Annan says 'globalization' best hope to cure worlds problems

UN

[Torie]

At FR the words "globalization" + "UN" = knee jerk reaction. Substantive analysis is not welcome.

[GeronL]

Civil Society is not you. Its not me. Its not people, it is groups, it is NGO's, political activist groups and big business.

[Cold Heat]

Just wait! Clinton is going to take Koffi's place. I called this one 6 years ago after all those BS trips we paid through the nose for!

[GeronL]

I'll be seen as a tin foiler for putting their own press releases here. Weird that the truth elicits such.

[AmericanVictory]

Let's see, how is Mr. Annan's country doing? What sort of model does it provide? Is it a country at all in any realistic sense? What has globalization done for it?

[GeronL]

Here's a ten point ACTION PLAN that is listed in this press release

1. Make globalization work for sustainable development
2. Eradicate poverty and improve livelihoods in rural and urban areas
3. Change unsustainable patterns of production and consumption
4. Improve health through safe and affordable access to freshwater, a reduction in lead in gasoline, and improved indoor air quality
5. Provide access to energy and improve energy efficiency
6. Manage ecosystems and biodiversity on a sustainable basis
7. Improve freshwater supply management and arrange more equitable distribution of water resources
8. Provide financial resources through increases in official development assistance and private investment
9. Support sustainable development in Africa
10. Strengthen international governance for sustainable development

a bunch of free traders my butt.

[GeronL]

I'm not sure, I think he is from some backwater African country like Sierra Leone or something.

[brat]

"Still think they're talking about free trade??">br>

Bump for that remark, GeronL!

[Torie]

Ghana actually, the first British colony in Africa to achieve independence. It has been a rocky journey since, both for it and its templates.

[Cold Heat]

The ten points listed are a blueprint for nation building on a global scale. Don't people at the UN realize that the only country left that has any available resources is the US? Duh! I guess they do.

[Torie]

A bunch of generalized statements. They are meaningless. What is meaningful is the application. That is a complex issue, and in Africa, one that has to date been not subject to any policy presciptions that have had even a verisimilitude of success. And that is depressing.

[DoughtyOne]

For the 10,492nd time...  How times will it take before people catch on?

[GeronL]

don't worry, UN imperialism will have us all under the same flag again, it won't have stripes, nice colors or a union jack but it'll be depressingly blue!

[GeronL]

you mean, you doubt international socialism and worldwide welfare run by people who really care won't help?? =o)

[Torie]

A largely irrelevant policy prescription that will have modestly negative effects. The fixation on the UN in this neighborhood is a sad waste of energy on what is important IMO. And College GOP, you are a bright and sensible lad. You should know better.

[Cold Heat]

I guess we are preaching to the choir tonite.

[GeronL]

#33- will have us all TOGETHER again under the same flag

I need to proofread

[blackbart.223]

"This guy sounds like like clinton; I'm surprised Bill hasn't tried to run the UN yet."

I've got news for you, it's on his mind. Don't you forget it.

[Torie]

The US actually runs the UN when the rubber meats the road. The power of the US at this point is not to be denied. It is as the French say a hyper power. Our challenge now is to use that power wisely. The UN is about as important as what Gore thinks about the combustion engine.

[hove]

What Annan is doing, is a poor job of articulating that the Developed "First World"...especially the USA....must be prepared to give the rest of the world a portion of what we have earned. So that the rest of the world can approach the opportunities and standards of living that we enjoy. It is a utopic notion that liberals/socialists/communists have been promoting for decades. America achieved it's strength...economic/political/miltary..on the framework of a beautiful system/template/Constitution given to us by our founding Fathers. And that system was based on freedom/democracy/capitalism. NOT socialism/communism! Our Fathers and Grandfathers shed their blood to protect and nurture our system. It has made America the most powerfull nation on earth. We all know how well socialism/communism works. Just have a look at the carcass of the Soviet Union. America owes the world nothing......nothing except an example of a system that works. A system that offers anybody with hope and ambition the same standard of living that we enjoy. We are the model. Kofi....spread the word...we are here as an example. An example of a sovereign nation...with a wonderful Constitution...with a great econmic system. Are we perfect? Far from it. But we do represent what every person...in every nation...can achieve if they quit thinking of America as a source of welfare...and start looking at us a model of success!