U.N. IN THE WOODSHED:

Remarks by the President in Address to the United Nations General Assembly - New York, New York (WhiteHouse.gov, 9/12/02)

All the world now faces a test, and the United Nations a difficult and defining moment. Are Security Council resolutions to be honored and enforced, or cast aside without consequence? Will the United Nations serve the purpose of its founding, or will it be irrelevant?

That my friends was an old-fashioned butt-whippin'. The President framed the question before the U.N. in such stark terms that they have no real wiggle room: they either have to authorize us to enforce the Security Council resolutions that Saddam has flouted (in other words topple his regime) or else declare themselves irrelevant to U.S. geopolitical calculations. President Bush declared our unlilateral path, but offered to let them come along for the ride so long as they sit in the back seat and behave themselves. It was just brutal--and quite heartwarming.
Posted by Orrin Judd at September 12, 2002 12:35 PM