Yes, he can!

Ok, I know politics, ecology and fashion can rarely be mentioned in the same sentence. So for this post I will concentrate exclusively on the first two. Listening to President Obama's address to the UN makes me believe that, yes, indeed, he can!

Here is the extract from the NYT coverage of the General Assembly that leads me to have hope (www.nytimes.com/2009/09/24/world/24prexy.html?_r=1&th&emc=th): 

"“We have re-engaged the United Nations,” Mr. Obama said, to cheers from world leaders and delegates in the cavernous hall. “We have paid our bills” — a direct reference to the former administration’s practice of withholding some payment due the world body while it pressed for changes there."

May I add that it wasn't just the Bush Jr. administration that held this policy? Reagan and Bush Sr.'s did too. I found that out way back in 1991 when I went to Model United Nations. The USA is supposedly the greatest contributor to the UN since its creation after WWII. But there have been long periods in which they have withheld that funding or delayed specific payments. A way to control decisions made by the UN? To dictate policy? To avoid being sanctioned by the Security Council? I leave you to reach your own conclusions...

So maybe President Obama will keep his promises, and maybe this drive to work together with other nations and entities and go beyond the short term interests of the USA will result in a new approach to all things. Maybe we can hope to hear news that the US finally decides to join the International Court of Justice ... or to sign and live up to the urgently needed treaties regarding conservation and ecological policy too... Paying up to the United Nations is definitely a good start!

Check out his full speech - available in video or written format:  http://www.un.org/ga/64/generaldebate/US.shtml