A reader writes:
To WVWNews;
I knew it was only a matter of time that this got brought up again. Former President Bush tried to gain support in Senate for the LOST Treaty and failed. So it is not surprising with Obama and a Democrat majority that this sovereignty-eating monster is back with full force. Law of the Sea Treaty (LOST) spells the end of US sovereignty!
I have already written my Senators with the following letter as to why they should OPPOSE IT. Feel free to help yourself.
Letter: “The U.S. Senate is to ratify the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, otherwise known as the Law of the Sea Treaty (LOST), as soon as possible. I urge you to vote against LOST, for the following reasons:
1) National sovereignty: The treaty limits U.S. legal authority by granting power to a U.N.-created agency with its own court and bureaucracy, as part of a general expansion of international power. Ultimately, treaty-based laws could be enforced against the United States.
2) National security: The treaty limits U.S. military activities especially relevant to anti-terror operations, such as intelligence collection and submerged travel in coastal waters (Articles 19, 20) and the boarding of foreign-flag ships on the high seas (Art. 110). Other provisions such as Articles 88 and 301 limit the sea to “peaceful purposes,” which is said to restrict all military operations.
3) Navigation rights: One of the treaty’s main selling points, legally recognized navigation rights on, over, and under straits, is unnecessary because these rights are not currently threatened.
4) Redistribution of wealth: The treaty would force U.S. corporations to pay taxes to the United Nations, further increasing the U.N.’s power.
5) Redistribution of technology: The treaty would force U.S. businesses to turn over economically and militarily relevant technology to other countries.
Faux News reported on it: http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/03/12/lost-found-senate-moves-ratification-un-treaty/