United How?

The United Nations is 60 years old today.



Ever since the organization was founded (and even before), there were those who said the whole thing was a lousy idea, since there was no way the United States would let itself be dictated to by a bunch of no-account, scratch-farming and maybe even (gasp!) dark nations.

There are those today who assert that the United Nations has become hopelessly bureaucratized, if not downright corrupt (which can be pretty hard to argue with).

Many Jews have lost faith in the United Nations because it constantly passes resolutions condemning Israel for doing this or that - for defending itself against terrorist attacks, say - while remaining so quiet over Arab atrocities you can hear crickets chirp all over Manhattan. Others have lost faith in the United Nations for other reasons.

Heck, there are even those who assert that the United Nations basically doesn't exist.


When I invited the United Nations to respond to these charges, here's what it said:

So nu, I don't do such a good job sometimes. You'd like better maybe World War III?

Well, okay, it's got a point. The original idea behind the U.N. was to provide the nations of the world with a forum to talk out their conflicts and reach agreements amongst themselves without the necessity of going to war. Does it do that? Not really. But, if I may address those who would like the U.N. to be dismantled for that reason, or who would like the United States to withdraw from membership: You got a better idea? Besides war, I mean?

Well?


I didn't think so.

Benshlomo says, Okay, U.N., I've run interference for you - now will you please go clean up your act?