Usually, ex-Presidents are respectful when commenting on the current occupant of the White House. The reason is that they are uniquely suited to know the demands of the job and the incredible pressure that the President faces. There is an unwritten code of honor among men who have served as leader of the Free World.
However, such tradition did not stop Jimmy Carter, the nation’s 39th President, from blasting George W. Bush, the 43rd President this weekend. In a newspaper interview, Carter claimed that “as far as the adverse impact on the nation around the world, this administration has been the worst in history.”
Carter cited “an overt reversal of America’s basic values” and said the Bush administration is pursuing foreign policies that are contrary to the record of previous Presidents Nixon, George H.W. Bush, and Reagan.
The Bush White House did not hold back and called Carter “increasingly irrelevant.” At the Crawford ranch on Sunday, White House spokesman Tony Fratto said “I think it’s sad that President Carter’s reckless personal criticism is out there.”
It does not help America’s relations with foreign nations or our effort in the war on terrorism to have the former President of the United States denounce the Commander-in-Chief. It shows that the country is not united in our war effort and gives aid and comfort to our enemy. While President George W. Bush has a mixed record at best in foreign policy and has made many mistakes in our current campaigns in Iraq and Afghanistan, it still seems somewhat unseemly for Carter to launch such a vitriolic attack.
Ever since his one term in office, Carter has been trying to boost his standing among historians and the American public. He has certainly been involved in some good activities, such as Habitat for Humanity, but his diplomatic adventures overseas have usually ended in failure, such as his debacle in North Korea.
While he was President, Carter allowed the Soviet Union to advance around the globe; our American hostages to be taken in Iran and held for over 400 days. During his four years at the helm, our military declined significantly and morale was poor both in the armed forces and throughout the country. In the Carter years, our economy was in shambles with the misery index of a high inflation rate and a high unemployment rate making economy conditions miserable. Interest rates were out of control, taxes were high, and Americans were facing soaring prices and a lack of real buying power.
Carter left all of this mess to Ronald Reagan, who, fortunately, was able to turn around the economy, the military, our standing in the world and the mood of the American people. History should always view Jimmy Carter as one of the worst U.S. Presidents of all-time, not based on opinion, but on his lousy record.
He can criticize the current President all he wants, but it will never change how history rates his totally unsuccessful presidency.
Jeff Crouere is a native of New Orleans, LA and he is the host of a Louisiana based program, “Ringside Politics,” which airs at 8:30 p.m. Fri. and 10:00 p.m. Sun. on WLAE-TV 32, a PBS station, and Noon till 2 p.m. weekdays on several Louisiana radio stations. For more information, visit his web site at www.ringsidepolitics.com. E-mail him at jeff@ringsidepolitics.com.
Take care of the homefront and all else will fall into place. This I know to be fact and it is the only fact that is apparent not only to Louisiana, but the rest of the nation as well. Louisiana as a State needs significant improvements. I cannot speak for politicians, because that’s all they are, politicians. But I can speak for an individual that I know has integrity and also has the way. Within a few short months he could employ over 400 people. Within a years time that number will escalate to well beyond that. He could also put many dozens of people in business for their selves. He has a plan to solve the construction problem in the 9th ward, and his works would not ever be flooded, even if the rest of the city gets it again because of inept Corp of Engineers supervision. He can make many prudent private investors additional incomes. He can even make common individuals wealthy and enabled to provide for their future security and retirement. He can provide safety and security for Louisiana, New Orleans, from a number of nature generated travesties. And he can even protect and restore the marshlands. He has ideas that will increase the fisheries industry significantly as well; He has a plan to save taxpayers multiple billions upon billions of dollars for years to come. The benefits of him, and the contributions that can made are too numerous to list on this thread. In short, it is poetry in motion, if the people want that, progress, real measurable progress. His name is William H. Smith and his website is www.strongconctrete.com in short you should be talking to your elected officials that are now in office about him. Understand for the most part they are simply smack people waiting for the end of their terms, and any candidate running for office should be asked if they are studied in www.strongconcrete.com If they are not, or want to shoot it down, it simply means they are self serving, or are in service to someone else that only wants to grind the state into deeper oppression and lack. The future, and the vote is up to you. More of the same in the upcoming elections? Or do you want change that evens things out and improves our lot as a collective citizenry?
Written by A concerned Louisianian
on 7/21/2007
ONE OF THE FEW "RIGHT ON TARGET" COMMENTARIES I HAVE READ OF LATE. THANKS, FROM SOUTH CAROLINA
Written by DON SANDERS
on 7/21/2007
I sent you an email which was reproduced in a google search under my name (totally misrepreented my position and response to your inane article about Pres. Carter.
You are a complete loser.
Written by J. Dean Loring
on 6/2/2007
Nearly 20 years ago, "The American Spectator" published a column on Carter called "The Littlest Ex-President," outlining his continuous commentary about those who follwed him into the White House. He has consistently bad-mouthed his successors in a very unstatesmanlike manner. This is not new conduct from President 39.
Written by James Hartman
on 5/25/2007
In your statement, you said the following:
It does not help America’s relations with foreign nations or our effort in the war on terrorism to have the former President of the United States denounce the Commander-in-Chief. It shows that the country is not united in our war effort and gives aid and comfort to our enemy. While President George W. Bush has a mixed record at best in foreign policy and has made many mistakes in our current campaigns in Iraq and Afghanistan, it still seems somewhat unseemly for Carter to launch such a vitriolic attack.
A mixed record at best? The Bush policies have been a disaster in dealing with Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Venezuela, Israel-Palestine, Canada, the E.U., Russia, NATO, South Korea and North Korea. He lied us into a war of convenience in Iraq and got us bogged down in a no-win civil war. He has made no real effort to capture Bin Laden, has done nothing to deal with Saudi Arabia (the source of terrorist money and the nation from which most of the 9/11 terrorists came), and has destroyed all the world-wide good-will and support after the WTC attack. In short, when it comes to foreign policy disaster, Bush has not made “mistakes”; he has been a master.
And, since when is it “unseemly” to tell the truth!
Finally, today the nation is not very divided concerning the Iraq War. Polls indicate that over 70% of the people oppose further action in Iraq and see it as a lost cause. And as to giving “aid and comfort to the enemy”, unfortunately Bush and his policies have do more to create terrorists around the world and in Iraq (where there were no WMD’s or international terrorists before the war.)
You also said:
While he was President, Carter allowed the Soviet Union to advance around the globe; our American hostages to be taken in Iran and held for over 400 days. During his four years at the helm, our military declined significantly and morale was poor both in the armed forces and throughout the country. In the Carter years, our economy was in shambles with the misery index of a high inflation rate and a high unemployment rate making economy conditions miserable. Interest rates were out of control, taxes were high, and Americans were facing soaring prices and a lack of real buying power.
But, what you conveniently forgot to say was that Carter inherited the Iran problem from Nixon-Ford foreign policies, that the economic problems were the results of rapid inflation from the “guns and butter” policies during the Viet-Nam war by Johnson, Nixon and Ford, that the economic policies were also the results of “wage and price controls” during the Nixon-Ford years (which had just ended). Finally, what exactly could Carter do about the Iran hostages and the Soviet Union advances? You seem to forget that there was a failed military attempt to rescue the hostages and that final resolution the hostage problem by Reagan was the illegal Iran-Contra policy- in which we got the hostages after a pay-off. As to stopping the Soviet advance, Carter was even criticized by the media and the politicians for even a mild attempt to do that when he order that the U.S. not participate in the Moscow Olympics after the Russian invasion of Afghanistan. And it was Regan who armed the anti-Russian forces in Afghanistan, an arming which eventually led to the rise of Taliban. So much for Reagan clearing up Carter’s “mess”!
Finally, you say:
History should always view Jimmy Carter as one of the worst U.S. Presidents of all-time, not based on opinion, but on his lousy record.
Maybe (and probably) it will. But next to Bush, even now historians and the American people are placing Bush at the bottom of the list- and rightly so. Bush has been a disaster since the “Republican coup” that stole the election in 2000. And history will record that all those who stood up to Bush’s foreign and domestic policies are among the righteous, even if one among them is a “failed” President with integrity.
These are the facts. Like them or not, this is the truth which you have conveniently ignored.
Written by GT
on 5/22/2007
That's the great thing about America. Even a Peanut-head like Jimmy Carter can still live here. The only reason he said that about Bush is so people might not focus on the fact that he is the worst president we've ever had.
Written by out of the shell
on 5/22/2007
Right on baby! Now if some of these knuckleheads would just open their minds and identify the REAL culprit of the Bush Administration, Billy Clinton, the biggest yellow bellied man to ever sit in the White House, other than the Georgia Idiot, and recognize that IF Bush made a mistake, it's because of the Clinton Adm and their LOVE for the US Military. Open your eyes and look at the record! It's there for open minded viewers! God help us all if ole lady Clinton is our president!
If Americans can't do any better, God?, did I say God.....man, most people today are absolutely ignorant on the meaning of the word.....thanks left winger democrats!
Written by jali
on 5/22/2007
Apparently Jeff Coutere know nothing about American history when he says that criticism of a president by his predecessor is "unseemly". Many Presidents criticized the attitudes and policies of those who followed them One of the most famouse cases was that of John Quincy Adams who after he left office was elected to the Hose of Representatives and criticized the President who followed him- particularly in the Amastad (slave rebellion)Affair. There is nothing "unseemly" for standing up for what is right. What is really "unseemly" is violating your Oath of Office, taking the nation to war on a lie and pretext, and undermining the Constition and separation of powers. Apparently mr. Coutere does not understand any of that.
Written by
on 5/22/2007
Apparently Jeff Coutere knows nothing about American history. Many Apperican Presidents criticised the attitudes and policies of those who followed them into office. The most famous was John Quincy Adams who, when he left office and was elected to Congress, heavily criricised President Van Buren over the Amistad Affair. What is really "unseemly" is a Presient who stole an election, violated his Oath of Office, took the nation to war over a lie and on a pretext, and is destructive of American democracy. Apparently, that is not "unseemly" to Mr. Coutere, but telling the truth is!
Written by GT
on 5/22/2007
I would like to point out that this article is wrong about former presidents not criticising current ones, as documented here: http://mediamatters.org/items/200705220006?f=h_top
Thank You
Written by Kaleun
on 5/22/2007
Reading through a lot of the buzzes I see that many people have missed the point. Carter didn't miss it though. He apologized because he knew that, whether the majority agree with him or not, a former president does not publically pass judgement on a sitting president. This is for many reasons but primarily because former presidents are in the greatest position to know the full scope of motivations that practically no one else is privy too for the choices they make. They also know that their actions in office will have repurcussions long into the future, and therefore only history will really tell whether they are "the worst in history" or not. Besides, there are limitless numbers of other people who can and will publically make those judgements in current times either under or out from under the unseen influences of a former president.
Written by an American abroad
on 5/22/2007
there really is a problem when people don't know the role Jimmy Carter played in helping to aid and form at least two parts of the axis of evil. he did more than fail at dealing with the iranian crisis - he helped put those who declared war on the U.S. in 1979 into power (the same iran that has been working this war ever since against the U.S.). His debacle in North Korea led to the sharing of information which paved the way for a nuclear North Korea - making that one nation trouble for the whole world. War time leaders rarely win popularity polls - certainly Lincoln wasn't the most popular president on the block for defending the Union of the U.S. He opperated as a war times power president and came as close to the line as any in using the powers vested in the Commander. I truly tire of people even suggesting that Bush has mishandled the war ... it's a war ... and not one President of the U.S. in any war of our history could be said to have not heard the same voices and sounds of how poorly they have executed a war - maybe with the exception of George Bush Sr. - who did mishandle the war by stopping short of going into the iraqi capital and taking down the menace of a rouge leader and dangerous state. He also called for a popular uprising with promised U.S. support - and of course - we failed the iraqi people on that count - a body count which is too huge to fathom. Churchill was voted out of power at the end of WWII - it's a thankless job to keep a country on track during war. Now we are faced with the war which has been predicted since the early 1970's as people wondered what the end of the cold war would bring ... it has come. and for those who don't keep up with the affairs of state ... the cease fire signed after the gulf war was broken early on. It is to the shame of the U.S. and UK that we did little more than enforce the nofly zone - when in all actuality - the Gulf War had not ended but instead had resumed.
Written by amos
on 5/21/2007
I agree with most of this 'buzz'. This article was written by a clueless "reporter" (using the term VERY loosely). But since we address former presidents, I was wondering why Jimmy Carter is nailed with a bad economy and hostages? When Bush took over, everyone said the problems were created by Clinton. So shouldn't that mean either Carter's problems were inherited or does that mean Bush is just the biggest blundering idiot on the face of the Earth?
Written by Mike J
on 5/21/2007
Article was right on target. The Carter Administration was an unqualified disaster. Had he kept his mouth shut, and busied himself to doing charitable good works, history may have forgiven his ineptitude, and regarded him as a well-intentioned, brighter than average, peanut farmer. As it is, he has distinguished himself as a bitter, sniping, and, yes, arrogant old curmugeon. It's too bad, by dint of his having held the Presidency of the USA, his words still have impact, and propaganda value, internationally. His behavior, since leaving office, has been disgraceful. Just heard that he said he didn't mean it... that his words were "misunderstood". An unsupportable position since his statements were crystal clear and on the record.
Written by Melanie Schonier
on 5/21/2007
Just kidding, wake up!
Written by Jeff wins
on 5/21/2007
How did this article get on google news? Backwards, sh1tfaced reporters should be beaten.
Written by Waste of time
on 5/21/2007
Jeff.. please reroll IRL
Written by (UFO)
on 5/21/2007
Carter criticizing a President?! Now that's funny!
I bet SNL wish they had thought of the idea to use in a skit.
Written by Bill
on 5/21/2007
Obviosly you are a Republican and regardless of what Jimmy Carter did or said or Ronald Reagan did, George W. Bush is the lousiest President in U.S. History. I think most of what Carter said about the President is true.
Written by Jimmy L. Smith
on 5/21/2007
Yes, Carter made many mistakes but I don't remember him causing the death of 3,500 GI's..
Written by howards1832004@yahoo.com
on 5/21/2007
WOW! for someone who expounds on political themes on a weekly basis, you seem to know nothing of political history. Jimmy carter was on the verge of peace in the middle east till Regan came and abondoned the process, declared war on the enviroment, stripped money from government programs which plunged our city ghettos into crime ridden chaos, and fought to prolong the hostage crissis till after the election. If tying to boost historical standing is publishing a book a year and contining the fight for peace in the middle east, then we should all work as hard-instead of vacationing on our Texas ranch while scores of the young men did each day in a war you created.
Written by Nicholas Morin
on 5/21/2007
Right on. Jimmy Carter was not ONE of the worst Presidents in our history, Jimmy Carter was the WORST President in our history. His lack of leadership, intestinal fortitude and spinless rhetoric was a four year embarrasment. How someone so anti-american reached the white house needs to be explained
Written by Don Farrell
on 5/21/2007
As the wizard told dorothy when she said he was a very bad man, 'No, my dear, I'm a very good man, I'm just a very bad wizard," so too is jimmy carter a very good man. he was just a very bad president. but today's topic is not his presidency but rather his humanity. and he is speaking not as chief executive but rather as a christian american citizen. anyone with the eyes to see will understand that what carter says is right. it is not opinion,its a cold hard fact. we left eight years of peace and prosperity under clinton to arrive at this constant war, debt and erosion of values and rights under the bush regime. his systematic appointment of members of the right wing christian zealots into high government offices is frightening to us normal people. bush's answer, parrotted by neocon artist commentators like you is typical. dont respond to what he said, but attack his character. if he is indeed irrelevant then all mainstream christians of good will and concern are likewise so.
Written by Charlie Potatoes
on 5/21/2007
When they start writing about "the enemy," I want every yellow-bellied journalist to address the following:
1. Who is the enemy;
2. What is their agenda;
3. What is their troop strength;
4. Where is their capital;
5. Where are their armies deployed.
If we iterate these items, we know that this "war on terror" aint no war.
If we ignore these items, we see that any president can just cry "war" and usurp the government.
Written by Semper GOP
on 5/21/2007
Buzz,
Let's discuss what Jimmy Carter was in relation to the current president. Jimmy Carter always was a very moral person. He lived it, rather than simply mouthing the words. No one ever questioned his morals. His administration didn't sell our government out to his cronies. His administration had a significant record on the environment, upholding the statutes of his predessors. He never invaded a country for his own ends. He responded to natural disasters within this country in a timely and necessary fashion....and no one from his administration EVER outed one of our spies!
Let's look at this administration. Scandal abounds. They lied to get us to go to war. History shows that fighting a war on two fronts is a reciepe for disaster. They blithely entered into a war on two fronts, grossly ignoring their military's advice on the requirements to sustain the campaigns. They did so because to accept the Military's advice would have meant only pursuing one campaign. Further, they have stepped outside of long standing procurement practices and awarded contracts without bids to preferred corporations. The valuation of those contracts approaches national debt levels. Yet the contracts are no bid. Further, there appears to be very little oversight and our value received is a fraction of what it should be. Our military is under supplied and dying at rates completely unnecessary. This administration has rolled back the environmental guidelines and laws put in place by the Nixon administration. They've allowed large corporations to pollute at unprecedented levels. They're record was so bad the their own EPA Chief quit and began lobbying against them.
You compare economies between Carter and "W". You're comparing apples to oranges. Carter didn't have a war to prop up his economy. Further, he wasn't running up astronomical debt. This administration has bankrupted this country. We're bankrupt. The value of the dollar is down all over the world. You didn't mention that under Carter is was still strong. Why, we didn't have the underlying debt.
The so-called gains of this administration are illusions and tricks. They have successfully pulled the wool over everybody's eyes by keeping them afraid. They've divided this country like never before with fear. Fear of Gays, Fear of terror, Fear of Chavez, Christians, Fear of Non-Christians, Fear of Muslims, Fear of everything...except the very thing we should be afraid of...THEM!
The fact is that Jimmy Carter finally spoke the truth. They are the worst in history, no matter how you measure them. It's refreshing to hear someone speak up and tell the truth. I'm sorry to find so many like you willing to attack the messenger rather than listen to the words and consider they they may be true.
Written by Gary Patterson
on 5/21/2007
Let us review:
Jimmy Carter has a Nobel Prize, works for Habitat for Humanity, is affiliated with innumerable charities, is an acclaimed author and has never profited from his position as President. When the Iran hostage crisis pushed him to the brink of nuclear intervention, President Carter chose life and peace instead of hatred and destruction. He paid dearly for his choice, but he took sole responsibility. All the idiots who blame Carter for the Middle East mess don't know or ignore the mess that Richard Nixon created with his 'arms to Iran' fiasco.
George Bush is a draft dodger, yet he started an imperialistic war that has murdered thousands of innocent children, women and men. Bush oversees a corrupt administration full of men who profit from the war and the unending escalation of gas prices. Cheney is the most Machiavellian figure since G. Gordon Liddy. The Bush Idiocracy tried to dupe the American public with lies about WMDs, Iraq's nuclear capability and Saddam's ties to terrorism.
The Americans who canonize Bush and support his ill-informed, murderous ways have no one but themselves to blame when their brothers, sons and daughters come home in bodybags. What did you expect from war? Were you stupid enough to believe the Iraqis would welcome us with open arms? The criticism of Carter (arguably the greatest statesman who ever filled the role of President) confirms the utter corruption of the conservative movement and the Republican Party.
Written by Raman Ujan
on 5/21/2007
Dear Jeff, It's all in the eyes of the beholder.
Written by Carroll Kehne
on 5/21/2007
Everything Carter said about Bush is just plain true. George Bush is the worst president this country has ever had. Our reduced standing in the world is a direct result of his failed policies. His cronies are being exposed for lack of integrity and worse... Foley, Abramoff, Libby, Gonzales, Wolfowitz... the list is endless.
Carter had foresight which no republican that followed him can come close to. He recognized the energy crisis when he was president and put policies in effect to address it...CAFE, solar power initiatives etc.
Thank god for Jimmy Carter. More high profile people need to come forth and reiterate the mess that George Bush has created.
Written by Kerry T
on 5/21/2007
Somebody polease take away this little boy's typewriter. He pontificates about a subject which he never experienced (Carter's term in office) as if it is relavent. I am what most people would consider a right leaning centrist. I voted for Reagan and George H.W. Bush (the first one who knew what hew as doing). And I'm ashamed to say that I voted for Dubya, twice. I was afraid of what Gore would do to us the first time, and foolish enough to think GW actually was after stopping terrorism and protect us, not trying to make a name for himself while lining his pockets.
Carter's opinion, more than any one who has never held the office, carries more weight with me. eventually, even the elder Bush statesman will come around and say his son screwed us all. Carter has done more for this country's internal issues than any President since. And he has done it in a very bipartisan way, working with Gerald Ford on numerous projects to improve the conditions for the poor and needy of our own country.
So, little boy, when you have grown up and experienced more than just three presidents (I've lived through eight: Johnson through GW) and remember the terms of six clearly), then you can come back and write with some authority.
Written by Draugnar
on 5/21/2007
Carter is an idiot and it appears he is joined by the majority of commentators here.
Written by Nick
on 5/21/2007
Bush is who's irrelevant. He's a pathetic bully, trying to bluster his way through his last couple years. He's made the Republican Party irrelevant as more and more of his administrations cronyism, corruption, and potential criminal activity comes to light, he's weakened the US military's ability to respond to threats both at home and around the world, he sacrificed his own, as well as America's credibility on the altar of "I wanna second term, yeehaw!". And rather than exhibit class when someone criticizes him, he just takes a pathetically cheap-shot back.
So say what you like about Carter, but where do you think the Great Republican Diplomat (har har) George W. Bush will be in three years? That's right, off the radar entirely. Jimmy is still relevant because even though he was unpopular, he stuck with what he knew was right for the American people. He didn't bluster into any needless wars. He didn't increase the flow of weapons to our enemies in Iran or our flaky "friend" Saddam Hussein in Iraq during his term-- Reagan did all that. Typical Republican short-sightedness, refuse to count the costs and perils if it'll buy you an election, leave the mess for someone to clean up in a decade or two. I'm a conservative libertarian, and all I can say is thanks to morons like you, the Democrats are going to screw up our country for the next decade carte blanche, thanks so very much. Bush bumbling through another term was the last thing we needed if we're going to get civil liberties and prudent fiscal policy back on track.
Written by Scott
on 5/21/2007
Wow! What a moron. You're so dumb you don't even proof read your own website.
Written by Roberto
on 5/21/2007
bush is to be pitied...he is a corporate puppet, has no idea, nor cares, how the average human lives or survives. his total recklessness is apparent to even the most average u.s. [and World] citizen. Even if Carter's administration was ineffective, it would seem like first-grade thinking to flip the discussion back at his track record and ignore the total quagmire this country is in. Who's paying you to be blind?
Written by mary
on 5/21/2007
I dont understand why some of the folks are giving Carter a hard time for "telling the truth". Since when has it become a bad thing to tell the truth. What Carter said should have been said long time ago, probably when Bush was first elected as a president, but unfortunately there were quite a lot of fools around who re-elected him another term, giving him another 4 years to ruin this beautiful country. America was a super power known for freedom and wisdom and what is it today...nothing but a troubled country in every possible way...How dare you blame Carter for "telling the truth"? We have to acknowledge the mistakes to rectify them and we start doing that by "telling the truth". America is our home and when something goes wrong at home we dont just ignore it we try to fix it by identifying the problem cause, in this particular case the problem cause is none other than President Bush.
Written by An American
on 5/21/2007
it really saddens me to see a ex-president bash a sitting president,it does no useful purpose what so ever,, except to get his name back in the newspapers,in a negitive way,, his comments make me dislike and disrepect him more than his days as president!!!the comments made by this man,, does not help the moral of this country,only to drag it down!!!jimmy carter i feel sorry for you,, give it a rest,and let it rest!!!!
Written by steven timmerman
on 5/21/2007
While Carter wasn't the best president, he is absolutely correct about W and saying it doesn't hurt any war effort. In fact, we claim that we are fighing for freedom and then attack anyone who disagrees with W as "aiding and abedding the enemy". The enemy wants to take our freedom, and you clearly side with them when you attack our freedom with such crap as this. You can't win a war for freedom by taking away our most basic freedoms like that of speech. Shame on you for suggesting otherwise.
Written by Richard Gilbert
on 5/21/2007
right on
Written by
on 5/21/2007
Jimmy Carter was wrong to make the comments about the present President and the present Prime Minister! It is very unprofessional, and he, of all people should have known better. That was a great article!
Written by Judy
on 5/21/2007
Charlie Potatoes...you are absolutely full of shit.
Written by Raman
on 5/21/2007
What happened during Carter's presidency means absolutely nothing with respect to the validity of his statements. Truth is truth; it doesn't matter whether it comes from the Dalai Lama or Ted Bundy. Those who offer character attacks in lieu of thoughtful commentary merely demonstrate the ignorance that got us to this unfortunate turn in the nation's history.
Written by nobody you know
on 5/21/2007
Jimmy's mistake was to apologize for what he said, which was the truth.
Written by
on 5/21/2007
Your comments show you are blind to the tremendous harm Bush has done to this country. Carter at least has the courage to speak up. I am sure if Bush were to ban Congess and suspend all our rights, you would continue to support him.
And Buzz Rigth Back is spelled wrong!
Written by Bob
on 5/21/2007
Jimmy a southern racist, KKK supported and anti-Semite
Written by BobOnThis
on 5/21/2007
OK Jeff, it's 1979 and you're the president. What is YOUR plan for keeping the hostages from being taken, or getting them back?
Written by Dennis
on 5/21/2007
You are a comsumate fool. Jimmy Carter has intretiy. George Bush has killed more people in the name of stupidity than any President in History.
History will treat George Bush Jr. like the moron he is, period. And by supporting this creep, you too are a moron.
Written by j. Dean Loring
on 5/21/2007
Great article! It should be read by all Americans.
Carter did enough damage to this country during his useless four year as president. He should now shut his mouth and go stay in the peanut fields.
signed,
Jimmy Payne
Written by Jimmy Payne
on 5/21/2007
GW's incompetence gives more aid and comfort to the enemy than any thing any former president has to say!
Written by BOBN
on 5/21/2007
No one man rules this country. Everyone wants to share the credit when things are good, but always point a finger or cover things up when things go bad. This country is run by the rich for the rich and they think they can just do whatever they want. They know right from wrong, but doing the wrong thing for thier own good or advancement is the rule they follow. I don't have the answers to stop this but pray some day it will change
Written by Normal American
on 5/21/2007
While it's true that Carter has demonstrated that the nation is not united, Bush is the one who disunited us. He sent our soldiers out to do an impossible job and asked us to support them with bumper magnets and shopping.
The sooner he's impeached the better off the nation will be. The economy is likely to bounce back once we're over the uncertainty of not knowing when it will come.
Written by J Thomas
on 5/21/2007
Carter's personal track record in no way demeans the validity of his opinion. It almost plays out like a pretty good punch line. i.e. "Bush is such a horrible President, even Jimmy Carter thinks he sucks."
Written by Nick
on 5/21/2007
George Bush is still the worst president in US history. If you have travelled abroad during his term, you will know that anti US sentiment across the globe is far greater than the newspapers are reporting. He has the foreign policy skills of a five year old and is the best recruitment tool Al Au Quaeda could ever have dreamed of. He is an ignorant powerless mouthpiece that confirms once and for all that the president is not in the driving seat any more. Sure, Carter may have broken with tradition and could polish up his diplomacy skills. But he didn't say anything new. His statement will not make a difference to how the world sees America. Thanks to Bush, their opinion of us could not stoop any lower.
Written by LF
on 5/21/2007
Written by
on 5/21/2007
Well said, Jeff.
Written by Scott in Pasadena
on 5/21/2007
so... anyone who criticizes the current administration gets lambasted? Ok. So Carter wasn't that great a president. Fine. But if you stack the debacles of Dubya vs. the mess of Carter... I THOUGHT that would be what this article would be about (misleading title). You just took the occasion to turn the focus off of the idiot in office. Carter has the right (more than anyone who has never been in the Oval Office) to critique the President's handling of responsibilities.
We SHOULD listen to the Ex-President and see if what he is saying about the poor handling of America is valid. His STATEMENT should be the focus, not his RECORD. (There is NO way anyone with any credibility could compare the two administrations and NOT conclude that Carter's poor showing beats out W's ruination of the country's good standing here and abroad).
I wish you would have mentioned W's mess ups, instead of just criticizing Carter. Is anyone who mentions Dubya's mishandling of just about everything he has touched subject to an attack from his supporters? Under that kind of thinking, there can be no real objective analysis of his management. Why is someone so incompetent subject to such impunity?
Written by amazed
on 5/21/2007
Jeff;
Thank you so much for succinctly stating the miserable four years America suffered under Jimmy Carter.
Written by Mike Carbonero
on 5/21/2007
Inflation and interest rates were high during the Carter years, unemployment was fairly low and growth was moderate. Not great times, but some people seem to associate every ill from that era with Carter. High unemployment, and monster deficts, and stagnating to falling pay came after him.
Written by JMW
on 5/21/2007
President Jimmy Carter is quite accurate in his comments. I applaud his willingness to speak out. Perhaps President Bush will listen to a previous president as he seems inclined not to listen to the majority of the american people.
Written by Paul Peksa
on 5/21/2007
"It shows that the country is not united in our war effort and gives aid and comfort to our enemy."
We are not united or was that not obvious to you? No, it does not give aid or comfort to our enemy.
Written by OB
on 5/21/2007
My mother thinks you are a simpleton.
Written by Andrew Bill
on 5/21/2007
Bravo for Jimmy Carter for candidly representing the majority of American citizens and voters in stating the obvious that few have the strength of character to say. So many are busy covering themselves for fear of being branded "unpatriotic', that they cannot simply state that, inded, the emperor has no clothes.
With a 25% approval rating for the direction this administration is taking our nation, can we not muster up good old American courage and integrity, and say what is obviously true? Are we in mortal fear of persecution from the 25% minority of politicos or right wing pundits hanging in fear of damaging their careers if they speak the unavoidable truth?
If that is so, the we have lost more than Thomas Jefferson could bear - and more than the men and women who gave and continue to give their lives for - great old American freedom of speech and sacred Constitutional rights.
It is cowardly to criticise Mr. Carter and go with the prescribed flow of transparent nonsense coming from the lemmings who believe in Mr. Bush's administration.
Written by Ellene Yorks
on 5/21/2007
"gives aid and comfort to our enemy"
Had to stop there.. another young republican club wanna-be, on the nut of our fascist empire.
Written by Nice pic douc3b4g
on 5/21/2007
What a load! It's the same dribble from the WH press sec, get a clue.
Written by 8===>
on 5/21/2007
You're a hack. I suppose you realize you just called a former president a traitor; what you apparently don't realize is that by claiming that the current president's actions are rational, simply because he happens to be the sitting president, you're eroding the actual democratic process in favor of fascism.
Written by NorthAve
on 5/21/2007
I guess they do let people wearing blinders with a photo of Bush on them write articles. Although Carter was a lousy President, he did speak the truth on what the majority of US citizens believe! I am no fan of Carter's presidency as he was the worst President in history...until now. He may now hand that over to Bush. And if it wasn't for the reckless spending in Vietnam by Nixon/Ford, Carter might not have been handed a bad hand when he took over the country. We will see the same thing happen once we get out of Iraq! There will be tremendous high unemployment due to the deficit Bushie is running to keep his cohorts and himself rich. They will probably all move to Dubai once they are out of office to work Halliburton....ouch! And yes it was terrible that the hostages were taken in Iran...but no President could have stopped them from doing it. But they eventually came back home alive...can't say that for the ones Bush is responsible for putting into a body bag in Iraq!
Written by Curt Fell
on 5/21/2007
Written by Kay
on 5/21/2007
Carter clearly could have done a better job…... His micro management style crippled a number of efforts. However, he has done a huge amount of good and his comments on Bush are accurate. Crouere’s one sided article is irresponsible. Save your opinions for an Op-Ed.
Written by MG
on 5/21/2007
Is that dirt on your face, or did the sh1t from your nose smear?
Written by Tool? RGR
on 5/21/2007
Why the hell are we talking about Jimmy Carter? His administration ended almost thirty years ago. No critisism you could offer will change the events of the past. George W. Bush is the president now. His reckless disregard for personal freedom and his ongoing war against the unknowable and unbeatable foe named "Terror" is making America less safe and less free. That is relevant TODAY. It is not a subject for history books like President Carter's failings. As an American citizen, Carter has both the right and the duty to make his opinoins known in the interests of building a better, safer future for himself and his nation. As for the demands of honor, I am sure that Carter's tongue has been restrained as long as it has because of his honor and respect for the dificulties of the job. However, there comes a time when manners are less important than the safety, freedom, and happiness of the American people.
D
Written by Big D
on 5/21/2007
What is irrelevant is Jimmy Carter’s record as President as it has nothing to do with his statement about the current administration. What is increasingly relevant is that the American consensus mirrors Carter’s remarks.
What planet is Tony Fratto living on that he would suggest that Carter’s remarks shows that the country is not united in our war effort? There is no single idea in America today as divisive as the war in Iraq. Carter’s comments do not add or subtract from it but allows a free nation to engage in an idea called freedom of speech. If I remember correctly, December 28, 2006 the Washington Post published an article that spoke of Gerald Ford’s disagreement with the war. Carter is at the back of the line to speak against the Bush administration and its foreign policy.
To lash out at Carter for his remarks steers us away from what America stands for. What American would stone a man for speaking out against the president of the United States? Being able to do so is the core of American ideology. This is not Bush’s country and his administration is not an autocracy. In a democracy, no administration gets to claim total support from its fellow citizens. What unites the United States of America is that we subscribe to the tenets of democracy. No man should be exempt from expressing his views, not even a former president. No one should know that better than the president and his administration.
Written by Elvis J. Evans - Baltimore, Maryland
on 5/21/2007
My better half was born and raised in China, and is now here in America - working hard, paying taxes, helping people, and raising two beautiful, smart and good children. She's 30-something and a student of history, which means she has seen and understands some of the worst and best of recent improvements in the socio-economi-political conditions in China. We were watching a program recently, when a short report on President Jummiy Carter came on, and she started to smile and sigh, and praise the man who, in her words, is a "very good man" who did more to help improve relationship between America and China than anyone else. Someone else here commented that President Carter was in office more than 30 years ago... Yes, he was - AND he was thinking far enough ahead, even back then, to know that China is a nation with which we do not want to get ourselves into another Cold War. And so how do you encourage the country with the world's largest army and population to evolve, become more open and friendly in the international community? Through exactly the kinds of diplomacy and friendship that President Carter promoted - which is a stark contrast to the divisive, arrogant, sabre-rattling, centuries-old outdated way of thinking employed by Bush "W" today. Just look to Iraq, as the most significant indicator of "W's" legacy and power as President. He started a war without a clear plan of success or completion, threw the country into chaos, now publicly blames the Iraqi's themselves for the failure, even though his actions were completely responsible for destabilizing the country, and now the entire region (Al Qiada moved in AFTER Hussein was removed, and the is now helping promote chaos and civil war.... Iran has moved in to fill the vacuum, ...causing the US to re-react by installing armaments in surrounding countries, ...which is making our old, beligerent "friend" Russia nervous enough to strain those weak relations once again -- anyone else remember the Cold War?... and more). President Carter stated a fact. America is weaker now than it was in the last decade... and who's been running the country during that period? Carter, or George W Bush?
Written by Thomas
on 5/21/2007
It is clear that Mr. Crouere is a supporter of the Bush administration, and does not believe that Carter's comments are appropriate or, more importantly, true. I wonder which of the Bush administrations successes Mr. Crouere is most impressed with? Could it be the rapid disaster relief response in the waker of Hurricane Katrina? Could it be the successful and legal invasion of Iraq where we found so many deadly weapons of mass destruction? I think that almost anyone would agree that the deaths of tens of thousands or hundreds of thousands of Iraq citizens was well worth it. Or maybe it is the Bush adminstrations forward thinking energy policies, wherein we continue to rely entirely on fossil fuels, in spite of the reality of global warming. Maybe it is the universal health care that the current administration enacted, or their swift action in reducing the cost of prescription drugs...or the protecting the environment, or improving education....its truly hard to understand why anyone would be dissatisfied with the Bush Administration, and I am glad that Mr. Crouere has stepped up to the plate to defend our poor, misunderstood president.
Written by Robert Lennihan
on 5/21/2007
How much money is George Bush paying you with the billions of American Taxpayer dollars that he's spending on Propaganda via the "Ministry of Propaganda"? It appears that the Bush Administration is carrying on the tradition of the Republican Administrations by emplacing Stealth Neo Con Parasites in all of the Departments of the Executive Branch. To Gut, Usurp, and Crap on the United States Constitution.. To enable the TREASONOUS Republican Scumbags to continue to Pig Out at the United States Treasury Trough to the tune of trillions of American Taxpayer dollars that us, our kids and grand kids will have to pay off.
You are not a journalist.. you're nothing more than a paid off shill for the Neo Con Parasites!
Written by CurtJ
on 5/21/2007
Mr. Jeff,
Despite your obvious dislike for Carter(who certainly isn't my favoite either) and your probably disdain for his adlib comments, I just wonder if you would challenge his conclusion, i.e., that this is the "worst FOREIGN POLICY blunder in the history of our country"(paraphrased). I think back in my study of US history, and I can't think of an equally horific set of mistakes.
Written by Dave McDonald
on 5/21/2007
Given your appearance, It would seem that you were not old enough to remember the world, post Richard Nixon. Carter took over after the disaster that was the Nixon years. Nixon did some good things, but overall, it is safe to say that his time in office was an embarrassment, you know, the whole "resign in disgrace" thing. President Ford did alright in his short term, but little was accomplished towards the ill's you are blaming on Carter. Your analysis is overly simplistic.
Vietnam, Gas Shortages, Gas prices, the failing and downsizing of the US auto industry. All of these factors contributed to the mood of the 70's. Jimmy Carter, was not wholly responsible for this mood.
Carters biggest mistake, not sending the Marines in full force into Iran. He should have. Big mistake. Feel free to blame him on this one. The country did, that's how we elected Ronald Raygun.
One interesting bit of Carter history you might want to consider the next time you buy gasoline. When the oil companies got greedy when Carter was in office, he hit them with a "windfall profit tax." Our friend George Bush "trusts the markets." This means, when the oil companies close their own refineries for "repairs" which drive up the "mark
et price," George and Company "trust the market" and allow this obvious marked manipulation to continue.
The Carter years yeilded few jobs and high interest rates, along with the embarassment that was the hostage crisis. It did not, however, destablize the mideast, kill babies, women and children and thousands of our own soldiers etc. Carter moved the country away from conflict with the USSR. He did not fire air traffic controlers, nor sit around and watch the wholesale export of American Jobs to third world countries. Oh yeah, and if I remember correctly, he did not trade weapons for hostages, nor did he have an IRAN-Contra scandal.
What is your measure for failure as a president? Would you consider alienation of our allies a good benchmark? Would the spending of trillions of dollars and the total depletion of our military and national guard a measure? How about disaster response? What exactly do you use as your metrics?
Carter's final mistake: Not sticking to his guns and repeating what he said about this national disaster and embarassment that is the Bush Administration.
Written by F. Plant
on 5/21/2007
I haven't had time to read many of the responses, but it does seem that this author is a little out of touch with reality. Perhaps he was in diapers when Carter was President.
I have more respect for Carter than I do for either Bush.
Regan did far worse than Pelosi by going around the US Government to negotiate with Iran to _not_ release the hostages in exchange for arms sales.
Any republican who criticizes Pelosi but thinks Regan was great is a hypocrite.
By the way, there's a typo in the "Buzz Rigth Back" button.
op
Written by One Person
on 5/21/2007
Views as to the success or lack of success of Carter's presidency are not the issue, and logically cannot defend Bush. Finally, there is a respected and responsible public voice who is willing to give an accurate description of Bush's ineptitude and abysmal actions and policies.
Written by Mike Gottsch
on 5/21/2007
I am a Canadian. Therefore, I won’t get involved in your internal opinions but I will mirror to you what is plain evident. There were (from this moment) 37 commentaries written supporting former US President Jimmy Carter’s statement and 17 commentaries supporting this reporter’s view or President Bush.
It is clear that the U.S. is not unified for this war. If America has “Freedom of Speech” then Jimmy Carter has every right to say what he did.
What I can comment on is an outsider’s position on it. I can very safely say that most of the world is and was against the United States invading a sovereign nation. Furthermore, there are far worse regimes than Hussein’s that would have deserved intervention.
O.K. so the United States has done wrong. Now, how to fix it. It’s very simple. The United States needs to remove their troops from the occupied territories. Your own congress wants this to happen, the United Nations wants this to happen, the Iraqi Government even voted to ask the U.S. to leave Iraq.
Why can’t the republicans see this and work with the democrats to force the Commander In Chief to do the right thing?
Written by Robert of Canada
on 5/21/2007
Everyday, when I think I cannot be more suprised or disappointed, I find an article like this. First, I would like to applaud those replies that have clarity to the events of the past six years. As for the rest and your commentary, I simply want to provide you with my own clarity. Jimmy Carter was not the best President by most standards, however, he will be remembered in history as one of the finest Statesmen in US history. The biggest failure in his Presidency came as a result of selfish and spoiled Americans. President Carter knew of our dependency on foreign oil. He tried to speak to the American people about conservation, not through propaganda, but directly. How did we respond? We ridiculed his "fireside chat" and made fun of his posture as being warmed in front of a fire. We spat on his suggestions and recommendations. Our President asked us to make sacrifices, but because he had not gotten us into an unprovoked war, we did not want to listen. Think about his request when you pump your next tank. The hostage situation, please. Who is alive today, with a greater than five year-old mentality, really believes that President Carter was responsible for that (staged) debacle? Where is the mention of the historical Camp David Accords? President Carter has done many great things, while in office and out. The problem with this country today, is that unless we physically feel something bad touch us or our wallets, we are ignorant to the strife in the world away from our shores. We need a wake up call.
I could list the affronts of the Bush Admisnistration, from the deceit, corruption and rape of the middle calss, to the law breaking and destruction of 1/3 of our Executive Branch of Government - the Judiciary. President Bush signed a law that he knew was unconstitutional and then had changes made AFTER the Deputy Attorney General threatened to resign the next day. But there is simply no point in making a long list here, you can watch it DAILT on the news. I will finish with a question for those pro-Bush supporters. What does it say about all of you that pushed to impeach a President because of a slip in moral character and having what you want everyday vs. not DEMANDING the impeachment of a President that has brought us to the miseralbe circustances we are in today? By the way, since it was reported that Al Qaieda was responsible for the attacks on the Palestinian refugee camps this morning, are we now going to war there to fight Al Qaieda? Of course not, we do not have enough troops to do anything but maintain this farce in Iraq.
Written by Marissa
on 5/21/2007
I think it is sad that former president Carter consistently publishes a book every time you hear one of his rants. Am I the only one that sees the connection? It also seems to coincide with elections. It seems obvious that its all about money and politics(greed and power).
Written by Fred Jones
on 5/21/2007
To your article, I say "Here Here."
Jimmy Carter’s statements reek of the dirty politics which is corroding our way of life - eroding what it means to be an American. It is shameful when public servants in or out of office, denigrate America under the protection of being American – worse when it is coming from a former leader of this great nation.
Instead of being supportive, these ignorant and egocentric people take pot shots at our military and our commander in chief "IN A TIME OF WAR". If they would simply see this fight through, we probably would have finished dealing with it already and then as all Americans should, take action to adjust what is necessary to improve ourselves or prevent future errors.
We should not forget where we are coming from or why we are in these messes we today and most important; what errors we should not repeat. If we make new mistakes living in this new world wrought with terrorism, let us not forget who [Jimmy] allowed it to take root and fester [Bill] to this point. These two presidents should be ashamed to blame George W. for trying to do something about it.
Written by A Proud American
on 5/21/2007
Are you typical of political thought in LA?
Written by lkl
on 5/21/2007
I was in Georgia when Mr. Carter was Governor - He was an idiot then. This image was reinforced and expanded when he was elected president (intentionally not capitalized)
Idiot then - idiot now What has changed ??
Written by Alex C
on 5/21/2007
You're an idiot. It's been clear for a long time that Bush is the worst President of modern times and he's not getting any better. Keep drinking the Kool-Aid and don't read any history books in the future or your sad illusions might be shattered.
Written by W Roxx
on 5/21/2007
Many with the "bush derangment syndrome" have forgotten that when Carter left office his approval rating was 29%--lower than Bush's 35%. Remember the "misery index" under Carter ?! LOL !!
Another number the mainstream fails to put into perspective is that the Dem. contolled Congress has a lower approval rating than Bush. Even VP Cheney has a higher rating than Sen. Reid !
Written by Joe
on 5/21/2007
If you want to take the time to learn the truth about the Iraq war and presedent Bush, Read the actual speeches he delivered his past 7 years. You will find the biggest liers are the news media and radical far left democrats. I want to know from all you intellects since we never fought a war on terror befor what is your basis for failure except emotion and monday morning quarterbacking.
Written by Mark Magyar
on 5/21/2007
Oh man. You, uneducated god fearin' right wing extremists. (Bush and his cronies included)
For those who are uneducated: look in your dictionary, especially in the American Heritage Dictionary...
Extremist means "One who advocates or resorts to measures beyond the norm, especially in politics."
Enuff said
Written by Oh man!
on 5/21/2007
Jeff:
I think you are dead wrong here. Jimmy Carter was NOT one of our worst presidents. He doesn't rank up there among the five or ten best, either, but he's far above Warren Harding, Ulysses Grant, Herbert Hoover and even -- yes -- Ronald Reagan and other not-so-great Republicans in his performance in office. He WAS right in characterizing George W. Bush as one of the worst presidents in foreign policy but, again, in my humble opinion with a humble degree in History, Carter didn't go far enough in his assessment of the current usurper of the White House.
GEORGE W. BUSH IS THE WORST PRESIDENT IN AMERICAN HISTORY!
BY FAR!!
PERIOD!!!
As a former president who kept us out of a war we could very easily have gotten sucked ourselves into -- in Iran -- Carter has every right to attack a current president. Who better to do it? The debacle in Iraq is just one symptom of the toxic malaise that has been creeping over this great nation of ours like black mold since January 20, 2001. Nearly everything that was good -- or bad -- prior to that date has gotten worse. Worse for everyone, that is, except the fortunate 0.2% of the population with the money and power then who have even more money and power now thanks to King George II. Even his daddy had more sense than to blunder into Iraq. I guess the generation gap between the two was just too wide for Junior to learn from.
And the continued, ongoing canonization of Reagan sickens me too, although I'm certain it's going to go on for the rest of this generation. However, once today's fawning historians, TV reporters and commentators are dead I'm certain that a new generation will see his failures and personal shortcomings in a more objective light. A typical Republican war monger, Reagan would have had us fighting another unwinnable jungle war 20 years ago -- in Nicaragua -- if the Democrats in Congress at the time hadn't stopped him. But at least he succeeded in freeing the strategically important island of Grenada from the commie menace, God bless him. And bombing the hell out of Qaddafi, yeah, Right On! His latest admissions of ignorance as to what Ollie North and the rest of his gang of thugs was doing in the Iran-Contra situation only serves as a shining example of why there should be age limits and cognitive requirements for running for president. His Alzheimer's must have kicked in sooner than we are normally led to believe. If, as commander in chief, he was so out of the loop, thank God we at least have such things as term limits on the presidency.
And I notice that you had nothing here to say about the late former President Ford's recently released assessments of his immediate predecessors and successors. I guess it's OK for a dead ex-chief executive to criticize other presidents as long as it's done in cowardly fashion after his and their deaths. It's especially galling (but not surprising) that he heaps praise on the man who appointed him -- Richard Nixon. Of course, what else would one expect him to say? Ford couldn't get elected in his own right and he never would have been president at all if not for Tricky Dick. One thing that CAN be said about both Nixon and Ford: George W. Bush has actually done the impossible in making BOTH of them look good. That really took some doing.
God save America. We're going the way of the Roman Empire and all other empires -- down. Thank you George W. Bush. Or should we call him Nero?
Written by Dean Shapiro
on 5/21/2007
I really appreciate this article and the fact somebody has
stepped up to point out the miserable job that jimmy carter
did as president. I am from Georgia and lived through the years
that he was one of the worst governors that the state ever had.
If he had done the job half as good as he thinks he did while
he was president, he might have been reelected, instead the people
turned him out. It is now long past the time for him to
sit down and shut up. Every time he opens his mouth it is an
insult to every good American, living and dead.
Written by Ben Tucker
on 5/21/2007
I really appreciate this article and the fact somebody has
stepped up to point out the miserable job that jimmy carter
did as president. I am from Georgia and lived through the years
that he was one of the worst governors that the state ever had.
If he had done the job half as good as he thinks he did while
he was president, he might have been reelected, instead the people
turned him out. It is now long past the time for him to
sit down and shut up. Every time he opens his mouth it is an
insult to every good American, living and dead.
Written by Ben Tucker
on 5/21/2007
You didn't discuss the accusations at all. You only criticized Jimmy Carter. Would that mean the accusations are true and you have no ground from which to defend George Bush? If so then your article was loser spew -- the exact same kind generated by Karl Rove and the administration over the last 6 years. Hmm was that supposed to increase your ratings as a writer? Let me suggest the best way to improve your ratings is to increase your competence. Please pass this along to the administration, they could afford to take note too.
Second, people are always angry at the Bush administration but before Bush was elected we had a democracy, and we sort of still have one. The point is, that if a Adolph Hitler or Pol Pot ran for election is it really his fault if he does something evil? The problem is with our voters. Voting for G. Bush in 2000 was excusable, but after 4 years of absolute incompetence what intelligent person could vote for him again? There are none. Don't be angry at Bush, look at the people next to you that voted for him -- they are the problem.
Written by Steve L
on 5/21/2007
RWW: "Decisions are made with information that none of you will ever see."
Here's where you are wrong. Bush went to war based on misleading and wrong information. Heck, He doesn't ever read the newspaper. He relies on his people for information and base his decisions upon them.
And what does radical Islamic folks have in difference with the radical right wing christians? They are much alike than you give them credit for.
Written by Don
on 5/21/2007
Nick, the majority speaks for the nation. It shows here... So, you lose. Shut up and go home and watch your favorite shows.
Written by Don
on 5/21/2007
WELL WELL WELL... I see the Bush HATERS are out in force! The only history that is relevant to them is that they hate Bush, Bush is bad etc etc. GROW UP! Jimmy Carter Wrecked the Military, (yes I was in the Military when Carter was President) we had no money to train or repair broken equipment) we DID have 20% interest rates, and when President Carter left office in 1981 he left the US economy with a 7.1% UNEMPLOYMENT RATE! Now lets compare that to our economy with that of the days of Jimmy Carter, 7.1% unemployment for Carter, to 4.5% today With President Bush. 20% interest rates during Jimmy Carters ONE TERM as President, 5.8- 6.1 percent so Far under President Bush. Jimmy Carter gave us NO GAS! We had to line up in Gas lines, I do remember odd even (Which for you youngsters means that if the last number on your license plate was even you could ONLY get gas on even days and if it was odd you could gas on ODD days, this was GAS RATIONING!!!) We don't have that under President Bush. Now for Foreign affairs. In 1979 we had our embassy in Terehan Iran taken over by Islamist Militants, while our President (Jimmy Carter) DID NOTHING!(Ok there was a half assed attempt at a joint Millitary rescue that failed, in part because it was our VERY FIRST attempt at joint service ops) In 1980 the Soviet Union invaded another Nation one you folks should be Familiar with AFGANISTAN! what did CARTER do, why absolutely NOTHING! You see when the Soviet Union saw how weak Carter was dealing with a country like Iran, which at that time was a second rate power at best, they saw no disadvandage in invading another country to set up a COMMUNIST Government. Jimmy Carter calling President Bush the worst President ever is nothing more than that pot calling the kettle black.
Written by Old Jarhead
on 5/21/2007
TO: FRENCH FRIED POTATO & GARY PATTERSON - FYI: SENILE, "HOMER GUMP", HAS COMPLETELY RECANTED WHAT HE SAID IN REFERENCE TO OUR PRESIDENT, AND THE WHITE HOUSE. HE'S SO-SO WITH A HAMMER AND NAIL, BUT IS, WITHOUT QUESTION "THE WORST" PRESIDENT OUR COUNTRY HAS EVER HAD!! BY THE WAY, WHAT'S UP WITH THE "POTATO" BIT?? WHAT DOES HIS RELIGION HAVE TO DO WITH ANYTHING?
HOORAH, "PATRIOT WARRIOR"
Written by PATRIOT WARRIOR
on 5/21/2007
TO: "THE POTATO HEAD", & little minded gary patterson - "GET A FRIGGIN LIFE BOYS"! I personally experienced the Presidential term of one "Jimma Cahta", his demented brutha, his "Iron-headed wife, and his "where am I?" mother. Cahta nearly destroyed our military, and made the blacks even more dependent on "our" government. I experienced 20%+ inflation, and 20%+ interest rates; all because of - "The Peanut Farmer". During Cahta's run for the President, he promised everything under the sun, to everyone on the Planet. Strange, but the liberal media and others never, ever called him down about anything as to why he didn't produce anything, but misery. Now, after having "slung mud" at President Bush, he got caught, and is "slithering" around in the Ninth Ward mud, trying to undo what he has created, another mess! He is a liar in the worse sense. Cahta is more than demented; he is a sick, pathetic figure trying to seek publicity at anyone's expense. Let's all pray for his soul, including you poor, soul-less folks. HOORAH, PATRIOT WARRIOR.
Written by PATRIOT WARRIOR
on 5/21/2007
President Jimmy Carter is a wonderful human being. He is a man who is trying to help the world ~ not destroy it as this administration is. I give President Carter kudos for speaking out against GW Bush ~ if any of us "simple folks" ~ just plain old citizens had said anything like that, we'd be labeled a traitor. I have NEVER seen people afraid to say what they think ~ but Bush and his cronies have made this country an UN~united one, as well as the most hated country on earth. Thank you, Mr. Bush ~ I, for one, wish President Carter were still in office.
Written by Kasia Reed
on 5/21/2007
"...gives aid and comfort to our enemy." 'Mixed record on foreign policy"? Does Fox news give you a story generator to come up with the same old talking points or do you do that reflexively? And then of course, you follow with the same old smear of the guy's record tactic. No, Carter wasn't a great president. However, next to our current office holder, he was fantastic. I wonder if you defended Clinton this vigorously from what now seems like a completely partison and frivolous attack? Doubt it...
Written by Sean
on 5/21/2007
I strongly agree with Jimmy Carter. This administration has been the worst in history. What is Bush doing for the people in the united states? Yes, terrorism is one fight but first he should think of disasters and problems that still haven't been resolved here at home in the US. All of this boils down to the blame game. Why must the politics always point the finger of blame. That's not going to help solve the problem. We should be helping and not causing more problems. I think its time Bush says goodbye and we say hello to a new president who isn't into the money and oil industry. In my opinion, Bush is all about the war and oil. Why must there be war? That should be a last resort. Oil will eventually run out and we will need renewable resources to help keep this country alive. I really think that Bush does not care about the American People. We need a loyal, brainy, and caring president to run this country. To hear our issues and problems and then, try to resolve them.
Written by Hanonsise
on 5/21/2007
'It shows the country is not united in our war efforts and gives aid and comfort to our enemy.' Such curious logic removes all ability to question the actions of our government. I think it needs retelling, we did not elect a king. When did our democracy turn to glass, unable to withstand any questioning about direction? Oh and by the way, Carter haters like yourself like bringing up Iran's holding of hostages. Did you forget Iran -Contra? Funny it was in all the papers. Have you forgotten the secret, yet proven, arms for hostages deal worked out by the administration of your sainted Ronald Reagan. You have the audacity to try and hang that around Mr. Carter's. Ever think about the curious timing in their release right AFTER the election?
Written by Leroy Johnson
on 5/21/2007
Carter was a well meaning but thoroughly inept as a President. George W Bush will go down as the worst American president not because he is inept but because of Cheney and Rove's raping and pillaging in order to line their's and their constituents pockets while in office. They make really bad decisions for the country but decisions which also enrich their cronies and themselves. As Cheny said himself early on when asked about appearance of their self enrichment, "Its been eight long years, we have our due." Meaning they, the republicans, were shut out of the money trough by the Clinton administration. Its time for the US to elect a progressive who makes decisions for the good of the country and not someone who takes care of their party and cronies. Rome is crumbling.
Written by Rex Boehme
on 5/21/2007
poor Jimmy...20% interest rates, home foreclosures, unemployment rate in the clouds, gas lines (odd/even, remember), misery index, Iran hostages (failed recuse attempt) which led islam to think that we were (are) too weak to deal with them. Jimmy...facts are a bitch. But feel free to think that Jimmy is some sort of a "statesman" or someone that should even be listened to. He has a right to free speech but he doesn't the right to heard...he is just an old man trying to stay noticed or let people know that he is still alive. Pity him...poor Jimmy.
Written by LT
on 5/21/2007
Jeez, Jeff--learn to speak and think for yourself! "Aid and comfprt to the enemy"? Glad to see that the Bush White House has another mouthpiece. The whole war on terror is pure bunk--cooked up to keep the Bushites in office through a second term. I'm not saying that the 9/11 attacks didn't happen (they obviously did) but if there is an "enemy" out there, we created them. Sadaam was a problem because we put him into power--and armed him. The Taliban were also funded and armed by the US when the Soviets were in power. The whole thing makes me sick. You can't have a "war" on an abstract concept! All of Bush's rhetoric only serves to make Americans more afraid--who is the real terrorist?
Written by TM
on 5/21/2007
Great article.
I cannot believe the comments on here.
Do you all realize th
Usually, ex-Presidents are respectful when commenting on the current occupant of the White House. The reason is that they are uniquely suited to know the demands of the job and the incredible pressure that the President faces. There is an unwritten code of honor among men who have served as leader of the Free World. 
To
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