Hawk, back before all the mess, you will recall Mq, that world-renown international geopolitical analyst, advised that via the NUN was the way to deal with Iraq [and Taiwan and a lot more besides].
Starting at the top, with democratic process, was the way to sort out such tribal regional conflicts. Meaning, to elucidate, bring to bear the psychological weight of humanity to what goes on. As you know, one of the benefits of democracy is that the acceptance of majority rule covers a multitude of sins.
For example, I accept that Helengrad has the support of the mob and that if they want to tax me heavily, do dumb things here there and everywhere, and generally make things worse, then that's the prerogative of the mob. If Helen and the lesbian coven running things was there by way of power, I would have no compunction in attempting to see them off by countervailing power. Paradoxically, that's just how they are there, but I accept it when done by democratic process.
There is some constitutional basis such as not too much racial discrimination against me. While there is no written constitution in NZ, there are conventions which are generally accepted. There is common law and case law, habeas corpus and stuff. Provided I'm not treated too much as a second class citizen with limited rights [other than that the right to pay all the bills], Maoris can strut around preening, getting special favours, cash, jobs and positions, and I accept that I'm just a lowly pakeha. Other groups also have their noses in the trough and I think Maoris are conned by their few baubles into supporting a greater greed. The Symphony Orchestra [a pakeha hobby], art galleries, museums and stuff are also funded by me, along with overseas junkets for politicians and their self-dealing and a lot more besides.
I didn't buy the WMD nonsense and if there were WMDs, there was quite a rush to attack Iraq when there was really no urgency. It looked to me like self-aggrandizement [by King George II] rather than a considered resolution and construction of civilization in Mesopotamia.
It seemed to me that given the history of Iraq/Kuwait and the area, including Israel's creation, a reconstructed NUN could set up a regional headquarters, funded by oil, to actually conquer Iraq and establish democratic rule in a federal way, along the lines of the way New Zealand is ruled by Queen Elizabeth II. She doesn't sit in Buckingham Palace telling us how to park our cars and demanding tithes, or fleecing our fleece. Especially not these days.
Maoris were sort of conquered, but not really - it was a treaty among warring tribes of a cannibalistic genocidal nature and The Crown. Everyone [almost - not quite all tribes signed up - they just got steamrolled when the huge weight of numbers were against them] saw that they'd be better off in mutuality.
The NUN could have done the same thing in Iraq. Conquering somebody like Saddam, and hideous Uday and co, was completely ethical. When force is used, force can reasonably be used. Sure, Saddam had 99% or 100% support in 'elections', but I take those with a grain of salt. Saddam shot and killed his way to power and maintained it by way of noose, bomb, bullet and anything he liked. And funded terrorist activities here and there [mainly in Israel].
I suppose it can all be done and the USA seems now to be talking somewhat along the right lines, but still suffering a grievous lack of imagination about the constitutional processes needed. The problems the USA has are likely to help lead to the right solution.
First, get a NUN constitutional conference going. Unilaterally ditch the existing one if needs be. It is structurally unsound. Hold it in Iraq [I am making this bit up as I go] and those who wish to be part of the NUN can send troops per GDP x population x proximity + cash donation to the NUN per GDP. The equation needs a bit of fine-tuning.
I say hold it in the hottest spot as that would keep minds focused on the actual purpose of the NUN rather than diverting them into bureaucratic drivel and side issues which the UN has been enthralled by - they love process and posing rather than actual resolution. The tsunami should not have been a UN issue. Bad luck for the local people - it was something to be dealt with by locals and any international donors who felt like helping. But the UN loved it because they could rush around "being international" without actually getting in any danger.
Get a Libertarian constitution written with definition of national property rights being the founding principles, not busy-bodying of other people and nosey-parkering into how local yokels run their hideous little countries. Cross border pollution, spectrum, actual borders, international relations, oceans, aviation and space management, viruses [which can start there and kill us here] - there's plenty to include.
Such a democratic NUN would NOT be structured so the Indian mob can vote to take the New Zealand [or USA] cash flow. It's not the usual national piggy-bank election where the bludgers vote to take OPM. There would be constitutional foundations, written. Bill Clinton might be the first High Chief. "President" is too prosaic for such a job. Helen Clark would throw her hat in the ring. Maybe Bush the Elder. Or Bush/Clinton. Or Hu Jintao might like to see whether his totalitarian ways are attractive. Gorby would get my vote.
The vote would NOT be by local politicians. It would be direct election.
Anyway, you no doubt get the idea.
Iraq becomes the first country of the NUN. And the HQ could move from New York to Baghdad. Back to the cradle of civilisation.
Put 1 million troops in there. That shouldn't even cost a lot as there are LOTS of Indians who could use the work. A railway line could be built from India to carry everyone. And such a railway would be handy anyway to move oil to India and Pakistan.
If it all fell apart and the million soldiers/police started fighting, it's near-enough that we could call in Armageddon [which is just up the road].
So, phone the White House and get them to start the NUN. It would have been better 4 years ago, but sometimes people need to see real muck before they do sensible things. They try all the dumb ideas first.
Remember, we aren't just tinkering with the UN, putting India in and reducing France to something more proportionate. The USA doesn't get to be boss. It's democratic. The USA leads, doesn't boss. This is a rebuild of a new entity, albeit based on the old one in many respects.
While you dither, American soldiers are dying. Iraqis are living in chaos and also dying. The treasury is emptying out. The oil isn't flowing.
King George II should go for it because before The Rapture, the world government and 666 and all that have to come to the fore. He can help that process along. See, there's something for everyone.
BTW, I go along with Saddam that Kuwait belongs to Iraq [and by right of conquest too - the UN saved their bacon and I figure that's a debt]. I don't see why the few bosses of Kuwait should keep the loot in Kuwait when it's really part of Iraq. Same for other oil-rich localities.
Mqurice |
