I thing that international Corporations ought not be building private armies - most of us would agree on that, right?

So they cannot, in any practical way, enforce peace - or pull a country from the brink of any war…and most wars are not very civil at that! So Aubrey is correct in her statement that they are not overstepping their legal role. And that is a good thing, right?

Aubrey also says that they are STILL operating a manufacturing plant there. Wow! How brave of them!

Even after many other companies buggered out and abandoned ship, Coca-Cola is still providing employment in Zimbabwe? A corporation, responsibly ’sticking it out’ in a violence-prone region, providing at least SOME economic relief to the otherwise destitute populace? Giving at least SOME jobs and hope? I wonder how many lives they are saving from starvation by their support!

Are there others who are as responsibly?

And while I don’t comprehend Audrey’s affect (but, that is my disability, and I am dealing with it as best I can, compensating for it with my strength - logic), I think she has just brought out some extremely praiseworthy behaviour on the side of Coca-Cola. I think I’ll go open me up one!

Thank you, Audrey, for sharing such a positive story with all of us!

Alas, the UN doesn’t make tasty carbonated drinks.

I think the focus is misguided here.

“What is it about UN forces that makes them inherently more dangerous or susceptible to this corruption than other military forces?”

Wrong question. They’re supposed to be inherently less susceptible to corruption than other military forces. That’s why it’s such an outrage.

Finally on ’side deals’ - do you honestly think that Canadian forces are engaging in side deals in Afghanistan for - well, I suppose for opium? Do you honestly think that’s happening? And if not, then we’re not talking about something inherent to all military forces, but to certain military forces. In which case, what is that ‘certain something’ that is characteristic of those military forces that makes them give in to temptation? And coming back to the UN, do its forces share that characteristic? And if they do, then is it right to invest so much faith in the UN - so much faith, that is, that like the Liberals and NDP, we should surrender our foreign policy to them?

It’s terrible. I have to wonder why this isn’t going on in Iraq and Afghanistan with similar side deals for different resources being made. Surely it is. Do you wonder that too, even though the UN isn’t involved?

War is war; people are people. What is it about UN forces that makes them inherently more dangerous or susceptible to this corruption than other military forces?

I am at a loss for words….