Carter blasts Bush (Lord Luv ya Jimmy!)

[irishgrl]

Carter blasts Bush on his global impact

58 minutes ago

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. - Former President Carter says
President Bush's administration is "the worst in history" in international relations, taking aim at the White House's policy of pre-emptive war and its Middle East diplomacy.
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The criticism from Carter, which a biographer says is unprecedented for the 39th president, also took aim at Bush's environmental policies and the administration's "quite disturbing" faith-based initiative funding.

"I think as far as the adverse impact on the nation around the world, this administration has been the worst in history," Carter told the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette in a story that appeared in the newspaper's Saturday editions. "The overt reversal of America's basic values as expressed by previous administrations, including those of George H.W. Bush and
Ronald Reagan and
Richard Nixon and others, has been the most disturbing to me."

Carter spokeswoman Deanna Congileo confirmed his comments to The Associated Press on Saturday and declined to elaborate. He spoke while promoting his new audiobook series, "Sunday Mornings in Plains," a collection of weekly Bible lessons from his hometown of Plains, Ga.

"Apparently, Sunday mornings in Plains for former President Carter includes hurling reckless accusations at your fellow man," said Amber Wilkerson,
Republican National Committee spokeswoman. She said it was hard to take Carter seriously because he also "challenged Ronald Reagan's strategy for the Cold War."

Carter came down hard on the
Iraq war.

"We now have endorsed the concept of pre-emptive war where we go to war with another nation militarily, even though our own security is not directly threatened, if we want to change the regime there or if we fear that some time in the future our security might be endangered," he said. "But that's been a radical departure from all previous administration policies."

Carter, who won a Nobel Peace Prize in 2002, criticized Bush for having "zero peace talks" in
Israel. Carter also said the administration "abandoned or directly refuted" every negotiated nuclear arms agreement, as well as environmental efforts by other presidents.

Carter also offered a harsh assessment for the White House's Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives, which helped religious charities receive $2.15 billion in federal grants in fiscal year 2005 alone.

"The policy from the White House has been to allocate funds to religious institutions, even those that channel those funds exclusively to their own particular group of believers in a particular religion," Carter said. "As a traditional Baptist, I've always believed in separation of church and state and honored that premise when I was president, and so have all other presidents, I might say, except this one."

Douglas Brinkley, a Tulane University presidential historian and Carter biographer, described Carter's comments as unprecedented.

"This is the most forceful denunciation President Carter has ever made about an American president," Brinkley said. "When you call somebody the worst president, that's volatile. Those are fighting words."

Carter also lashed out Saturday at British prime minister
Tony Blair. Asked how he would judge Blair's support of Bush, the former president said: "Abominable. Loyal. Blind. Apparently subservient."

"And I think the almost undeviating support by Great Britain for the ill-advised policies of President Bush in Iraq have been a major tragedy for the world," Carter told British Broadcasting Corp. radio.


I always liked this man, now I adore him! :nod:

[markolas]

He's a dying breed, that's for sure.

[BombaySapphire3]

What is controversial about calling Shrub the worst president in U.S history?:shrug: Isn't that kind of like calling molten lava hot or dry ice cold?

[Musicman408]

Jimmy Carter is awesome for saying this. Kudos for sure.

[seeker007nmss]

It was an irresponsible comment. (right or wrong). A person in his position should show better tact and judgement. There are better ways and avenues to voice his opinion. But then again, Carter is considered a very poor President Ranked 30/39. (a few ties). I think age is catching up with him.

[irishgrl]

It was an irresponsible comment. (right or wrong). A person in his position should show better tact and judgement. There are better ways and avenues to voice his opinion. But then again, Carter is considered a very poor President Ranked 30/39. (a few ties). I think age is catching up with him.
where did you get your ranking info? just curious...

I admire Jimmy for so many reasons, starting with his eco-friendly walk to the White house during the first gas crisis to his humanitarian efforts at home and abroad, and his cojones for saying what NEEDED to be said.

If anyone is "irresponsible," its the Bushwhacker. please.

[seeker007nmss]

where did you get your ranking info? just curious...

I admire Jimmy for so many reasons, starting with his eco-friendly walk to the White house during the first gas crisis to his humanitarian efforts at home and abroad, and his cojones for saying what NEEDED to be said.

If anyone is "irresponsible," its the Bushwhacker. please.


The list was a survey done in 2000 of seventy-eight history, political science and law professors that was conducted by The Wall Street Journal. They listed all of the presidents up to that time in order from best to worst. So if they redo it, hard to tell where Old Georgie will end up.

[Nico]

I'm not really impressed with lists and surveys, but Jimmy Carter as a man impresses me very much. He's an inspirational person, and I agree with his summation, even if it wasn't very tactful to say. But really...nothing new.

[strandinthewind]

It was an irresponsible comment. (right or wrong). A person in his position should show better tact and judgement. There are better ways and avenues to voice his opinion. But then again, Carter is considered a very poor President Ranked 30/39. (a few ties). I think age is catching up with him.

Cater was one of the most ineffective Presidents. His altruism got the best of him and we are still paying the price for that in Iran, which I submit is the leader of terrorism bankrolling in the Middle East.

I do think he is a good man and his heart is pure though. I also think it is impossible for someone like that to succeed or be effective in politics.

That being said, though the messenger is flawed here - the message is accurate. Other than the tax cuts which sparked the failing economy, W has failed in every other area. And, the economy was sparked, but the national debt is so staggering now that any long range positive effect of that spark has been quelled -- sort of like a silly woman thinking maxing out the credit card is a good idea because paying 10.99 percent for 30 years is a good idea :eek:

[strandinthewind]

I'm not really impressed with lists and surveys, but Jimmy Carter as a man impresses me very much. He's an inspirational person, and I agree with his summation, even if it wasn't very tactful to say. But really...nothing new.

I think his heart is in the right place, but not all of his actions are that good. Some of the elections he oversaw were tainted and he has picked the lesser of evils before.

In the end, none of us are saints, but Carter at least tries to make a positive difference in the world without regard for the effect the possible fallout could have on his personal public image.

[seeker007nmss]

-- sort of like a silly woman thinking maxing out the credit card is a good idea because paying 10.99 percent for 30 years is a good idea :eek:


Depends what she bought! :laugh:

[strandinthewind]

Depends what she bought! :laugh:

I suggest silly women buy few things of any lasting value - unless it is me for the evening :angel:

[BlackWidow]

I suggest silly women buy few things of any lasting value - unless it is me for the evening :angel:

:rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

[DavidMn]

I dont like either one. Both are assholes in their own way. Carter probably less than Bush.

[irishgrl]

I dont like either one. Both are assholes in their own way. Carter probably less than Bush.
David! you think Carter is an asshole? why??? :shrug:

[DavidMn]

David! you think Carter is an asshole? why??? :shrug:I just dont like politicians that are too far to each extreme of the political spectrum that's all.:)

[Sorceress]

Wow, I don't think I'd call him an a**hole, regardless of his vs. your political leanings. I agree with those who have said that even though he wasn't that great a president, he is a great man. And he speaks the truth.

[Ghost_Tracker]

Carter blasts Bush on his global impact

I always liked this man, now I adore him! :nod:


I'm a little bit disappointed that Carter has backed down off of this in the past day or so. But I think he's great, overall.

Did you know that he's written some fiction books?

[BombaySapphire3]

I just dont like politicians that are too far to each extreme of the political spectrum that's all.:)

I'd hardly call Jimmy Carter an extreme left winger..he's actually pretty moderate..it is the neo cons that are kind of off the hook .I'll bet if Barry Goldwater was still around he'd have plenty to say about the debacle that is the Bush administration.

[Keith]

I also thought Carter was a weak president, but definitely a great person.

However, he backs off, and now the Democratic congress is backing down to Bush but removing the timetable deadline in the bill - of course, the media is now saying how Bush has this great victory. Victory? Not in Iraq- we have screwed up so badly over in that country. The strongest nation in the world against a two bit dictator with a weak military and going into our 5th year and things are worse than ever. We've lost - 9 soldiers yesterday - whether we stay or pull out, a disaster is Irag. Sad, sad, sad.

As a taxpayer - I don't mind paying my share - but lets find the 2.3 trillion dollars that is missing from the Defesne budget - stop asking me for more money and dig in to the pockets of those who are stealing the money. Haliburton, Blackwater, etc.

Since the democrats have backed down, why don't they all just pack up and go home and let Bush become the sole leader of our nation. Just enact into law the May 9 directive he issued stating that if another event like 911 happens, then he can declare martial law and take over all the government - most of Americans probably don't know about this - I know the media was too occupied with the Paris Hilton and Britney Spears story to report it.. but it's true. Bush/Cheney needs to go - but I really don't think most of this country really cares. Sad, sad, state of affairs.

[strandinthewind]

I'm a little bit disappointed that Carter has backed down off of this in the past day or so . . . .

I do not get that he backed down. His explanation is exactly what he originally said. It is the press that took his "worst ever" comment out of context and implied he meant it for the overall performance of the Bush Admin. :shrug: While many here believe that W's admin. is the worst ever and want to extrapolate Carter's comments on the compartive foreign policies of Nixon and W, that is just not what Carter said - to wit:

"I think as far as the adverse impact on the nation around the world, this administration has been the worst in history"

http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/europe/05/19/carter.blair.ap/index.html

On edit - Fox and the other news agencies make much ado about Carter being a horrible President as if that makes his statement/assessment of W's foreign policies as the worst ever somehow untrue. That kind of "shoot the messenger" to discredit the the messenger's true statment argument is just BS. But, this WH certainly plays that card often and it works, which is a pathetic comment on the public's ability to think in a rationale manner.

[gldstwmn]

What is controversial about calling Shrub the worst president in U.S history?:shrug: Isn't that kind of like calling molten lava hot or dry ice cold?

He broke the former presidential omerta and now the Republicans are all up in arms. Jesus Christ, it's about time someone said something. I heard Gore said something similar on Larry King last night. I have it Tivo'd so I'll watch it later.
Who knows what this crazy bastard will do in the time he has left.

[gldstwmn]

I'm a little bit disappointed that Carter has backed down off of this in the past day or so. But I think he's great, overall.

Did you know that he's written some fiction books?

He's a very bright man who got screwed over during his presidency because he was not a beltway insider.

[gldstwmn]

Cater was one of the most ineffective Presidents. His altruism got the best of him and we are still paying the price for that in Iran, which I submit is the leader of terrorism bankrolling in the Middle East.

Bull****. You know that Carter had brokered a deal to have the hostages released when the Reagan mob sent Poppy Bush over to Paris to bribe them with arms to wait until after the election. Iran Contra anyone?

[gldstwmn]

I'd hardly call Jimmy Carter an extreme left winger..he's actually pretty moderate..it is the neo cons that are kind of off the hook .I'll bet if Barry Goldwater was still around he'd have plenty to say about the debacle that is the Bush administration.

His daughter was interviewed on television a few months ago and she flat out said this is not her father's party. She basically said in this day and age Goldwater would be a Democrat or at the very least an Independent.
Carter is a liberal moderate. Now Dennis Kucinich, that's a liberal.

[gldstwmn]

I also thought Carter was a weak president, but definitely a great person.

However, he backs off, and now the Democratic congress is backing down to Bush but removing the timetable deadline in the bill -

The Democrats didn't back down. Bush vetoed the bill and we didn't have enough votes in the Senate to override Bush's veto because there are still enough of his cronies left in there. I predict a thorough housecleaning in 2008-if we haven't been nuked by then.


As a taxpayer - I don't mind paying my share - but lets find the 2.3 trillion dollars that is missing from the Defesne budget - stop asking me for more money and dig in to the pockets of those who are stealing the money. Haliburton, Blackwater, etc.

Look in Dick Cheney's pocket. :laugh: