I’m not sure where I stand on this. My principled self says we should get the hell out, and achieve the moral high ground by not being a party to the UN’s hatemongering and corruption.

My expedient self says we should remain in the UN, pay dues (but much reduced dues — say — $50,00 per year, which may itself be excessive), and continue on the Security Council to be a thorn in the UN’s side. In essence, we should tacitly admit that we and our values will never alter the character of the UN, but we should play the role of spoiler and veto whatever we deem to be not in our principled interests — like any resolutions or actions that might adversely effect Israel in favor of Hizbollah, Hamas, Syria and/or Iran. There’s lots to be said for being a vocal conscience, and much more to being a check on outrageous anti-semitic (for example) behavior.

Still, with our State Department so eager to accommodate the North Koreans, what guarantee do I have that we are capable of being a vocal conscience?

I’m on the horns of the proverbial dichotomy. But I’m coming down on the side of staying, if for no other reason than to support Israel.

The fact that we can’t cure all of the UN’s ills doesn’t mean that we can’t use our position on the UN to help our friends and further our interests, at least some of the time.