The American Spectator

Yesterday, the United Nations Educational, Scientific & Cultural Organization (UNESCO) announced it would recognize “Palestine” as a full member of its organization.

To its credit, The State Department promptly announced it would suspend U.S. funding of UNESCO. However, I think we should withdraw from UNESCO altogether.

Yet I would remiss if I didn’t mention it was President George W. Bush who brought us back into UNESCO in 2002 after President Reagan withdrew U.S. support in 1984. Reagan was critical of its agenda which was hostile to free markets and a free press as well as for its bloated bureaucracy. It is worth noting that Bush made that announcement during his speech to the UN General Assembly which is primarily remembered for his case for military intervention in Iraq. “This organization has been reformed, and America will participate fully in its mission to advance human rights, tolerance, and learning,” said Bush.

I don’t often find myself in agreement with Ron Paul but he gets it right when it comes to UNESCO although he gets it terribly wrong when it comes to the Palestinians.

UPDATE: Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs John Baird said “we are not happy with this decision, so we are in the midst of looking at our future participation.”