Time for Obama to denounce Mubarak

[Feanor]

Ha, we are so moral, our politicians are lying sacks of crap, and doesn't China basically own us because we are trillions in debt?

The UN is the right choice but nobody listens to them because there is nothing to back them up....but us.

The UN, it would be nice to think, is the right choice but there are many issues.

The US is largest funder based on the official UN funding formula which itself is mainly on per capita income (and various other qualifications). The US has also been a fairly reliable in actualy making its prescibed funding payments while various other countries have not.

But the US' role is a bit different when it comes to supporting UN resolutions. Since 1965 it has veto far more resolutions than any other nation; (before '65 the distinction went to the Soviet Union). Since 1989 the US has veto 13 of 19 resolutions vetoed; of these 11 pertained to the middle east and mostly pertaining to criticisms of Isreal, (now there's a really big surprise). (See Wikipedia item HERE.)

Without being an expert, I suspect the powers of the Security Council would have to be extensively rethought for the UN to be effective. Presently there are five permanent member countries all of whom have an absolute veto, plus five more countries without veto elected by the General Assembly for set terms of office. Maybe the SC total membership should be expanded to, say, 20; the 5 permanent members changed and/or expanded in number; and the veto abolished with 60% or 2/3 majority requirement replacing it.

Beyond this supposedly the UN cannot intervene in the "internal affairs" of any country. This restriction perhaps ougth to be removed under some circumstances.

[GMichael]

Seems like a no win for the USA to me. Dammed if we do, dammed if we don’t.

[bobsticks]

Hot damn! It may well turn out that this particular little internet tête-à-tête mau turn into nothing more than a theoretical couch session. Reports vary as to numbers but are consistent in the insistance from the leaders of the demonstrations that they will remain peacefully intractable on the full resignation/abdication of Mubarek.

In the trades they call that a full scale shift in the balance of power for the region...a revolución of sorts...all potentially without the firing of a single U.S. bullet or hollow diatribe.

[Feanor]

Hot damn! It may well turn out that this particular little internet tête-à-tête mau turn into nothing more than a theoretical couch session. Reports vary as to numbers but are consistent in the insistance from the leaders of the demonstrations that they will remain peacefully intractable on the full resignation/abdication of Mubarek.

In the trades they call that a full scale shift in the balance of power for the region...a revolución of sorts...all potentially without the firing of a single U.S. bullet or hollow diatribe.

The smartest thing Obama has said is that the outcome will be decided by Egyptians, (maybe the only smart thing). I credit the current US adminsitration that sees that military intervention isn't a great an idea.

That Obama's remark is certainly more helpful than the recent remark out of Israel that "stability is more important than democracy in the middle east". It's about time that the Israeli tail quit wagging the American dog.

[Feanor]

Yet another US veto in the UN Security Council. Ambassador Susan Rice cast the single dissenting vote for a draft resolution condemning Israel for continued settlement in the West Bank. Rice said that although the US administration opposed settlement activity, the resolution would not facilitate discuss between the parties.

Everyone is well aware that the administration is caving to Congressional pressure. Congress clearly opposes any and all criticism of Israel. What might "facilitate discussion" would be an end fo military aid to Israel and international sanctions against it. But Congress is so supine to the demands of domestic pro-Zions, (viz. many but not all American Jews, and factions of the Christian Right), that this will never happen.

But then there is a chance that current events in the Middle East will overtake old policies and attitudes.

[bobsticks]

Where Is Quaddafi?

U.S. Military Forces, intelligence services, and clandestine operations are scrambling to ascertain the location of Libyan dictator, Muommar el-Quaddafi in the wake of his sudden disappearance from both public and private functions. Growing concerns within the Libyan Intelligence community may have influenced the Dictator to temporarily flee the country, as fears of American retribution for repeated vague and hostile criticism of Israel have reminded many of U.S. imperialistic military incursions of the past.

When contacted for comment Libyan Military Envoy, Muhammed Abdel el-Sabin tersely reminded the world of Libyan resentments against U.S. foreign policy:




On location in neighboring Syria, U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner denied any radical plans for U.S. military expeditions but could not confirm whether that ruled out future military interventions for subsequent criticisms, social gaffes, awkward attempts at facilitating conversation, or fashion faux-pas.



I cannot tell you what will happen next. Clearly, and as with any situation of this nature, there are complexities with all interested parties moving, hopefully moving, toward a more democratic fullfillment of national idealogy. That said, I'd imagine that while the President and Joint Chiefs are more than willing to turn a blind eye toward the armed suppression of an indigenous population any and all criticism of Israel will be viewed by the Pro-Zionist elements as casus belli. Hey, this all premature, I'm not here in a military capacity. I'm simply here to discuss, with the Syrian government ways to facilitate economic growth within the region and the stabilization of our currency, the U.S. Yuan----U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner


Sources within the Israeli Mossad have hinted that Quaddafi may be up to his old tricks. In times of extreme crisis the Libyan dictator has been known to seek refuge with allies to avoid direct confrontation. During the first Gulf of Sidra clashes Quaddafi landed saftely in Hollywood and remained hidden for the duration of the conflict until ultimately exposed for his role in the propaganda-laden "Weekend at Muommar's" , culturally impacting American concern's over a resurrection of McCarthyism:



At this time, however, sources within multiple foreign agencies believe that Quaddafi has instead followed is patternistic retreat methodology similar to that during the 1986 bombing raids conducted against Canada. For some time that year the tyrant remained hidden away in a Canadian production studio and, again, retreated into thespianism, playing the role of Sam Crenshaw on Today's Special a variety show which aired on Canada's Nickleodeon Network. There have been no reports of the character being resurrected at this time.



Some analysts within the intelligence communities theorize that the return to Canada may have more to do with lingering resentments over the 1986 Tripoli bombing than any inclination toward conciliation between pro-Zionist elements and a young Libyan population growing ever more prone to saying critical, and often simply not-nice things, regarding the Israeli coalition. Some rogue elements have even gone so far as to insists that Quaddafi is in actuality in hush hush traing with Team GSP for a return bout with former U.S. President Ronald Reagan. It is not known whether or not the Libyan dictator is aware of Reagan's lack of availability for the fight.






When pressured to support this bizarre theory spokesmen for the U.S. NSA and the German Bundesnachrichtendienst reported finding a scroll jammed into the rear cavity of a camel tied to a rock at the decrepitous French Embassy in Tripoli inscribed with the following:

I was just a boy when the infidels came to my village in their Blackhawk helicopters. The infidels fired at the oil fields and they lit up like the eyes of Allah. Burning oil rained down from the sky and cooked everything it touched. I could only hide myself and cry as my goats were consumed by the fiery black liquid death. In the midst of the chaos, I could swear that I heard my goats screaming for help. As quickly as they had come, the infidels were gone. It was on that day I put a jihad on them. And if you don’t believe it, then you’d better kill me now, because I’ll put a jihad on you, too.

[Feanor]

...

Now I get it
...

[bobsticks]

Nice. That's a helluva make-up job but I guess some habilts die hard, eh?

I'm a little upset that I didn't get any credit for the line "culturally impacting American concern's over a resurrection of McCarthyism". That's quality material right there...I don't care who y'are...