WHILE OUR LEFT SLEEPWALKS, THE UN WANTS TO CONTROL OUR SPEECH

The biggest threat to our country by far, is the current French led UN effort to control all cultural output from every country. And this will pass, make no mistake.

international treaty is expected to be adopted that will "protect" the planet's "cultural diversity." Who could oppose something that sounds so noble? Not much diversity on that point: 190 governments love the idea, leaving only one--dubbed "arrogant," "misinformed," "obstructionist"--in dissent. No prize for guessing to whom we're referring.

America's honeymoon at the U.N.'s culture arm didn't last long. Two years ago, Laura Bush raised the Stars and Stripes at the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization after a 19-year boycott prompted by rampant--even by U.N. standards--corruption and anti-Americanism. The U.S. came back into the fold, picking up the tab for nearly a quarter of the agency's budget. But then came the "Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions."

Lest you doubt, even for a moment, that the world wants to control our press, our literature, our movies, and all our art and expression, consider that the French and Canadians are the ones hustling this obscenity.

Unesco members are seeking legal cover to block, or undermine competition from, a variety of U.S. imports--from books and magazines to TV shows and movies. In many cases protecting diversity will mean nothing more lofty or original than insulating domestic industries from competition or boosting censorship. Phrases such as "regulatory measures" and "public financial assistance" translate as trade barriers and government subsidies--all kosher when it comes to "nurturing and supporting" artists.

France championed this bit of international lawmaking, with the main supporting role played by Canada's prickly cultural capos. Once 30 nations ratify the treaty, France will have an official U.N. seal of approval to keep subsidizing its film industry, and Canada will have permission to block American magazine imports.

Go over there and read the whole thing.