U.S. channeling Bolton, the bully, with UNESCO payment default

Dr. Gary Namie — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 18:52:24 +0000

Remember John Bolton, the proud hater of the United Nations who was appointed U.S. ambassador to it by Pres. Bush? He said the U.S. didn’t need the UN. The U.S. is the bully on the block; its “exceptionalism” allows it to make its own rules with little regard to opinions of the rest of the world. On Oct. 31, the U.S. just thumbed its nose at UNESCO (the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) and Bolton would approve. David Killion, the rep to UNESCO voted to block admission of Palestine to the organization against 107 other nations that voted for inclusion, 13 others voted against and 52 countries abstained. With Killion’s vote, the U.S. will withhold its $60 million payment in Nov. (22% of UNESCO’s total budget). [The bully's picking up his toys and leaving in a pout.] American fear of worldwide acceptance of, and tolerance for, Palestine as a state jeopardizes the many good works of UNESCO.

Writing in the Washington Post, a UNESCO proponent reminds us of some worthwhile projects.

- development of tsunami early warning in the Caribbean and the Pacific
- stands up for every journalist attacked or killed across the world
- leading education reform and training journalists in Tunisia and Egypt
- training teachers in human rights and Holocaust remembrance
- leading the country’s largest education program in Afghanistan, reaching some 600,000 learners in 18 provinces

English begins at time 2:30 in the clip.

UNESCO’s slogan is “Building peace in the minds of men and women.” The U.S., as the self-declared leader of freedom and democracy, will have none of it (from now on)! Acceptance of the Arab Spring in Tunisia and Libya was formally granted by Secretary of State Clinton. But regarding Palestine, …

The "B" Word That Won’t Go Away

Dr. Gary Namie — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 15:11:44 +0000

Bullying: The “B” Word That Won’t Go Away
By John Robinson, Director, Office of Civil Rights, US Dept of State
State Magazine, June 2009

The article cites Secretary of State Hilary Clinton’s answer to a staffer’s question: “You know, I have zero tolerance for any kind of bullying. I find it intolerable. I hate people who use a position of either superior rank or physical dominance or any other aspect to lord it over or mistreat other people, especially those in the workplace.”

You can read the context of Secretary Clinton’s March 12, 2009 comment here. Scroll to page 9 to read the question from staffer Shirley Miles and Clinton’s response.

In the State magazine article, Director and Chief Diversity Officer Office of Civil Rights Robinson (202-647-9294) astutely writes: “Managers, be aware: If someone in your office has the characteristics of a bully, it is your duty to counsel that person before his or her behavior creates an uncomfortable situation for your other employees, harms others, leads to workplace violence or subjects the Department to legal vulnerability because timely action was not taken. Finally, ask yourself (or, better, ask others who will be honest with you) if you yourself rely on intimidation or scare tactics in your leadership style as a form of workforce control. Everyone deserves to work in an environment that is safe and bully-free.”

Read Robinson’s one-page essay.

Kudos for taking the first step toward raising awareness. How long before State Dept. employees enjoy protection that only an explicit policy and credible enforcement procedures can make likely?

Workplace Bullying Institute » Clinton

U.S. channeling Bolton, the bully, with UNESCO payment default

The "B" Word That Won’t Go Away