I might be able to excuse the absent representatives, who could (though I doubt it) be unaware that the amendment had been proposed, or that the vote would be that day. It's quite possible that those who desired it played a scheduling game to make sure the vote came up when the most favorable quorum was present. Looking at the list it might not have made a difference, but to abstain while present for a vote like this is cowardly.
I agree about the absent countries, looking at that list I get the strong impression that the "absent" nations were actually just abstaining in a subtler way. Turkey, Albania and a number of Oceanian countries in particular - those are countries that would be expected to follow the lead of the EU in the former two cases and the US in the latter, but don't want to take a position that could be seen as pro-homosexuality, and so they made sure they weren't there, so that the offense to Europe/the US would be smaller than if they had actually abstained.
The countries that did abstain are in similar positions, but evidently less afraid to annoy their allies. Seems to me that the large majority of both the abstainers and the absent countries would've voted with the majority if they had been forced to vote, so perhaps it's for the best they abstained instead and made it look as if it was close.
I can't help it though, I find the list of major nations voting for and against this ironic given how much crap many of those who voted against it take for opposing those who voted for it. The US is evil for waging that unjust Vietnam war, but guess where each of those nations aligned. It's also evil for supporting Israel despite their brutality, as well as opposing North Korea and Irans nuclear weapons programs, but guess where each of those nations came down on this issue. This is the kind of crap I mean when I say the world may not LIKE American hegemony, but when it's replaced by Chinese hegemony, with global complicity, they're going to miss our sorry butts. Much good may it do them.
I'm sure there are people in North Korea who think the US is evil for opposing North Korea's nuclear weapons programs. Of course, North Koreans don't generally have internet, so I'm unsure where you would've encountered any such people. Seriously though, the future is not some new Cold War between China and the US, there will be more than two sides, and people criticizing the US does not mean they want Chinese hegemony. Chill out already.
Oh, and I hereby absolve you of any obligation you may feel to reply, at least to this paragraph (the bit above about the abstaining might be a productive discussion, but I rather doubt this bit would be ).
UN votes to allow discrimination against sexual minorities (i.e. homosexuals)
24/11/2010 02:11:44 AM
- 1055 Views
Pretty appalling, but also rather unsurprising on who voted which way. *NM*
24/11/2010 02:32:37 AM
- 323 Views
Some surprises, though.
24/11/2010 02:52:17 AM
- 839 Views
I agree about South Africa - they have legal gay marriage!
24/11/2010 11:04:10 AM
- 718 Views
Yeah, but when they brought that in they didn't have Jacob Zuma for president. *NM*
24/11/2010 02:35:56 PM
- 318 Views
I was surprised to see China there. *NM*
24/11/2010 03:06:12 AM
- 299 Views
Why? Their exemplary record on Civil Rights?
24/11/2010 08:08:57 PM
- 732 Views
When you return from vacationing in the land of False Dichotomy, let me know.
24/11/2010 11:36:08 PM
- 603 Views
Re: Oh yeah.
25/11/2010 12:13:28 AM
- 639 Views
As noted, the difference is we don't execute people for it, nor condone those who do.
25/11/2010 01:01:47 PM
- 861 Views
When I don't have to explain the Fourth Amendment to you, lecture me on your lectures.
25/11/2010 12:56:35 PM
- 836 Views
Very sad if not a shock. Democracy doesn't work people!
24/11/2010 11:23:42 AM
- 742 Views
The Law and Justice isn't in power anymore on any level, remember?
24/11/2010 02:29:41 PM
- 775 Views
Very simplistic generalisation here, perhaps you should correct it *NM*
24/11/2010 07:08:54 PM
- 415 Views
He said "tend to", not "are". *NM*
24/11/2010 07:11:47 PM
- 436 Views
It was the inference at a continent level, that I felt was very simplistic.
24/11/2010 07:17:28 PM
- 669 Views
Generalizations are inherently simplified; that doesn't make them inaccurate.
24/11/2010 09:07:24 PM
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It is correct, thank you for your concern though *NM*
24/11/2010 07:58:46 PM
- 305 Views
I disagree
24/11/2010 08:10:11 PM
- 647 Views
Then you are wrong
24/11/2010 08:19:51 PM
- 640 Views
Am I wrong, or are you?
24/11/2010 08:28:26 PM
- 764 Views
You are
24/11/2010 08:41:35 PM
- 602 Views
You did not read my post completely
24/11/2010 08:47:07 PM
- 727 Views
I did
24/11/2010 08:56:39 PM
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Chiming in ONLY because I've gotten so much crap for generalizations over the years.
24/11/2010 09:07:12 PM
- 685 Views
How can such tiny stupid cow states have the same amount of votes we do? Disgusting. *NM*
24/11/2010 02:50:10 PM
- 326 Views
Suddenly "Political Correctness" isn't such a dirty word.
24/11/2010 06:50:06 PM
- 731 Views
I always thought that political correctness was where people used euphemisms
24/11/2010 07:15:16 PM
- 673 Views
In practice it usually means they use non-offensive meaningless euphemisms lest someone object.
24/11/2010 08:25:24 PM
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Implying that people are acceptable the way they seems to be politically correct.
24/11/2010 09:22:58 PM
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definitely. So many people are plain rude and try to justify it with being "more honest"
25/11/2010 03:00:42 AM
- 720 Views
Pretty sad, and surprising that so many nations abstained when they could've swung the vote.
24/11/2010 08:34:58 PM
- 759 Views
Do you ever get tired of your hyperbole?
24/11/2010 09:48:21 PM
- 742 Views
Of course not, it's a legitimate rhetorical device if not used (or taken) literally.
25/11/2010 12:38:55 PM
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Biggest surprise is Chavez. Going against Ahmadinejad, Hu, and Putin? Guess he didn't get the memo. *NM*
25/11/2010 03:36:04 AM
- 405 Views
it is? I didn't see it as a big suprise
25/11/2010 11:03:40 AM
- 827 Views
If you don't stop saying things with which I agree I'm going to think one of us is sick.
25/11/2010 01:10:27 PM
- 1065 Views