Rain and the UN: Had Enough of It Yet?
Can't say as I remember this much rain, cloudy skies, humidity, etc. Much of the past summer brought it and today, this third full day of fall, we've got more: rain all day, maybe as much as an inch.
While these long wet, cloudy, even dark stretches dampened my spirits at times, there are days where rain isn't the end of the world. I think today will be one of those. It's not going to be too hot nor too cold (72 degrees, in fact, for the high). I've got a robust list of tasks awaiting me at my desk, much of which will require some research and thoughtful analysis. Sometimes a dark-ish rainy day serves to keep the mind focused. Today's rain will likely fill that role.
On the other hand, some of us may not welcome this particular rainy day - like all those visitors to the UN General Assembly. Yes, that annual circus has come to town, as it does every September. "Dignitaries" from around the world flock here for various meetings, clogging the city (as if it weren't clogged enough). Not that I care whether today's rain will, well, rain on their parade. It's the thousands of cops who have to stand around and protect these people and keep the city orderly that I'm thinking about here. There's one particular one I know who's been assigned to this tour. I hope they can stay dry.
As for the attendees to the UN boondoggles, Trump will show up at some point and make a speech, garnering, one assumes, some media coverage. Outside of that, I confess I'm not even sure who's the General Secretary these days. Kofi Anan - who recently died - I remember. Boutros Boutros-Ghali may have been my favorite, based on his funny name, although Banki Moon contends for funniest name I suppose. Who's in charge today? Frankly, it's not worth looking up. The definition of "boondoggle" explains why: "work or activity that is wasteful or pointless but gives the appearance of having value." Now doesn't that capture much, if not most, of what goes on in that slab of a building on the East side of town?
Of course, some think the UN performs an important, even an essential function. Of those, the Pope has been a lead cheerleader in recent years. Recent popes have seen the UN as some sort of central body that could be used for the common good, whether that be economic and social justice, champion of environmental causes, or some other "good" that popes have espoused that - they believe - requires a central authority to promote or even impose on the rest of us. Being a Catholic, I've never quite gotten why they're so enamored of the UN, unless it's, in some sense, the only game in town to temper the ambitions of the various nations that vie with each other, especially the big boys like the U.S. and China. But why don't they just assert themselves and present their views as popes? Why do they need the UN? Do they somehow see the UN as a temporal authority that could serve to implement what they perceive as good actions or policies that could ultimately save souls and help them get to Heaven. (Isn't that the entire purpose of life, according to the Church?) If not, if they're dabbling in politics, social justice schemes, or causes purported to save "the environment," it would be best if they demurred from such activities. Better that they pray for all of us, for our ultimate salvation from sin and depredation, the result of Adam and Eve chomping on the apples oh so long ago. We could all use a hand getting to Heaven, don't you think?
Well, the rain, already begun, seems to have done it's job already. Somehow it calms the mind, opening up a spot here and there for random thoughts that were held at bay during more energetic, frantic days of work. And as one who's been "caught" in the UN week clogs from time to time and who now won't have to face the endless stream of black limos accompanied by police escorts, it felt good to get all that off my chest.
While these long wet, cloudy, even dark stretches dampened my spirits at times, there are days where rain isn't the end of the world. I think today will be one of those. It's not going to be too hot nor too cold (72 degrees, in fact, for the high). I've got a robust list of tasks awaiting me at my desk, much of which will require some research and thoughtful analysis. Sometimes a dark-ish rainy day serves to keep the mind focused. Today's rain will likely fill that role.
On the other hand, some of us may not welcome this particular rainy day - like all those visitors to the UN General Assembly. Yes, that annual circus has come to town, as it does every September. "Dignitaries" from around the world flock here for various meetings, clogging the city (as if it weren't clogged enough). Not that I care whether today's rain will, well, rain on their parade. It's the thousands of cops who have to stand around and protect these people and keep the city orderly that I'm thinking about here. There's one particular one I know who's been assigned to this tour. I hope they can stay dry.
As for the attendees to the UN boondoggles, Trump will show up at some point and make a speech, garnering, one assumes, some media coverage. Outside of that, I confess I'm not even sure who's the General Secretary these days. Kofi Anan - who recently died - I remember. Boutros Boutros-Ghali may have been my favorite, based on his funny name, although Banki Moon contends for funniest name I suppose. Who's in charge today? Frankly, it's not worth looking up. The definition of "boondoggle" explains why: "work or activity that is wasteful or pointless but gives the appearance of having value." Now doesn't that capture much, if not most, of what goes on in that slab of a building on the East side of town?
Of course, some think the UN performs an important, even an essential function. Of those, the Pope has been a lead cheerleader in recent years. Recent popes have seen the UN as some sort of central body that could be used for the common good, whether that be economic and social justice, champion of environmental causes, or some other "good" that popes have espoused that - they believe - requires a central authority to promote or even impose on the rest of us. Being a Catholic, I've never quite gotten why they're so enamored of the UN, unless it's, in some sense, the only game in town to temper the ambitions of the various nations that vie with each other, especially the big boys like the U.S. and China. But why don't they just assert themselves and present their views as popes? Why do they need the UN? Do they somehow see the UN as a temporal authority that could serve to implement what they perceive as good actions or policies that could ultimately save souls and help them get to Heaven. (Isn't that the entire purpose of life, according to the Church?) If not, if they're dabbling in politics, social justice schemes, or causes purported to save "the environment," it would be best if they demurred from such activities. Better that they pray for all of us, for our ultimate salvation from sin and depredation, the result of Adam and Eve chomping on the apples oh so long ago. We could all use a hand getting to Heaven, don't you think?
Well, the rain, already begun, seems to have done it's job already. Somehow it calms the mind, opening up a spot here and there for random thoughts that were held at bay during more energetic, frantic days of work. And as one who's been "caught" in the UN week clogs from time to time and who now won't have to face the endless stream of black limos accompanied by police escorts, it felt good to get all that off my chest.
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