Iraq war boosted Islamic extremist threat- Carter

Reuters ^ | August 12, 2005 | Staff

[jeepgal]

KINGS BAY, Georgia (Reuters) - The 2003 invasion of Iraq was a mistake that has boosted the ranks and morale of extremist Islamic groups and made them a greater threat to U.S. interests, former President Jimmy Carter said on Friday.

"We have not lessened the strength of terrorists around the world and have not lessened but have increased both the number and the fervor and the organizational capabilities of terrorists," Carter said in a news conference at this U.S. naval base in southeastern Georgia.

Carter, the winner of the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002 and one of the fiercest U.S. critics of the war in Iraq, added that he was opposed to a sudden withdrawal of U.S. troops "because it would lead to a "debacle" in the Middle Eastern nation.

Carter's comments came one day after President George W. Bush rejected calls for a quick pullout. Bush, who is vacationing at his ranch in Texas, said a premature withdrawal would betray the Iraqis just as they are being trained to defend themselves and eventually take over from U.S. soldiers.

More than 1,800 U.S. soldiers have been killed since a U.S.-led coalition invaded Iraq in the spring of 2003, toppling Saddam Hussein from power.

Carter was in Kings Bay, Georgia, to tour the U.S.S. Jimmy Carter, a newly commissioned nuclear submarine. Carter, a former Navy submarine officer, and his wife, Rosalynn, spent Thursday night on the submerged vessel.

[jeepgal]

He REALLY needs to keep his old trap shut! He's a national disgrace!!

[livius]

Put a sock in it, Jimmuh.

[cripplecreek]

And Jimmah himself boosted the North Korean nuke threat.

[dirtboy]

The 2003 invasion of Iraq was a mistake that has boosted the ranks and morale of extremist Islamic groups

This from the man who made extremist Islam first believe it could take on the United States.

[Rosemont]

If anybody knows about creating more terrorists it is Jimmy Carter.

[Migraine]

What really increases the terror threat is pansy-assed, pantywaist, mealy-mouthed responses to it (along hand-wringing and liberal self-flagellations of every sort). It's called aid and comfort to the enemy. Carter is an even bigger anus than I had given him credit for.

[tet68]

he was opposed to a sudden withdrawal of U.S. troops "because it would lead to a "debacle" in the Middle Eastern nation.

But giving succor and support to leftists and Islamic terrorists is right up his alley, what a pitiful excuse
for a man.

[Dark Skies]

I think Jimmy ought to meet with Zarqawi and see if he can help Abu get a head.

[MNJohnnie]

KINGS BAY, Georgia (Reuters) - The 2003 invasion of Iraq was a mistake that has boosted the ranks and morale of extremist Islamic groups and made them a greater threat to U.S. interests, former President Jimmy Carter said on Friday


Ah yes, this from a man who gave the Islamic Jihadists their 1st victory by letting them seize and hold American Diplomats, an act of war under International Law, for 444 days.

Jimmy, you are a Moron. We are in this fight mainly because of YOUR actions in 1979. Have the decency to sit down and shut up while a better man cleans up a mess YOU helped create.

[SmithL]

Sure Jimmy, let's just give them another embassy, and they'll love us.

[Enchante]

Why was this babbling jackal allowed anywhere a US Navy base?? Why on earth have we named one of our best submarines after him??? Yes, yes, I know he was a president (a failed president), but couldn't we name a fleet tug boat after him and keep him far far away from all bases and units? Who needs this moron???

[OldFriend]

Yup, those islamic murderers just knew we were going to remove Saddam Hussein and they decided to kill 3,000 Americans on 9/11 for revenge.

[atomicpossum]

And who, exactly, is Jimmy Carter and what are his qualifications to speak on policy issues?

[jb6]

In thirty years he just can't seem to keep his mouth shut. Oh, gads, he's the future of Dean!

[FreedomNeocon]

I'm usually not in the business of wishing ill on others... but exactly how old is Jimmah?

I know its macabre... but the good of the many and all that...

[roses of sharon]

I'd say a United States President who gives aid and comfort regularly to the enemy has boosted the ranks and morale of those enemies. The left shows its true colors again.

[samadams2000]

America's permanent STAIN.

[Jorge]

Carter despises ANY show of strength by ANY American President, because it reminds us all what an impotent whimp he was in the face of threats.

[EagleUSA]

** Why doesn't this mental case get some help and get out of our lives **

[SkyDancer]

The reason we have them is they weren't killed off in the early 70's when they were hijacking planes .... then what of the Marines in Beirut? Why didn't Reagan go after them. Seems both Parties are at fault here ...