj.) No comment on why the nature of the targeted Israeli offensives and 'civilian' death tolls in Lebanon seem to be wildly exaggerated on a regular basis.

Hezbullah's human rights violations and dragging of the region into destabilization? Hezbullah's attacks on UN posts? Kidnapping Israelis and launching rockets on Israeli soverign territory? Iran and Syria admitting to starting and fanning the flames?

No investigation needed - Israel would be vindicated, and that is simply UNacceptable.

You are a worthless lying piece of garbage, Kofi Annan. I call for an immediate investigation of your role in the human rights violations and deaths of thousands of Iraqis at the hands of Saddam Hussein, your role in the human rights violations, rapes and murders of children under UN supervision in the Sudan, your role in allowing Hezbullah to fly under the radar of criticism and scrutiny in the current conflict and finally an all-encompassing investigation as to what it is you have actually accomplished in your tenure at the head of the world's most pointless and corrosive organization.

None of us are waiting up.

UPDATE: Dan Riehl kicks Annan's suggestion squarely in the jewels with "Qana Exposed."

Posted by: Good Lt. at 05:03 AM | Comments (46) | Add Comment
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I'll begin this post with my quote of the day:

the overriding consideration is the need to avoid entering into a course of action that might lead to the use of force and unanticipated repercussions.

- Kofi Annan

The above Kofi quote could've been a message about any situation anywhere in the world. As we all know, Kofi's very opposed to the use of force. Kofi seems to have an abiding faith that everything can be solved through the unilateral practice of peace-ism. One could see him speaking the above quote in connection with the current Israel-Hizb'Allah conflict or the genocide in Darfur, for example. Whatever happens, avoid using force. In fact, avoid continuing a course of action that could lead to the use of force. Actually, let's avoid even entering into a course of action that could lead to the use of force.

Kofi Annan is, of course, the man we're being advised to rely on to protect the rights of Israelis against Hizb'Allah.

The quote above was from a 1994 cable from Annan to Lt. Gen. Romeo Dallaire, head of U.N. "peacekeeping" operations in Rwanda. Annan's message was sent in response to Dallaire's detailed and specific warnings to Annan that organized preparations for mass genocide were being undertaken by the Rwandan government, under the direction of the Hutu political leadership. These activities included the importation and stockpiling of weapons, in direct contravention of U.N. resolutions. Dallaire requested authorization to take action.

[MORE BELOW] more...

Posted by: Ragnar at 12:14 PM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
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1 It is the repurcussions that we need to make anticipatable by routing 'em out into the daylight where we can see 'em and destroy them! If the enemy is quick to anger, use his anger against him! More cartoons!

Posted by: Last gasp Larry at July 30, 2006 09:53 PM (gLMre)

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According to the Washington Times, the Democrats are looking to pry John Bolton from the U.N. Ambassadorship:

Senate Democrats have promised a “bruising fight” over the administration’s nomination of John R. Bolton as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations.

Mr. Bolton’s nomination was sent out of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee last year without a positive recommendation after Sen. George V. Voinovich, Ohio Republican, voted against him. Democrats then twice filibustered a vote on his confirmation once the nomination was sent to the Senate floor, forcing President Bush to make a recess appointment to fill the vacancy.

Mr. Bolton’s temporary appointment is set to expire this fall, when Congress adjourns. However, the Senate has scheduled a debate this week on extending Mr. Bolton’s appointment through the end of the Bush administration. On Thursday, Mr. Voinovich announced that he no longer is opposed to Mr. Bolton, all but guaranteeing that his nomination will be sent to the Senate floor with a positive recommendation.

“I think Senator Voinovich’s announcement was — obviously, I much appreciated it, and I think it represents a fairly dramatic change in the political dynamic in the Senate,” Mr. Bolton told “Fox News Sunday.”

However, some Democrats have continued to express opposition to his nomination.

More commentary at OTB.

Posted by: Ragnar at 09:13 PM | Comments (6) | Add Comment
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This conversation between Vital Perspectives and Hans Brix reveals what a truly foolish person he is. It's almost like I've heard this somewhere before........

Posted by: Rusty at 01:26 PM | Comments (3) | Add Comment
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If Sudan does not support the Muslim Arab Genocide against non-Muslim Africans, why is it they do so much to, you know, kind of help it along?

Reuters :Sudanese authorities have already prevented Egeland from visiting Darfur and the capital Khartoum.
Egeland told reporters the bans reflect deteriorating relations between the United Nations and the government over the deployment of a possible U.N. peace force in Darfur.
"One of the biggest and most effective humanitarian operations on earth ... is in Darfur. In 2006 it is changing dramatically for the worse and I think that is the background for why I was blocked again this year from going," he said.
He said the government did not want him in Darfur because the situation there was as bad as it was in 2004, at the height of conflict between mainly non-Arab Darfuri rebels and government forces backed by militia auxiliaries.
Two million Darfuris have abandoned their homes and tens of thousands have been killed in the conflict. Egeland is in charge of U.N. humanitarian relief for the displaced, many of whom have been living in squalid camps for the past two years.
He said that in the rebel-held Darfur district of Gereida in recent months 90 villages have been attacked and more than 200,000 people have had to leave their homes.

Posted by: Howie at 09:02 AM | Comments (7) | Add Comment
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Killing terrorists is great, unless, of course, that terrorist happens only to want to kill Jews. At least, that is the general theory at the U.N.

Sun:

Secretary-General Annan yesterday criticized one of the most potent weapons in the war against terrorism, saying he "has noted with concern" a spate of targeted killings by Israel in Gaza and the West Bank. Mr. Annan's statement came after acting Prime Minister Olmert reportedly instructed the army to escalate its anti-terror campaign amidst renewed Palestinian Arab attacks.

The criticism of Israel's targeted killings, which are considered instrumental to its success in reducing terrorist attacks in recent years, highlighted an ongoing debate about the application of international treaties to the war against terrorism. While Mr. Annan calls for countries to apply civil law to terrorists, Israel, as well as the Bush administration, sees them as dangerous combatants.

Posted by: Rusty at 08:13 AM | Comments (10) | Add Comment
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Caption this photo of Mohammed (Hans Blix Is My Bitch) El Baradei pointlessly pontificating on something somewhere.

Fatwas will be issued Monday at the earliest convenience.

Which, truth be told, isn't all that early at all.

But hey, at least I keep my word, I don't promise fatwas on Monday and deliver on Wednesday, like SOME authors here have done in the past.

Honorary fatwa bestowed on Mr. Venom before any comments are made, because he scares me, and I don't like urine running down my leg.

**Fatwas issued. Told you it would be late, but I was taken by tookie, or is it tooken by tookie, eh, whatever.**

4 fatwas and a funeral (and a write in vote for mayor of Carmel, CA) to Graeme for:

""So I'm in Ahmadinejad's office and I whip out my metaphorical 44s and I say in my famous Clint Eastwood voice: I know what you're thinking. Did he issue six sternly worded letters or only five? Well, to tell you the truth, in all this excitement, I've kinda lost track myself. But being as the IAEA is part of the UN, the most prolific writer of sternly worded letters in the world, and would instantly swamp your desk, your paper shredder and your recycling bins, you've got to ask yourself one question: 'Do I feel lucky?' Well, do ya punk? That's when Ahamdinejad conceded defeat and promised that Iran's nuclear program would only be used for civilian use. Then he had to excuse himself to take an urgent phone call about a new Russian-built rocket motor, or something like that.""

The "eat 'em, they'll make you horny" fatwa to Oyster for:

""So you see? My right hand knew not what my left hand doeth for some time now."" [sooper sekrit note to Oyster, take the [dot] out, spam will find you anyway. Trust me on this one. heh.]

The "dammit, now I have to change my underwear" fatwa to Mr. Venom, who freaks me out with that email, for:

""I have seen the Iranians' facilities, and their spent fuel rods are this big. What, why must you always laugh when I say that?""

(dishonorable mention) The "my favorite minuteman cuts off heads, because I'm a squealing halfwit moron" fatwa goes to Screw Em, for:

"Soooo....what brown skin folk we toasting the death of today? And which American soldiers we ignoring the deaths of by lies today?

Bueller?"

Thanks for playing, come again next week, and vote for VAM, cuz that guy that de-linked Rusty is in the lead again. Poopyhead.

Posted by: Vinnie at 11:31 PM | Comments (31) | Add Comment
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(Tunis, Tunisia) Some members of the United Nations World Summit on the Information Society wanted to transfer control of Internet traffic from the United States to the United Nations. They failed.

From Reuters:

The United States will keep control of the domain-name system that guides online traffic under an agreement on Wednesday seen as a setback to efforts to internationalise one of the pillars of the Internet.

Negotiators at the United Nations World Summit on the Information Society said they had agreed to set up a forum to discuss "spam" e-mail and other Internet issues and explore ways to narrow the technology gap between rich and poor countries.

But oversight of the domain-name system will remain with the United States, a setback for the European Union and other countries that had pushed for international control of one of the most important technical aspects of the Internet.

The European Union said in a statement that the agreement would lead to "further internationalisation of Internet governance, and enhanced intergovernmental cooperation to this end."

Posted by: Mike Pechar at 11:54 PM | Comments (19) | Add Comment
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(Sana'a, Yemen) In a report from last week, it was confirmed that the Yemeni government sold weapons to Somalia in violation of a UN imposed ban. Discussions of the issue between the UN Security Council Weapons Experts Committee and the Yemeni government have consisted primarily of bickering over semantics with no consensus. Furthermore, according to the Yemen Times, there will likely be no consequences.

The difference of opinion is getting Yemen into hot water, but with international resources already so overstretched international grumbling is unlikely to have any real teeth.

In summary, the government of Yemen knowingly violated a UN imposed weapons ban by selling arms to Somalia. When accused of the violation, the Yemeni officials merely argued, fully expecting no further action by the toothless United Nations. To add insult, the country's major newspaper publishes the fact that the UN is considered to be just a bunch of grumblers and there's no expectation that it will do anything.

I think the Yemenis are on to something.

Companion post at Interested-Participant.

Posted by: Mike Pechar at 01:01 AM | Comments (6) | Add Comment
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