Still blue in 84 also.
Posted on 06/09/2004 12:56:34 PM PDT by quidnunc
On July 15, 1979, President James Earl Carter delivered a speech to the nation that more than other defined his presidency and perhaps made him ripe for defeat at the hands of a Hollywood actor, ex-California Gov. Ronald Wilson Reagan.
As initially crafted, the speech was to talk about energy policy and the problems with long gas lines. But a truckers' strike in Pennsylvania that turned violent delayed its delivery. And over a 10-day period Carter met with a host of people at Camp David to mull over what the nation should do to face up to the energy crisis.
The conclusion that Carter drew, with the help of his pollster Pat Caddell, wasn't that the nation simply faced an energy crisis but a fundamental threat to its core values.
"After listening to the American people I have been reminded again that all the legislation in the world can't fix what's wrong with America. So, I want to speak to you first tonight about a subject even more serious than energy or inflation. I want to talk to you right now about a fundamental threat to American democracy. I do not mean our political and civil liberties. They will endure. And I do not refer to the outward strength of America, a nation that is at peace tonight everywhere in the world, with unmatched economic power and military might."The threat is nearly invisible in ordinary ways. It is a crisis of confidence. It is a crisis that strikes at the very heart and soul and spirit of our national will. We can see this crisis in the growing doubt about the meaning of our own lives and in the loss of a unity of purpose for our nation.
"The erosion of our confidence in the future is threatening to destroy the social and the political fabric of America."
The speech was a shocker, especially as it came from a man who in his first inaugural had spoken of making "a government as good and as competent and as compassionate as the American people." Competent and compassionate, but lacking in confidence?
-snip-
(Excerpt) Read more at techcentralstation.com ...
>> Burying Carterism
The complete version reads, "Burying Carterism in the ash-heap of history".
Because back then it was "Better Dead than RED!"
Now the Conservatives are listed as "red" - the commie leftist radical media's idea of a 'funny'
The "more" I remember included Carter's headlong push to allow the Soviets to exert their influence all over the world, especially in our spheres of influence;
His apparent naivete(?) about Soviet front groups working to subvert American opinion here and in western Europe;
His complete wussiness and incompetence over the Iranian hostage mess;
His refusal to increase American military might even as the Russkies were flexing their muscle with increasingly heavier missiles aimed at western Europe and at us;
His derailing of the neutron bomb as a viable American weapon (now the Chinese are threatening to use it on us thanks to Wen Ho Lee and his predecessors at Berkeley, New Mexico);
And there's more yet, but I get depressed and almost homicidal every time I think of Jimmah the Commie.
"There is no doubt about Carter's character as a person."
After surviving this mook's presidency and watching him run around the world meddling where he shouldn't, consorting with terrorists and undermining our national interests, I have PLENTY of doubt about this pinhead's character.
The sad events of recent days, at the very least, will help relegate Jimmy Carter to his place as one of most feckless and imcompetent presidents. The Christian-hating Left will continue to praise him as a great Christian because of Habitat for Humanity, but I won't forget or forgive his treason.
When he was Governor here he merely seemed incompetent, but the passage of time revealed a more malicious streak- he took weak, largely powerless beauracracies and centralized them in Atlanta, and this is finally bearing bitter fruit.
Anyone know what has happened to Amy Carter?
I think Ann Coulter described him best in "Treason:"
"Carter is so often maligned for his stupidity, it tends to be forgotten that he is also self-righteous, vengeful, sneaky and backstabbing."
Yes. Very True. He was (and is) a Total Disgrace.
He never was a "Simple Peanut Farmer" as reported in the media at the time. He has a degree in nuclear physics. He attended the Naval Academy. He just could not "LIE" as well as the KlinToon.
He is just "rich DemocRAT white trash". Always was. Always will be.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.