Kofi Annan will chide U.S. in Heinz lecture

Heinz

Isn't that the SLOW ketchup (catsup)??????

LOL!

Hey, Martin, funny you should use the Steeler ping. We were there passing out info and saw Dan Rooney going in !

John Heinz had to be spinning in his grave !

Today, smokeyb and I met with 5 or 6 other people at Soldiers and Sailor's Memorial Hall to pass out information on the UN that we all know so well.

There was a steady stream of people for about 90 minutes going into the Hall, and for a while quite a lineup to get thru security. We stationed ourselves at each of the 3 entry ways to the building to greet the people as they entered. Our approach was to smile and say hello and hand them the info. Some refused it and others came back and gave it back to us, and others still walked by with their hands in their pockets and head down. Many of these people might as well had their hands over their ears while shouting "I can't hear you."

For a setting in the midst of academia where learning is the objective, I have never met so many closed minded people. They weren't even willing to consider another point of view.

Despite the closed minded attitude most were cordial, but probably only because they didn't realize right away that we were members of the VRWC. One member of the press stopped by to question the man who organized this. They had previously met and it was quite an informal interview.

As the time neared for the speech to start, we greeted a few gentlemen who were entering the grounds and when they saw what we were handing out, one man put on his name tag and told us to get off the property. He was the Director of the Hall. He did say that the only reason that the event was going on was the money that the got for the rental of the hall. He said that they did not endorse or even condone what the UN and Kofi stood for or did, but they were paying the rent.

Had we been asked to leave earlier, we may have put up a bit of resistance, but most of the people were already in the hall. We did try to engage him in more conversation, but he just kept saying that he was asking us to leave. The implication being that if we refused, he would get the cops. I think that he overstepped his bounds, but we weren't interested in creating a scene or a bad name for those involved. An earlier encounter that I had with school police chief was much friendlier when he asked me to go out to the sidewalks. We did readily comply with that request.

All of the curbside parking was put off limits for Kofi's arrival which came with a modicum of fanfare. On a street that was totally blocked in advance, his limo arrived along with 2 other vehicles (one was a - gasp SUV) and a phalanx of police cars and motorcycle cops with sirens blaring. It was a prelude to the sycophants who were fawning over the mere mention of his name. It was a disgusting sight.

Speaking of disgusting sights, every stereotypical liberal, socialist, pointy headed professor type was abundantly represented. The closer the appearance to the stereotype, the quicker they reacted with revulsion to the idea that the UN should be asked to leave the US or for the US to get out of the UN. That was funny.

Another group was also there to protest the event. It was a group of about 10 Israeli students trying to bring attention to some Israeli's being held in the West Bank.

All in all, it was a good day. The weather most of the time was quite warm and sunny. About the time we were leaving, the skies were overcast and the temperature was dropping into the 50's from the amazing mid 60's number that we were enjoying.

We may not have changed the world's opinion today, but we FReeped and we had fun and maybe, just maybe, we did encourage some people to question their faith in the UN.

Thanks for the ping..I got a couple things for Kofi n'at..

Woooohoooo!
Way to go, BADRAY!!!
FReepin' the Kofi-monster!!!
I love it! You da Man!!!

During a trip to NYC last weekend, our tour bus passed that overrated, overpaid, overstaffed, lifer-rife community college that is the UN.

The tour guide pointed out the Trump World Tower condo building across the street.

The guide mentioned that many of the condos were in the multi-million dollar range.

I couldn't help wondering how many America-hating UN bureaucrats live there.

Thanks.

If we could FReep x42, then it's the least we could do for Kofi. It is always fun, you know.

When I was a kid, I won a trip to NYC and the UN was part of the guided tour of the city. It seemed like a big deal then, but somehow I don't think that I could make it past the front door without puking or my 45 setting off the alarm.

"Of mice(annan and u.n.) chanting to the 'rats(demoCommiecRATS)". (not capitolised on purpose!!!!)

Good job!

Hey koffi, there is no "global security" and that's why 9/11 happened. The UN has become the laughingstock of terrorists who view it as their first defense.

The Post-Gazette's Dennis Roddy "reports":

U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan yesterday criticized the United States for going to war against Iraq without international authorization, but also called on member nations to acknowledge the threats of terrorism and weapons of mass destruction that he says drove the United States to unilateral action.

Annan, in Pittsburgh to deliver the annual Heinz Foundation Distinguished Lecture at the University of Pittsburgh, said he will soon name "a high-level panel of experienced men and women, drawn from all parts of the world" to explore changes in how the United Nations approaches its peacekeeping role.

Annan essentially restated views he has expressed at the United Nations, and his speech came in the wake of a 15-0 Security Council vote that authorized a broader U.N. role in stabilizing Iraq, while making it clear the U.S. occupation of that country is to be considered temporary. The Security Council resolution will be voted on by all 191 member states in mid-December. Speaking of the U.S. and British decision to invade Iraq without explicit authorization from the United Nations, Annan told an audience of 1,500 gathered at Soldiers and Sailors Hall in Oakland that "many people find it troubling and confusing when the United States appears to abandon the very international instruments that bear its mark and are so closely identified with the ideals and objectives inspired by this country.

"The war in Iraq upset a great many people, because they saw two permanent members of the Security Council taking military action without the support of the Council as a whole, or of the wider membership of the United Nations."

At the same time, Annan suggested U.N. member nations need to take seriously the threats the United States cited in pursuing an attack on Iraq. "It is up to all those who believe in a collective system of security to show that these concerns, such as the fear of terrorists using a weapon of mass destruction, can still be addressed more effectively through collective action," Annan said.

Annan, a native of the west African nation of Ghana, is in his second term as secretary-general. Two years ago, he and the United Nations were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in recognition of their work for world peace. Yesterday's appearance marked the first time a U.N. secretary general has visited Pittsburgh.

Annan stuck to the text of his prepared, 20-minute speech and took no questions during his four-hour visit to the city. Prior to the speech, he visited H.J. Heinz Co. world headquarters Downtown and was hosted at a luncheon at the Duquesne Club.

The lecture was interrupted seven times by applause, as Annan focused on American policy before an American audience. "I sense the widespread international acceptance of American leadership. But leadership is most effective when it is pursued by means of persuasion. This means the patient building of alliances through diplomacy," Annan said.

Noting the role the United States played in establishing the United Nations in the wake of World War II, Annan suggested the Iraq war fed "a widespread fear in the international community that some of the key assumptions on which international order has been based since 1945 may be breaking down."

Annan's appearance was received warmly by members of the audience, who offered a standing ovation, first when he entered the hall, then when he rose to speak. "I thought he did a good job of capturing the issues that are at hand and sort of setting the tone for the role of the United States for the future," said Dan Thorman, of Minneapolis, a graduate student at the University's Graduate School of Public and International Affairs.

Willie Manteris, of Franklin Park, said he was pleased with the speech but, "I would have wished for even more forceful comments. That said, Mr. Annan did diplomatically make the points against U.S. unilateralism and aggression that he had to make."

The visit was not without protest, although only a handful of demonstrators passed out leaflets. Students from the Pitt Hillel Society distributed flyers calling on Annan to speak out against the detention of three Israeli soldiers who were seized by suspected Hezbollah members in a U.N.-secured zone along the Israel-Lebanon border earlier this month. Another group, led by Andy Dlinn, local head of the John Birch Society, handed out leaflets demanding the United States withdraw from the United Nations.

>-------------

In other news, the Heinz Co. Foundation gave Kofi Kup an award during his visit to the Burgh.

Thanks. I think this was the first Pittsburgh FReep that we didn't have you with us. I guess we should have told you that we would be there, huh?

I might have made it with sufficient notice, but that's okay - you guys did just dandy without me. Did Dennis Roddy recognize you from our Clinton freep of a few years back?

If he did, he didn't acknowledge it. We only had a small informal exchange. I said that I was astounded by the number of closed minds on a university campus and he said that he was surprised by how many conservatives that he has found.

Maybe there is still hope.

Wait a sec..doesn't the UN want to borrow a few billion, at zero interest, from the US to pay for their new NQ

If so, that is just another reason to pull out.

Here is another report of Tuesday's event:

Hi everyone...

Sorry it took me a day to get this out...but I have been very busy.

First of all, I want to thank all our members and "coalition forces" that joined us on Tuesday for a very successful effort to educate the attendees of Kofi Annan's scolding of the United States at Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall.

Members of the SW PA Section of the John Birch Society led a group of volunteers from the Pitt Republicans, Thomas Jefferson Think Tank and the Libertarian Party who stood for almost three hours handing out our "Fight Terrorism" informational pamphlet on the urgent need to Get US Out of the world government promoting United Nations.

Over 600 pieces were handed out as ALL entrances to the hall were covered thanks to the response from the volunteers. Almost all the attendees took the literature with very few handing it back to us!

Keep in mind...this hall is a memorial for those who gave their lives to keep the USA free and independent. Mr. Annan had this to say:

"It is up to all those who believe in a collective system of security to show that these concerns, such as the fear of terrorists using a weapon of mass destruction, can still be addressed more effectively through collective action,"
A direct contradiction and desecration of what the hall is about. In fact, one of the staffers from the hall felt the need to come to me and say "I want to make it clear we don't endorse Coffee what's his name or the UN or their policies. They pay the money and rent the hall, they can speak. When that nut-case Farrakhan came to town, we didn't endorse him either but he paid the money which pays the rent so he can speak." When I mentioned to the gentlemen that letting someone use this hall implies credibility and support, especially from a monument such as this hall, he said simply that he disagreed. "They pay the money, they get to speak."

We were mentioned in Dennis Roddey's article on the event even though it was just a "one liner but I think it was instructive that even Dennis noted in his piece:

"Annan stuck to the text of his prepared, 20-minute speech and took no questions during his four-hour visit to the city."

In other words...while he spoke to the invitation-only audience, he still wouldn't chance taking questions from attendees who were just "educated" by members and friends of the John Birch Society! ("Less Government, More Responsibility, and with G-d's Help...A Better World)

Thank you all again for a very successful project!

Now let's finally GET US OUT and support the American Sovereignty Restoration Act now pending in Congress. Co-sponsors are growing. It is up to us to educate the electorate out of their complacency and demand that their congressman do "the right thing" and support Cong Ron Paul's legislation. Make that call today!

For liberty,
Andy

"Eternal Vigilance is the PRICE of Liberty"

"The Founding Fathers knew that even the best designed government wouldn't work if the people were not righteous, moral and G-d fearing - if they didn't love liberty and cherish it."

"If a nation or individual values anything more than freedom, it will lose it's freedom; and the irony is that if it is comfort or money it values more, it will lose that too."
--W. Somerset Maugham

What have you done TODAY to help educate your family, friends, co-workers and neighbors on the proper role of government?
Make history with us...Call 1-800-JBS-USA-1 for more information.

Andy "Hirsh" Dlinn
SW PA JBS Section Leader
wa2ffy@amsat.org
http://www.nowitsyourmove.org
http://www.jbs.org