Former President Jimmy Carter is free to meet with Hamas if he chooses, which he has during his controversial visit to the Middle East. “I think it is absolutely crucial that in the final and dreamed-about and prayed-for peace agreement for this region that Hamas be involved and Syria will be involved,” Carter said. But the fact that Carter was largely snubbed by Israel’s top leaders undermines his efforts. Quite a fall from grace for the man who, as U.S. president in 1979, brokered Israel’s first peace deal with an Arab country, Egypt.
A Washington Post editorial argues that Carter is wrong to “publicly and unconditionally grant recognition and political sanction to a leader or a group that advocates terrorism, mass murder or the extinction of another state.”
71 Comments
His heart’s in the right place, even if his brain isn’t.
The current government of Israel is an outgrowth of the Stern Gang which was an international terrorist organization. That does not change its legitimacy today as the government of Israel. Since there is no other ‘government’ in any sort of power in any of Palestine it would seem that we have to deal with Hamas, as distasteful as that might be.
The supposed Abbas ‘government’ does not control one square inch of territory, it exists only at the pleasure of Israel.
At least he has a working brain that hasn’t slammed closed. He is a true and brave patriot.
But if Carter were to meet with a leader who led the Sabra and Shatila massacre and led a political party in Israel that advocates torture and genocide then that would be okay.
It would also be okay if Carter met with Sein Finn, another political party that engaged in terrorism.
But it’s quite fashionable to hate Arabs these days and we must hate who the press tells us to hate.
Carter’s problem is that he’s, y’know, a Christian. A real Christian. Someone who believes in Christ and the stuff He actually taught.
For a nation that struts that it “would never negotiate with terrorists,” Carter steps up and turns the other cheek.
Because “Terroism” s a tactic, not an enemy. People don’t resort to terrorism unless they’re desperate… at the end of their rope.
Suicidal terrorists, by definition, have nothing more to live for.
Perhaps, just maybe, getting people to sit down and talk about the problem is a better way to approach the problem than shooting at one another.
Too bad about GMC.
Both his heart and his brain are in the wrong place.
Let’s see, who was once the “most wanted terrorist” on the British intelligence list?
Menacham Begin, future Prime Minister of the Zionist entity, for blowing up the King David Hotel.
Heigh ho.
You must remember that Jimmy Carter is not what he seems. He is a one worlder through and through. His every move and thought is controlled by the globalist elite. Don’t be fooled by his Sunday school teacher, good ole boy, country bumpkin persona. He is firmly committed to a one world government, even if he must destroy his own country to achieve it. Always look beyond what the media says about Jimmy Carter and figure out what the new world order folks stand to gain from his actions (ie: weakening or destroying Israel by legitimizing a terrorist organization like Hamas) and you will be on the right track to figuring out what he’s really up to.
“His every move and thought is controlled by the globalist elite.”
Yes, the global elite whispered in Carter’s ear, “Tell them to turn down the thermostat and put on a sweater.”
Now that the loony fringe has spoken let’s move on.
I agree with GMC’s assessment.
Former Presidents are that, former Presidents. They no longer represent the current status and policies of a country.
They are not briefed on State Department hearings, nor hear the latest intelligence.
What President Carter is doing might be classified as noble, but in real terms it is reckless as he becomes a tool of propaganda for the very groups he wishes to help.
Being part of a propaganda is not a good thing, because it means that in the future one’s evaluation and good will can be totally re-interpreted and used in exact opposite of what was intended.
I wish President Carter good luck, but what he is doing is very unwise.
What he’s doing is very unsafe, but not unwise. I do not think it fair that whoever in the WH can classify one group or another as terrorist. Especially when one is just as blood thirsty as the other.
If Carter was an ordinary citizen, he’d be renditioned. It’s good to have a Statesman take on the corrupt govt.
Regular - I don’t think that Carter ever said or impled that he was in any way representing the Bush administration.
“I don’t think that Carter ever said or impled that he was in any way representing the Bush administration.”
I don’t think that he would WANT to represent the Bush Admin.
Frank Gaffney | April 15, 2008
“Jimmy Carter’s pathetic need for political rehabilitation following a presidency widely regarded as one of the worst in American history is once again making news. He reportedly will meet this week with Khaled Mashaal, the Syrian-based leader of the Muslim Brotherhood’s Palestinian arm, Hamas – an internationally recognized terrorist organization.
Mr. Carter maintains this is no big deal since he has met with Hamas officials before. Indeed, in keeping with his Carter Center’s self-appointed status as global election monitor, the former president did officiate in January 2006 when the Brotherhood’s terrorists defeated those of Fatah led by Yasser Arafat’s longtime crony, Mahmoud Abbas.
In point of fact, it seems there is scarcely a serious bad actor on the planet with whom Jimmy Carter has not met. He is a serial tyrant-enabler, the very personification of Rodney King’s risible appeal, “Can’t we all get along?” Mr. Carter has come to epitomize the notion that “dialogue” is always in order, no matter how odious or dangerous the interlocutor – or the extent to which they or their agendas will benefit from such interactions.
As Barak Obama (whom Carter has all but endorsed) is as wedded as the former President to the idea of condition-free dialogue with tyrants, it is worth reflecting on just a few of the many example’s of how this Carteresque practice has produced disastrous results:
In 1979, then-President Carter undermined the Shah of Iran and made possible the Ayatollah Khomeini’s return to Iran and subsequent Islamic revolution. Although the uber-mullah returned the favor with the sacking of Embassy Tehran and seizure of its personnel that assured Carter’s would be a one-term presidency, the regime thus born has ever since been a blight on its own people and a state-sponsor of terror and nuclear wannabe that represents an ever-growing menace to its region and the world.
In 1994, Citizen Carter made a mission to Pyongyang at a time when then-President Bill Clinton was first confronting evidence of North Korea’s illegal pursuit of nuclear weapons. The former president’s intervention gave rise to a deal that lent invaluable prestige to the regime, perpetuated its hold on power and utterly failed to preclude the North’s acquisition of a nuclear arsenal.
In 2004, Jimmy Carter ignored abundant evidence of official vote-rigging and election fraud in a Venezuelan referendum, handing victory to Hugo Chavez and clearing the way for the most destabilizing accretion of power in the Western hemisphere since Fidel Castro’s communist revolution in Cuba – a model and inspiration for Chavez.
In short, thanks in no small measure to Jimmy Carter’s proclivities and meddling, the world is a considerably more dangerous place. Following his lead now will make it more so, for three reasons:
First and foremost, “talking” to tyrants legitimates them. Dictators go to great lengths to conjur up the perception of authority and permanence. They are particularly anxious to do so for domestic consumption, to ensure their continued rule. To the extent that outsiders recognize, to say nothing of embrace, them, it enhances their stature at home and validates their misconduct on the world stage.
Second, such efforts generally have the effect of emboldening these thugs. After all, they are being rewarded for bad behavior. The result is predictable: even worse behavior. That can mean redoubled efforts to: acquire nuclear weapons, destabilize their neighbors, raise the price of oil and engage in other activities inimical to U.S. interests.
Third, it is ironic but true that – even as Carter-style enabling of tyrants makes matters worse – it typically encourages in this country the impression that vexing problems with those regimes have been made more tractable. Diplomatic placeboes reduce the perceived need and popular support for more effective, albeit more difficult, alternatives.
It is instructive that even an Israeli government known for appeasing terrorists has finally had it with Jimmy Carter. Israel’s ceremonial head of state, President Shimon Peres, met with him Sunday for the purpose of publicly denouncing Carter’s “activities over the last few years [that have] caused great damage to Israel and the peace process.” Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and his foreign and defense ministers have gone so far as to decline requested meetings with Carter.
The one possible up-side of the latest instance of tyrant-enabling by Jimmy Carter is that it puts in sharp relief an issue that should feature prominently in the 2008 U.S. elections: Do we want to entrust the job of commander-in-chief to someone who believes, as Mr. Carter does, that dialogue with our sworn enemies – notably, Iran, and its vassal, Syria – is a good and necessary step?
This is, of course, the oft-repeated position of Barak Obama and other Democratic opponents of the effort to secure victory in Iraq. Is it the view though of what the former condescendingly calls “ordinary” Americans, people who have generally shown more common sense than the likes of Messrs. Carter and Obama?
In the final analysis, Jimmy Carter will be best remembered by history as a man whose time in and out of high public office was almost unblemished by success. Notwithstanding a Nobel Peace Prize (given by an awards committee avowedly anxious to rebuke President Bush) and assorted good works on behalf of Habitat for Humanity, his role as a tyrant-enabler will be an object of scorn and derision rather than the vindication he so transparently, and desperately, seeks.”
Of course we will remember the gas lines, double-digit inflation, and unemployment thanks to the peanut farmer. And of course that nasty Billy Beer.
I wouldn’t want to be linked to Daley either . . .
Oops! He’s a distant relative… Guess I won’t be running for office, either. What a shame.
I seem to remember the gas lines under Nixon. Bad memory?
In the final analysis, Jimmy Carter will be best remembered by history as a man whose time in and out of high public office was almost unblemished by success
I had to chuckle after that statement Amway.
#
Predestined
Posted April 18, 2008 at 4:36 pm | Permalink
I seem to remember the gas lines under Nixon. Bad memory?
—————
Ford I believe
“…wrong to “publicly and unconditionally grant recognition and political sanction to a leader or a group that advocates terrorism, mass murder or the extinction of another state.”
Sounds like someone who lives in a white house…
The guy ought to go home and take care of his peanut farm. What a nut!!
I agree with your post there AmWay. Carter is pathetic. He’s another Jane Fonda.
The best line:
“In the final analysis, Jimmy Carter will be best remembered by history as a man whose time in and out of high public office was almost unblemished by success.”
Not even his heart is in the right place.
Carter’s actions are more pathetic now than they were when he was in office. That’s a good trick too.
All Jimmy Carter is doing, unwisely so, is bringing legitimacy to Hamas and embarrassing ths USA.
Why can’t Israel be left in peace?
Prophecy says otherwise, for one.
But from an earthly perspective, it makes you wonder why the nations of predominantly Islamic believers in the Middle East Region, which have 90 to 95% control of that region, have to have the remaining 5 - 10% of it(Israel).
No, suicide bombers and rocket attacks is their answer to the problem and becoming Martyrs for Allah.
American, it’s like the Socialists on this blog.
Until they have 100% complete Income AND Asset redistribution of wealth in America, they won’t be happy.
They will keep pushing until the Conservatives tell them to Go To Hades, or until they are able to Steal, thru Government, all the Assets and Income of those who have more then they do.
Until the Arabs have 100% of the precious sand of the mid-east, they won’t be happy. They look forward to stealing the assets $$$ of Israel too. And they HATE anyone who isn’t like themselves. The Arabs you see, are Democrats.
“Why can’t Israel be left in peace?”
There will not be peace in the Middle East until there is a Palestinian homeland, separate and equal to Israel.
“have to have the remaining 5 - 10% of it(Israel)”
Israel was given to the Jews by the UN in 1948 out of guilt over the Holocaust, without regard for the Palestinians.
The land has been fought over for years, but until 1948, there was no official resolution.
Part of Israel includes Jerusalem, a Holy City for three religions. While the Israelis are willing to “share” with Christians, they make no such accommodations for Muslims.
“The Arabs you see, are Democrats.”
That is a stupid comment, Groblix, even for you.
“is bringing legitimacy to Hamas and embarrassing ths USA.”
Hamas is the legitimately elected representative government of the Palestinian territories. I thought the US was all for “spreading democracy.”
I guess we are for democracy as long as you elect who we want you to.
Ya, Venezuela and Russia are democracies too!
cough
cough
Having a “Palestinian state” won’t satisfy anything or anybody.
The Islamic move to push Israel into the Mediterranean will not cease.
I believe that the biblical prophecy about today’s site where the Islamic Mosque (Dome of the Rock) sits (the former Temple of Israel) will be come to pass.
Th UN didn’t give the the land to Israel, it was prophecied by God, and God gave it to them.
“Ya, Venezuela and Russia are democracies too!”
Are you suggesting that the elections in the territories were not legitimate, Grobnix?
As for Russia - ask Bush about Putin - he looked into his eyes and saw his soul.
And Venezuela? The Bush Administration turned Chavez into an enemy when they tried to overthrow his democratically elected government with a military coup. That lasted about three days until the people rose up and reinstalled Chavez to power.
Like I said, be careful what you wish for - people may not elect the folks you want.
“Th UN didn’t give the the land to Israel, it was prophecied by God, and God gave it to them.”
God gave it to them…………………….
No point in discussing this matter with you.
End of debate.
Strange how easily he whitewashes the Nazi teachings of the Palestinians in their schools and in their government. Strange how he neglects how the Palestinians have killed or maimed people who worked besides Jews. Strange how he supports the rights of Arabs to live side-by-side Jews in Israel while he supports the removal of every Jew from the “territories”. Strange how he doesn’t say much about the daily onslaught of rockets from Gaza that the Palestinians fire each day and how Hamas says they will eventually wipe Israel off the map….
Not given over Guilt
The idea of creating Israel goes back to the late 1800s and early 1900s, especially under some British leaders. P-L-E-A-S-E read the book, “From Time Immemorial,” written by Joan Peters, published 1984, J. KAP publishing, ISBN 0-9636242-0-2. But even if you or others do not believe this book, it is hard or even impossible to disregard the evidence and writings from the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires and other early and late Arab cultures and sources in this region over the many centuries of the past that talked about Jews living in Eretz Israel.
“I seem to remember the gas lines under Nixon. Bad memory?”
Predestined, your memory is o.k.. The first oil crisis followed the Yom Kippur War/Israeli/Arab War. “the 1973-74 “oil shock” with its mile-long gas lines..” President Nixon 1969-1974.
“The 1979 (or second) oil crisis in the United States occurred in the wake of the Iranian Revolution. Amid massive protests, the Shah of Iran, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, fled his country in early 1979, allowing Ayatollah Khomeini to gain control. The protests shattered the Iranian oil sector. While the new regime resumed oil exports, it was inconsistent and at a lower volume, forcing prices to go up. Saudi Arabia and other OPEC nations, under the presidency of Dr. Mana Alotaiba increased production to offset the decline, and the overall loss in production was about 4 percent. However, a widespread panic resulted, driving the price far higher than would be expected under normal circumstances. In the United States, the Carter administration instituted price controls.” wikipedia
“Drivers waited hours to fill up their cars, often in lines hundreds of vehicles long. In the state of Maryland, governor Harry Hughes proposed an “odd-even” system of rationing, under which cars with oddnumbered licence plates could fill up on odd days, and cars with even-numbered plates did so on even days. It was bizarre, and it certainly wasn’t popular.” CATO.org
As a new driver, I remember 28 cent gas. Then the price hikes in 1973 really put a damper on my teenage budget.
There is no difference between the Jews and Palestinians..they’re all nuts.
We should have stayed out of that whole mess.
Speaking of Nixon..he was right when he said regarding the Middle East, “There is nothing we can do for those people, we need to leave them alone”.
Clark, you confuse “elections” with “free elections”.
There is no freedom in Venezuela or Russia. You have no freedom of speech or freedom of the press there, for one example.
Putin shut-down a Russian newspaper just today for publishing a report about an affair he is having.
Course, you Dems are NOT concerned with Freedom.
“Putin shut-down a Russian newspaper just today for publishing a report about an affair he is having.”
And who is Putin’s bestest Amerikan buddy - why none other than George “I see your soul” Bush.
“There is no freedom in Venezuela.”
The people of Venezuela would differ with you.
Clark you have Bush on the brain. You defend Putin and Chavez by attacking Bush?
Have another beer.
“You defend Putin”
I don’t defend Putin - Bush does that - I think Putin is a human, walking, talking POS.
As for Chavez - his people seem to like him and have elected him three (?) times.
So goes democracy……………………….. deal with it.
Clark,
You seem not to understand the concept of a democratic republic.
Maybe you should take a government class or something?
The Palestinian government having been taken over by a terrorist group (Hamas) because of an election does not a democracy make. Where are the checks and balances? If they want to win they just kill their opponents in the name of Allah.
Clark, Clark, Clark,
I seem to get the impression that you believe we should and and do live in a pure democracy, where everybody has an equal vote on the bills and policies in the government.
That my friend would be mob rule.
“WSClark
Posted April 18, 2008 at 7:35 pm | Permalink
“Th UN didn’t give the the land to Israel, it was prophecied by God, and God gave it to them.”
God gave it to them…………………….
No point in discussing this matter with you.
End of debate.”
Clark,
I am disapoointed in you in that you would give up so easily!
Yes, God, foretold that he would bring his people back to Israel, the land, as in the following passage:
Isaiah 65:17-19
Behold, I will create
new heavens and a new earth.
The former things will not be remembered,
nor will they come to mind.
But be glad and rejoice forever
in what I will create,
for I will create Jerusalem to be a delight
and its people a joy.
I will rejoice over Jerusalem
and take delight in my people;
the sound of weeping and of crying
will be heard in it no more.”
“You seem not to understand the concept of a democratic republic.”
Feel free to kiss my ass.
“Maybe you should take a government class or something?”
If you would like to debate governmental systems, that would be fine, but get off your god damned high horse and stop acting like you are the only one that knows anything about anything.
“I seem to get the impression that you believe we should and and do live in a pure democracy”
Again, feel free to kiss my ass.
It takes a hell of a lot of gall to be so god damned smug and arrogant, Amikhan.
“I am disapoointed in you in that you would give up so easily!”
No, dumbass, there is no point in debating the legitimacy of a Jewish State if one party believes that “God gave it too them.”
Where do you begin debating - no He didn’t?
The Carter administration negotiated the release of the Iranian embassy hostages. I’m assuming the anti-Carter folks would have been more than happy if those hostages were killed.
As for Hamas they are not a terrorist organization in the sense that they are going to attack America (actually they aren’t a terrorist organization any more but a political party). They are nationalists and only interested in their own region. Carter has the respect of many people worldwide and certainly won’t be confused with a terrorist from the Bush regime.
Thank you, AmWay. That’s what I remember, i.e. the first gas shortage. Could be because I remember when gas was 16 & 17 cents. We drove all afternoon in my best friends Opel on 50 cents. And gas wars were heaven!
You know, “prophecies” have no power, unless you give it to them.
Think about it.
You know if you nuke Israel, you better not target Jerusalem because you will piss off the religions on the top three list of pop culture….
Think about that.
Hamas has been welcoming Al Qaeda members for some time. They also have been secretly anti-American, and greatly rejoiced at 9-11 and other previous attacks. Hamas is another terrorist group with ties to just about all the other terrorists, even those in other countries. Hamas has been BIG in Canada for sometime, just north of our own borders. How can people be so blind to gross evils like that? Easy, if you’re Jimmy Carter and don’t think Israel has a right to its Biblical and historical Homeland…
More explanation about the Palestinians’ and Hamas love of Hitler and terrorism:
http://blogs.thekansan.com/node/244
The Hamas’ and Palestinians’ Charters include NO recognition of Israel and sometimes even to destroy all of Israel (not just the “territories”)
http://www.un.int/palestine/PLO/PNA2.html
http://www.mideastweb.org/hamas.htm
“There is no difference between the Jews and Palestinians..they’re all nuts.”
Just as there is NO difference between Americans, Chinese, and Al Qaeda????
Yes cafrench, I can honestly say we’re ALL nuts!
Carter is no patriot.
Carter is a bitter man, constantly trying to rewrite his legacy.
Carter was a failure as a President.
WS
Ever hear of the “Temple Mount” ??
You do not know what you are talking about, the Israeli government guards this Moslem shrine, and SHARES this land with Moslems!
Maggot
Iran STILL held our hostages, even after Ronald Reagan was sworn in as President.
However, the Iranians released the hostages, shortly thereafter, knowing that wimpy Carter was no longer President of the United States!
WS
I also believe that the “Church of the Nativity” is actually controlled by the Palestinians, with security help from the Israeli government. The Orthodox, the Armenian Church and the Fransciscans of the Catholic Church. You act as though the Iraeli government makes no attempt to cooperate with the Arabs or the Christians.
This is NOT true!
Sorry, the Christian Churches are “custodians” of the Church of the Nativity, but access is controlled by the Palestinian Authority.
“However, the Iranians released the hostages, shortly thereafter, knowing that wimpy Carter was no longer President of the United States!”
Bullshit - the hostages were released as Reagan took office.
October surprise anyone?
Where was GHWB in October 1980?
WS
If you believe that stuff, you really should take off the foil hat!
“If you believe that stuff, you really should take off the foil hat!”
Check the Secret Service records - what was he doing in Paris in October 1980?
Where can I find the Secret Service records? No sure but would like to look at those.
No sure? Look it up.
Do you think that it is just a coincidence that the hostages were released as Reagan was taking the oath of office and then MYSTERIOUSLY the US began selling illegal arms to the Iranians a little while later?
All just a coincidence?
Check the SS records - October 1980 - at the same time that Iranian agents were ALSO in Paris.
Well WS that is what I am trying to do but when I Google Secret Service Records it doesn’t come up so I wanted your source.
Try this again……………..
Republicans will believe and embrace any half-baked conspiracy theory (Vince Foster) about Bill Clinton, but they just refuse to CONSIDER anything about Reagan and the Bushes.
http://www.consortiumnews.com/archive/xfile.html
Yeah, it was all just a COINCIDENCE.
Oh so it was just a conspiracy theory. I thought you said you had seen the SS records. My mistake.
UPDATE: Rozita Swinton, the woman arrested today for falsely tipping off the police that she was an abused child bride at the FLDS polygamy cult in Texas is a PLEDGED BARACK OBAMA STATE DELEGATE!!
It turns out today that the 40 year old woman who called in this report is an Obama backer. What theorys will come from this one.
Now I know that you did not read all three installments of the report on the October Surprise in five minutes.
If you willfully choose to ignore the evidence then you are no better than a partisan hack.
You choose to believe every god damned story about Clinton (busy lying to Hillary and the Grand Jury instead of responding to the Cole attack) but you won’t take twenty minutes to look at the evidence of the October Surprise.
I guess I shouldn’t have expected any better from you.
WS why would you think that this is the first of the ‘October Surprise’ I have read. I have studied it extensively and have never found any substantiation to the charges. The SS records defy this theory about Bush that has been floated and nothing has tied Reagan to Paris.
Patty Reagan has always written lies about her parents. I think she has a deep seated hatred for them. She has said many hateful things but nothing she said was ever anything more than I heard my mother say…
Don’t jump so quickly to conclusions.
“Don’t jump so quickly to conclusions.”
Do you mean like, Bill Clinton was busy lying to Hillary and the Grand Jury instead of responding to the Cole attack?
Jimmy Carter was a jerk to the help, too, just like most liberals:
http://www.newsmax.com/kessler/?s=al&promo_code=49AA-1
The Iranian hostages were not released until AFTER Reagan was sworn in, because Carter was a wimp and Iran was affraid of Reagan!
2 Trackbacks
Michael…
This is great…
Panic Attacks David…
Interesting - because that is the same thing I found out last Thursday….