U.S. Away From Human Rights

Off Topic Politics and World Issues
1

Remember when the U.S. was considered a beacon of human rights? Remember how the U.S. led the way in establishing the Universal Declaration of Human Rights? Ah, those were the days.

Then came Iraq, Abu Ghraib, the PATRIOT Act, warrantless wiretapping, etc., etc., etc.

Now the Inter Press Service News Agency (IPS) is reporting that the U.S. is separating itself from the United Nations Human Rights Council. And the rest of the world believes that the U.S. has lost its credibility on human rights.

Here are some excerpts from a May 3rd IPS article:

[i]When the 192-member U.N. General Assembly meets in mid-May to elect 14 new members to the 47-nation Geneva-based Human Rights Council (HRC), the United States will be conspicuous by its absence and missing from the ballot.

Justifying its decision, Washington says it will skip the elections because the HRC has lost its “credibility” for focusing primarily on one country – Israel – and ignoring “human rights abusers” such as Myanmar (Burma), Iran, Zimbabwe and North Korea.

But U.N. diplomats, human rights activists and legal experts point out that the administration of President George W. Bush has no legitimate right to sit in judgment over the transgressions of others while its own “abusive behavior” is not under scrutiny by any international body.

“The United States does not have a shred of moral authority left; its only authority is the big stick,” Michael Ratner, president of the New York-based Centre for Constitutional Rights, told IPS.

He argued that the U.S. claim it is staying away from the elections because the Council has lost its credibility is “bogus”.

“It is the United States that has lost its credibility, and that is why it would never be elected. Ask almost anyone in the world whether the U.S. engages in torture – sadly the answer will be affirmative,” he added.

[…]

Stephen Zunes, professor of politics at the University of San Francisco, says the United States is certainly not the only country which has engaged in violations of international humanitarian law to an extent that raises questions regarding the appropriateness of sitting on the U.N.'s Human Rights Council.

Indeed, there are quite a few countries that are even worse, he noted, particularly regarding the treatment of their own citizens.

“Still, there is perhaps no other country that is so self-righteous about lecturing governments it doesn’t like about their human rights abuses while simultaneously defending its own human rights abuses of foreign nationals as well as providing large-scale security assistance to allied regimes which engage in even more egregious human rights abuses,” Zunes told IPS.[/i]

Read the full article here:

http://www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=37596

So this is how we are seen by the world today. We have lost our moral authority.

Today, America stands as a symbol for the blatant disregard of human rights and the rule of law.

I am embarrassed, ashamed, and angry as hell.

2

[quote]Petedacook wrote:
I am embarrassed, ashamed, and angry as hell.[/quote]

laugh Are you serious?

It’s been posted here before, but in case anyone actually thinks you’re onto something here, then perhaps they should review. I say good riddance.

http://www.unwatch.org/site/apps/nl/content2.asp?c=bdKKISNqEmG&b=1313923&ct=3698367

mike

3

Well to be fair, Israel and America really are the only evil countries in the world. You can tell because they have all that money and weaponry, are are willing to use both to defend themselves against those who would do them harm. So… there’s really no point in criticizing anyone else. Ever.

4

Pete, don’t be such a tool. The UN is a paper tiger at best. Completely ineffective at resolving anything. Come on, you should know this. Drop the “global litmus test” crap. I don’t care what Libya or Camaroon thinks about America.

You think those places have better “human rights”, PLEASE feel free to visit there and give us a report when you return. F the UN. I wish they would move their stupid offices out of our country. Their diplomats absolutely LOVE to live here, then take every opportunity to criticize us.

Oh, and by the way. Why don’t you ask a former POW in Vietnam or a prisoner held by Japanese in WWII about “human rights” and try to compare their treatment to Abu Garab.

5

[quote]Mikeyali wrote:
Petedacook wrote:
I am embarrassed, ashamed, and angry as hell.

laugh Are you serious?

It’s been posted here before, but in case anyone actually thinks you’re onto something here, then perhaps they should review. I say good riddance.

http://www.unwatch.org/site/apps/nl/content2.asp?c=bdKKISNqEmG&b=1313923&ct=3698367

mike[/quote]

Thanks for the link. I’m going to look over unwatch.org a bit more on my time. The agenda in the UN has become blatant. There’s not a person here who can explain away the hypocrisy and immensely lopsided bias of the UN. The speaker in the above video demonstrates this pointedly.

6

Methinks the cook has given himself a bad touch of food poisoning or perhaps been indulging in a bit too much liqueur. A short time ago, his posts meant something…

7

[quote]Petedacook wrote:
Remember when the U.S. was considered a beacon of human rights? Remember how the U.S. led the way in establishing the Universal Declaration of Human Rights? Ah, those were the days.

Then came Iraq, Abu Ghraib, the PATRIOT Act, warrantless wiretapping, etc., etc., etc.

Now the Inter Press Service News Agency (IPS) is reporting that the U.S. is separating itself from the United Nations Human Rights Council. And the rest of the world believes that the U.S. has lost its credibility on human rights.

Here are some excerpts from a May 3rd IPS article:

[i]When the 192-member U.N. General Assembly meets in mid-May to elect 14 new members to the 47-nation Geneva-based Human Rights Council (HRC), the United States will be conspicuous by its absence and missing from the ballot.

Justifying its decision, Washington says it will skip the elections because the HRC has lost its “credibility” for focusing primarily on one country – Israel – and ignoring “human rights abusers” such as Myanmar (Burma), Iran, Zimbabwe and North Korea.

But U.N. diplomats, human rights activists and legal experts point out that the administration of President George W. Bush has no legitimate right to sit in judgment over the transgressions of others while its own “abusive behavior” is not under scrutiny by any international body.

“The United States does not have a shred of moral authority left; its only authority is the big stick,” Michael Ratner, president of the New York-based Centre for Constitutional Rights, told IPS.

He argued that the U.S. claim it is staying away from the elections because the Council has lost its credibility is “bogus”.

“It is the United States that has lost its credibility, and that is why it would never be elected. Ask almost anyone in the world whether the U.S. engages in torture – sadly the answer will be affirmative,” he added.

[…]

Stephen Zunes, professor of politics at the University of San Francisco, says the United States is certainly not the only country which has engaged in violations of international humanitarian law to an extent that raises questions regarding the appropriateness of sitting on the U.N.'s Human Rights Council.

Indeed, there are quite a few countries that are even worse, he noted, particularly regarding the treatment of their own citizens.

“Still, there is perhaps no other country that is so self-righteous about lecturing governments it doesn’t like about their human rights abuses while simultaneously defending its own human rights abuses of foreign nationals as well as providing large-scale security assistance to allied regimes which engage in even more egregious human rights abuses,” Zunes told IPS.[/i]

Read the full article here:

http://www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=37596

So this is how we are seen by the world today. We have lost our moral authority.

Today, America stands as a symbol for the blatant disregard of human rights and the rule of law.

I am embarrassed, ashamed, and angry as hell.[/quote]

We should be seperating ourselves from that worthless, shitbag of an organization COMPLETELY!

We need to get the fuck out of the UN, and get the fucking UN off our soil.

8

Favorite passage:

[b]“The United States does not have a shred of moral authority left; its only authority is the big stick,” Michael Ratner, president of the New York-based Centre for Constitutional Rights, told IPS. [/b]

What’s unbelievable to me, is that some around here unwilling to even consider questioning Washington’s official line. I mean seriously, if one person tells me to review my behavior, I might not care. However, if the whole fucking world points that out, I’m definitely gonna start introspecting. But that’s just me…

9

[quote]lixy wrote:
Favorite passage:

[b]“The United States does not have a shred of moral authority left; its only authority is the big stick,” Michael Ratner, president of the New York-based Centre for Constitutional Rights, told IPS. [/b]

What’s unbelievable to me, is that some around here unwilling to even consider questioning Washington’s official line. I mean seriously, if one person tells me to review my behavior, I might not care. However, if the whole fucking world points that out, I’m definitely gonna start introspecting. But that’s just me…[/quote]

You need to consider the sources before you start your introspective. When China, Libya, and a host of other barely civilized nations are criticizing you, perhaps you are doing something right. You need to realize that the United States isn’t that interested in the UN, especially when the US is the only nation that ever seems to enforce UN sanctions.

10

[quote]lixy wrote:
Favorite passage:

[b]“The United States does not have a shred of moral authority left; its only authority is the big stick,” Michael Ratner, president of the New York-based Centre for Constitutional Rights, told IPS. [/b]

What’s unbelievable to me, is that some around here unwilling to even consider questioning Washington’s official line. I mean seriously, if one person tells me to review my behavior, I might not care. However, if the whole fucking world points that out, I’m definitely gonna start introspecting. But that’s just me…[/quote]

If that’s the case then it is time for your introspection to begin.

11

[quote]Petedacook wrote:
Remember when the U.S. was considered a beacon of human rights? Remember how the U.S. led the way in establishing the Universal Declaration of Human Rights? Ah, those were the days.

Then came Iraq, Abu Ghraib, the PATRIOT Act, warrantless wiretapping, etc., etc., etc.

Now the Inter Press Service News Agency (IPS) is reporting that the U.S. is separating itself from the United Nations Human Rights Council. And the rest of the world believes that the U.S. has lost its credibility on human rights.

Here are some excerpts from a May 3rd IPS article:

[i]When the 192-member U.N. General Assembly meets in mid-May to elect 14 new members to the 47-nation Geneva-based Human Rights Council (HRC), the United States will be conspicuous by its absence and missing from the ballot.

Justifying its decision, Washington says it will skip the elections because the HRC has lost its “credibility” for focusing primarily on one country – Israel – and ignoring “human rights abusers” such as Myanmar (Burma), Iran, Zimbabwe and North Korea.

But U.N. diplomats, human rights activists and legal experts point out that the administration of President George W. Bush has no legitimate right to sit in judgment over the transgressions of others while its own “abusive behavior” is not under scrutiny by any international body.

“The United States does not have a shred of moral authority left; its only authority is the big stick,” Michael Ratner, president of the New York-based Centre for Constitutional Rights, told IPS.

He argued that the U.S. claim it is staying away from the elections because the Council has lost its credibility is “bogus”.

“It is the United States that has lost its credibility, and that is why it would never be elected. Ask almost anyone in the world whether the U.S. engages in torture – sadly the answer will be affirmative,” he added.

[…]

Stephen Zunes, professor of politics at the University of San Francisco, says the United States is certainly not the only country which has engaged in violations of international humanitarian law to an extent that raises questions regarding the appropriateness of sitting on the U.N.'s Human Rights Council.

Indeed, there are quite a few countries that are even worse, he noted, particularly regarding the treatment of their own citizens.

“Still, there is perhaps no other country that is so self-righteous about lecturing governments it doesn’t like about their human rights abuses while simultaneously defending its own human rights abuses of foreign nationals as well as providing large-scale security assistance to allied regimes which engage in even more egregious human rights abuses,” Zunes told IPS.[/i]

Read the full article here:

http://www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=37596

So this is how we are seen by the world today. We have lost our moral authority.

Today, America stands as a symbol for the blatant disregard of human rights and the rule of law.

I am embarrassed, ashamed, and angry as hell.[/quote]

So fucking leave.

12

[quote]lixy wrote:
Favorite passage:

[b]“The United States does not have a shred of moral authority left; its only authority is the big stick,” Michael Ratner, president of the New York-based Centre for Constitutional Rights, told IPS. [/b]

What’s unbelievable to me, is that some around here unwilling to even consider questioning Washington’s official line. I mean seriously, if one person tells me to review my behavior, I might not care. However, if the whole fucking world points that out, I’m definitely gonna start introspecting. But that’s just me…[/quote]

Perhaps, the U.S. should follow the impeccable reputation for human rights that most muslim countries have. It’s time to start stoning our women again!

13

Okay, so I did a little research into this Inter Press Service. It’s one of those “the U.S. bad, every one else good” “news” agencies. They are also tired in deeply with the UN, which we all know is completely anti-U.S. So in the end their opinion is less valuable than the turd I left in the toilet a couple hours ago.

14

[quote]Cunnivore wrote:
Well to be fair, Israel and America really are the only evil countries in the world. You can tell because they have all that money and weaponry, are are willing to use both to defend themselves against those who would do them harm. So… there’s really no point in criticizing anyone else. Ever.[/quote]

So Israel’s illegal military occupation of the Gaza stip and west bank are examples of Israel defending itself?

Interesting logic.

15

[quote]Petedacook wrote:
Cunnivore wrote:
Well to be fair, Israel and America really are the only evil countries in the world. You can tell because they have all that money and weaponry, are are willing to use both to defend themselves against those who would do them harm. So… there’s really no point in criticizing anyone else. Ever.

So Israel’s illegal military occupation of the Gaza stip and west bank are examples of Israel defending itself?

Interesting logic. [/quote]

16

[quote]lixy wrote:
Favorite passage:

[b]“The United States does not have a shred of moral authority left; its only authority is the big stick,” Michael Ratner, president of the New York-based Centre for Constitutional Rights, told IPS. [/b]

What’s unbelievable to me, is that some around here unwilling to even consider questioning Washington’s official line. I mean seriously, if one person tells me to review my behavior, I might not care. However, if the whole fucking world points that out, I’m definitely gonna start introspecting. But that’s just me…[/quote]

Lixy, allow me to put this into perspective. When someone like Vanquir, PGJ and Sloth tell you you’re wrong then perhaps you should listen. However, when Headhunter tells you that you’re wrong then you realize you’re on the right track. HH is like the UN here.

mike

17

[quote]Petedacook wrote:
Cunnivore wrote:
Well to be fair, Israel and America really are the only evil countries in the world. You can tell because they have all that money and weaponry, are are willing to use both to defend themselves against those who would do them harm. So… there’s really no point in criticizing anyone else. Ever.

So Israel’s illegal military occupation of the Gaza stip and west bank are examples of Israel defending itself?

Interesting logic. [/quote]

Pete, I hear this from idiots all the time. So how about this. I am going to open up on this little issue. Can you give me a well thought out answer to why Israel’s occupation in Gaza is illegal? I hear the accusations constantly, but I never hear the reasoning behind them.

mike

18

[quote]PGJ wrote:
Pete, don’t be such a tool. The UN is a paper tiger at best. Completely ineffective at resolving anything. Come on, you should know this. Drop the “global litmus test” crap. I don’t care what Libya or Camaroon thinks about America.

You think those places have better “human rights”, PLEASE feel free to visit there and give us a report when you return. F the UN. I wish they would move their stupid offices out of our country. Their diplomats absolutely LOVE to live here, then take every opportunity to criticize us.

Oh, and by the way. Why don’t you ask a former POW in Vietnam or a prisoner held by Japanese in WWII about “human rights” and try to compare their treatment to Abu Garab. [/quote]

The comparison argument is Bull both waysd buddy.

Just because we’re better, doesn’t mean we’re at where we should be.

19

[quote]lixy wrote:
Favorite passage:

[b]“The United States does not have a shred of moral authority left; its only authority is the big stick,” Michael Ratner, president of the New York-based Centre for Constitutional Rights, told IPS. [/b]

What’s unbelievable to me, is that some around here unwilling to even consider questioning Washington’s official line. I mean seriously, if one person tells me to review my behavior, I might not care. However, if the whole fucking world points that out, I’m definitely gonna start introspecting. But that’s just me…[/quote]

“the whole fucking world”…

again, appeal to majority, without even knowing your facts… :smiley: You are amazingly stupid lixy, even by swedish standards.

20

[quote]Beowolf wrote:
PGJ wrote:
Pete, don’t be such a tool. The UN is a paper tiger at best. Completely ineffective at resolving anything. Come on, you should know this. Drop the “global litmus test” crap. I don’t care what Libya or Camaroon thinks about America.

You think those places have better “human rights”, PLEASE feel free to visit there and give us a report when you return. F the UN. I wish they would move their stupid offices out of our country. Their diplomats absolutely LOVE to live here, then take every opportunity to criticize us.

Oh, and by the way. Why don’t you ask a former POW in Vietnam or a prisoner held by Japanese in WWII about “human rights” and try to compare their treatment to Abu Garab.

The comparison argument is Bull both waysd buddy.

Just because we’re better, doesn’t mean we’re at where we should be.
[/quote]

You are absolutely right. We should be buying our terrorist prisoners milk shakes instead of dunking their heads under water. I WISH the world was as perfect and peaceful as the one you you envision, but it’s not even close. We have to deal with reality, and the reality is that traditionally America has treated it’s enemy prisoners with more compassion and care than their own military treats them.