06-27-2003, 03:45 PM
You may not understand how strong the feeling is in America that, post Wall coming down, we Do Not Want To Be The World's Policeman. That crosses many party lines.
The few Wilsonians/Internationalists/Interventionists in Washington who feel otherwise do not seem to be the same folks who supported the Iraq war, but it's a mixed bag.
The UN has not police force other than whoever shows up. That has to do with how the UN was built and what it has become, which are not one and the same thing. Any Secretary General is at the whim, in any desire to enforce international law or a UN security council decree, of "Whoever shows up." He also does not have enough law enforcement presense to act as a deterrent, heck, most police departments don't.
What that results in is an immense law enforcement vacuum that is filled by "whoever shows up" to fill it. Given the nature of the beast that is global politics, the irony is that the US shows up to play policeman now and again, despite a great deal of sentiment both historical and contemporary against it, and plays cop . . . under what ever rules we choose, which are generally in accordance with the aims of the UN that we built on the rubble of WW II. However, as anyone will point out, there are plenty differences in method between US methods and, for example, the Finns or Irish, as to just what role a Cop has on this planet.
Put another way:
"When Constabulary duty's to be done, to be done, a policeman's lot is not an 'appy one!"
Ask any cop, I know a few: no matter what they do, there is always some effing critic bitching about how they stopped the thief, killer, rapist, wreckless driver, child beater, what have you. But the cop still does his job.
The few Wilsonians/Internationalists/Interventionists in Washington who feel otherwise do not seem to be the same folks who supported the Iraq war, but it's a mixed bag.
The UN has not police force other than whoever shows up. That has to do with how the UN was built and what it has become, which are not one and the same thing. Any Secretary General is at the whim, in any desire to enforce international law or a UN security council decree, of "Whoever shows up." He also does not have enough law enforcement presense to act as a deterrent, heck, most police departments don't.
What that results in is an immense law enforcement vacuum that is filled by "whoever shows up" to fill it. Given the nature of the beast that is global politics, the irony is that the US shows up to play policeman now and again, despite a great deal of sentiment both historical and contemporary against it, and plays cop . . . under what ever rules we choose, which are generally in accordance with the aims of the UN that we built on the rubble of WW II. However, as anyone will point out, there are plenty differences in method between US methods and, for example, the Finns or Irish, as to just what role a Cop has on this planet.
Put another way:
"When Constabulary duty's to be done, to be done, a policeman's lot is not an 'appy one!"
Ask any cop, I know a few: no matter what they do, there is always some effing critic bitching about how they stopped the thief, killer, rapist, wreckless driver, child beater, what have you. But the cop still does his job.
Cry 'Havoc' and let slip the Men 'O War!
In War, the outcome is never final. --Carl von Clausewitz--
Igitur qui desiderat pacem, praeparet bellum
John 11:35 - consider why.
In Memory of Pete
In War, the outcome is never final. --Carl von Clausewitz--
Igitur qui desiderat pacem, praeparet bellum
John 11:35 - consider why.
In Memory of Pete