An excellent observation. The actions remind me of the NOP computer command, which orders the computer to read the instruction and do nothing. There is also the other side of NOPs, as in expressions like "Good Luck" and "I'll pray for you." Perhaps we need an empty website (nothing.nop) which keeps track of empty and meaningless expressions for the benefit of politicials and headline writers. I exepct enthusiastic support from the Apathy Association and look forward to action by the Procrastinators League.

Sorry for not responding to this sooner but I kept putting it off.

Some of us at the Procrastinators Club were going to think about this for a while. However the action was tabled after a tie vote (0-0) and subsequently remanded to the past business file. Maybe someday we'll bring it up again.

While condemnation has no short-term effect, it can change public opinion to have a long-term effect. But the UN is pretty worthless anyway...

Don't forget that the UN is a collection of international politicians whose main purpose is public posturing. I feel much more secure when the UN isn't doing anything, their actions usually lead to making a situation worse.

Sand, I think you're missing something with this one. I believe just condemning alone can have value if it's backed by power.

As a parent and a supervisor, I've often found it useful to 'call' someone on a bad behavior with no reaction or punishment just to point out that I'm aware of it and I don't agree with it. I don't have to do something at this time because I have the clout/respect (I hope) that when they're 'caught' doing something 'bad', they'll change the behavior on their own because they don't want to be 'on my bad side' so-to-speak. I reserve the right to act later and they know it.

Also, the UN has lots of checks (vetos) on the use of power--it's much easier for them to do a comdemnation than to act.