December 15, 2004
THE U.N. PARTY:
Senator to US: 'Take a Deep Breath' Over UN (Evelyn Leopold, 12/15/04, Reuters)
U.S. Sen. Patrick Leahy, visiting the United Nations, cautioned his Congressional colleagues to "take a deep breath" before making a political football out of the world body by withholding dues.Leahy, a Vermont Democrat, said he disapproved of moves by several Republicans to withhold U.S. payments unless the world body fully cooperates with Congressional probes into the oil-for-food scandal in Iraq.
"I think we ought to take a deep breath. This is not a time to make a political football out of the U.N.," Leahy told reporters after seeing U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan.
This seems a dubious strategy for the Democrats, no? Posted by Orrin Judd at December 15, 2004 11:12 PM
So who wants to make it a political football? I think making it a political punching bag is far more appropriate.
Posted by: John at December 15, 2004 11:16 PMWithholding documents and witnesses from a Congressional oversight committee is usually a mortal sin on Capitol Hill. The Executive Branch might sometimes have a national security reason for being less than forthcoming, but the U.N.? This is equivalent to an auto mechanic giving you a $2000 bill "for services rendered," but refusing to itemize. Has Leahy figured out how much money the U.S. gives the U.N., and how offensive to an American taxpayer is the U.N. response, 'its none of your business.'
Posted by: Fred Jacobsen (San Fran) at December 15, 2004 11:26 PMIt is more than a dubious strategy. With the prospect of more devastating revelations over corruption (a la Marc Rich), and the fact that the UN's role in Bosnia and Rwanda has never really been publicized in the US, it is foolish for anyone to 'defend' Kofi Annan or the UN in general.
The release of the movie "Hotel Rwanda" will hurt the UN deeply.
And just this week, the UN pulled out of Darfur because two of its employees were killed. Why not give every UN employee an M-16 instead? Their helmets need to be painted yellow.
Posted by: jim hamlen at December 15, 2004 11:31 PMLeahy should have been tried for treason for the aid and comfort he gave the communists in latin America.
Is there a statute of limitations on treason?
Posted by: M. Murcek at December 15, 2004 11:53 PMOkay, I just took several deep breaths. Now go ahead and kick it through the friggin' goalposts.
Posted by: Guy T. at December 16, 2004 1:05 AMOkay, now might not be the right time. It is, after all the Hannukah, Christmas and Winter Solstis seasons. Let's wait until February to begin.
Posted by: Dave W. at December 16, 2004 8:00 AMThe problem is not that the Dems want us to take a couple of deep breaths. Is that they don't want us to inhale.
Posted by: Moe from NC at December 16, 2004 8:48 AMSend the U.N. to France in exchange for getting our war dead returned from their desecrated burial grounds. The Autumn of '07 would be a good time to start pushing this; give Hillary a whole year to mock our war dead and praise the U.N. to protect her NY base.
Posted by: JimGooding at December 16, 2004 9:12 AMI think 40 or 60% are already repatriated, Jim.
The Dems want us to take deep breaths, just w/cyanide mixed in.
Posted by: Sandy P at December 16, 2004 10:20 AMThe bureaucratic, statist mentality at work. Got to protect your own. They both mean well, after all.
Posted by: at December 16, 2004 10:33 AMI would Like to join with the Vice President of the United States of America in wishing Pat Leahy a hearty @#$% *&^%!
Posted by: Robert Schwartz at December 16, 2004 11:50 AMand a happy new year.
Posted by: h-man at December 16, 2004 3:19 PMThe GOP should televise Leaky Leahy, his smug countenance and loopy positions constantly. It will only make Red States redder.
Posted by: Bart at December 16, 2004 5:04 PM