Thoughtsmiths
10-06-2004, 05:46
Fellow nations,
We address this to all of you, as the issue we present here affects us all. The NationStates UN (NSUN), as it stands now is in a state that we find unacceptable.
We bring this before you not as the grievance of a single nation wishing to whine over particulars regarding resolutions and rules of membership, but as one among MANY who have felt for a long time that the UN is fast becoming a threat to our sovereignty. A number which, I regret to inform you, is quickly growing.
In the past few days alone nearly thirty nations have contacted us to inform us of their own dismay with the UN as it stands now. Some have chosen to remain members as they see no other choice, and some have resigned their memberships.
Why, you may ask, do we Thoughtsmiths not simply resign our membership? Why not leave if we are unsatisfied, instead of posting to all of you with something that may not even concern some of you? We remain because only by remaining do we preserve our voice. Without a UN membership we do not have the liberty to address you. That, perhaps in and of itself, is sufficient cause for concern.
In the past, before joining this organization, we cautiously weighed whether or not to become a UN nation. Of what benefit was it to us? Our nation was certainly democratic, and had a long and proud history of public life and prosperity, as well as a flourishing cultural wealth. It seemed to us that to join the UN would at best maintain all that we had accomplished and were so proud of, and at worst would infringe on that which we cherished so dearly.
Ultimately, we were reminded of our responsibility as citizens of the world. It was not enough for us to ensure our own prosperity and self-actualization. It was not enough to stand in isolation, content to live in a self-sufficient state. We needed to establish contact with our fellow nations and become a part of the world forum so as to help bring about a better future: for ourselves, but ultimately for the generations to come.
Recently it has become clear that the UN has begun to infringe on the sovereignty of our nation. Resolutions passed are absolutely binding on all member nations, regardless of the histories and traditions that might have led to our individual bodies of law and constitutions. Understanding that no bureaucracy is perfect, in fact the very concept seems inherently flawed, we were willing to go along with limiting certain liberties we have become accustomed to, in the interests of serving a larger, global ideal. To be a citizen is to sacrifice some personal preferences for the betterment of all. This we accept.
What we cannot accept, and what we have just come to realize, is that in response to certain resolutions that may pass, we have no recourse. Resolutions aimed at repealing or ammending prior resolutions, are deemed unacceptable according to UN resolution writing rules, and may not be proposed. While the former part of this condition is certainly understandable, the latter is not.
This is startling to say the least, and quite dangerous indeed. That is to say that any resolution that is brought up for a vote before the Assembly, no matter how simplistic, will be decided by a majority vote and then become binding. No ammendments may be proposed. This violates the fundamental principles of Democracy and cannot be allowed to continue.
This among other issues do we present to all of you here and now. We offer this as a sample of what it is that we have noticed. No doubt many of you, and most certainly those of you who have already expressed your feelings to us, have similar issues in the forefront of your minds.
We encourage you to contact us directly, or post here for the benefit of all, or both, with your thoughts, concerns, and arguments. We seek not to have this be a one-sided issue, but the matters of concern here could no longer fall unaddressed.
It is time that these issues be discussed and the better aspects of our combined intellects be channelled to work toward something greater. And if the UN, during, or as a result of, this undertaking is to be reformed or replaced, then so be it. We will not allow events to continue down this path.
To resign is too simple an action to take; an action that forsakes all the potential that resides here among us. An action that would see us silenced.
We are the ones who must create the future we are to live in, and the time for action is now.
We address this to all of you, as the issue we present here affects us all. The NationStates UN (NSUN), as it stands now is in a state that we find unacceptable.
We bring this before you not as the grievance of a single nation wishing to whine over particulars regarding resolutions and rules of membership, but as one among MANY who have felt for a long time that the UN is fast becoming a threat to our sovereignty. A number which, I regret to inform you, is quickly growing.
In the past few days alone nearly thirty nations have contacted us to inform us of their own dismay with the UN as it stands now. Some have chosen to remain members as they see no other choice, and some have resigned their memberships.
Why, you may ask, do we Thoughtsmiths not simply resign our membership? Why not leave if we are unsatisfied, instead of posting to all of you with something that may not even concern some of you? We remain because only by remaining do we preserve our voice. Without a UN membership we do not have the liberty to address you. That, perhaps in and of itself, is sufficient cause for concern.
In the past, before joining this organization, we cautiously weighed whether or not to become a UN nation. Of what benefit was it to us? Our nation was certainly democratic, and had a long and proud history of public life and prosperity, as well as a flourishing cultural wealth. It seemed to us that to join the UN would at best maintain all that we had accomplished and were so proud of, and at worst would infringe on that which we cherished so dearly.
Ultimately, we were reminded of our responsibility as citizens of the world. It was not enough for us to ensure our own prosperity and self-actualization. It was not enough to stand in isolation, content to live in a self-sufficient state. We needed to establish contact with our fellow nations and become a part of the world forum so as to help bring about a better future: for ourselves, but ultimately for the generations to come.
Recently it has become clear that the UN has begun to infringe on the sovereignty of our nation. Resolutions passed are absolutely binding on all member nations, regardless of the histories and traditions that might have led to our individual bodies of law and constitutions. Understanding that no bureaucracy is perfect, in fact the very concept seems inherently flawed, we were willing to go along with limiting certain liberties we have become accustomed to, in the interests of serving a larger, global ideal. To be a citizen is to sacrifice some personal preferences for the betterment of all. This we accept.
What we cannot accept, and what we have just come to realize, is that in response to certain resolutions that may pass, we have no recourse. Resolutions aimed at repealing or ammending prior resolutions, are deemed unacceptable according to UN resolution writing rules, and may not be proposed. While the former part of this condition is certainly understandable, the latter is not.
This is startling to say the least, and quite dangerous indeed. That is to say that any resolution that is brought up for a vote before the Assembly, no matter how simplistic, will be decided by a majority vote and then become binding. No ammendments may be proposed. This violates the fundamental principles of Democracy and cannot be allowed to continue.
This among other issues do we present to all of you here and now. We offer this as a sample of what it is that we have noticed. No doubt many of you, and most certainly those of you who have already expressed your feelings to us, have similar issues in the forefront of your minds.
We encourage you to contact us directly, or post here for the benefit of all, or both, with your thoughts, concerns, and arguments. We seek not to have this be a one-sided issue, but the matters of concern here could no longer fall unaddressed.
It is time that these issues be discussed and the better aspects of our combined intellects be channelled to work toward something greater. And if the UN, during, or as a result of, this undertaking is to be reformed or replaced, then so be it. We will not allow events to continue down this path.
To resign is too simple an action to take; an action that forsakes all the potential that resides here among us. An action that would see us silenced.
We are the ones who must create the future we are to live in, and the time for action is now.