U.N. English

Okay, it gets some credit.

If the UN intends to be the global equivalent of democracy, then an American saying that "the UN is a nice idea that doesn't work in real life" could be analogous to a powerful landowner saying that "democracy is a nice idea that doesn't work in real life".

Democracy doesn't work in real life, except on a very small scale. At the national or supranational level, you have indirect representation -- similar, but not the same thing.

I don't think the UN really "intends" to be the global equivalent of democracy, anyway. It's very much a representative model, and when a small number of -- let's face it -- "powerful" countries on the Security Council can override all other votes, it becomes even less democratic in nature.

<Okay, it gets some credit.>

And you get the oscar

...I'd like to thank the Academy, my parents, my manager, my lawyers, my personal stylist, my personal trainer, my accountant, Giorgio who does my hair on alternate Sundays -- oh, yeah, and the director, whatsisface....