Heritage In Focus: Why We Should Be Suspicious of the U.N.

[morganlafay]

dont buy Coors products, they support the Heritage Foundation

[TheRealArchAngel]

**The US pays the most to it because it is the world's richest country**

No, the UN was the whim of FDR and is still for the most part a puppet organization of the U.S. President which is why he s the "World Leader" in the UN

The US Armed Forces is also the main "mussle" in UN actions cause the Commander and Chief heads the UN

[POlNTMAN]

In the 1970s, while under pressure from the Soviet Union/Arabs, the UN adopted a resolution branding the Jewish zionism as a form of racism.

In the early 1990s, after the collapse of the USSR, the UN suddenly changed its mind and declared that the zionism is not in fact racism.

This episode just shows what a corrupted thing the UN is.

[POlNTMAN]

The UN is nothing but a scheme to channel American taxpayers' money to the third world countries.

It is time for Americans to stop funding these bastards.

[akamaramaka]

Dude, tell me about the US and whether it is the problem.. do not forget to mention the war in Iraq and Afganistan, support of terrorist families by the former president of US (I am talking about the Ben Laden's), and do not forget to explain the morale that the US was driven by breaking all the international agreement on intervention in other state's affairs including Yugoslavia vs. Kosovo, Latin American countries, Middle East.. Ts-s-s.. You have to praise the Lord for UN instead..

[adrenalinerider]

nknico is a disgrace, but what do you expect from a person whose countries most common name for a newborn is muhamed. Just another example of a sheople who is willing to give up their countries sovereignty. Which is the most pathetic choice ever.

[wilcox71]

The UN is a disgrace.

[CrushingChris]

The UN has turned into a vehicle for global domination. The U.S. is the last pocket of resistance, and every treaty the UN proposes is a means to destroy our sovereignty and redistribute our wealth. You want proof? Look up the Kyoto Protocol, the Global Poverty Act, the Rights of the Child, Law of the Sea Treaty... Read the fine print: they are bent on taking away our liberty and subjecting us to one-world government.

[jammasterjayfan]

The U.N. is created by the military industrial complex.

[TranceDevotee]

US membership dues to the UN constitue 0.1% of the US's federal budget but make up 22% of the UN's general budget

[sheepeh120]

hahaha your just a stupid american bureaucrat who's good at complaining. id like to see you get stuck in congo. most of the abuse allegations were simply claims and were never proven. oh and btw, i think its damn right that the UN opposes america and its foreign policy so harshly: its supposed to watch over international relations and prevent ILLEGAL wars... like the one in iraq. yes its too bureaucratic, but thats the only way such a powerful organisation cannot fall into the wrong hands.

[bebeinpa]

How many wars has the U.N. prevented?

[F33bs]

Oh please. The United States has a long history of ignoring international law to get away with its rampant interference and cowboy-like foreign policy. The US wants the UN to bow to it's wishes so they can meddle with other nations affairs free of any oversight.

Also, if you hadn't noticed, Americas "leadership" IS bad. Bush's approval rating is below 30%.

He holds the record in the lowest disapproval ratings in history.

[AgentFour]

Why should America be subservient to any world body?

Congress had the lowest approval rating in history, with 9%. As I would assume you could plainly see, it was much lower than the President's approval rating.

[F33bs]

Oh please. "Subservient"?

How is agreeing to work together with the world to solve humanities problems make you "subservient"?

Enough of this macho bullshit, as America realizes it won't be the superpower for much longer, we obviously aren't going to go anywhere if we don't make an attempt to reconcile our differences with the world.

[F33bs]

About Congress.

When people say that the Democrats have a majority in the Senate, it doesn't take into account that:

1) They don't even have a majority. It's split 49-49 with an independent and Joe Lieberman as the tie-breakers. We all know how Lieberman votes.

2) In order for a bill or an amendment to a bill be passed, it has to have 60 votes.

3) The president has the power to veto anything.

4) Democrats don't have the 2/3 majority to break the presidential veto.

[F33bs]

The average American doesn't know jack shit about what Congress is doing, and not only is that the reason they have a low opinion of it but also the reason why it's so ineffective.

I'm no Democrat fanboy, but it doesn't take much to see that the Republicans are just blocking any bill the Democrats put forward just to make them seem corrupt and lazy.

[F33bs]

If most Americans watched C-SPAN and could personally witness Republicans voting down VA funding, troop vacations and bills to close corporate tax loopholes (All of which I've personally watched McCain vote against) etc etc, I would hope that most people would think twice about voting Republican again.

[AgentFour]

Why should we worry about other countries before ours? Fuck the rest of the world, put America and Americans first.

[TheRealArchAngel]

**I pray for Russia to burn your hairy asses to ashes**

Hit every military base of every US armed Forces who's generals can act independent of the President and Pentigon, hit Every Ferderal US Military base in every state and Territory, Every State and territory National Gaurd Base (Each state and territory has it's own state army) all the Federal, State,City,and county governments and their Police/riot forces all at one time?...lol

US isn't really a "Country" its a muti-teared Federation

[zpdd7]

Are you familiar with the supremacy clause? It's in that whole "Constitution" thing. It states "This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States which shall be made in Pursuance thereof; and all Treaties made, or which shall be made, under the authority of the United States, shall be the supreme Law of the land; and the Judges in every State shall be bound thereby, any Thing in the Constitution or Laws of any State to the Contrary notwithstanding."

UN Charter is considered a treaty.

[AgentFour]

Are you really trying to tell me that a stupid UN Charter is on the same level as the United States Constitution?

[zpdd7]

Truth hurts when you read it in the actual laws of the United States. The Charter of the UN does bind the US to adhere to it, yes. Why? Because we RATIFIED it! We could repeal that ratification, but as it stands, we are bound by US and international law to behave in accordance with the Charter. We would never leave the UN since we would lose our veto power in security matters. Though we would remain powerful, it would weaken us in geopolitics significantly.

[F33bs]

LMFAO

Owned by your own countries laws there, AgentFour.

[zpdd7]

Implying subservience to the UN would be like asserting that the US President is subservient to Congress. Do you understand how the UN General Assembly functions and how that differs from the Security Council? Please let me know how being a permanent member of the forceful body in the UN, with veto power, is subservient. We can move on then to a rational chat about how Heritage is peddling propaganda here.

[zpdd7]

Heritage is a joke anyway. No serious person takes their arguments as if they are not politically motivated. This interview is a collection of anecdotal evidence and misunderstanding of the UN and its role.

[AgentFour]

Explain

[zpdd7]

Go ask political scientists what they think of it. Read my other comments too. It may be informative to do so.

[bebeinpa]

All arguments are politically motivated-even yours.

[zpdd7]

The UN provides a framework for international use of force. Read the charter and/or learn international law and you will see that defending yourself is in no way prohibited in the charter. It even allows for preemption, and by some accounts anticipatory self-defense, but in the Iraq case the world disagreed that it was self-defense in either conception, something that turned out to be correct.

[USCvsUCLA]

Everything has changed since 9/11. The rules have been broken and the stakes are too high. U.N. is not doing anything about N. Koreans living in massive concentration camp. U.N. has not freed any one country from oppression. All the communist countries tortured and killed millions of people in the last 70 yrs. You don't know what you are talking about. You have not lived a day in a communist country. Learn about the soviet Gulag and then talk to me about U.N.

[zpdd7]

How would living in a communist country have changed my completely accurate description of the UN? It is a pseudo-democratic international body. Since the Soviets held veto power, which they wielded heavily, nothing was done through the Security Council for decades. The veto system is flawed indeed and should be reformed.

[zpdd7]

I also am well versed in the crimes of communist and fascist regimes. Walking through concentration camps can make that real for you in a quick afternoon. The UN's structure that allows for veto power in the Security Council effectively giving the Soviets a free hand. Extensive information is provided to states that may wish to call for intervention in S. Korea by the UNHCHR. But alas some state must call for intervention in the Security Council to get results. Petition the US lately?

[zpdd7]

Again, the UN is not an independent entity. If you are concerned with it not functioning against dictators (those that are conflicting with other states), then ask why the politics of Britain, USA, France, Russia, and China do not allow for the intervention towards peace. Is the US calling for intervention where you refer to? Do you know anything about how the UN functions?

[ort777]

Yes, and all you terds have the solutions, right? The great USA solves all of the world's problems and we've done it over the years by being the bully of the world and will continue to do so - get used to it. When you're the biggest and baddest in the world, you have to stick up for yourself and beat some people up along the way. It's ugly out there so get over it. You're simplistic, pie in the sky view just doesn't exist. These so called ignorant people at Heritage are right on!

[alancraig123]

Shut up...us Europeans made you what your are you scum. I hate Americans and I am from the UK and I would say deep down 99% of the worlds population hates America and dont be cocky and think its out of jealousy its far from it. We infact pity you and your crumbling nation. Go get your facts right in your shithole of a country ran by fools and 9/11 was done by Bush thats a great country eh

[ort777]

Yawn. You'd be saluting Hitler if it weren't for us so you can just get off your little platform. Everyone loves us and wants to come here for a reason. Stop drinking the coolaid and come up with a reasonable argument for a change.

[AgentFour]

We saved your ungrateful asses TWICE from the massive Nazi machine. I hope we don't come to your aid a third time, with the ever-increasing Muslim problem. Fuck you

[zpdd7]

Umm... maybe check your history again there. Forgot the Nazis were twice defeated.

History is fun when you can make it up!

[bebeinpa]

9-11 was done by Bush? Proof please.

[intuitivesense]

Wow, it boggles the mind that people like wheelieguy exist are so forthcoming in expressing the fear and ignorance that is tearing this country (and humanity) apart. Read some Tolstoy, Gandhi, or MLK Jr please. Torture only makes things worse. By condoning it, you are tacitly approving the methodology of terrorists themselves - using violent means to achieve 'moral' ends. I pray for you.

[AgentFour]

Forget about Martin Luther King, Jr. Look at how many of the Axis Power died in WWI/II, Korea and Japan, then try to figure out how many of them were killed by a firearm made by John Moses Browning.

Browning was a REAL peacemaker. He made the tools that brought peace to the world - by massively superior firepower.

[zpdd7]

There was no "Axis" in WWI. Peace through the means to destroy is not the only view of peace. Read the interesting account of WWI by the last surviving veteran from it. He enlisted and fought at, if I remember correctly, about age 15. He was French. Say what you may about their politics, but I doubt too many cowards sign up to fight in world wars at age 15.

[Mattmon2]

The UN is a check and balance on US's foreign influence in the world.

[zemilideias]

People, this is propaganda by a small group of rich people who want to screw you. Very simple...

[eldorama]

I think Dr. Gardiner was absolutely right. If the Americans are basically the prime supporters of the UN, why are our tax dollars continuing to pay for a poorly managed institution that fails to do what it was mandated by protecting human rights?

[zpdd7]

This is such a blob of lies and oversimplifications it is absurd.

[F33bs]

Lets get this straight, the UN isn't only supposed to serve the US, its for everyone. All of these arguments apply to America as well. Institution that no longer stands for freedom truth and dignity? And the US does?

[IHyRaXI]

I was watching that Dr. Nile guy on the Orielly Factor and he was blinking like 20 blinks per seconed, but hes not in this video?

[Bwago]

The way WE torture is ok. Its how THEY torture thats wrong.

[aiwebb]

Oh, also, haven't we been engaging in torture? Yep, we have. Kinda thing that makes Jesus Smile!

[wheelieguy]

Our brand of torture is not threatening the detainees life, only to make them uncomfortable. Water boarding, light deprivation, loud music, and sleep deprivation is not what I consider inhumane torture. Using a machete to cut off someone's head like Islamic radicals do is a bit over the edge don't you think?

[wheelieguy]

By the way, if it takes the brand of torture that maims a detainee to make sure another 9/11 doesn't happen again, I don't have a problem with that. But if you want to get all chummy chummy with a terorrist and sit around and sing Kumbiya, be my guest. Liberal pantywastes will cause us to be the United States of Islamerica in a few years and we will have you to thank for it.

[aiwebb]

Can someone tell me why we went to war with Iraq for WMD's that didn't exist, but engaged in effective diplomacy with North Korea when they told us they had WMD's, then tested them?!?! Anyone?

I didn't think so. Wake up people. Blind submission to ones government, free or not, is what started WWII. Those Nazi soldiers sure where dedicated to their leaders beliefs. That turn out awesome!

[aiwebb]

Oh, and speaking of institutions that no longer stand for human freedom, human rights and human dignity, not to mention violating human rights and cuddling up to dictators like Kim Jung Il, doesn't the U.S. do that stuff?

[aiwebb]

This is ridiculous.(see above text) You can just create a superpower rouge country that runs around all willy nilly doing what it wants. I'm an American, and I believe that America isn't the only country. Also, basing a political system on a religion that may or may not be true( based on the fact that there are too many religions with just as much validity in the world)is just bad politics. You end up with a society lost in the dark (i.e. The Dark Ages )

[phoogoo]

...they are poorly managed and wasting tax payers money.

...cuddling up to human rights abusers like Sadam Hussein.

...engaging in human rights violations.

...skirting internaitonal agreements.

Oh, you're talking about the U.N.? I thought you were talking about all the republican administrations from Reagan, Bush I and Bush II.

[AgentFour]

What about Carter?

[ParanoidMystic]

"Well it seems to me the UN is the problem." Thanks for nothing, Chuck. At least the conservative movement is universal in its disrespect to international law and process. Why should the bully in the schoolyard respect the teacher inside? Hell no! Let's stay out in the wilderness and let savagery and strength rule. You guys need to get your minds right about what this planet is about or you'll be stuck on this ride FOREVER.

[AgentFour]

Why should we bow down to some inferior international body?

[zpdd7]

Check that whole supremacy clause thing again. Pesky US laws...

Why bow to congress? Why bow to state government? Just arm yourself and live in a shack! You pose such lovely dilemmas that political thought largely solved 200 years ago. Well done.

[bebeinpa]

The Conservative movement is much bigger than that my friend-read Pat Buchanan.

[pomyao]

Well it seems to me that all of those criticisms also apply to the US government as well - except the price tag is so much higher - the pentagon has by it's own admission has unaccounted for TRILLIONS. And as for coddling dictators...the US government is a hard act to beat.

So, your point is what? That there should be no attempt at establishing norms of acceptable international behavior, no forum to address problems?

[aprocrastinator]

Yeah, he's pretty much straightforward and right (pardon the pun).

[ajdub123]

Ok. So the UN is a) Wasting taxpayers' dollars, b) Poorly managed, c) Ineffective in fighting terrorism Well then, I guess the UN is the problem! I guess the question is, why should I believe you?

[mason6883]

Well, can you dispute any of claims?

[Hippystomper]

Spot on.