Posted on 08/06/2005 3:18:34 AM PDT by F14 Pilot
Jimmy Carter, the peanut farmer and former U.S. President, has a huge problem: his mouth. The things emanating from that orifice are bizarre in the extreme, considering that Carter was arguably the worst president in the history of the United States. His most recent foot-in-mouth episode involves his running commentary on George W. Bush’s veracity and the "atrocities" committed by American soldiers in the war on terrorism. Carter maintains that had the U.S. not waged war against the Taliban who were sponsors of Osama bin Laden’s al Qaeda network, or deposed Saddam Hussein, then the Islamic terrorists would have no excuse for attacking the West.
To say this sentiment is naïve is charitable, given Carter’s history of extreme failure as America’s 39th president. For those too young to remember, under Carter’s tenure in the White House inflation and interest rates rose to their highest levels since the Second World War. In 1978 interest rates of 20 percent were not unheard of, as Carter dithered with the U.S. economy. It was also under Carter’s watch that Iranian fundamentalist Muslims took 66 American diplomats hostage and held them for 444 days, while Carter was powerless to do anything but posture.
It is ironic that this happened, as Carter was directly responsible for the Ayatollah Khomeini’s takeover of Iran. Carter had decided that Mohammed Reza Palavi, the Shah of Iran and a committed friend of the United States, wasn’t democratic enough for Carter’s taste. As a result, Carter insisted the Shah democratize his regime, the result of which was the takeover of Iran by the Ayatollah when the Shah left Iran for cancer treatment in the U.S.
More ironically still, the takeover of Iran by the Islamic fundamentalists emboldened Saddam Hussein, who had just begun his tenure as absolute dictator of Iraq. Believing that the departure of the Shah and the chilling of American/Iranian relations would render Iran ripe for an invasion, Saddam attacked Iran in hopes of securing that country’s oil fields and deposing the Shia Muslim theocracy there. The result was that over 1,000,000 men died during that conflict, which remained at a stalemate for years.
Had Carter not been instrumental in deposing the Shah, then Saddam would likely have remained a bit player in the region, which might have resulted in greater stability.
In 2002, Carter was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize "for his decades of untiring effort to find peaceful solutions to international conflicts, to advance democracy and human rights, and to promote economic and social development". This sounds to me like it may have been the booby prize, given that Carter actually never accomplished anything concrete that resulted in the resolution of international conflicts, the advancement of democracy or even the promotion of economic and social development. Quite the opposite, as under Carter’s reign the "misery index", which was Carter’s own invention (leave it to a Democrat to focus on misery), climbed by over 50 percent! But then, we have to remember that the Nobel Peace prize also went to Yassar Arafat, the notorious murderer who is responsible for thousands of deaths, both among Israelis as well as Palestinians.
It’s so characteristic of Democrats in the U.S. to take total failures, flunkies who accomplish less than nothing, and elevate them to some mythical pantheon of liberal heroes because they had good intentions. My grandmother used to tell me that the road to hell was paved with them.
he should renounce the entire organization that awarded him the peace prize and take a stand for justice. Let's not forget his flirtations with Fidel Castro. Now, here is a real human rights activist! How many people did Fidel have incarcerated and tortured in Cuba?
Rather than trying to score political points with those who are trying to kill us, Jimmy Carter might be well advised to read some history. I strongly recommend European history between, say, 1930 and 1945. There are some wonderful lessons to be learned in the comparison between Neville Chamberlain and Winston Churchill. The former, Like Jimmy Carter, wanted to appease the enemy, while the latter, Like George Bush, took steps to defend his country.
ping
I had always thought of Jimmie Carter as incompetent. But to combine that with MALICIOUS intent, disguised as "fighting despotism", well, indirectly, he may have done the US a huge favor. The country was finally compelled to turn to Ronald Reagan.
As a "nation builder" Jimmie was a total failure.
I used to think Jimmy Carter was just incompetent. I now think he is a traitorous fool who would be better off spending ALL of his time in third world countries whose dictators he so idolizes.
Worst President in U.S. history. Time will tell, but this goofball is already way up the list.
It amazes me that a former military man like Carter would aid the terrorists and attack his own country.
Never before in our history has a former President caused his country such harm.
I agree, but give Clinton time.
He should be tried for treason both while President and since.
Jimmy Carter is almost like a character out of an Ayn Rand novel. Only Ayn couldn't invent a character as inept and pathetic as Jimmy.
a. Lyndon Johnson
b. Jimmy Carter
c. Bill Clinton
d. All of the above
he should be tried for all wrong deeds he did
Just a terrible, bitter little man!
Jimmie Carter learned less about command and control as a military man than either John McCain or Tom Daschle. He ALWAYS had the "subordinate" way of thinking. Grumble and criticize, but never capable of the big decision. Which is probably why he concentrated on micromanagement while President.
Carter is such a fantastic disgrace that it's almost become mundane to point it out - sort of like saying, "Michael Jackson is a weirdo."
“For those too young to remember, under Carter’s tenure in the White House inflation and interest rates rose to their highest levels since the Second World War. In 1978 interest rates of 20 percent were not unheard of…”
Boy! Do I remember!!! Having to pay 14-17% interest rates to finance a new home! BTW, I had the opportunity to ask Michael Medved if he thought Hillary Clinton could be elected president. His reply was that, yes, she was electable…and her presidency would be much like that of Jimmy Carter, except worse!
Oh great, just GREAT!!!
Democrats like Jimmy Carter stir up feeling in me that I do not like!!!!!!!!
or michael moore is a hippo
It is ironic that this happened, as Carter was directly responsible for the Ayatollah Khomeini’s takeover of Iran. Carter had decided that Mohammed Reza Palavi, the Shah of Iran and a committed friend of the United States, wasn’t democratic enough for Carter’s taste. As a result, Carter insisted the Shah democratize his regime, the result of which was the takeover of Iran by the Ayatollah when the Shah left Iran for cancer treatment in the U.S.
More ironically still, the takeover of Iran by the Islamic fundamentalists emboldened Saddam Hussein, who had just begun his tenure as absolute dictator of Iraq. Believing that the departure of the Shah and the chilling of American/Iranian relations would render Iran ripe for an invasion, Saddam attacked Iran in hopes of securing that country’s oil fields and deposing the Shia Muslim theocracy there. The result was that over 1,000,000 men died during that conflict, which remained at a stalemate for years.
Maybe those feelings are worth exploring?
If a Carter or a Clinton can reach the highest office in the land in spite of their glaring inadequacies, WE are in disturbing jeapardy.
The notion of "only the best and the brightest" vaporizes.
And if a dreadful disquietude does'nt grip us, it should. Think how close Kerry came?
While the Dems and other lunatic fringe appear to be in an inexorable death spiral, a Hillary is really on the radar screen...NOW.
If we are going to talk seriously,we had better get serious. This is real.
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