short circuit

i read this article that was in the ny times yesterday. it discusses how the current administration is pressuring countries to sign an immunity agreement that would protect americans from the international criminal court in the hague, meant for teh prosecution of extreme crimes. for countries that refuse to sign teh agreement, cuts have occured inthe area of military and security support, but, more recently, cuts have been approved "in social and health-care programs, like AIDS education and peacekeeping, refugee assistance and judicial reforms". its the actions like this, and the disrespect for the UN that make me wonder about how the country sees itself. the world has shrunk a great deal, and its dangerous to exert so much pressure and to make so many enemies. something like the international criminal court has an important place, and if our country at some point does not hold people accountable for horrific actions then an appropriate mechanism should be to hold them accountable in the international arena.