UN chief of staff to Bush: "You didn't invent democracy!"

[Bluebear]

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan's top aide said on Thursday that he slightly resented the suggestion that "somehow democracy is President Bush's invention."

I kind of think there are 42 other American presidents who might resent that as well," Mark Malloch Brown, U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan's chief of staff, told a news conference. "Democracy has a lot longer roots and a lot more friends than just the current campaign of President Bush."

The comments came during a daylong conference on "the state of democracy in the world," organized by the Community of Democracies, a fledgling group of about 100 nations founded in June 2000 in Warsaw to promote democratic government.

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/nm/20050311/pl_nm/rights_democracy_un_dc

[FreedomAngel82]

1. Nice quote

And I think that guy should've called Bush King of the world.

[Arkana]

2. I'm glad Kofi gets it...Lord knows George has bashed him and the UN enough

[TahitiNut]

10. The only people who don't seem to be English-speaking.

... or some approximation thererof. :eyes:

[PROGRESSIVE1]

3. Good for him! Many people have fought huge battles and...

risked their own being to earn democracy. Bush has done nothing to help democracy!

[marmar]

5. Amen!!!

"Bush has done nothing to help democracy!"

But he's doing his best to destroy it. If this is what he calls "democracy," I'd be tremendously afraid of what he considers a fascist state.

:scared:

[Anakin Skywalker]

7. Exactly! Bush Hides

behind the troops and false "patriotism". He is a coward through and through!

[TahitiNut]

12. Bush* is to democracy as Kervorkian is to post-natal care.

:eyes: ... I was going to say "as a rapist is to 'love'" but I'm sure even rapists love some people.

[ailsagirl]

30. Bush HATES democracy!! He has a total contempt for it.

He'll bandy the word about but, the truth is, democracy is anathema to him and his thugs. It stands in the way of everything they wish to achieve.

Sickest bunch of freaks I've ever seen.

[leesa]

4. Especially since the First Fraud's goal is to destroy democracy.

Why don't these people shout it out? He "slightly resented" it?? Sheesh, these people are fucking cowards.

[oblivious]

27. Damn straight. Cowards. Afraid to speak the truth.

The man befriends dictators and tyrants around the world.

He tried to get the Turkish military to ignore the legislature to allow an attack on Iraq from Turkish soil.

He overthrew a democratically elected leader in Haiti and tried to do the same in Venezuela.

The man hates democracy.

[blogbear]

6. For Sure!

[BlueEyedSon]

8. I think we should bring democracy to Ohio, whatever it takes!

[TahitiNut]

15. I was married to a Buckeye. They don't want it.

:evilgrin: They only want Ohio State to continue the Woody Hayes legacy of kicking yardline markers and slapping players.

[BlueEyedSon]

16. OK, how about Florida....?

[TahitiNut]

18. Well, I never married one of those.

:silly: I'd be willing to help out in Key West.

[kittenpants]

21. how about you don't try to speak for all buckeyes, Tahitinut.

we actually don't enjoy having elections stolen and don't find it all that funny.

[TahitiNut]

31. "we"???

Speaking for yourself and the dead rat in your pocket? :eyes:

Ironic.

[Name removed]

32. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Lisa]

9. what a shock to Bush -- he's waiting in front of the patent office!

He was so looking forward to trademarking "Democracy" first thing tomorrow!

[Lone_Star_Dem]

19. Bush's proposed Copyright

Copyright
© Democracy
This concept is copyrighted. You may profess, display, claim and reproduce this concept in unaltered BushCo approved form only (retaining this notice) for BushCo’s personal gain only. Apart from any use as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968 all other rights are reserved.
You may use the phrase Democracy© freely, but the context must glorify BushCo.

If you have questions about using Democracy©, please contact: President G W Bush at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue Washington, DC 20520

[Lisa]

22. Beautiful!

I've heard he's thinking of revising "Patriotism" to mean "everything which I do".

[paineinthearse]

11. http://www.ccd21.org/

The odd part is that there is no listing of the 106 member countries????

======================================================

A momentous new movement, the Community of Democracies, was launched in Warsaw, Poland, June, 2000. For the first time, a global gathering of 106 governments committed to democracy came together to develop and pursue a common agenda. This community of states – drawn from a diverse mix of regions, cultures, and religions – dedicated itself to a core set of democratic principles and to support cooperation among democracies worldwide. The Council for a Community of Democracies, a non-governmental organization incorporated in Washington D.C., was formed to support this global movement.

CCD's Mission

To strengthen collaboration among governments and democracy advocates in building an effective worldwide community of democratic nations based on the initiative of the June 2000 Warsaw Community of Democracies Conference.
To help implement resolutions promulgated at the 2002 Community of Democracies meeting in Seoul, Korea; to assist national and international non-governmental organizations formulate a strategic vision for the future of the Community of Democracies and to support that vision by their participation in the 2005 meeting to be held in Santiago, Chile.
To share among governments and non-governmental organizations their pro-democracy programs and resources.
To promote collaboration among democratically elected parliaments and among delegations to the United Nations -- including the organization of a UN democracy caucus --- and collaboration among other international organizations in support of democratic practices.
CCD's Vision

We seek a community of nations working together to strengthen democracy across a wide spectrum of cultural and religious traditions and transparency of government processes, sound electoral systems, respect for human rights and the rule of law, active civic education, prevention of official corruption and related core values basic to democratic governance.
Our aim is to foster awareness of the importance of democracy both as a central organizing principle of official government foreign policy and as the basis of international alliances of non-governmental organizations devoted to the strengthening of democracy. We believe that, a prime example of cooperation among democracies was the creation of the United Nations and the Atlantic alliance and those institutions that contributed to a strong, prosperous and European Union. We are convinced the time has arrived for the democracies of the world to build upon the experience of these organizations, a new institutional framework for global cooperation among democratic nations and those who aspire to govern themselves in accordance with democratic principles.

Board of Directors

Robert Hunter, Chairman
Richard C. Rowson, President
Walter Raymond, Jr., Former President (1929-2003)
John Richardson, President Emeritus
James R. Huntley, Vice President
John Ikenberry, Vice President
Mark Palmer, Vice President
John W. Lentz, Treasurer
Richard C. Olson, Secretary
Carol C. Adelman
Brian Atwood
Amelia Augustus
Harriet C. Babbitt
Robert Borden
Jack W. Buechner
Herman J. Cohen
Elizabeth Coleman
Gerard Conac
Jonathan Davidson
Jeffrey Gedmin
Albert Hamilton, Former Director
Charles Heck
Dennis M Hertel
Penn Kemble
Robert A. Pastor
Vi Raymond
James N. Purcell, Jr.
John E. Rielly
John Sewell
Steven E. Steiner
David Yang

Senior Advisors

John Brademas
William E. Brock III
Frank C. Carlucci
Hodding Carter III
Max M. Kampelman
George E. Russell Jr.
John C. Whitehead


Staff

Richard C. Rowson, President
Robert R. LaGamma, Executive Director
Natalie C. Hill, Administrative and Program Officer

[paineinthearse]

17. Does the USA pass this Democracy litmus test?

http://www.ccd21.org/conferences/ministerial/rt2.htm

Basic concepts

In order to discuss regional cooperation for the promotion of democracy, a minimum consensus on certain concepts, such as the following, is required:

In general terms, democracy is understood as an institutional arrangement aimed at ensuring popular control over public decision making. This implies the existence of democratic institutions and related legal framework, as well as political equality among citizens. In a broader sense, however, democracy cannot be reduced to such formal considerations. It involves other elements, of a deeper nature that, as a whole, guarantee that people indeed benefit from democracy in the political, economic and social spheres. In particular this compels a fundamental commitment by governments to poverty eradication among their populations, a commitment which in turn implies the adoption of policies which prioritize the improvement of the living conditions of ordinary people through programmes of sustainable social and economic development.

When assessing democracy, further elements should be considered such as: free, fair and regularly scheduled elections; respect for the rule of law; independence of the judiciary; independence of the legislature; full respect for minority rights and gender equity; control of the military by civilian authority; the existence of a competitive multi political party system; an equitable distribution of wealth; public accountability to the electorate; and full transparency and access to information.

The above elements justify and uphold the recognition and protection of certain rights and freedoms which are inherent to the human person. Furthermore, democracy creates and constantly develops a propitious atmosphere for human development, peace and stability.

In understanding the essence and workings of democracy, it is imperative to acknowledge that it also implies a dynamic process that needs constant strengthening and fostering. Since the democratic process requires recurrent revision and up keeping, its consolidation is a permanent task for which governments are responsible.

We must also emphasize the central role that civil society bears in this process, for it is from civil society that the shape of democratic demands spring from. As the traditional depositary of democratic values, civil society is fundamental to the development of good management in public affairs and to the betterment of democracy.

more......

[PunkPop]

13. Stating the obvious and good for him!

I think his message is to the brainwashed in this country. Bush offends him (as he does any thinking person) but he's also sending a message to anybody who'd hold the smirkster in high regard - "this guy is ALL talk. Don't forget all those who have done the really hard work before him".

[PunkPop]

14. Oops. N/T

[democrank]

20. Mr. Mark Malloch Brown is just plain wrong.

George W. Bush not only invented democracy, he`s a freedom-bringer. He smokes out terrorists and hunts them down. He`s brave and amazing which he learned while flying combat missions during the Vietnam War.

President Bush is making the whole world safer for everybody. He cares about people which is why he wants to free them and teach them about who not to nominate for their president. It`s a special kind of democracy like Tom DeLay designed down in Texas. Red Staters have the moral authority to do these things.

Sometimes President Bush has to lay down the law for people who don`t like his democracy. Sometimes he has to use land mines or burrowing mini-nukes or shock and awe. Some people even have to be leashed and hooded in the name of freedom.

An important freedom-spreader like President Bush just can`t take no for an answer. That`s why he likes the idea of his First Strike policy. Those bombs really get people`s attention and help them understand that freedom is on the march in their neighborhood.

[drummer55]

23. awesome. especially since were a republic and not a democracy. :P

[Bluebear]

24. Maybe he is referring to Smirk's "democracy is knocking" schtick

re: Middle East

[tgnyc]

25. Bush is to democracy as

Michael Jackson is to babysitting.

[Massacure]

26. It looks like the UN has found a way to shoot at things without Missle-D.

:P

[applegrove]

28. Those neocon myth-makers must be regretting that they backed

a chimpanzee about now. Not what they had in mind for "BIRTH OF A NATION II"

[jdj]

29. Bush is the head of the Demonocracy.

Or the Mockcracy.

Or Demolitionocracy.

Or Crackerocracy.


hey, this is kind of fun...