<If China came along, she may not be the greatest country in the world, but then what about the country which won't sign a comprehensive nuclear test ban, or ratify a treaty on women's rights, or is the only country to reject limits and controls on selling small arms around the world. Is that the greatest country, either?

You might not be too impressed with the US "high road" as broadcast by VOA. China may not seem wonderful, but the US ain't either, from what you've read.



You make a good point: perception is as important as reality in politics. Very few people actually read these treaties, so see only the U.S. as being "against women's rights" or whatever the cause of the week is. This of course plays right into the hands of those who write the treaties, throw the booby-traps into the fine print, and sit back to watch the fun. The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), as one example, is just another channel for the usual U.N. socialist storm troopers to try and shove their agenda down the throats of the signatories.

Then of course, unlike the U.S., which generally abides by treaties, many nations sign them then basically wipe their butts with them. You mention that only the U.S. has not signed a treaty on limiting arms sales. As one who has worried about the huge traffic in small (and not so small) arms from countries like Iran, Iraq, and many others who therefore must have signed this treaty, I am now greatly relieved that all such activities have apparently stopped.