Can we trust the UN for anything when violence in Myanmar/Burma is considered only a "Concern"?

Why do conservatives always feel a need to attack the UN for the actions of its members - sovereign states. China would not agree to condemn this action. And since they hold a veto in the Security Council that mean a condemnation would not be forthcoming. Now before we all go launching into attacks on China - let's remember that the US has vetoed more resolutions than the other 4 permanent members put together. Resolutions that were vetoed to store up our relationship with such vile regimes as the Saudi Princes, Saddam's Iraq, Marcos' Philippines, Soeharto's Indonesia and Pinochet's Chile.

So yes the UN Security Council failed to come to the agreement it should have due to the behaviour of it's sovereign members. Right wingers love to pretend that the UN somehow threatens the soveriegn power of governments - but whenever any government exercises that sovereign power these same idiots use that as an excuse to attack the UN.

It is startlingly ignorant to use this behaviour as a reason to condemn an organisation that

Has rid the world of smallpox

Immunizes millions of children around the world for hepatitis, diptheria, tetanus, typhoid, cholera, measles and many more - limiting epidemic outbreaks - ultimately protecting our people as well

Facilitated international conventions on internet protocols, food safety standards, human rights and maritime law.

Played a key role in dismantling apartheid in South Africa

Has provided over 1 billion people with clean drinking water

Prevents conflict by enabling international issues to be resolved peacefully by the International Court of Justice.

Created the global postal system we all take for granted.

You can trust the UN to continue doing all these and a great many more things.

This hatred of the UN is ignorant and unplaced. The Security Council may have failed on this occassion - what would you propose? A Security council NOT answerable to the governments of it's member nations? Rail against those responsible for this - but stop your ignorant attacks against a great organization of peace and the betterment of man.

The United Nations, the same as member governments, does not have a unilateral right to intervene in the internal affairs of sovereign states, no matter how detestable their practices may be. There are procedures to be followed, member countries must agree on action to be taken, not least in the Security Council, which is not always easy to accomplish. The Burmese Govt. has in the past been backed by China which is now a US 'favoured nation' so before condemning the UN one could ask why the US has not intervened in this issue with China to secure some resolution of the problem, as Bush is forever preaching democracy and freedom. It remains to be seen what the Bush Administration will do via the UN and bilaterally with China.

No.

Historically The UN has followed the lead of The USA.

If we do not act to help neither will The UN.

It has been this way since the formation of The United Nations.

They were far more effective when we worked with them as an ally. Instead of belittling the organization as has become all the rage these days.

the UN is impotent. It will not stop the violence because the representives are elected, and they dont want to risk their jobs.

THE UN IS CRAP. WE THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA ARE THE UN. WE DO EVERYTHING, NO OTHER COUNTRY CONTRIBUTES AS MUCH AS WE DO.

WE SEND 150000 TROOPS TO IRAQ AND THEY SEND 10000 ALL TOGETHER.

the UN is a useless non governmental waist of time look at darfor

The UN is useless. We need to show it the door.

Yes. We can trust the U.N. to undermine Israel and the United States.