Yes Turkana, you are correct. While I held reservations on Carter's motive, others were quick to jump to conclusions. Carter deserve's props for his work... especially since it's a job that Condi Rice refuses.
Posted by Seven of Six at April 21, 2008 05:36 PMI applaud Carter's move. Revisionist history is at work now that historians have access to Israeli documents at the time of independence. Meanwhile, the two-state solution is questioned... the Palestinian birth rate continues to exceed the Israeli. Thought-provoking.
Posted by Monzie at April 21, 2008 05:50 PM
I remember voting for Carter in 76, but my memory is so bad now, I can't remember if I wasted a trip to the booth or not.
If he lost, please don't tell me.
Posted by TIKI AL at April 21, 2008 06:08 PMAgree with everything you say except Carter. Carter is a racist and a moron. He cannot tell when Hamas lies to him. He should stay away from politics; it's not his strong suit.
Posted by koshembos at April 21, 2008 06:10 PMHe should stay away from politics; it's not his strong suit.
Right, keep trusting the bu$h administration.
At least Carter's opening a dialogue when no one else is!
How can you say Carter was a racist when he spent years unlocking peanut secrets with George Washington Carver?
Posted by TIKI AL at April 21, 2008 06:32 PMWell, I'm Jewish, and had family who lived in Israel at one time and was subject to the daily life there which included constant fears of terrorism, so I'm likely a little biased. I also have a real problem with revisionist history around the creation of Israel, and the lack of awareness many people have as to when and how and why Palestine came into being. With that being said, there comes a time when someone has to make the first move towards peace. Someone has to be the first to lay down their weapons of war. I have serious doubts as to whether Hamas can do that, but if Carter can at least open up the possibility of dialog, I applaud him. No one else seems to be willing to try.
Posted by mystic4hill at April 21, 2008 06:44 PMCarter was in my opinion our Last Good President.
Posted by mmeo at April 21, 2008 06:53 PMWhen all the naysayer said "tsk-tsk!", Jimmy Carter went right ahead and brought about peace between two intractible enemies, Egypt and Israel.
That peace accord has held to this day.
If he can't bring Hamas to the table, nobody can.
"...Carter is a racist and a moron. He cannot tell when Hamas lies to him. He should stay away from politics; it's not his strong suit."
I think it is very clear that President Carter is not (and was not) a very good 'politician'. However, his strengths are many, e.g. clarity of mind, written experssion, and purpose; remarkable independence of special interests; and a true desire to bring peace and electoral democracy to the world.
He is a brilliant man; hardly naive. He has taken many personal risks. His reputation has been assailed by AIPAC for purposes that seem contrary to the ultimate security of the state of Israel.
Turkana is correct, we should all praise Carter for trying (no doubt to his dying breath). One can hope that the next President will pick up the ball.
The people of Egypt are suffering greatly, primarily due to the corruption of every level of politician in that country. They need a visionary to life them up. It appears that while praising President Carter, Hamas has also endorsed Obama. Does anyone not think that Obama would be brilliant in resolving issues in the Middle East and other areas of the world? But I think the job of President will not suit his spirit. He would have to carry a lot of this country's baggage while solving some really difficult domestic issues. It would prevent him from accomplishing some really great things during his lifetime.
Posted by jeter at April 21, 2008 10:29 PMjeter,
obama hasn't exactly been supportive of carter's trip. i don't see why he'd be any more helpful than would be clinton.
Posted by Turkana at April 22, 2008 01:20 AMBecause the people Hamas represents somehow just don't follow the rule of mans law as we do. Until that changes, nothing else will. They have no control on their people.
Posted by Kefa at April 22, 2008 04:54 AMBecause the people Hamas represents somehow just don't follow the rule of mans law as we do.
And the people who represent the Israelis don't follow "man's law" as we...used...to do.
Ariel Sharon, and Olmert following him, have been perfectly clear that they have no intention of returning Israel to it's 1967 borders. There is no 'good faith' coming from them.
Obama failed in Kenya so he has no right to beef about a former President taking action.
Truthfully, I dont think Obama knows enough to comment anyway in which case his silence is probably a good idea all around.
Posted by new and improved at April 22, 2008 07:30 AMOur good friends the Israelis often seem to behave like we're not helping them enough.
Maybe we'll threaten to without a few more loan guarantees! That'll teach 'em.
Posted by snark at April 22, 2008 09:05 AM"threaten to withhold" that should be.
Posted by snark at April 22, 2008 09:07 AMLook at all the actors in the region, including us as a country. Only Carter is standing up and trying publicly.
Also, I don't believe for one moment that this trip of Carter's didn't at least secretly have the support of Rice and Bush. If Carter could have produced any kind of breakthrough, they would've jumped all over it as this administrations' accomplishment. All Bush really wants is deniability and the opportunity to throw stones at Carter and Democrats if they feel like it.
Posted by Brian Bell at April 22, 2008 11:02 AM