"the US is paying what it thinks is due now that the UN promises to abide by legitimate accounting standards and provide audits"

Well, now that we've got the UN in line on that, when can we expect the same from this administration? Instead of the Tax and Spend Democrats, we've got the "Don't Tax and Spend Anyway" Republicans.

I agree that the UN has been ineffective in many areas but the one in which it functions best is as international scapegoat. At least if we had backed down we could blame it on them for not backing us. As it is we have: No WMDs, No Nuclear program, No joyously celebrating crowds of well wishers, No absolutely factual, dyed in the wool, "bash on it" proof (should have never put that in the UFO thread, I love it!)of a connection between Al Quiada and Iraq, and No Bin Laden as well.

Hey, we didn't need the UN when we trained and armed this sum-bitch, we didn't need the UN when we supported him against Iran, We didn't need the UN when we sold arms for hostages, we didn't need them when we invaded based on their resolution, which does not abdocate authority to our nation if they should falter on it. We do need them now, for legitimacy, to lower the US body count, and by involving the Arab members of the UN the chance to end the "Crusade" which the Muslim community sees happening through their world view.