In a bizarre speech given in New York City amid the controversial celebrations, the UN boss even went perilously close to deifying the scandal-plagued organization he leads, claiming it brings hope, peace, security, and sustenance to the world. He also said humanity has a duty to unite behind the UN and its blue flag. The dangerous implications of turning the dictator-dominated UN into a global parliament, though, were left unaddressed.

The extremist remarks from the UN chief came ahead of the UN's global celebration of UN Day on October 24. This year, the festivities saw hundreds of monuments — ranging from Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro and the Great Wall of China to the Empire State Building in New York City — turned "UN Blue" as part of a "turn the world UN Blue" gimmick. The theme of this year's anniversary: "Strong UN. Better World." Various UN leaders, dictators, and government officials also praised the UN and its efforts. Obama, a staunch UN proponent, joined in, too, issuing a "presidential proclamation" urging all 50 governors and "officials of all other areas under the flag of the United States" to "observe United Nations Day with appropriate ceremonies and activities." He also called on everyone to "summon the spirit of unity and cooperation at the heart of the United Nations Charter."