Gothamist

A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.

Gothamist

WNYC Listen Live

Donate

 

 

News

Something Crazy For Everyone In Gadhafi U.N. Speech


By

John Kuhner

Published Sep 23, 2009

Modified Sep 24, 2009


Share

FacebookTwitterRedditEmail


Never miss a story

 Email address

By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .


By

John Kuhner

Published Sep 23, 2009

Modified Sep 24, 2009


Share

FacebookTwitterRedditEmail


We rely on your support to make local news available to all

Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations

Moammer Gadhafi called for the dissolution of the U.N. Security Council and investigations into the murders of John F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King during an address at the United Nations today, offering bones to both right- and left-wing nuts all over the world.

Mixing good sense in with craziness like all the non compos mentis, Gadhafi also gave a critique of the U.N. and told them to stay out of countries' internal affairs, noting that ancient Romans had the right to grant dictatorial powers to certain men in the event of emergency.

Standing for 90 minutes in front of the General Assembly and rambling with no prepared speech, Gadhafi instead paged through a copy of the U.N. Charter, offering his reflections interspersed with long pauses as he read through the material (see the priceless video).

After noting how much he approved of the preamble, he went on to say: "No one is objecting to the preamble, but everything that came after that is contradiction of the preamble. The preamble says the nations are equal whether they are small or big. Are we equal in permanent seats? No, we're not equals," referring to the fact that the five victors of World War II hold permanent vetos in the Security Council.

He also noted that 65 wars have taken place since the creation of the Security Council, calling it the "terrorism council" and wondering why the entire continent of Africa had no seat on it, reproved U.S. wars in Korea, Vietnam, and Grenada, said Obama was a "son of Africa" and the world would be happy for him to be president forever, condemned Abu Ghraib and the hanging of Saddam Hussein, said "perhaps America will be targeted again, perhaps by a rocket and tons of heads of state will die," and called for global unity in confronting climate change and food shortages. Funny. We've heard people say all of these things at NYC cocktail parties.

Tagged

gadhafi

JFK

martin luther king

security council

UN


John Kuhner

Read more

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


MORE news

Why New Yorkers should care about bats beyond spooky season

As Bat Week begins, state wildlife officials urge New Yorkers to protect bats, which play an important role in the environment.

By

Catalina Gonella

Published Oct 25, 2026 at 6:44 p.m. ET


Serbians forced to wait hours to vote at NYC consulate as Balkan nation holds election

Early voting may have kicked off in New York this weekend, but Serbian immigrants seeking to vote had a much tighter window on Sunday.

By

Jill Webb

and

Michael Sol Warren

News

Serbians forced to wait hours to vote at NYC consulate as Balkan nation holds election

Early voting may have kicked off in New York this weekend, but Serbian immigrants seeking to vote had a much tighter window on Sunday.

By

Jill Webb

and

Michael Sol Warren


Retired NYPD detective charged in George Washington Bridge killing out on $1M bail

By

Michael Sol Warren

Suicides decline in NYC, but inequities persist across groups

By

Jill Webb

Cuts to rural healthcare become key issue for upstate votes in race for NY governor

By

Samuel King


Never miss a story

Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.

Sign upEmail address

By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .