United Nations, relevant to day? Needed?

[deziloooooo]

On a different thread different subject a post from one poster here regarding their feeling on the UN who are now debating the uprising in Libya and possible UN sanctions gave me a idea.

I am a bit tired of the WI and the Union yes/No yadda, yadda..those who are not , no problem, go to it, but for me , a break is needed.

However , a lot of ideas of Americans toward the UN have been voiced over the years , many negative, and I personally feel with all the problems, and they are many, not surprising when you have over 100 countries as members with all of them having their own agendas which are many times not the agendas of many of the others, it is a worth while organization, glad it is in operation, and think the world would be a worse place with out it.

The actual budget of the UN is approxamatly a bit over $5 Billion plus another $8 Billion for peace keeping through out the world..and from a individual standpoint a large sum but in the big picture of governmental budgets...for what they do even with problems..dirt cheap.

Our share seems to be about 1/4 of the expenses ..we supposedly are up to date but UN says we owe $1.4 Billion but it seems there is a difference of opinion on that part...and I am not going to get into that , do we owe or not, let the state department, executive , Congress, figure that out.

This is a decent article on the UN that gives a idea if what it is about and where it could be better
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www.stwr.org/the-un-people-politics/the-united-nations-as-an-effective-source-of-prosperity-and-peace.html
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One of the complaints against the UN has been the fact that it seems to not be able to stop wars from happening. Ibelieve they have been good in keeping warring parties apart, over seeing parties to keep from fighting but it's true, how do you stop two armed countries who want to use force against each other.

To put into context , this is a interesting comparison.
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" In spite of the fact that the United States has its own surmountable problems, it remains a tangible reality that its fifty states can work independently with a separate government for each. At the same time, these fifty states can work together so harmoniously that they do feel they constitute one solid and inseparable nation.

What is the secret of this harmony and peace that we notice among these fifty states? They are all demilitarized. The idea that in the USA one state may be preparing to wage a war against another state becomes laughable because a war of such a nature is viewed to be a virtual impossibility. However, let us suppose that each state has its own military that functions independently of the military of any other of the forty nine states and that there is no such thing as a federal army. Only God knows how many wars of some kind or another might have been waged over the past 200 years. This means that the United Nation's program of disarmament and arms control should be given top priority
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Just one idea...
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{To read article click on link }

[burnsattornincan]

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[deziloooooo]

Feb 26, 2011 1:09:07 GMT -5 burnsattornincan said:

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Burns...this is what we do here...hate to bore you but some one puts up a thread, ideas they have , hopefully others have a interest in them and participate. There are some that just don't work..and they quickly drop out of the list , to go where ever uninteresting or even interesting well attended threads go when all discussion has been done, as posters move on to other topics posters put up here.

Your feigned boredom was droll when most of us were in grade school, it still is now as far as I am considered.
We have a good group of interested posters here who argue their point of view on topics very well and in almost all cases with respect to the ideas of others even when they disagree and and are on the opposite side of a topic.

Your response reminds me of a troll, just here to get attention for attention sake, rarely here to participate in a positive matter on any subject , just to stir things up to stir things up.

Why are you here anyway? What is your agenda, if you have one?This has been your mod of operation from the first moment you showed up here even with all the acclamations of support...

[pappyjohn99]

Use eminent domain to seize the property and turn it into a resort casino.

[burnsattornincan]

Why are you here anyway?

To try to educate you on why your country is near insolvency. It is clear you don't want to listen and will continue to support every despot group right down to ones that want to annihilate your very existence such as CAIR. You are a disgrace to real Americans.

[deziloooooo]

Feb 26, 2011 1:55:26 GMT -5 burnsattornincan said:

Why are you here anyway?

To try to educate you on why your country is near insolvency. It is clear you don't want to listen and will continue to support every despot group right down to ones that want to annihilate your very existence such as CAIR. You are a disgrace to real Americans.

Well at least I am a American...Love my country, respect most of my fellow citizens, served my country when asked to , took advantage of a fine US school of higher education to get my degrees , had a fine working career and raised a fine family and now enjoy watching them get on with their lives as well as raise four great grand kids...

As far as your comment toward me as a disgrace as a American, from a foreigner who insults my country at every chance they have as if a foreigner has any idea of the strength of my great country, as any honest American would pay attention to such a loser as you are with your negative thoughts and scenarios of gloom and doom for my great country that is just not what we are or who we are.

Changes are happening , times have been not as well as we are use to , but we are recovering and we will be fine.
Even to the extent of allowing those like you to come over and plant your criticism of us but we'll just ignore your discourse for what it is, hot air being expelled by one who usually is thought of as having very long ears, tail and brays more then speaks.

[Tennesseer]

Feb 26, 2011 1:55:26 GMT -5 burnsattornincan said:

Why are you here anyway?

To try to educate you on why your country is near insolvency. It is clear you don't want to listen and will continue to support every despot group right down to ones that want to annihilate your very existence such as CAIR. You are a disgrace to real Americans.

That will be enough Mr. Burns.

The United States is big enough, brave enough, and strong enough to allow all its citizens to hold differing views on what is best for our country.

Tennesseer/Moderator

[burnsattornincan]

I'm glad you've been so successful Mr. deziloooooo and have probably exceeded Mr. Whorley's achievements. What I do resent about you though is your seemingly never ending support for Muslims no matter what the evidence presented that their presence in the west has not been a good thing and has in fact cost you billions if not trillions of dollars in "Homeland Security" measures and gross inconvenience to real Americans. And yes, I consider you a real American. I was on a bit of a roll last night. My apologies. Regards. /Dalton

[Tennesseer]

[burnsattornincan]

Good morning Mr. Tennesseer. I was just clarifying my position with Mr. deziloooooo. Good to know you're still spot on the job. /Dalton.

[Tennesseer]

How's the weather up there Dalton? Do you still have snow on the ground?

[burnsattornincan]

Sure do. Its been damn cold the last week or so, anywhere from 0 to 32 Fahrenheit. Looking forward to spring. St. Patrick's Day is always a busy time for me.....

[privateinvestor]

Feb 26, 2011 10:57:59 GMT -5 burnsattornincan said:

Sure do. Its been damn cold the last week or so, anywhere from 0 to 32 Fahrenheit. Looking forward to spring. St. Patrick's Day is always a busy time for me.....

We had snow in San Francisco Bay area hills last night with temps in the 20s...San Francisco drivers don't handle driving on black ice too well so the roads are cluttered with wrecks which is rather weird to see ...tonight is supposed to be one of the coldest nights on record out here so time to get out the popcorn and watch the NHL as we get closer to the playoffs

[Tennesseer]

Feb 26, 2011 10:57:59 GMT -5 burnsattornincan said:

Sure do. Its been damn cold the last week or so, anywhere from 0 to 32 Fahrenheit. Looking forward to spring. St. Patrick's Day is always a busy time for me.....

We hit 76 degrees Thursday with tornado warnings Thursday evening. Expecting the same bad weather (and temps) tomorrow and tomorrow night.

It's the beginning of our first of two severe weather season (the other being late October through Christmas).

[privateinvestor]

Feb 26, 2011 1:09:07 GMT -5 burnsattornincan said:

ZZZZZzzzzzzzz...... zzzzzzzZZZZZZzZZZZZzZZZZZ....... ZZZZZZZzzzzzzz.. zzzZZZZZZzzzz.... zZZZZZZZZzzzzzzz.... ZZZZZZZZ....zzzzzzZZZZzzzz.. zzzZZZZZZZZZ........

Try stronger coffee......Starbucks Americano works for me

[handyman2]

There have been many stones thrown at the UN over time. I do believe like any govermental type institution they have become bloated with self serving programs but all in all where else and how would the nations of the world have a form to discuss and develop a united front and take action that just might prevent a world conflaguration of death. Is the UN perfect? NO. But is it neccessary YES.

[BeenThere...DoneThat...]

...I think the U.N. was a bad idea from the start, but certainly today we can communicate in better ways...

[privateinvestor]

Feb 26, 2011 12:26:49 GMT -5 BeenThere...DoneThat... said:

...I think the U.N. was a bad idea from the start, but certainly today we can communicate in better ways...

The UN has done some good things since they were founded especially with the humanitarian help they provided in disasters.. And they did come together in June 1950 to stop the North Korean aggression in Korea but have been surpassed by NATO in some of our recent wars..

[BeenThere...DoneThat...]

...while accepting the fact that Kevin Federline provided her two cutie sons, do you really think Brittany Spears would call him a good idea overall?

[deziloooooo]

I did some googling to try and find what the hell the UN really does..try to narrow it down for a site like this, and there is so many articles there with long articles , I was giving up but did come across this little one that gives a idea of just a little of what it is involved in and a intsy tiny success story , granted involving only a bit under 300 villagers but to me important in that I can say, "Wow, OK think I understand."
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www.undp.org/
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A list of programs this department is involved in.

Our Work
Democratic Governance

Poverty Reduction

Crisis Prevention & Recovery

Environment & Energy

HIV/AIDS
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I picked just ONE story of a completed program that was done with the help of the UN , one of their agencys , and by being a small event, if we who have all the electricity we ever need just by turning on a switch, we might be able to understand the importance of this event in these peoples lives for now and hoefully the forceable future, granted under 300 people, in their lives, their children , possible their children all through help of a agency of the UN.
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"United Nations Development Programme

10 February 2011

Micro hydro power helps achieve sustainable livelihoods among minority community


Villagers in Houay Ngou gather around the communal Television

In remote Houay Ngou village, northern Lao, 48 year old Keupkku is settling down to the evening news on his new color Television. At the other side of the room two of his daughters turn on the lights to continue their studies. Just a month ago this would not have been possible. But a newly installed 7.5kW hydro power turbine now supplies electricity to the Hmong ethnic community of 290 people.
“Thanks to the electricity from the micro hydro power, my daughters can now enjoy studying late at night,” said Keupkku. These benefits are a result of the villager's initiative in proposing the construction of the micro hydro power system to the Sayaboury provincial authorities. After securing funding from the Global Environment Facility Small Grants Programme (GEF SGP), implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the villagers voluntarily participated in constructing the small water catchment area, installing the pipes and transporting the building materials.

According to Bruno Cammaert, head of the UNDP Environment Programme in Lao PDR, the villagers are responsible for, “helping themselves to organize and complete the project.” The GEF Small Grants Programme directly supports community-level initiatives for environmental protection and sustainable rural development.

Most of the villagers in Houay Ngou are engaged in rice cultivation, animal husbandry, and the collection of non-timber forest products (NTFPs). The community has few opportunities for income generation and the continued degradation of forest and agricultural lands affects the farmer's livelihoods. Its remote location worsens the situation with little access to external financial and policy support.

However with access to 24-hour power villagers like Keupkku are now able to save money and time, “Before we used to tap resin from trees in the forest or, when it is not available, buy expensive oil from the distant market to light a candle at night. But the hydro power has changed our lives, we no longer need to do this,” said Keupkku. His wife, like many women in the village, can now use the evening hours to produce more handicrafts.

Along with these direct benefits the hydro power project has also resulted in improved environmental protection of the surrounding area. The villagers no longer need to cut down trees to burn for cooking and can use electric powered stoves instead. In addition the watershed forest is now a protected area as it holds the water resource for the hydro power.

“Everyone is responsible for not cutting down or burning the trees, so that we generate enough electricity for everyone and for generations to come,” said Somvang Lee, 46, the head of the village. He is proud of what has been achieved and believes that the training for villagers, in terms of project management and technical capacity building, has also significantly contributed to the success of the hydro power system.

To ensure the sustainability of the project, 6,000 Lao Kip (about $US 0.75) is paid by each household monthly to maintain the hydro power turbine and protect the watershed forest. Keupkku is now saving up to realize his dream of buying a fridge and a fan

[BeenThere...DoneThat...]

...nice feel-good story, dez... but the price tag is ~2bil a year... which makes it not feel so nice anymore...

[deziloooooo]

In 1970 developed nations agreed to pay .07% of GDP to fund aid and help to those undeveloped nations of the world to improve their living conditions. It has never been met , and the actual budget of the UN is approximately 13 Billion per year, donations, fees from all contributing nations of the world, ..$5 Billion plus for normal fees / Salaries , and aid, and $8 Billion for peace keeping.{Damn military in everything is always so much, {sigh}}
I grant you that $13 Billion is a lot of money but in the total picture, remember, .07 % of GDP of developed nations, it is a infinitesimal sum, as some said for what you get a lot of bang for the buck.
Japan is one of the most generous nations in their contributions by the way, just a aside.
The USA contribution, is it $2 Billion, will have to google, but say it is so, as the largest , wealthiest {even today} a force in the world, believe contribute of 1/4 of the bill, is still a small amount, and if we didn't have a UN would we not contribute even more in foreign aid. I think so.

PS: I thought the story was a good feel good one too, and what was the most important part of it to me was it was true, and a small enough fact that U could relate to it and picture it happening , being there turning on a light switch and seeing and participating in the wonderment of the event, where as a major hydroelectric project that would produce how many kilowatts of...just hard to picture.

[deziloooooo]

Administrationid some googling, our total contrubutions were much higher then I thought, it seems that Congress insisted on a yearly report of all contributions, seems we are contributing 22 % of the cost of, but when you figure in all if the different aspects of the institution...it seems that bit over $6 billion is spent.
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This is a good article and current..
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www.heritage.org/research/reports/2010/08/us-funding-of-the-united-nations-reaches-all-time-high
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"U.S. Funding of the U.N. System

The U.S. has been the largest financial supporter of the U.N. since the organization’s founding in 1945. The U.S. is currently assessed 22 percent of the U.N. regular budget and more than 27 percent of the U.N. peacekeeping budget. In dollar terms, the Administration’s budget for FY 2011 requested $516.3 million for the U.N. regular budget and more than $2.182 billion for the peacekeeping budget.[2]

However, the U.S. also provides assessed financial contributions to other U.N. organizations and voluntary contributions to many more U.N. organizations. According to OMB, total U.S. contributions to the U.N. system were more than $6.347 billion in FY 2009.[3] This is more than $1 billion more than total contributions as compiled by OMB for FY 2005,[4] and it is indicative of the rising budgetary trends in the U.N. and the consequential demand on U.S. financial support."
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{click on link to read article}
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Another interesting link that gives a over all summation of the UN as well as shows a list of the top 10 financial donorss, interesting as being absent is Russia , and China's contribution, a bit under 4 %. Japan is the second highest, so possible with the realities of the world today, ours , contribution should be lessoned , and others , China. Russia, Korea, the oil rich nations, should be asked to increase theirs.

This link also gives you a idea of the numerouse programs the UN participates in , and in my mind, with all the problems the organization is accused of , the overall good it does all over the world, and being done under the aspects of the Nations of the World, who can really be mad at all the Nations of the World and be considered rational, , is so important and its good that they , UN, are in existence.

In fact one of the better things that we the world has come up with IMHO.
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en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Nations

[handyman2]

When under the auspices of the UN and philanthropy groups join to gather to help impoverished peoples drill wells to get safe water and not have to walk 5 miles to get polluted water to survive. The projects that bring medical treatments and fight plagues among the poor peoples of the world and some form of stability, make the cost of the UN irrelevant.

[deziloooooo]

Feb 26, 2011 14:31:51 GMT -5 handyman2 said:

When under the auspices of the UN and philanthropy groups join to gather to help impoverished peoples drill wells to get safe water and not have to walk 5 miles to get polluted water to survive. The projects that bring medical treatments and fight plagues among the poor peoples of the world and some form of stability, make the cost of the UN irrelevant.

Agree, right on and said in a lot less words then I.

Have a Karma on me, good post..and for the brevity...

[burnsattornincan]

where else and how would the nations of the world have a form to discuss and develop a united front and take action that just might prevent a world conflaguration of death.

Thats nice but tell them we have new technologies now like Goto Meeting so they don't have to fly to some lavish setting with fancy hotels, big dinners and who knows what else after hours. Its a complete joke and will end once we get down to the nitty gritty. Government is so utterly massive it really is amazing that its gone on this long.

[deziloooooo]

Feb 26, 2011 19:21:41 GMT -5 burnsattornincan said:

where else and how would the nations of the world have a form to discuss and develop a united front and take action that just might prevent a world conflaguration of death.

Thats nice but tell them we have new technologies now like Goto Meeting so they don't have to fly to some lavish setting with fancy hotels, big dinners and who knows what else after hours. Its a complete joke and will end once we get down to the nitty gritty. Government is so utterly massive it really is amazing that its gone on this long.

You forget , for some of them , its considered hazardess service, paid extra, have to live far from homes, hazardess duty , live in a city like NYC..USA, so the " lavish setting with fancy hotels, big dinners and who knows what else after hours", the perks to off set the living conditions they have to go through to hold down those type of jobs.

[burnsattornincan]

I honestly have no idea what you just said.

[deziloooooo]

Feb 27, 2011 1:35:14 GMT -5 burnsattornincan said:

I honestly have no idea what you just said.

possible because it was said in jest...hard to comprehend for you.
Keep working on it , it may come to you...then again.