Tuesday, July 14, 2009
The final stand
I can clearly remember the year (1945) right after the end of World War Two,
when the United Nations was formed. It now consists of over 190 nations and as far as I can tell, its reason for being remains basically unchanged. Without going into all the details of the responsibilities and duties each member is expected to abide by, the bottom line is to maintain the peace and administer justice throughout the world, in accordance with the capabilities of each member in a fair and equal way.One look at the UN as it appears to-day.is enough to discourage any serious expectations in this regard, but since hope does spring eternal, the quest must go on....and on. Thee can be no possible denial that the Unite States has emerged in recent years as the number one global cop of the organization. Wherever there is internal or external conflict, the self designated peace keepers are, for the most part, American military personnel and as we have sadly learned, they are not always welcomed with open arms regardless of the best of intentions. Our recent and on-going departure from Iraq is being hampered by the fact that the Iraqi government has not yet created a defense force large enough or competent enough to protect against insurgents and terrorists, let alone insure its borders from outside attack..In other words, there is a very strong possibility that we will have to reverse gears and re-insert our selves into the Iraqi fracas. and in view of our other 'involvements', this would be a hard nut to swallow. The only other answer that has any chance to succeed is for this country to call a meeting at the UN and advise all members, that we will not continue to go it alone and bear the sole burden that was meant to be shared by ALL members in meeting the needs and requirements called for in the UN charter in the maintaining of global peace and tranquillity .Let's not quibble here, what's at stake may very well be better described as the likelihood of global Armageddon if all the nations of the world don't stand ready o prevent it. Is this just an exercise in naivety on my part? Do I really want the answer to that?
George Morin
Auburn, Ga.
when the United Nations was formed. It now consists of over 190 nations and as far as I can tell, its reason for being remains basically unchanged. Without going into all the details of the responsibilities and duties each member is expected to abide by, the bottom line is to maintain the peace and administer justice throughout the world, in accordance with the capabilities of each member in a fair and equal way.One look at the UN as it appears to-day.is enough to discourage any serious expectations in this regard, but since hope does spring eternal, the quest must go on....and on. Thee can be no possible denial that the Unite States has emerged in recent years as the number one global cop of the organization. Wherever there is internal or external conflict, the self designated peace keepers are, for the most part, American military personnel and as we have sadly learned, they are not always welcomed with open arms regardless of the best of intentions. Our recent and on-going departure from Iraq is being hampered by the fact that the Iraqi government has not yet created a defense force large enough or competent enough to protect against insurgents and terrorists, let alone insure its borders from outside attack..In other words, there is a very strong possibility that we will have to reverse gears and re-insert our selves into the Iraqi fracas. and in view of our other 'involvements', this would be a hard nut to swallow. The only other answer that has any chance to succeed is for this country to call a meeting at the UN and advise all members, that we will not continue to go it alone and bear the sole burden that was meant to be shared by ALL members in meeting the needs and requirements called for in the UN charter in the maintaining of global peace and tranquillity .Let's not quibble here, what's at stake may very well be better described as the likelihood of global Armageddon if all the nations of the world don't stand ready o prevent it. Is this just an exercise in naivety on my part? Do I really want the answer to that?
George Morin
Auburn, Ga.
