Chris
>>Isn't it more appropriate in this case to say that the police have warned him 18 times not to beat his wife, he days that he doesn't, and the police get evidence over 12 years that he does?
No, this would imply that the Police (UN) have status, power and competence. You've already told us that the UN is full of bludgers and even some French, so your analogy fails. How about -
>>The Automobile Association has warned him 18 times not to beat his wife, he says that he doesn't, and now the Hari Krishnas have invaded his house because they got visions of a pit to hell during a smoking session.<<
"... They ne'er cared for us
yet: suffer us to famish, and their store-houses
crammed with grain; make edicts for usury, to
support usurers; repeal daily any wholesome act
established against the rich, and provide more
piercing statutes daily, to chain up and restrain
the poor. If the wars eat us not up, they will; and
there's all the love they bear us."
-- Shakespeare: Coriolanus, Act 1, scene 1
