…and the smallest dog in the yard just told the biggest to get the hell out of the way!

In a hushed conference hall, as envoys from 186 nations looked on, the world’s lone superpower took a tongue-lashing from its most powerless, nation after poor nation assailing the U.S. ”no” on the document at hand. Then the delegate from Papua New Guinea leaned into his microphone.

”We seek your leadership,” Kevin Conrad told the Americans. ”But if for some reason you are not willing to lead, leave it to the rest of us. Please get out of the way.”

It was after this remark at the U.N. climate conference in Bali that the conference hall erupted into applause. Which just goes to show, sometimes being the most powerful nation in the world- doesn’t mean we’ll be the most loved (no shit).

As point after point was raised, and the U.S. shot down participation in each new proposition, the boos just kept coming. For example-

India sought to amend the document to strengthen requirements for richer nations to help poorer with technology to limit emissions and adapt to climate change’s impacts.

Dobriansky objected. ”We are not prepared to accept this formulation,” she said, setting off loud, long boos in the hall.

Next, delegate after delegate took aim at the United States. Dobriansky’s intervention was ”most unwelcome and without any basis,” the South African said. ”We would like to beg them” to relent, the Ugandan said. Then Conrad delivered his sharp rebuke of U.S. ”leadership.”

Ouch, seems like we just couldn’t get any love. Did no one have our backs?

America’s isolation was complete. No one spoke in support. And Dobriansky capitulated, withdrawing the U.S. objection, to general applause.

She later told reporters the delegation dropped its opposition because it was reassured that developing nations would make a contribution to emissions reductions under the Bali Roadmap.

Hans Verolme, World Wildlife Fund climate campaigner, offered a different interpretation. ”We have learned a historical lesson: if you expose to the world the dealings of the United States, they will ultimately back down,” he said.

Ultimately back down? Don’t let the terrorists get wind of that.

As more talks are scheduled for the coming years, it’s widely hoped that our next President’s administration will be more keen to working with the rest of the world when it comes to issues of climate and global well-being.

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