Opinion Talk

By Carbon Footprint

April 17, 2008 4:12 PM | Link to this

Carter snapshot of the Hamas/Israeli war will have the merit of any recording of history… The value is in the words he can get Hamas to form. Any intel is better than nothing. What form of death does Hamas want for Israel? At what point is it permissible for Israel to nuke Hamas in time to prevent Hamas from nuking them? WMDs. Briefcase nukes. Bioweapons. Israel may have to take Hamas out. Carter needs to go in there and get some record of Hamas’s intention in 2008. Otherwise we get nothing about the situation other than Bush Administration spin..

By ImpeachCarter

April 17, 2008 5:33 PM | Link to this

We need someone in the Whitehouse who has the testicular fortitude to seize Carter’s passport. He submarined Clinton. He submarined Bush. When will he realize he does not represent the United States anymore and leave diplomacy to whoever is in the Whitehouse? And..Don’t give me any of that free speech crap. He is a former President. His only recognition worldwide is because he is a former President. There are responsibilities that come with that office; one of which is to keep your mouth shut regarding US foreign policy. Of course he can tell people how he feels but to act against the policies of the current President , whoever he or she may be, approaches a less than patriotic word.

Jimmy, you have your nobel prize; now just go home and shut up.

By ImpeachCarter

April 17, 2008 5:33 PM | Link to this

We need someone in the Whitehouse who has the testicular fortitude to seize Carter’s passport. He submarined Clinton. He submarined Bush. When will he realize he does not represent the United States anymore and leave diplomacy to whoever is in the Whitehouse? And..Don’t give me any of that free speech crap. He is a former President. His only recognition worldwide is because he is a former President. There are responsibilities that come with that office; one of which is to keep your mouth shut regarding US foreign policy. Of course he can tell people how he feels but to act against the policies of the current President , whoever he or she may be, approaches a less than patriotic word.

Jimmy, you have your nobel prize; now just go home and shut up.

By Charles

April 17, 2008 6:44 PM | Link to this

“Now, finally, we have the welcome tonic of Carter saying what any independent, uncorrupted thinker should conclude: that no “peace plan,” “road map” or “legacy” can succeed unless we are sitting at the negotiating table and without any preconditions,” writes Al-Zahar.

Excuse me, but doesn’t it state in Hamas’ own charter specifically calls for the annihilation of Isreal? Why does anyone even give these terrorists, murderers and liars the time of day - including our national embarrassment Jimmy Carter? They should just take the Gaza Strip back - better yet, just hunt Hamas down and stick a piece of ham up their rear ends.

By JimK

April 17, 2008 8:08 PM | Link to this

Jimmy Carter, former President of the United States and private citizen. Against the advice of the State Department, numerous Congressmen and Senators, and the Democratic National Committee, met with HAMAS a known terrorist organization. If I had a meeting with HAMAS, I know what would happen. I would be put on every terrorist watch list in the world, harassed and interrogated at every airport and possibly denied flights. There is no reason why Jimmy Carter, “Private Citizen”, should be treated any different.

By James

April 18, 2008 8:00 AM | Link to this

This is all very, very simple. Jimmy Carter = Neville Chamberlain. For those of you who nothing about history - look it up.

By Et

April 18, 2008 8:01 AM | Link to this

carters anti-semitism and support of despots knows no bounds. He talks about Israel starving Palestinians in Gaza - but refuses to talk about Israel giving humanitarian access of food and oil to an entity that has shot thousands of missles at israeli civilians. carters lies, distortions and stupidity make us realize how Reagan crushed him in 1980.

By Et

April 18, 2008 8:02 AM | Link to this

carters anti-semitism and support of despots knows no bounds. He talks about Israel starving Palestinians in Gaza - but refuses to talk about Israel giving humanitarian access of food and oil to an entity that has shot thousands of missles at israeli civilians. carters lies, distortions and stupidity make us realize how Reagan crushed him in 1980.

By Et

April 18, 2008 8:02 AM | Link to this

carters anti-semitism and support of despots knows no bounds. He talks about Israel starving Palestinians in Gaza - but refuses to talk about Israel giving humanitarian access of food and oil to an entity that has shot thousands of missles at israeli civilians. carters lies, distortions and stupidity make us realize how Reagan crushed him in 1980.

By Et

April 18, 2008 8:03 AM | Link to this

carters anti-semitism and support of despots knows no bounds. He talks about Israel starving Palestinians in Gaza - but refuses to talk about Israel giving humanitarian access of food and oil to an entity that has shot thousands of missles at israeli civilians. carters lies, distortions and stupidity make us realize why Reagan crushed him in 1980.

By Et

April 18, 2008 8:03 AM | Link to this

carters anti-semitism and support of despots knows no bounds. He talks about Israel starving Palestinians in Gaza - but refuses to talk about Israel giving humanitarian access of food and oil to an entity that has shot thousands of missles at israeli civilians. carters lies, distortions and stupidity make us realize why Reagan crushed him in 1980.

By Jimmy Supporter

April 18, 2008 8:05 AM | Link to this

I applaud President Carter for his attempts. They however will fail, not because of HAMAS but because of the Apartheid Gov’t of Yisrael. The Israelis are murdering civilians including children, refusing medical treatment to the sick, destroying crops, cutting off electricity and water, all basic necessities for life. What would you do if in the same situation? Would you let your children die, starve because of some illegal activities of the Israeli Gov’t or would you do what the American Gov’t did and try to overthrow your oppressors as they did the British Government. HAMAS is the democratically elected government of Palestine, they won fair and square, the Bush administration and the Israeli gov’t has to deal with it. Funny thing, the Bush administration stole and election and you don’t have China and Russia denying anything to the U.S. yet HAMAS won the election and they should be afforded the opportunity to rule without interruption from the Israeli and American Governments.

By Red

April 18, 2008 8:23 AM | Link to this

Carter is doing something no one else in the US Government has the balls to do. We must negotiate, even with our enemies. How else will we ever find peace? We do not have to give in to them, but we need a dialogue. The Cowboy in the White House thought he could simply steamroll our enemies and they would surrender. It hasn’t worked in Irag and it won’t work with Israel and Hammas. Israel isn’t without fault, though their lobby in this country is so strong that anyone who might want to oppose them, doesn’t do so out of fear for their career. Jimmy Carter doesn’t fear them and doesn’t hesitate to call a spade a spade. Israel receives billions of our support without any strings attached. They spy on us and once “accidentally” attacked our ship and killed our sailors, never apologized and never paid. They have no qualms about biting the hand that feeds them. NO, I am NOT anti- semitic. I am simply a realist, willing to speak out about this unquestioning support.

By J.C.

April 18, 2008 8:41 AM | Link to this

While solving problems by NOT speaking to each other may work in a junior high school setting, it’s not a basis for successful foreign policy. Let’s not forget that Hamas, like it or not, is the party ELECTED by the Palestinian people to govern. Isn’t this what our most recent national embarassment, Dubyah, wanted — democracy in the Middle East?

By John White

April 18, 2008 8:48 AM | Link to this

It’s the Carter haters that need to shut up. Unfortunately he has more moral authority than the US government at this sad juncture. The man is doing what any Christian should be doing: trying to love and understand their enemies instead of demonizing, which is the modus operandi of the Bush White House, domestically as well as internationally. And, as a previous writer mentioned, Hamas is the democratically elected government of the Palestinian people. I thought that’s what Bush was trying to promote in the Middle East. What hypocrisy!

By Copyleft

April 18, 2008 8:52 AM | Link to this

Carter is able to meet with enemies and work for peace because—get ready—he’s a REAL Christian. And he’s better than the warmongering, terrorized, cowardly scumballs currently squatting in the Oval Office.

He’s also doing the U.S. a favor by reminding the world that we’re not ALL belligerent, swaggering idiots like Bush.

By danjonglee

April 18, 2008 9:11 AM | Link to this

Commrades Habitat for Hamas is a great service. Carter “Haters” are unable to see his good work. Habitat for Hamas will help with Hamas families housing problem, despite the group’s stated commitment to the violent destruction of the state of Israel. Whether it be Rhodesia, Nicaragua, Cuba, Venezuela, Iran, or North Korea, Jimmy is able to highlight the errors of American foreign policy and show the world that thugs, dictators, despots, and fascists are people too.

By John Lison

April 18, 2008 9:44 AM | Link to this

I never voted for Jimmy Carter as I have never agreed with him politically. I have, however, great admiration for the man as he demonstrates the best in American moral leadership and statemenship.

Our government cannot meet with Hamas for a whole variety of reasons. Personally I believe it to be hypocrtical nonsense to not meet with one’s enemies but our government for the last 24 sad years of the Bush/Clinton hegemony has been largely nonsense.

I applaud Jimmy Carter’s willingness to suffer the scorn of today’s summer soldiers and sunshine patriots. I hope he finds out something that might prove useful to world peace. But if he does not, I congratulate him for once again showing true leadership in the face of criticism.

By RealGeogiaBoy

April 18, 2008 9:55 AM | Link to this

By Jimmy Supporter April 18, 2008 8:05 AM Now what would I do Jimmy Supporter? Well after the first rocket hit on my country’s soil, I would invade and take over the country. I would hunt down all the leadership and execute then promptly. (Nuremburg trials) I would tell the “live my own little shell people like you” to kiss my A$$. My regard for the security and safety of my people come first. Israel does not declare or have in its constitution to convert or destroy all Islamic contries. The Islamic leaders do have such an edit in theirs. These people remind me of Nazi Germany and I am aghast you can not see this simularity. How many family members, friends, or countryman would you lose while insisting on negotiations. Do you remember the Korean War? We lost many military personnel during peace talks just to end the hostility. Now look what that has given us today? As long as the Islamic leaders believe in converting or killing all non believers of Islam, I will keep my gun loaded and my knife sharp. Come see Jimmy supporter!!!

By Jim

April 18, 2008 10:14 AM | Link to this

Jimmy Carter knows that, according to Haaretz, 64% of Israelis have said they want their government to talk with Hamas about a cease-fire.[A] He knows that after Hamas won the January 2006 elections, it was willing to declare a ceasefire and allow President Abbas to negotiate with Israel on behalf of all Palestinians.[B]

Jimmy Carter knows that the blockade of Gaza being carried out by Israel, the U.S., and Egypt has actually strengthened Hamas in Gaza,[C] as 90 percent of Gaza’s factories have closed and many former employees are now working for Hamas.

Jimmy Carter knows that Efraim Halevy, former head of Israel’s Mossad, has called for Israel to negotiate with Hamas.[D] He knows that before the Annapolis conference, a bipartisan group of U.S. foreign-policy experts, including former national security advisers Zbigniew Brzezinski and Brent Scowcroft, sent a letter to President Bush and Secretary Rice saying that “genuine dialogue” with Hamas is “far preferable to its isolation.”[E]

Indeed, he knows that the U.S. has encouraged Egypt to talk to Hamas about negotiating a cease-fire.[F] How can it be a scandal for Jimmy Carter to talk to Hamas, but not for Egypt to talk to Hamas at U.S. direction?

If the United States truly wants a settlement between Israel and the Palestinians - as opposed to just pretending that it wants one - it must deal with Hamas.

By mark osgoode

April 18, 2008 10:23 AM | Link to this

The Middle East is looking more and more like the tar baby from hell. In 1492, to their ever lasting sorrow, Indians discovered white people. From that point forward they would lose their freedom, their land and for the vast majority their lives. The fact that our country was founded by great men, and based on the premise that all men are created equal, did’nt stop our ancesters from enslaving black men and killing red ones. At any rate people who expect the Palestinian people to meekly do as they’re told, and move to their reservations, have no grasp of history or human nature. the Palestinian’s have legitimate grievances. We all deplore some of the methods they use to express them. King and Ghandi accompished sweeping change through non-violent means and I strongly feel that the Palastinians would benefit from similar tactics. Perhaps someone should share that point of view with them, but that might involve talking to them.

By Bear

April 18, 2008 10:49 AM | Link to this

We’re going to eventually have to annihilate Israel’s enemies. They just dont work or play well with others, and they dont learn.

Poof! Problem solved.

By Bear

April 18, 2008 11:16 AM | Link to this

Why not send Bridgett Bardot to Hamas. She’ll really let them have it at point blank range by a woman scorned by what Islamic Immigration did to her beloved France.

I love it! Send Bridgett Bardot to talk with Hamas. They’ll never be the same. I know I couldn’t stand up to a woman scorned. no man could. It’s just human nature, and there aint nuthin’ no one can do ‘bout it no how, no way, no sir.

I almost feel sorry for Hamas now. Send Bridgett Bardot today.

By no spoiled brat

April 18, 2008 11:18 AM | Link to this

Right ON CARTER! He has a brain and a heart. They gave him a terribly hard time as president. It is a shame that the Israelis haven’t evolved much since then.

Hamas is a democratically elected party. Remember the election, the one that Israel insisted that they have?

Let Carter do what the Israelis seem incapable of. Let Carter have civil diplomatic discussions.

By RealityKing

April 18, 2008 11:21 AM | Link to this

Can’t wait for Chamberlan, I mean Carter to bring home that Hamas signed peace agreement and wave it in our faces..

By NeverExpectedMuchAnyway

April 18, 2008 11:25 AM | Link to this

Those silly liberal ex-presidents will do anything to try and revive their stained legacys. Rubbing shoulders with and/or pardoning terrorists included….

By Ray Hanania

April 18, 2008 11:40 AM | Link to this

As a Palestinian American, I disagree with President Carter’s decision to meet with the leaders of Hamas. Although Hamas leaders seek to protray themselves as being the elegitimately elected leaders of Palestine (in 1996), the fact is that during the entire Oslo Peace Process, Hamas used violence and suicide bombings to block the peace process and to undermine the then legitimately elected Palestinian Government, which they boycotted.

But, once the peace process collapsed, thanks in a large part to their violent opposition, Hamas tried to step up to the plate as the new representatives of the Palestinian people.

Hamas is a terrorist organization that seeks to create an Islamic republic, while Fatah is a secular organizationt hat has fought for the liberation of all Palestinians, including Christians like myself.

Rather than include them in the discussions with Israel, they should be excluded. Members of Hamas who engage in violence should be prosecuted. The firing of Missiles into israel, for example, by Hamas is a criminal act, not an act of defense at all.

A future Palestinian state governed by Hamas would not be a state at all in my opinion, and Hamas will NEVER accept “compromise” with Israel nor will they ever support the two-state solution which is the only solution for the Palestinians and Israelis. With those facts in mind, speaking with Hamas will only undermine a future peace, not help build one.

Thanks Ray Hanania

By shaul lavan

April 18, 2008 12:01 PM | Link to this

It is ironic that the headline for Mahmoud Al-Zahar’s piece (Friday April 18) is “A welcome tonic for peace process”. Hamas’ goal is not just the destruction of Israel, but also the ethnic cleansing of all Jews. This is clear from its charter and from the public statements of its officials.

One can refer back to 1948, as did Al-Zahar. The Jewish people recognized the UN’s two-state solution, and a tiny Jewish state was formed. The Arab world rejected it, and six Arab armies invaded Israel, vowing publicly to drive all the Jews into the sea. Miraculously Israel survived and looked forward - even as vast neighboring Arab lands looked backward.

In the aftermath of the failed Arab invasion, and later Arab initiated wars, there were TWO sets of refugee populations. One were the almost one million Jews from Arab lands, whose descendants form half of Israel’s population. Israel uplifted them and they ceased to be a problem. The other were a similar number of Arab refugees. Their descendants have been cynically manipulated by Arab regimes - prevented from citizenship, employment, or land ownership. This was true even when the Arab world held the West Bank and Gaza, until 1967.

As Al-Zahar suggests, the bottom line has hardly changed in the decades. The Palestinian cause has been built for the negation of Israel, and not for its own sake. It is reinforced by children’s programs on both Hamas and Palestinian Authority TV that make Mein Kampf look tame. It is taught as a culture of victimhood and violence in schools and colleges. It has led to the suicide bombers that plague much of the world, and not just Israel. It allows propagandists like Al-Zahar to hide the corruption in which the fuel Israel provides to Hamas, is hoarded by Hamas for its cronies, and for transporting rockets.

Peace can only come when the Arabs change their attitude. They will find that Israel is then ready to make risky concessions, as it did with Sinai and recently with Gaza.

By Political Foreskin

April 18, 2008 12:20 PM | Link to this

The rule I cling to concerning Israel is one all men agree on: No Fatah Chicks!

By Peaches

April 18, 2008 12:47 PM | Link to this

Carter, what a weenie! He thinks Israel’s blockade of Gaza is an atrocity but is utterly silent on the rockets into Israel that provoked the blockade. Is there a was that we can just get Hammas to keep Carter? We would both be better off.

By Skeptic Tank

April 18, 2008 1:09 PM | Link to this

Hamas overwhelmingly won the democratic Palestinian elections in 2006. They are therefore a bona fide leader that no one wants to negotiate with. That makes sense. On the other hand, the Bush administration won American elections in 2000 and 2004 by corrupting the voting procedures. They are therefore a leader of dubious authority that no one wants to negotiate with. That makes sense too. Jimmy Carter has no authority and few want him to be there in the first place. Strike three, folks.

By Political Foreskin

April 18, 2008 2:05 PM | Link to this

We should have sent Brigette Bardot to Hamas. She could get in close as you please with two thirty eights. Then she’d pull a gun. It…….could…….WORK!

‘muff dread

By James

April 18, 2008 2:06 PM | Link to this

To Reality King: I’m glad someone out there knows their history !

By Jimmy Supporter

April 18, 2008 2:14 PM | Link to this

Georgia boy, you sound like an internet thug, rofl!!! You’re a coward and any one else whose idea of solving problems is to hunt down leadership and kill them indiscriminately are also cowards. What Islamic county has in their constitution to kill Israelis? You’re espousing lies you’ve heard on Zionist dominated media. Learn Persian before you speak about Iran, learn Arabic before you speak about Palestine, Hell learn Yiddish if you’re talking about Israelis. Cause that’s the only way you’ll realistically know what is being said. For the record Al Qaeda, comes from the arabic root word Qa’ada and it means to sit as in a Toilet. Get it straight no fundamentalist arab would name their organization “The Toilet”. Again learn the language of the people you claim are making threats then you can talk to me. Until then, you’re out of your league. Additionally look up what happen to the US Liberty, look an incident called the Lavon Affair. And lastly, quit trying to sound like a tough boy, it won’t win you any points, Bush is a tough boy because he has nukes, but without nukes he’s a sissy just like you.

By BT fan

April 18, 2008 2:15 PM | Link to this

The terrorist are recruiting soldiers world wide, USA is having a difficult time recruiting Marines in California. Terrorism is a major threat to America, so really what does Jimmy Carter have to say to Hamas?

By Fair and Balanced

April 18, 2008 2:55 PM | Link to this

is one way to think about it. After all, shouldn’t everyone present the pros and cons, opposing views, etc., so the people have a better understanding of the issues.

By Political Foreskin

April 18, 2008 3:02 PM | Link to this

The reason we liberals support Hamas and not Israel is that Hamas has a gay men’s choir and the Tsahal (Israeli Military) does not. Simply allow the Tsahal to have their choir and maybe we libs switch back, not making any promises, word, peace out.

‘muff spread.

By WWJD

April 18, 2008 3:06 PM | Link to this

I applaud President Carter for his attempts. They however will fail, not because of HAMAS but because of the Apartheid Gov’t of Yisrael. The Israelis are murdering civilians including children, refusing medical treatment to the sick, destroying crops, cutting off electricity and water, all basic necessities for life. What would you do if in the same situation? Would you let your children die, starve because of some illegal activities of the Israeli Gov’t or would you do what the American Gov’t did and try to overthrow your oppressors as they did the British Government. HAMAS is the democratically elected government of Palestine, they won fair and square, the Bush administration and the Israeli gov’t has to deal with it. Funny thing, the Bush administration stole and election and you don’t have China and Russia denying anything to the U.S. yet HAMAS won the election and they should be afforded the opportunity to rule without interruption from the Israeli and American Governments.

By goalma

April 18, 2008 3:09 PM | Link to this

I know the poor fool feels the need to create a legacy since his presidency was such a disaster but Jimmy Carter is a traitor to his country, should be tried for treason, found guilty and hung by the neck until dead.

By saywhat

April 18, 2008 3:42 PM | Link to this

For all of you that keep saying that Hamas was ELECTED - don’t forget - so was Hitler ELECTED by his people. Jimmy Carter is a scumbag who has lost more than a few screws. He, like his brother Billy (talking with Libya), are an embarrassment to GA.

By Barry

April 18, 2008 3:55 PM | Link to this

Obama says Carter’s trip to Israel is a bad idea. Is he saying what he really thinks or just lying to get votes?

By RealGeorgiaBoy

April 18, 2008 3:59 PM | Link to this

Nice try JimmySupporter! I lived in those areas and do not care to speak their language. Their religion is their constitution. Words really impress you and thats why your stuck on knowing languages huh. I look at actions and deeds. I guess firing rockets into civilian areas is not cowardice to you. Yes, find those leaders who ordered the attacks; charge them with war crimes if you capture them alive; if found guilty then hang them just like Saddam and his rabble. Jimmy Carter is and was a joke. I sure wish you had to suffer 444 days of captivity by this pacifist. Look what that got us until a real leader came onto the scene. Remember Ronald Regan! I guess you and I have different dictionaries when it comes to cowardice. But it is your constitutional right to be wrong.

By Jimmy Supporter

April 18, 2008 4:15 PM | Link to this

Isn’t the lie that the media presents “they hate us because of our freedoms”. Well HAMAS was democratically elected by the free people of Palestine. The only similarity between Hitler and Palestine is the Jews. What Hitler did to the Jews has now morphed into what the Jews are doing to Palestine. No gas chambers because Israelis cut off all the gas to Palestine. Why aren’t any of you talking about China, they supposedly have human rights abuses but there is no boycott of them? You’re eating their tainted food, playing with their tainted toys. Venezuela’s president is also a thorn for America, but America is still buying oil from Venezuela. Why do you guys hate HAMAS, they’re no more terrorist than Americans were in their fight for independence from England. Bush claims he wants democracy in the Middle East, but when the Palestinians practiced it and elected HAMAS he didn’t recognize the democratically elected government of Palestine. Yet you silly Americans want to get mad because HAMAS doesn’t want to recognize the rogue state of Israel. Wake up from your slumber, you’re being deceived!

By Toby

April 18, 2008 4:17 PM | Link to this

Mahmoud Zahar’s column offers the same rhetoric we have been hearing from the Muslim world for years. Israel must negotiate with no preconditions (like the outrageous request for Hamas to renounce terrorism) while Israel must relinquish all gains she made when we (the Muslims) started wars (and lost them) before we will consider negotiating. Israel must “repatriate” millions of descendants of people who fled the wars we (the Muslims) started while we (the Muslims) owe nothing to the descendants of Jews who were forced to flee Muslim countries. Israel (and the rest of the non-Muslim world) must continue to supply funds and humanitarian aid to the people we (the Muslims) have kept in poverty for six decades, even though most of that aid will never reach its intended beneficiaries and most of the money will end up in the private accounts of our corrupt leadership.

True peace between Israel and the Muslims will not come until the Muslim world accepts Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish state in her people’s ancestral homeland. We will know that the Muslim world is on the path to this acceptance when it ends the anti-Israel (and anti-Jewish) incitement in its schools, mosques, and media and when it begins to direct its efforts away from trying to destroy Israel and towards preparing the Palestinian people for life in its own state.

By Jimmy Supporter

April 18, 2008 4:33 PM | Link to this

Real Georgia Boy,

If actions and deeds are the marker, then tell me about Rachel Corrie, the american woman who was bulldozed by the Israeli Gov’t in 2005. Please tell me how for every Jew killed, 40-50 Palestinians civilians are killed. You are clueless about Saddam as well. The reason he was killed was because he realized he couldn’t fight the big bad U.S. gov’t with weapons, he fought them economically. Listen closely so you’ll see the real game. Saddam stopped trading oil in petrodollars and started to sell/trade Iraq’s oil in Euros. That RealGeorgiaBoy is the real reason he was murdered under the trumped up charges of killing his own people. How many people did George Bush kill while Governor of Texas? See the media has you brainwashed. The real reason for the invasion was about converting the oil pricing back to the dollar standard as opposed to the Euro standard. Iraq had billion dollar contracts with China and Russia for their oil, which were effectively cancelled when the occupiers (read U.S. Gov’t) invaded Iraq. Now the attention has been shifted to Iran, why Iran, because Iran opened an Oil exchange that will only sell it’s oil in Euros and other currency other than U.S. Dollars. so the U.S is using the same game of WMD aka Nooklear to go after Iran. Iraq and Iran are hurting the U.S. economically. The Great Hugo Chavez of Venezuela is also beginning to switch currency. Soon the UAE and eventually OPEC will drop the dollar and U.S will be a 3rd world country that can’t feed its citizens. And if you think Russia will sit back and allow the U.S. to attack Iran, don’t bet on it. Russia needs Iran’s oil. Why do you think the U.S put those missile shields around Russia and Putin was complaining. They see the writing on the wall, it’s too bad most Americans don’t.

By Roberta Jost

April 18, 2008 5:22 PM | Link to this

I am honestly shocked, outraged and downright MAD at what “Jimmy” is doing now.. One thing……… Don’t we all realize that the man has GOT to be senile. I am no “spring chicken” myself, but still recognize the symptoms. Bobbie

By Chris

April 18, 2008 5:23 PM | Link to this

Once again President Carter is demonstrating to the world how politics should be practiced in the USA - free from the influence of nefarious Machiavellian global strategists and without the obsequious obedience to foreign lobbyists (such as AIPAC). Politics ought to be about seeking freedom, peace and justice for all, in particular by looking out for the little guy and easing human suffering. Hamas was democratically elected by the Palestinian people in 2006 in what is on record as the fairest election ever to have taken place in the Middle East. Immediately after the election, the Hamas prime minister declared on CNN that he as willing to live with Israel’s existence in a long-term truce pending negotiations without precondition and on condition that Israel completely withdraw from the West Bank and Gaza (back to the 1967 ‘border’), both settlers and military. Of course, under pressure from the war-mongering neo-cons and the Israel Lobby, Hamas was brutally suppressed and weapons were shipped to Fatah in order to foster internal strife - the old British Empire edict ‘divide and rule’ was put to use very effectively. Also, Gaza was immediately sealed off and its population starved of food, water and medicine. So, in a moment of prospective peace, Israel and the USA deliberately and systematically sponsored war, violence and human misery (paid for by American tax payers including me). Jimmy Carter has bravely and courageously countered mainstream conservative opinion and sought to negotiate and talk; for President Carter, diplomacy is the first option, not the last, as should be the case for every nation that claims to be a Westernized Democracy.

By Political Foreskin

April 18, 2008 5:27 PM | Link to this

If those are really the demands then Hamas is an azz.

By Et

April 18, 2008 5:36 PM | Link to this

as an american jew who has visited israel 4 times i want to thank the palestinian american who wrote that “Hamas will NEVER accept “compromise” with Israel nor will they ever support the two-state solution which is the only solution for the Palestinians and Israelis.”

to the people on the blog who think that because hamas is legitimate because they got elected, may i remind them about adolph hitlers 1933 election. if the palestinian population does support hamas then they cant complain about the lack of a political horizon.

By Et

April 18, 2008 5:40 PM | Link to this

Chris isnt particularly familiar with Hamas or their offers. First, Hamas has stated they would accept a cease fire (while arming themselves) if Israel gave up the 67 borders including all jewish holy sites to a palestinian terror group and also allowed 3-5 million “refugees” into israel. Chris may be stupid, but the jewish people cant afford to be.

By Et

April 18, 2008 5:42 PM | Link to this

Jimmy supporter - You ask “Please tell me how for every Jew killed, 40-50 Palestinians civilians are killed.” let me educate you. Israel is facing terror bombings aimed at civilians. Israel is attempting to kill armed muslim terrorists. you dont see israelis blowing up school buses but people from hamas and with rockest. ofcourse civilians are sometimes killed and it is tragic - but the targets are terrorists which is certainly not the case with your and Jimmahs fiends from Hamas.

By Et

April 18, 2008 5:43 PM | Link to this

Jimmy supporter - You ask “Please tell me how for every Jew killed, 40-50 Palestinians civilians are killed.” let me educate you. Israel is facing terror bombings aimed at civilians. Israel is attempting to kill armed muslim terrorists. you dont see israelis blowing up school buses but people from hamas and with rockest. ofcourse civilians are sometimes killed and it is tragic - but the targets are terrorists which is certainly not the case with your and Jimmahs fiends from Hamas.

By Et

April 18, 2008 5:51 PM | Link to this

would you put your wife on a bus when the security for it rested with people who believe the following…….

“[Peace] initiatives, the so-called peaceful solutions, and the international conferences to resolve the Palestinian problem, are all contrary to the beliefs of the Islamic Resistance Movement.

For renouncing any part of Palestine means renouncing part of the religion;

the nationalism of the Islamic Resistance Movement is part of its faith… the Islamic Resistance Movement, which is aware of the [prospective] parties to this conference, and of their past and present positions towards the problems of the Muslims, does not believe that those conferences are capable of responding to demands, or of restoring rights or doing justice to the oppressed.” (Hamas Charter 1987, Article 13)

By Ted White

April 21, 2008 11:00 AM | Link to this

I just found this blog and find it fascinating the hard positions everyone is taking on this issue. We all need to get educated a little more. If you read just American newspapers, listen to cable news and the talk shows, you are not getting objective news reporting. Try reading the Guardian, look for books which take a different slant from what you read and hear every day. I found the Washington Post editorial on Carter’s visit to Hamas leaders the most one-sided article by a major news publication I have ever read. I cannot imagine what prompted that diatribe. Wat is it the Post is so afraid of? That Carter’s contacts with Hamas might lead to Israel having to deal with the Palestinians, recognizing the justice of their complaints? One suspects that Israel, having created settlements throughout the West Bank and in Jerusalem, is not at all interested in giving up any of that territory. Is it possible that those in control of the Israeli government really believe that God gave the Jews all of the territory from the Mediterranean to the borders of Lebanon, Syria, Jordan and Egypt? And by the way, I read Mahmoud al-Zahar’s article and found no words “that drip with hatred for Israel” I would suggest that if you want to get another perspective on the Israel-Palestinian question, read “The Israel Lobby and U.S. Foreign Policy” by John Mearsheimer and Stephen Walt.