The Daily Escape:
(Hat tip Ilargi)
Nine. Just nine countries voted against the UN General Assemblyâs resolution on Jerusalem, demanding that the US rescind its declaration that Jerusalem should be Israelâs capital. That included us. Our major allies like Britain, France, Germany and Japan voted for the resolution, though some allies, like Australia and Canada, abstained. The overall vote tally was 128 to 9, with 35 abstentions, for the resolution. From the Guardian:
Nine states â including the United States and Israel âvoted against the resolution. The other countries which supported Washington were Togo, Micronesia, Nauru, Palau, Marshall Islands, Guatemala and Honduras.
Along the way, the world was treated to Nikki Haley telling UN diplomats that she would be taking down the names of those who failed to vote with the US. It may surprise you to know that the Russians call Haley the âWaffle House Bumpkinâ. Trump went further, saying:
All of these nations that take our money and then they vote against us at the Security Council or they vote against us…at the Assembly…They take hundreds of millions of dollars and even billions of dollars and then they vote against us…Well, weâre watching those votes…Let them vote against us; weâll save a lot. We donât care.
Iraq, Afghanistan, Jordan, Turkey and Egypt voted for the resolution. Do you think that means that they don’t need the money badly enough to roll over when ordered? Or is something larger at stake?
Stewart M. Patrick, a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, said:
I think this was a…self-inflicted wound and really unnecessary, clumsy diplomacy on the part of the United States…More than that, I think it symbolizes the self-defeating notion that for the United States, âitâs my way or the highway.â
Since the Inauguration, we practice foreign policy, kindergarten-style. Taking names and threatening our allies will not make Trump and/or Haley successful statesmen. And no, this isnât an example of “The Art of the Deal“: There will be no deal when one country tries to bully the entire world.
There has been lots of right wingnut talk about the US “getting out of the UNâ, and it isnât beyond the realm of the possible with the current administration.
It is truly painful to watch America in decline, both at home, and abroad. And a time when US global leadership is more necessary than it has been since the end of the Cold War. Come on, Trump, give us back the US we love and the US the world needs.
Will he do it? Can he?
Well, itâs Saturday, and if you haven’t finished your participation in Making America Great by maxing out your credit cards, you need a really big soother. Today, we continue with Christmas music.
So brew a hot steaming cup of Red Rooster Coffeeâs Holiday Blend, ($14.99/lb.) with its notes of crème brulee, caramel, and gingersnap cookie.
Now get in a chair where you can see your (hopefully) fully-decorated tree and turn on the tree lights, settle back and listen to âL’Adieu des Bergersâ (the Shepherdâs Farewell) by Hector Berlioz.
This piece is about Christ’s life immediately following his birth. It is performed by the Mainzer Domchor, (the choir of the Mainz Cathedral). Founded in 1866, it is comprised of boys’ and men’s voices. RenĂŠe Fleming is the soloist:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOL_No6Z7Hw
First Stanza:
Thou must leave thy lowly dwelling,
The humble crib, the stable bare.
Babe, all mortal babes excelling,
Content our earthly lot to share.
Loving father, loving mother,
Shelter thee with tender care.
Those who read the Wrongologist in email can view the video here.
