Thor Halvorssen blogs on last week’s vote in the UN to remove gay people from a resolution calling on countries to condemn “extrajudicial, arbitrary and summary executions” based on discriminatory grounds. As Halvorseen explains:
The resolution highlights particular groups historically subject to executions including street children, human rights defenders, members of ethnic, religious, and linguistic minority communities, and, for the past 10 years, the resolution has included sexual orientation as a basis on which some individuals are targeted for death.
The tiny West African nation of Benin (on behalf of the UN’s African Group) proposed an amendment to strike sexual minorities from the resolution. The amendment was adopted with 79 votes in favor, 70 against, 17 abstentions and 26 absent.
In other words, the resolution ensures that the U.N. no longer condemns extra-judicial killings of gay men and women The countries voting for and against the resolution reads like a list of the civilized vs. the uncivilized world (sorry, no moral relativism here).
As Halvorssen notes:
Those against the amendment include every European nation present, all Scandinavian countries, India, Korea, most of Latin America, all of North America, and only one Middle Eastern nation: Israel. In most countries in the Middle East, it is a crime to be gay—in some, like Saudi Arabia, it is punishable by beheading and in others, like Iran, by hanging.
Be thankful if you don’t live in one of the countries voting in favor of the resolution. And if you’re an American, be especially thankful for these freedoms.
22 Comments for “A Reason for Americans, West Europeans, Israelis (and a Few Others) to Be Thankful”
posted by Jorge on
Be thankful for all our friends in the world…?
posted by Bobby on
Rather than being thankful, we need to be proud of our superior western heritage and culture. One of the things people hate about Obama is how he loves to apologize for America’s mistakes. I’m sick of Americans that aren’t proud of their own country, if you think this country is that bad perhaps you should join the peacecorps and see the world.
posted by Jorge on
Pride is one of the seven deadly sins, Bobby.
Anyway, I think it’s about time for Obama to start another apology tour, this time for the mistakes America’s made under his watch.
posted by Jimmy on
This is essentially Conservatism in action, isn’t it? The same folks who have aided Uganda in its desire to persecute gay people should be happy about this. Hey, maybe the UN has a purpose after all as it has decided to stand with social conservatives all over the world.
Yes, I am thankful to live in the liberalized part of the world that has adhered to the principles of the Enlightenment and shed the bindings of irrational superstition. Hopefully, the US will catch up with its friends and lead the way once more.
posted by Curt on
Two years ago the Bush administration abstained from the vote.
posted by Doug on
A truly great nation acknowledges it’s mistakes and apologies for them and moves forward.
posted by Bobby on
Doug, when was the last time other countries apologized to America for their mistakes against us? Did you know that England still owes us money for WW2? America may not be perfect, but we don’t need our HNIC apologizing for us.
Everybody needs to read “Broke” by Glenn Beck, it will teach you the real American history, how presidents like Wilson, FDR, Roosevelt, Hoover, LBJ and Nixon were progressive bastards that expanded the national debt.
Broke: The Plan to Restore Our Trust, Truth and Treasure
http://politicallyincorrectlibertarian.wordpress.com
posted by Rob on
Cuba and South Africa voted for this crap? Did they knew what they were voting for, or were they just following their idiot friends? I sincerely hope that the Cuban representative who voted for this shit ends up in prison for his mistake. As for the “rainbow nation,” it’s already a lost cause, and it will get worse after Mandela and Archbishop Tutu depart this world. As for China, I would expect them to have abstained or voted against. Then again, their damned government is like a multi-headed hydra, each with a different personality.
I have to agree with Bobby that we as Westerners should have some pride in being the vanguard of civilization. And Jorge, it isn’t pride but hubris that is a sin. English converged that word like free beer (gratis) v.s free speech (libre).
Well I’m glad that all of South-America voted against it (Guyana is not a part of South-Africa andI support Venezuela’s claim over that territory).
Anyhow, I think John Bolton should be the next Secretary-General. He knows what good the UN really does.
posted by Jorge on
And Jorge, it isn’t pride but hubris that is a sin. English converged that word like free beer (gratis) v.s free speech (libre).
I think the meaning is clear in the context. I stand by my statement.
posted by Rob on
Whoops, I mean that Guyana isn’t part of South America in terms of culture and people, not South Africa.
I think the meaning is clear in the context. I stand by my statement.
And I stand by mine as well. There’s a difference between pride and hubris, and I believe Bobby meant the former. Pride is about self-worth and confidence, something that is lacking among western far-left and even far-right groups. He’s also right that we have an upper hand in culture and heritage, since we grew out of accepting most barbaric practices thanks to the Enlightenment.
posted by Bobby on
I agree with you, Rob. American and western pride to me means that we celebrate our heritage and only incorporate foreign values when it suits us. So, I’m not against eating Mexican food, but I am against not wearing an American flag on Cinco de Mayo because it offends the children of illegal aliens.
We have been too politically correct with the Muslims, at Disneyworld a Muslim woman wanted to wear a head scarf in a job that required wearing a uniform and had no room for head scarf. She was denied, sued, and Disney made the mistake of accommodating her and allowing to wear a head scarf.
In colleges across America they are demanding women-only hours so Muslim women can swim without being in the presence of men.
In the Minnesota airport there’s issues with Muslim cab drivers not wanting to drive people with dogs or liquor.
American pride means we should tell these Muslims that this is our country, we’re not going to accommodate them, and if they don’t like it they can get out.
posted by Jorge on
And I stand by mine as well. There’s a difference between pride and hubris, and I believe Bobby meant the former.
…
I agree with you, Rob. American and western pride to me means that we celebrate our heritage and only incorporate foreign values when it suits us. So, I’m not against eating Mexican food, but I am against not wearing an American flag on Cinco de Mayo because it offends the children of illegal aliens….
American pride means we should tell these Muslims that this is our country, we’re not going to accommodate them, and if they don’t like it they can get out.
Someone please tell me how such condescension and vanity as this is a worthy American value? For what reason should we reduce the worth and views of other cultures to food and “the children of illegal aliens?” in order to raise ourselves? Is there nothing sacred in this country worth defending, worth calling by name instead of some empty puffed up title like American pride and heritage. When I think “American pride and heritage”, I think of long-dead Virginian farmer-governors in powdered wigs a lot more than I think of immortalized military-political icons of grace and humility.
If “Pride” means respecting yourself, and setting your values and accomplishments steadfast against the judgment of the world, then I don’t have much problem with it. But when we’re talking about uncritical displays of self-loving and other-denigrating, then I think it’s worth pointing out that such statements and beliefs originate from evil impulses and do not represent the best way forward. I am being extremely diplomatic in my assessment.
posted by Tommy on
I am new to this board. (1) I am certainly thankful that I am an American citizen living in the early part of 21st century. I also took the time out of my holiday to help those in need, volunteering with my local United Way and a group that works on AIDS-HIV education. (2) I do not believe in ‘political correctness’ or ‘moral relativism’ but I do believe in treating people as you want to be treated and show respect for cultural diversity. We certainly should not act as if the 1st or 14th Amendments do not apply to say, Muslims. (3) I voted [mostly] for Democrats, even through I have mixed feelings about what they did and did not do. The only viable alternative was backing a very hostile and reactionary Republican Party/Tea Party movement.
posted by Bobby on
“Someone please tell me how such condescension and vanity as this is a worthy American value?”
—If you wanted to lose weight, would you like a personal trainer that congratulates you when you’re barely making an effort? Do you like to watch the Special Olympics and listen how the announcer “encourages the kids” by yelling at them like they’re, well, retarded? For America to lead the world out of the darkness we have to be PROUD of our way of doing things, if that means some condescension, so be it.
Visit this website and read the story about the Kenyan homophobic president.
http://politicallyincorrectlibertarian.wordpress.com/
See? A proud nation would tell that jackass that his way of doing things is wrong.
“For what reason should we reduce the worth and views of other cultures to food and “the children of illegal aliens?” in order to raise ourselves?”
—No, but we must judge worth the way we value diamond, gold, and copper, OBJECTIVELY. We cannot sacrifice our culture to avoid offending illegal kids on cinco de mayo. Instead, we must tell them that freedom means they can wear their stupid Mexican flag while we wear old glory. And yes, I do think it’s stupid to wear a Mexican flag in America. If Mexico is so great, then please go back.
” But when we’re talking about uncritical displays of self-loving and other-denigrating, then I think it’s worth pointing out that such statements and beliefs originate from evil impulses and do not represent the best way forward. I am being extremely diplomatic in my assessment.”
—They are not uncritical, they are based on the actions of others. Yes, I tolerate Islam, but when Muslim women want an hour for themselves at the poor that’s segregation. When Islamic taxi drivers refuse passengers with dogs or pork that’s imposing a foreign cultural value into our country. We have to criticize it, taxi drivers are licensed by the state, they have to pick up everyone.
Multiculturalism celebrates every foreign culture, no matter how backward, except our own. The multiculturalist would have you believe that Christopher Columbus was an evil man, the Indians were always good, we need to teach more Kunta Kinte and less Shakespeare, and that Hip Hop has the same value as Mozart.
American pride simply means that while we may learn about other cultures we don’t have to embrace them. Yes, we can enjoy arab food just like we’ll enjoy German food, but that doesn’t mean we should tolerate creeping Shariah in our schools or in our lives.
posted by Jorge on
If you wanted to lose weight, would you like a personal trainer that congratulates you when you’re barely making an effort? Do you like to watch the Special Olympics and listen how the announcer “encourages the kids” by yelling at them like they’re, well, retarded?
Irrelevant and unconvincing.
And yes, I do think it’s stupid to wear a Mexican flag in America.
Why do you not think it is stupid to wear an Italian flag on Columbus Day or a shamrock on St. Patrick’s Day? Do you think the Irish and Italians fail to understand what freedom means? Or are you under the false illusion that because they are white, they are assimilated?
And again, before I entertain your attacks on people of other cultures, I really must insist on an explanation on what to me is a softball question but to you seems to be like defining Einstein’s Theory of Relativity: what’s so great about this country?
You should admit that I nailed you from the holier-than-thou direction and that your attitude contributes to the credibility of multiculturalism.
posted by Jimmy on
You have produced some of your best reasoning in this exchange, Jorge. I’ve never found nativism to be an American value. Clearly, others do. American culture is not just one thing.
posted by Jorge on
Well, thank you.
I will tell you that for me it was very strange, being someone who was mostly proud to be a New Yorker, of his family, local stuff, to have all this outpouring of support from other parts of the country after the 9/11 attacks. Not just the support, but just the way some people gave it, it came from a national pride.
There are people who are able to bridge such gaps or fake it convincingly. Most of the ones we know of are the politicians who become our nation’s leaders.
posted by BobN on
See? A proud nation would tell that jackass that his way of doing things is wrong.
Proud nations have a history of doing appalling things to their own citizens and to those of other countries. When people’s pride starts to be about the pride itself, detached from any tangible superiority, it becomes dangerous.
posted by Bobby on
“Why do you not think it is stupid to wear an Italian flag on Columbus Day or a shamrock on St. Patrick’s Day? Do you think the Irish and Italians fail to understand what freedom means? Or are you under the false illusion that because they are white, they are assimilated?”
—The difference is that neither the Irish or Italians get offended if you wear a US flag, or even a British flag, do you get it now? Jorge? Stupid Mexican kids will BEAT YOU UP if they see you wearing an American flag on cinco de mayo, then the latino activists will be shouting “hate speech” against any proud Americans.
At least Angela Merkel in Germany gets it, at least she’s realizing that multiculturalism isn’t working over there. Well, perhaps it’s not working over here.
posted by Jimmy on
When I look at images of Cinco de Mayo parades, I see a lot of American flags displayed right along side of Mexican flags. Is it possible Hispanic kids want to beat YOU up because you go around calling Mexican-looking kids “stupid Mexican kids”.
Cinco de Mayo is a very American celebration as it marks the throwing off of the bindings of European rule by another set of Americans. Plus, Napoleon III was supporting the Confederacy through Mexico – oh wait, that’s right, you would have been on their side, so your consternation is understandable.
posted by Jorge on
Bobby, there are more examples of people flying the flag at Mexican events than there are examples of “stupid Mexican kids” attacking people wearing the flag.
You will prove me wrong on the strength of your memory alone or you will apologize for your racist and irresponsible statement that Mexican kids (stupid or otherwise) will beat you up for displaying the American flag.
Also I am highly disturbed that you would compare the German Chancellor’s public policies to your ideology. They have nothing in common and you are not willing to do the work needed to bring yourself into compliance with her views. People are watching you, and if they come to believe the falsehood you have just promoted, they may turn against people like Merkel.
posted by TommyJ on
Yeah, their are a number of nations that have laws and beliefs that are more racist, sexist or homophobic then the Untied States. I do not think that means that we cannot respect cultural diversity, human rights and dignity within the United States.
First generation immigrants have almost always caused some level of trouble, because they tend to look to the ‘old country’ for guidance. If their children grew up in the United States, with all the rights and privileges that entails, then second generation immigrants to think if themselves in relationship to American culture, where as third generation immigrations tend to think of themselves as Americans, but also have an interest in learning about their heritage.
“Multiculturalism” does not claim that every cultural value or idea is equally good. It does ask us to deal with our cultural diversity honesty and not to look at human rights and dignity as only applying to one race, one religion, one ethnic group.
Christopher Columbus did lots of evil things and lots of good things. Let us not have a oversimplified view of history, but try and deal with it. He did not “discover” America and was actually lost [some men so hate to ask directions] and looking for India.
The Native Indians were not always good, but either were the western ‘explorers’. However, one group was technically here first and basically got the short end of a very painful stick for the subsequent centuries.
William Shakespeare is an important part of literature. Although some teachers try so darn hard to cover up all the parts that would make kids and teenagers actually want to read it. That does not mean that we should pretend that the rest of the world does not exist and does not have anything worth wild.