It was with heavy heart that I withdrew my support for the United Nations in 1975 after watching Arab nations induce that body to declare Zionism a form of racism. United Nations successes have been few. Its failures have been many. No one can deny that talk and negotiation is better than war. The UN has failed to live up to it aspiration of ending wars in this world. It has never deterred nations from going to war.
The current invasion of Gaza by Israeli forces is just one of the many examples of the UN failure. The genocide in Darfur is an even more horrifying issue that the UN has failed to stop. When there was a war between Bosnia and Croatia it was not the UN that brought the fighting to an end, it was the United States. When Iraq invaded and totally occupied Kuwait it was the United States that led the forces to free that country while the UN quietly stood by.
Perhaps the new President Obama will be able to instill life into the moribund UN. There is always hope that a new voice will bring sworn enemies together. I will happily celebrate that moment. There is little evidence that he can bring about that renewed United Nations life.
Coast Contact 
I share your frustration. As I see it drastic reform is needed, specifically the UN neededs to recognize democracy as a basic principle. Otherwise human rights will always take a backseat to the will of dictatorships. Here’s my proposal for how it should look…
http://www.UnitedDemocraticNations.org
Thoughts? Feedback?
gary