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United Nations Treaty On Women
Eagle Forum ^ | 22 May 2002 | Phyllis Schlafly

Posted on 05/23/2002 5:48:21 PM PDT by Asmodeus

Rumblings are leaking out of Washington that Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Joseph Biden (D-DE) and the Clinton holdovers in the State Department are conspiring to resuscitate the long-moribund United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). A hearing was scheduled for May 15 and then postponed, but the State Department has placed it on a list of acceptable treaties.

CEDAW is not acceptable, and George W. Bush's entire constituency is up in arms against it. It was signed by President Jimmy Carter in 1980 and Bill Clinton made an attempt to get it ratified in 1996, but no one rallied to support it except the Clintonista feminists.

The notion is downright ridiculous that American women (the most fortunate class of people who ever lived) should submit to a treaty that dictates uniform rules for 130 other nations (all of which treat women worse than the United States). But the whining feminists induce some men to do foolish things, and endorsing this terrible treaty is one of the most foolish.

Ratification of CEDAW would be craven kowtowing to the radical feminists, exceeded only by the treaty's unlimited capacity for legal mischief. It would be a massive interference with U.S. laws as well as with our federal-state balance of powers.

Even Edmund S. Muskie, when he was Secretary of State, admitted that this treaty applies "to private organizations and areas of personal conduct not covered by U.S. law." His memo said that the treaty completely fails to take into account "the division of authority between the state and federal governments in the United States."

Article 1 purports to abolish discrimination against women "in the political, economic, social, cultural, civil or any other field." "Other fields"? Private relationships should be none of our government's business, much less the business of the United Nations.

Article 2 reiterates that the treaty would "eliminate discrimination against women by any person, organization or enterprise," including "customs and practices" as well as all "public institutions." This would include mandating the longtime feminist goal of a gender-neutral military.

Article 3 would require us to pass new federal laws not only in political but also in "social, economic and cultural fields." Article 5 would require us "to modify the social and cultural patterns of conduct of men and women" and to give assurances that we are following United Nations dictates about "family education."

Article 10 would make it a federal responsibility to ensure "the elimination of any stereotyped concept of the roles of men and women at all levels and in all forms of education . . . by the revision of textbooks and . . . teaching methods." The UN would be authorized to revise our textbooks to conform to feminist ideology and semantics.

Article 11 would chain us to the feminist goal that wages should be paid on subjective notions of "equal value" (i.e., the discredited notion of "comparable worth") rather than on objective standards of equal work. It would also require another long-time feminist goal, a federal "network of child-care facilities."

Article 16 would require us to allow women "to decide freely and responsibly on the number and spacing of their children." This is feminist jargon to lock the United States into a perpetual treaty obligation to allow abortions at any time for any reason.

On the other hand, this language would not protect Chinese women victimized by their government's policy of forced abortions. China takes the position that it is not "responsible" for a woman to bear more than one child.

Article 16 also levels a broadside attack on states' rights. It would obligate the federal government to take over all family law, including marriage, divorce, child custody, and property.

To monitor U.S. "progress" (i.e., compliance) under this treaty, Article 17 sets up a committee of "23 experts." No doubt that means "experts" in feminist ideology, such as Hillary Clinton, Barbara Boxer and Patricia Schroeder.

CEDAW's international "experts" have already issued negative reports about the practices of countries that were rash enough to ratify the treaty. They criticized Ireland for "promoting a stereotypical view of the role of women in the home and as mothers," Belarus for "such symbols as a Mother's Day," Slovenia because "less than 30 percent of children under three years of age were in formal day care," and recommended "the decrimininalization of prostitution in China."

CEDAW would clearly diminish the rights and benefits American women now enjoy, as well as give extraordinary powers over U.S. laws to busybody global bureaucrats. We hope President Bush will unsign it just as he unsigned the International Criminal Court Treaty.


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Culture/Society; Extended News; Foreign Affairs; Government; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: cedaw; treaty; unitednations; unlist; womensrights
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1 posted on 05/23/2002 5:48:21 PM PDT by Asmodeus
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To: Asmodeus
Who needs these useless women and their policies? I'll continue to enjoy my time baking cookies and serving my husband.
2 posted on 05/23/2002 6:06:15 PM PDT by hsmomx3
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To: UN_List

UN_List: for United Nations articles. 

Other Bump Lists at: Free Republic Bump List Register

Don't forget:


3 posted on 05/23/2002 6:17:46 PM PDT by RippleFire
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To: Everyone
I guess that you are simply opposed to equality, right? The purpose of that treaty would be, obviously, to end discrimination against women, period. It likely isn't perfect, but why should it be turned down instantly? That there isn't sexist ideology in the U.S.A. is inarguable. What is the explanation for the fact that in its 225 year history, the United States of America has never had a female president? There are two solutions: The first is that women are discriminated against in the political arena. The other one is that women are somehow inferior to men. So, then, if one tries to argue that women are equal (a fairly socialist principle), then there is no other solution. End of the line. Of course, there are always women who will "continue to enjoy [their] time baking cookies and serving [their] husband[s]." Just like there will always be men who serve their wives, etc. etc. But that doesn't eliminate the need for equalization.
4 posted on 05/23/2002 6:21:18 PM PDT by thefunway
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To: thefunway
No woman has been a President for one reason: image. The President in war time has to appear to be a General Maximus or Emperor Marcus Auralieus, not a politician. Sword high, ordering the imperial army to the defense of the citizenry or Rome (or in our case America of course). A woman cannot do that no matter how butch she is. It is all about image. A female President who aggressively defends us against belligerent nations with sexist streaks a mile wide like China would be seen like a little dog snipping at the heels of the premiere. A Reagan or Lincoln figure commanding our military would scare the hell out of them. It has nothing to do with equality of ability, it has to do with equality of image (which doesn't exist in the real world).
5 posted on 05/23/2002 6:35:07 PM PDT by dheretic
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To: thefunway
The POINT is, newbie, that the UN has no place dictating a damn thing within the borders of the US. Women in the US have it better than women anywhere else on this planet. From your feminazi spewing I assume that you have never been outside the US to witness that. It will be a sad day when chivalry is outlawed - except maybe to someone such as yourself. You might as well accept the FACT that there are some things that men do better, and there are things that women do better than men. Usually, someone with your beliefs will demand that they be treated equally while working in a 'non-traditional' field for women - yet at the same time become incensed when a man won't hold the door for them or lift something heavy for them. Hypocrisy. If you want to be a man - I'm assuming you are female - then go have the surgery.
6 posted on 05/23/2002 6:43:32 PM PDT by 11B3
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To: Asmodeus
Let's hear it for the State Dept. /sarcasm

They support terrorists. They stab President Bush in the back.

And to this day, they attack researchers in alternative energy in the US.

Why are these people overriding US security?

7 posted on 05/23/2002 6:46:31 PM PDT by Diogenesis
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To: Asmodeus

GLOBAL FEMINISTS
HIJACK AFGHANISTAN

Laura Bush celebrates International Women's Day at UN


8 posted on 05/23/2002 6:50:43 PM PDT by Tailgunner Joe
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To: thefunway
I guess that you are simply opposed to equality, right? The purpose of that treaty would be, obviously, to end discrimination against women, period. It likely isn't perfect, but why should it be turned down instantly? That there isn't sexist ideology in the U.S.A. is inarguable. What is the explanation for the fact that in its 225 year history, the United States of America has never had a female president? There are two solutions: The first is that women are discriminated against in the political arena. The other one is that women are somehow inferior to men. So, then, if one tries to argue that women are equal (a fairly socialist principle), then there is no other solution. End of the line. Of course, there are always women who will "continue to enjoy [their] time baking cookies and serving [their] husband[s]." Just like there will always be men who serve their wives, etc. etc. But that doesn't eliminate the need for equalization.

ANYTHING that comes from the UN is BAD FOR AMERICA!!

9 posted on 05/23/2002 7:13:28 PM PDT by sugar_puddin
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To: thefunway
,,, first the UN will set the ground rules. Next it will dress every woman in grey suits like Chairman Mao wore. Last, they'll match you with an appropriate partner. Oh, almost forgot to mention, they won't really care how long it will take to achieve all this, because they'll never have to fund it. The US and other nations keep contributing to all this utter crap. The ideology and the fanatics driving it want to ensure that one way or another, feminism is going to work and work by any means at any cost, even though it's climbing on to it's death bed now - hence all the talk about dragging this desperate, sad concept out of the toilet again. Under the UN's wisdom, it will be a system that owns women, lock, stock and lipstick. Welcome the treaty, get wrapped in cotton wool by it and work out before too long you'll be confined by it.
10 posted on 05/23/2002 7:43:46 PM PDT by shaggy eel
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To: thefunway
thefunway member since May 9th, 2002
 
Send Letter Find in Forum

11 posted on 05/23/2002 8:10:08 PM PDT by Paleo Conservative
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To: Ms. AntiFeminazi
ping
12 posted on 05/23/2002 8:12:36 PM PDT by hammerdown
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To: thefunway
What is the explanation for the fact that in its 225 year history, the United States of America has never had a female president?

Because a woman has never been lawfully elected? There had not been a non-Protestant President until Kennedy in 1960. For what it's worth, I believe a woman will be elected President before very long. Perhaps as early as 2004. See message #7 in this thread for my reasoning.

The first is that women are discriminated against in the political arena.

Let's see. My representive is Lois Capps. Before that, it was Andrea Seastrand. My Senators are Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein. That sure doesn't look like discrimination to me (I did not vote for the liberal Democrats, but I did vote for Seastrand). For an example of real discrimination, look at Hillary!'s Senatorial election in New York. The loser who ran against her didn't attack her as he properly should have because she was a woman.

The other one is that women are somehow inferior to men.

I don't think you'll find anyone in this forum who believes that.

But that doesn't eliminate the need for equalization.

You obviously have never been outside the United States. If you would like to be equalized to the level of Japanese women, for example, go ahead. No one here will stop you.

13 posted on 05/23/2002 8:56:03 PM PDT by altair
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To: Asmodeus, hsmomx3, UN_List, RippleFire, dheretic, 11B3, Diogenesis, Tailgunner Joe, sugar_puddin,
We need a new Consitutional ammendment that would put a time limit for the ratification of any treaty signed by the President of the United states similar to the time limits placed on the ratification of Constitutional ammendments. Here is my proposed text.

1. If a treaty that has been signed by the President of the United States has not been ratified by the United States Senate within a period of seven years from the date it was signed by the President, such signature shall be considered null and void.

2. All signatures on outstanding treaties not ratified at the time of adoption of this ammendment will be considered null and void if they have not been ratified by seven years after this ammendment is ratified.

3. The article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by conventions in the several States, as provided in the Constitution, within seven years from the date of the submission hereof to the States by the Congress.

This ammendment would prevent a lot of mischief by future presidents. If it were adopted, President Bush would not even need to unsign this treaty. It would die from neglect.

14 posted on 05/23/2002 8:56:55 PM PDT by Paleo Conservative
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To: Paleo Conservative
Make it the end of said Presidents term in office,
and it looks even better to me.
The maximum would be relativly the same and,
it would not be available to the successor of 'one-offs'.
15 posted on 05/23/2002 9:16:51 PM PDT by hammerdown
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To: AnnaZ; HangFire; incindiary; brat; vetwife; Askel5; MissAmericanPie; keep U.S. Sovereign...
anti-UN bump
16 posted on 05/23/2002 9:32:50 PM PDT by lowbridge
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To: thefunway
LOL. I dont need nor do I want the UN anywhere near me.I can preserve my rights quite handily with a 38.

While I dont sit home and bake cookies, I have the choice to do so or not.Choice is what freedom is all about. For men and women.With choice comes responcibility.You cant have one without the other.

Respect is earned, as is revulsion.I find it revolting that the womens movement has been hijacked by the "elitists" who have no conception of what most women want or need.MOST women want men.Whether you believe the design is nature or nuture is irrelevant.Women are different from men.The majority of humanity truly appreciates and really enjoys this fact.In western civilizations, we are still struggling to adapt to the incredible advances in technology and education we have created which have tended to blur the biological imperatives, and immature people of both sexes tend to seek simplistic answers as to what role they should play in our society. In eastern civilizations, these advances are really just being found out about.No society reacts nicely when change is immediate.Especially a change of this magnitude.

Unfortunately,those who want power more than happiness see the differences between the sexes as an opportunity to continue conflict and maintain controll.

The rest of humanity desire partners of the opposite sex. Actively seek them in fact.The basic design is unchanged.

I hope the shrill voices of unhappy power seekers, equally distributed between the sexes, will mute as the rest of us muddle our way through the 21st century and hopefully find our longed for partners in the process.

17 posted on 05/23/2002 9:36:44 PM PDT by sarasmom
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To: sarasmom
I can preserve my rights quite handily with a 38.

The UN also wants your 38.

18 posted on 05/23/2002 9:38:55 PM PDT by Paleo Conservative
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To: Paleo Conservative
I know.;^)

Which is why I advocate getting the US out of the UN and the UN out of the US.I firmly believe the world as a whole would be better served.

19 posted on 05/23/2002 10:14:58 PM PDT by sarasmom
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To: HAMMERDOWN
Make it the end of said Presidents term in office, and it looks even better to me.
The maximum would be relativly the same and, it would not be available to the successor of 'one-offs'.

I agree. If it's not resolved within that President's term, it would become void.

20 posted on 05/23/2002 10:26:30 PM PDT by sugar_puddin
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