« Don’t criticise unless you offer a potential solution. » This used to be a standard in the places I worked. Maybe you don’t know the best solution, but having to come up with an idea forces you to articulate just what you have a problem with. We should apply this standard to civil discourse. Don’t like the UN? What’s a better solution? The answer will likely disclose whether the critique is serious or not about achieving the mission. If it’s just a disagreement on the means, not the goals, then it’s possible to have a meaningful discussion. Otherwise, fruitful discussion is a lost cause.
Like every human endeavor, the U.N. is flawed. Because humans are flawed. And like it or not, greed and self-interest remain some of the most motivating factors for humanity. Just look at late-stage capitalism if you question that.
But as you said, that doesn't mean we shouldn't keep trying to be better -- to be more. I wholeheartedly agree that the concept of the U.N. is to be praised, and I hope the people there are continuing to aspire to achieve the goals the U.N. has set out.
I absolutely love this... We NEED a global community in order to keep authoritarian governments-to-be in check and to always keep lifting those sovereign countries that are struggling to feed, house and educate those their citizens... Our situation in America is starting rival some of countries, and it's horrifying. Thank you so much for standing up for the people of our nation as we struggle to survive yet another round of "WTF!" It's encouraging to know there ARE people using their platforms to support us.
The United Nations’ “Small Arms Treaty” has been the Gun Control Lobby’s crown jewel since Barack Obama sent it to the U.S. Senate and insisted we ratify it a decade ago. Year after year, we refused.
But each and every day, the UN is getting closer to implementing the terms of this dangerous Treaty’s provisions here in the United States even without ratification.
And it’s all being done in secret by the UN’s allies in the Washington, D.C. “Swamp.”
The good news is you and I have a chance to stop the Gun Control Lobby cold.
But it’s an opportunity that won’t last forever.
That’s why it’s absolutely critical you and I act now!
That’s why President Trump’s move in 2019 to formally withdraw the United States’ commitment from the treaty was so important. Standing before gun owners, he declared the ATT { UN Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) } “a threat to American freedom” and vowed that “we will never allow foreign bureaucrats to trample on your Second Amendment.”
Also, a lot of Americans don't know, but the U.N. Headquarters in New York operates outside our US Constitution.
The United Nations headquarters in New York is protected by international law, specifically through the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations, which grants it inviolability and immunity from search and seizure. This legal framework ensures that UN premises and property are secure and that its officials enjoy certain protections while carrying out their duties.
If we "allow foreign bureaucrats to trample on your Second Amendment," what does that say about all your action films and skills using a gun, Mr. Gordon-Levitt?
Someone once said that there are so many time travel stories where people fear that one small action can change the course of history, and yet so many people are just as certain that small actions can't change anything. The UN certainly has many flaws, but it represents a lofty ideal of a better future and is more important than ever in these divisive times. I think it's easy to criticise a venture when you have no skin in the game. It's good to see a light shone on it in this way to see what they are doing about such issues in the present day.
Active thought and active response is so essential to activism. You have platforms to express yourself and so do the rest of us. Thank you for setting a good example and good reminder that if we shut up we put up. We can't become immune to standing up for what is wrong.
"Perhaps optimism is naive, but perhaps it’s just the opposite. Perhaps pessimism and cynicism are for dupes—for swallowers of the divisive stories peddled by the bullies and war-lords who don’t want international law, who don’t want a global community, who would prefer we all play every-man-for-himself because that’s how tyranny wins."
Congrats on speaking at the UN! What an honor! You spoke for so many! I am curious, as an actor, and as you are an actor--why you chose to speak in the cadence that you chose? Thanks.
« Don’t criticise unless you offer a potential solution. » This used to be a standard in the places I worked. Maybe you don’t know the best solution, but having to come up with an idea forces you to articulate just what you have a problem with. We should apply this standard to civil discourse. Don’t like the UN? What’s a better solution? The answer will likely disclose whether the critique is serious or not about achieving the mission. If it’s just a disagreement on the means, not the goals, then it’s possible to have a meaningful discussion. Otherwise, fruitful discussion is a lost cause.
I think, in These Times, choosing optimism is an act of defiance & hope.
Thank you for showing up as you do, Joe. We're so lucky that nuance is embraced here.
Thank you, Mr.Gordon-Levitt. Seeing you stand up for what you believe in on a consistent basis, has given me the motivation to do the same.
We cannot stay silent as Tech Billionaires and Hostile Governments try to erode the fabric of society.
Thank you again!
I’d rather be called naive for being optimistic than to be stuck thinking the world is never going to change! Keep pushing us forward 🙏🏾
Like every human endeavor, the U.N. is flawed. Because humans are flawed. And like it or not, greed and self-interest remain some of the most motivating factors for humanity. Just look at late-stage capitalism if you question that.
But as you said, that doesn't mean we shouldn't keep trying to be better -- to be more. I wholeheartedly agree that the concept of the U.N. is to be praised, and I hope the people there are continuing to aspire to achieve the goals the U.N. has set out.
Congrats on your speech there.
Thank you for not just staying optimistic, but always finding ways to do something about it! Inspiring as always
I absolutely love this... We NEED a global community in order to keep authoritarian governments-to-be in check and to always keep lifting those sovereign countries that are struggling to feed, house and educate those their citizens... Our situation in America is starting rival some of countries, and it's horrifying. Thank you so much for standing up for the people of our nation as we struggle to survive yet another round of "WTF!" It's encouraging to know there ARE people using their platforms to support us.
Dear Fellow American,
The United Nations’ “Small Arms Treaty” has been the Gun Control Lobby’s crown jewel since Barack Obama sent it to the U.S. Senate and insisted we ratify it a decade ago. Year after year, we refused.
But each and every day, the UN is getting closer to implementing the terms of this dangerous Treaty’s provisions here in the United States even without ratification.
And it’s all being done in secret by the UN’s allies in the Washington, D.C. “Swamp.”
The good news is you and I have a chance to stop the Gun Control Lobby cold.
But it’s an opportunity that won’t last forever.
That’s why it’s absolutely critical you and I act now!
Sincerely,
The Hon. Rand Paul
United States Senator (R-KY)
https://gunrights.org/un-small-arms-treaty-a-global-gun-control-agenda/
That’s why President Trump’s move in 2019 to formally withdraw the United States’ commitment from the treaty was so important. Standing before gun owners, he declared the ATT { UN Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) } “a threat to American freedom” and vowed that “we will never allow foreign bureaucrats to trample on your Second Amendment.”
Also, a lot of Americans don't know, but the U.N. Headquarters in New York operates outside our US Constitution.
The United Nations headquarters in New York is protected by international law, specifically through the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations, which grants it inviolability and immunity from search and seizure. This legal framework ensures that UN premises and property are secure and that its officials enjoy certain protections while carrying out their duties.
If we "allow foreign bureaucrats to trample on your Second Amendment," what does that say about all your action films and skills using a gun, Mr. Gordon-Levitt?
Someone once said that there are so many time travel stories where people fear that one small action can change the course of history, and yet so many people are just as certain that small actions can't change anything. The UN certainly has many flaws, but it represents a lofty ideal of a better future and is more important than ever in these divisive times. I think it's easy to criticise a venture when you have no skin in the game. It's good to see a light shone on it in this way to see what they are doing about such issues in the present day.
Active thought and active response is so essential to activism. You have platforms to express yourself and so do the rest of us. Thank you for setting a good example and good reminder that if we shut up we put up. We can't become immune to standing up for what is wrong.
"Perhaps optimism is naive, but perhaps it’s just the opposite. Perhaps pessimism and cynicism are for dupes—for swallowers of the divisive stories peddled by the bullies and war-lords who don’t want international law, who don’t want a global community, who would prefer we all play every-man-for-himself because that’s how tyranny wins."
This really stirred something in me. So much so, it inspired this: https://open.substack.com/pub/awelltraveledmind/p/optimistic-cynicism?utm_campaign=post-expanded-share&utm_medium=web
Good gawd. Do you even KNOW what the U.N. is involved with? Joseph has the woke mind virus.
Thank you Joe! 🙏 The only chance we truly have is to come together. 👊 Keep up God's work
Congrats on speaking at the UN! What an honor! You spoke for so many! I am curious, as an actor, and as you are an actor--why you chose to speak in the cadence that you chose? Thanks.
#oneworld
thank you for believing in humanity
Big love to you, Joe.