Please tell me this is some kind of bad dream and we’re all going to wake up soon.

Scene 1: The UN committee planning the Durban-2 pro-racism - I mean “anti-racism” - conference. Libya chairs the committee, Iran is the vice-chair, Cuba, the rapporteur, and Russia is presiding. The plan is designed to ensure that the conference limits free speech, bashes Israel and enshrines Muslims as the world’s only and perpetual victims.

The US representative stands to propose amendments. Is the speech a thunderous denunciation of dictatorship and a defense of liberty? Not exactly. Here is the key sentence: “I hate to be the cause of unhappiness in the room... I have to suggest [amendments] and I offer my sincere apologies.”