Why not, USA?

There are somethings I don't understand about my country.  For example, why our country and Somalia are the only countries in the world to not ratify the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.   As if it wasn't bad enough to be in the same category as Somalia.  Now Somalia has announced they will soon ratify the bill.  Great.  Here's the response from Ian Kelly, US State Dept. Spokesperson on Mon. November 23, 2009:


QUESTION: Somalia announced that it’s going to join the Convention on the Rights of the Child. And if they do so, the United States is going to be the only country that hasn’t ratified the treaty. So I’m wondering what’s the position of this Administration on that treaty?

MR. KELLY: I’ll have to find out.

QUESTION: Could you take –

MR. KELLY: That’s a taken question.

QUESTION: Yeah. Can you do a similar on the landmine treaty? There’s going to be the conference in Cartagena next week.

MR. KELLY: Yeah, that’s right.

QUESTION: And what’s the U.S. –

MR. KELLY: We actually have some guidance on that. I can’t recall it off the top of my head.

QUESTION: You don’t have it with you?

MR. KELLY: No, I’m afraid not. But we do have guidance on that that we can send out to you, yeah.

I guess this issue didn't make it to the top of the list in things you bring with you to the press briefing.  But seriously, why not, USA?  Why do we not want to protect the rights of children from capital punishment, military involvement, pornography, and prostitution?  Don't we agree that children have rights and must be protected from abuse and exploitation?

Well, I do.  And I hope the USA (lone super-power and defender of democracy, freedom and justice...maybe a hint of sarcasm) will also come on board (like it should have in the 1990s) to support and ratify this bill.  Come on Obama!

And while we are at, let's also review the Ottawa Treaty (to ban land mines) and consider joining the International Criminal Court (ICC).