Canadian Seat on U.N. Security Council

[bloodyminded]

Enlighten me...

Do you really think any enlightenment can be found in my joke post? I don't think it can.

[nicky10013]

Ouch. I believe the term is checkmate! Once again nicky's pounded into dust.

This is what he said:

All we lost was seat on the old boys club that is now being run by dictators and thugs.

He clearly meant the UNSC. It isn't run by dictators. So, how was it again that I was pounded into the ground?

Also, Argus, I'm still waiting for your proof that Putin is the worst slaughterer of his own people outside of Kim Jong Il. I'll be waiting a long time I know, but it's just fun watching you squirm.

[bloodyminded]

This is what he said:

He clearly meant the UNSC. It isn't run by dictators. So, how was it again that I was pounded into the ground?

The conventional approach is to remark precisely what he did. Of course it's nonsense.

[nicky10013]

The conventional approach is to remark precisely what he did. Of course it's nonsense.

For someone who laments the "lame stream media" and their "gotcha" moments. He sure tries to use those to HIS advantage. The difference between Shady and the press, though, is that he's too stupid to realize what a "gotcha" moment is. Therefore, we're left to deal with bullshit such as this.

[waldo]

oh my! Just how did Harper Conservatives manage to 'tick-off' Clinton? What could it have been... hmmmmmm... Hey now! Does this mean it wasn't Ignatieff's fault after all?

Canada lost UN seat because it lacked U.S. support

The Obama administration is facing accusations it snubbed Canada in its quest for a United Nations Security Council seat by failing to campaign on behalf of its northern neighbour.

Richard Grenell, a former American spokesman at the UN, said U.S. ambassador Susan Rice “not only didn’t campaign for Canada’s election but instructed American diplomats to not get involved” prior to Tuesday’s voting.

Writing on the Fox News website, Mr. Grenell claimed Canada’s bid to win one of the rotating Security Council seats collapsed in part because the Harper government “had no American support.”

Mr. Grenell, who worked for four U.S. ambassadors at the UN during the Bush administration, cited State Department insiders as his sources for the information.

He argued that Rice “could have had her team work to Canada’s benefit. Instead she instructed colleagues to steer clear, effectively abandoning Canada.”

P.J. Crowley, spokesman for U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, on Thursday declined to directly address the claims made by Mr. Grenell.

Asked whether the U.S. did anything to support Canada’s bid, Mr. Crowley responded: “For that particular seat there was a contested election, and we were present. We voted. And beyond that, I’m not going to comment.”

[bush_cheney2004]

oh my! Just how did Harper Conservatives manage to 'tick-off' Clinton? What could it have been... hmmmmmm... Hey now! Does this mean it wasn't Ignatieff's fault after all?

Canada lost UN seat because it lacked U.S. support

Actually, Canada lost the seat because it lacked the necessary votes....for a number of reasons beyond "US support".

http://www.canada.com/news/Canada+quits+race+Security+Council+seat/3658523/story.html

[scribblet]

54 Arabic and islamic nations are a larger block of countries than any other and have learned that they can manipulate who ever does not bow down for their agenda and condemn Israel. There is also the point that the EU caused this by nominating three rather than two countries. The Arabs should never have been given this opportunity.

Not to mention that many nations were afraid of upsetting the EU or wanted better trade relations so sucked up to the them, leaving Canada out in the cold.

and

Is this a surprise coming from withing Canada itself, did you know about this:

TORONTO – October 13, 2010

B’nai Brith Canada regrets that Canada was forced to withdraw its bid for a seat at the UN Security Council. However, of particular concern are the efforts of the Canadian Arab Federation to exclude Canada from taking its rightful place on the world stage.

In advance of the vote, an email was widely circulated by Khaled Mouammar, head of the Canadian Arab Federation, titled ‘Don’t Give Canada a Security Council Seat’. CAF’s Mr. Mouammar also made a comment in advance of the vote which appears on the Al Jazeerah website stating, “…it is feared that if Canada gains a seat in the UN Security Council, it may be used against Arabs and Muslims around the world.”

“Despite purporting to be advocates of Canadian values, the Canadian Arab Federation actively lobbied against their country thereby trying to shame and divide Canada”, says Frank Dimant, Executive Vice President of B’nai Brith Canada.

“It is utterly disappointing to know that an organization containing within its name ‘Canada’ campaigned to undermine Canadian efforts to obtain a seat on the UN Security Council. Canada should instead be commended for its

continued participation in global foreign affairs and its support of countries in need.”

At a time when strength and unity are required to face ongoing national and international challenges, the Canadian Arab Federation has engendered a divisive relationship between Arab Canadians and their fellow citizens.

[waldo]

54 Arabic and islamic nations are a larger block of countries than any other and have learned that they can manipulate who ever does not bow down for their agenda and condemn Israel. There is also the point that the EU caused this by nominating three rather than two countries. The Arabs should never have been given this opportunity.

Not to mention that many nations were afraid of upsetting the EU or wanted better trade relations so sucked up to the them, leaving Canada out in the cold.

so... now it's the EU and Arab/Islamic nations... and not Ignatieff?

by your logic, in securing their seats, just how did Germany & Portugal, as you state, "bow down for their agenda and condemn Israel".

up till now, the regular cycle prevailed... Canada was voted in, like 'clock-work'. What changed? I certainly don't know of a past, within that regular UN voting cycle, where Canada ever condemned Israel... so how did Canada, previously, gain the votes/seat? What's changed?

[Saipan]

so how did Canada, previously, gain the votes/seat? What's changed?

We no longer bow to dictators and tyrants.

[PIK]

We no longer bow to dictators and tyrants.

Very true and it is something to be proud of, finally a canada with a back bone, not just pay the dues and STFU about what is going on, rwanda should have opened up peoples eyes but it did not. But back to iggy, not long ago we were reading how iggy has a lots of ears in the obama administration, they actually bragged about it that they would have better relations with america because of his friendship with many top advisors, so was there some behind the scenes action going on to defeat canada ?

[waldo]

Very true and it is something to be proud of, finally a canada with a back bone, not just pay the dues and STFU about what is going on, rwanda should have opened up peoples eyes but it did not. But back to iggy, not long ago we were reading how iggy has a lots of ears in the obama administration, they actually bragged about it that they would have better relations with america because of his friendship with many top advisors, so was there some behind the scenes action going on to defeat canada?

so... it was Harper's backbone then... and not Ignatieff? Oh wait - are you saying it's a combination of Harper's backbone and the wascally power-wielding Ignatieff in cahoots with the U.S. (re: Canada lost UN seat because it lacked U.S. support). Hey now! Maybe Harper & Ignatieff were in cahoots!

[bush_cheney2004]

so... now it's the EU and Arab/Islamic nations... and not Ignatieff?

No...wait..it was those damn Americans who didn't lobby for Canada with countries that would not support Canada's bid because they were supported by America...oh..wait...maybe it wasn't that at all.

by your logic, in securing their seats, just how did Germany & Portugal, as you state, "bow down for their agenda and condemn Israel".

See recent EU policy statements and criticism of Israe'l justice system and security practices.

up till now, the regular cycle prevailed... Canada was voted in, like 'clock-work'. What changed? I certainly don't know of a past, within that regular UN voting cycle, where Canada ever condemned Israel... so how did Canada, previously, gain the votes/seat? What's changed?

Canada lost on vote count.

[Rick]

Very true and it is something to be proud of, finally a canada with a back bone, not just pay the dues and STFU about what is going on, rwanda should have opened up peoples eyes but it did not. But back to iggy, not long ago we were reading how iggy has a lots of ears in the obama administration, they actually bragged about it that they would have better relations with america because of his friendship with many top advisors, so was there some behind the scenes action going on to defeat canada ?

More likely is that the U.S. refused to use its influence because President Obama has no use and little respect for Bush's ole pal PM Steve.

President Obama is clearly a very wise and intelligent man.

Edited October 15, 2010 by Rick

[bush_cheney2004]

More likely is that the U.S. refused to use its influence because President Obama has no use and little respect for Bush's ole pal PM Steve.

President Obama is clearly a very wise and intelligent man.

Not likely, as permament member USA would still want to stack UNSC votes in allied favor. Seeking American influence while hating American influence is a curious circumstance, but this is Canada's lot in life.

[Rick]

Not likely, as permament member USA would still want to stack UNSC votes in allied favor. Seeking American influence while hating American influence is a curious circumstance, but this is Canada's lot in life.

Portugal and Germany aren't strategic U.S allies?

[M.Dancer]

Portugal and Germany aren't strategic U.S allies?

Are either closer than Canada or more firmly intertwined with American interests than Canada?

[PIK]

More likely is that the U.S. refused to use its influence because President Obama has no use and little respect for Bush's ole pal PM Steve.

President Obama is clearly a very wise and intelligent man.

Harper made a ass out of obama over the stimulis packages, obama was all set to spend(or print) more money and harper scolded him on that, that copuld be enough for the americans to be pissed off. And you are right obama is a real smart man, how he has his people eating hope for dinner.

[bush_cheney2004]

Harper made a ass out of obama over the stimulis packages, obama was all set to spend(or print) more money and harper scolded him on that, that copuld be enough for the americans to be pissed off. And you are right obama is a real smart man, how he has his people eating hope for dinner.

PM Harper has very little influence in such American matters...grasping for reasons why Canada lost the UNSC vote will not change the outcome.

[bloodyminded]

54 Arabic and islamic nations are a larger block of countries than any other and have learned that they can manipulate who ever does not bow down for their agenda and condemn Israel. There is also the point that the EU caused this by nominating three rather than two countries. The Arabs should never have been given this opportunity.

Not to mention that many nations were afraid of upsetting the EU or wanted better trade relations so sucked up to the them, leaving Canada out in the cold.

and

Is this a surprise coming from withing Canada itself, did you know about this:

I never thought I'd see the day: Scriblett, you agree, at least in effect, with the Arab group, and disagree with B'nai Brith:

U.N.'s loss, Canada's gain.

Do you feel, as B'nai Brith does, that your stance proves divisive to Canada?

Edited October 15, 2010 by bloodyminded

[bloodyminded]

Seeking American influence while hating American influence is a curious circumstance, but this is Canada's lot in life.

Ha! It's funny 'cause it's true.

[Wilber]

One has to wonder how many of the permanent members could get elected to the Council in today's UN. It's not a big deal unless you are one who needs to be liked.

[capricorn]

One has to wonder how many of the permanent members could get elected to the Council in today's UN. It's not a big deal unless you are one who needs to be liked.

It's been drilled into the Canadian psyche that we are "the good guys", the "peacekeepers", a "safe harbour" for those ill treated in other countries, a kind and compassionate nation. Losing a bid for a UN security council, even though we were nominated for election, is being interpreted as an indictment of our personality as a nation. This is false reasoning, IMO.

[Smallc]

It's been drilled into the Canadian psyche that we are "the good guys", the "peacekeepers", a "safe harbour" for those ill treated in other countries, a kind and compassionate nation. Losing a bid for a UN security council, even though we were nominated for election, is being interpreted as an indictment of our personality as a nation. This is false reasoning, IMO.

I agree with you completely. In my view, the UNGA is beyond contempt (I have great respect for other parts of the UN). If I were to have my way, non democratic countries would not be allowed to sit at the assembly.

[capricorn]

I agree with you completely.

Thank you smallc. In my view, our nation has nothing to be ashamed of, regardless of which government is in power. That we don't have a seat at the security council table this time around in no way diminishes my pride of being Canadian.

[Bonam]

It seems that peoples gain a lot of influence in the UN by having a lot of small states all having the same agenda. For example, the Arab bloc and its supporters.

Maybe the US should look into getting a UN vote for each one of its 50 constituent states? Kind of like the EU gets 27 votes