And again: Obama embarrasses America
While President Arrogant was winging his way to India on Friday with a staff of 3,000, three top State Department officials were being shellacked by such 'human rights' notables as Cuba, Iran, Libya and North Korea, all of whom lined up over night (I kid you not) for the opportunity But in the three-hour inquisition which took place this morning, Michael Posner, Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor responded with “thanks to very many of the delegations for thoughtful comments and suggestions” shortly after Cuba said the U.S. blockade of Cuba was a “crime of genocide,” Iran “condemned and expressed its deep concern over the situation of human rights” in the United States, and North Korea said it was “concerned by systematic widespread violations committed by the United States at home and abroad.”I'm still an American citizen. Excuse me while I puke. The US has until Tuesday to accept or reject the 'recommendations.' The criticisms and the US response will be part of a document that will be distributed worldwide, and will undoubtedly be authoritatively cited in all UN bodies.
According to the Council’s procedure, all U.N. members are given carte blanche to comment and make recommendations to the state in the docket. But since only three hours are allotted per state, the practice has emerged of allowing approximately only the first sixty to speak.
This morning fifty-six countries lined-up for the opportunity to have at the U.S. representatives, many standing in line overnight a day ago in order to be near the top of the list. Making it to the head of the line were Cuba, Venezuela, Russia, Iran, Nicaragua, Bolivia, and North Korea.
Recommendations to improve the U.S. human rights record included Cuba’s advice to end “violations against migrants and mentally ill persons” and “ensure the right to food and health.”
Iran – currently poised to stone an Iranian woman for adultery – told the U.S. “effectively to combat violence against women.”
North Korea – which systematically starves a captive population – told the U.S. “to address inequalities in housing, employment and education” and “prohibit brutality…by law enforcement officials.”
Libya complained about U.S. “racism, racial discrimination and intolerance.”
In response to the many Guantanamo-related criticisms, the State Department’s top legal adviser, Harold Koh, blamed the failure to close the facility on others: “President Obama cannot close Guantanamo alone. That also involves our allies, the courts, and our Congress.”
The U.S. delegation was at pains to impress the international crowd. Esther Brimmer, Assistant Secretary, Bureau of International Organizations, told the assembled: “it is an honor to be in this chamber.”
Someone in the Republican party ought to get video of this for use in the 2012 Presidential campaign. Remember which moron decided that the US should join the 'human rights council' (they don't even deserve capital letters anymore) in the first place.
Read the whole thing.
Labels: Barack Obama, Human Rights Council, periodic review
