For a long time now, I’ve been a big fan of the U.N. (in concept). I suppose this is rooted in my overidealism, my belief in the power of people relative to the power of bombs (as means of making the world a better place for people), the fact that I love Eleanor Roosevelt and she was instrumental in the establishment of the U.N., and a bunch of other reasons I haven’t yet thought up.
So, I am following the goings on at the U.N. General Assembly meetings in NYC with great interest. The big headlines so far have been the comments of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez characterizing El President Bush as “the devil” and the verbal stand-off between W and Iran’s President Ahmadinejad. I loved how neither Bush nor Ahmadinejad attended eachother’s speech. Apparently, snubbery is good foreign policy. So classy - not.
Now, I am no fan of Ahmadinejad because the Iranian people do not have the freedoms I believe they should and I am none too pleased about increased nuclearilization of the world - in Iran or anywhere. However, I do find it sort of cute that Ahmadinejad is so interested in engaging W on the world stage and in explaining the basis of his views (firmly rooted in the Ayatolla and the U.S. meddling in Iranian politics). He seems like the type of guy you could debate with over a cup of coffee and he might yield some positions, whereas W seems like the type of guy that wouldn’t listen to a word you have to say because he knows that he’s 100% right. In the end, Ahmadinejad might still build nukes, but at least he would have listened to what you had to say. (BTW, Ahmadinejad’s comments on Anderson 360 dismissing the Holocaust are unacceptable, though his point about linking the Holocaust and as justification for the occupation of the Palestinian terrorites has some debateable merit).
I spent some time today watching Former President Bill Clinton on CNN’s Larry King Live. They were discussing such issues as Hugo’s comments, the Pope’s recent comments, Iran, Iraq, and the Clinton Global Initiative.
On the topic of Hugo’s demonization of W, Clinton said that he wished Hugo had not said what he did, as demonization of individuals is fracturing….rather that he said that he wished Hugo had something more along the lines of “free trade still leave millions in poverty…solutions other than just trade need to be brought to the table…” - something that would add to the debate and flush out the issues, rather than name calling. Good point Bill.
On the pope, he said that the world should take the pope at his word in his apology, but that such statements make it harder for moderate Muslim leaders.
I spaced out on his comments on Iran and Iraq (though he did have some interesting things to say about evil empire lord and villian Dick Cheney).
On the topic of the Clinton Global Initiative, there are four focus areas, including how to:
- reduce poverty
- reconcile religious and ethnic conflicts
- meet increasing energy needs while addressing climate change
- improve global health.
At the meeting of the Iniative held yesterday and today, even First Lady Laura Bush was on board to discuss a program to address education and healthcare for girls in the developing world, a very important humanitarian undertaking indeed. It’s refreshing to see some actual leadership on the world stage.
