An interesting case where American obstructionism in the UN is going to be helpful

Seems to be Russia and the Middle Eastern countries that are really pushing for these revised rules.

And 6 months later they back down.

I can't think of a case where obstructionism in the UN would be unhelpful ...

Most UN Security Council resolutions are good ideas, but stunted either by the Americans or the Russians. Like with Palestinian full UN Membership, scuttered by American intransigience.

I don't get what people's issue with the UN is. Some of what they do is bad, like anyone, but generally they're a force for good.

Despite what someone might have told you. The United Nations doesn't have any real power. The real power resides in the hands of the member nations, and it doesn't even enjoy the legitimacy that comes with being a Democratic organization, because it is structurally speaking a Meritocracy. Based upon nothing more then military prowess. In which any one of five permanent member states can veto, and thus block any measure for any reason they desire.

Which is what the United States will do not just on moral grounds, but on financial grounds, grounds of sovereignty, and grounds of ownership. The United States has made a lot of money from creating the internet, and it stands to make even more money, and if you think the United States government will walk away from that pile of gold. You really haven't been paying attention. When morality and selfishness can be served in one move. You won't find any member of the United States government that wouldn't knife their own mother to go along with that. It won't happen folks.

The only reason the United States probably funds the organization is out of tokenism as part of its international diplomacy. They are earning some political points with other parties that want the debate. Even though absolutely nothing will ever come out of this. In that sense it is a cheap way to get favors out of other countries later on. The United States is probably really paying for future favors rather then something that anyone thinks will go anywhere.

That article reads like fud.
Here is one with a more balanced look on the evil UNs motives
http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2012/dec/03/telecoms-unitednations

At least they're discussing it out in the open. Who knows what the latest censorship rules and data mining practices are in Google, etc.

The UN shouldn't even exist. Waste of money.  No reason for us to sacrifice any of our sovereignty to a foreign body.

The institution has done a tremendous amount of good in the world. Obviously on the back of the initiative and goodwill of its member nations, but its symbolic power for good and institutional structures do a lot of good in small ways, and in somewhat larger ways. The very idea for a lot of countries that they are part of something bigger than they are helps keep them in line.

The UN is useless, At least when it comes the protection of an open internet my fellow Americans aren't naive about that.

does it mean we can get more inter-racial porn???? awesome...