Aside from his Habitat for Humanity project I don't think much of his actions since he left the White House either. What is at issue here is his skill as a mediator and in this, especially post presidency, he has been an abject failure.

Further Developments...
 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7354027.stm
Hey, at least it's something...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7354027.stm
Israelis to build 100 homes in the West Bank... Israel is doing this despite protests from the International Community to freeze further developments in the West Bank.

Carter still has a Secret Service detail and I'm sure it will be beefed up plus Israel while being against it will still provide background security just because it wouldn't look good if he got knocked off in their back yard.

Nope - Carter got the shaft on this one. No increased Secret Service, and completely shunned 100% by the Israelies. Quite frankly, it would look good for the Israelies if he got bumped off in their backyard. This would translate into further support for fighting Hamas.

-S

Things are getting uglier. Notice how they say the same thing I said - it lends support and legitimacy to a terrorists organization.

-S

http://www.house.gov/list/press/nc09...rpassport.html

Myrick is hysteric suggesting such a thing. :down: It will not happen and rightly so. :yep:

Using the word 'hysteric' sounds very sexist. Hysteric- from the Greek notion that hysteria was peculiar to women and caused by disturbances of the uterus.

She's just trying for face time on the news is all.

I don't think so. I think she is trying to be just and do the right thing. Carter however is just looking for cam time.

-S

What a joke.

The United States, the greatest freedom loving country in the world wants to revoke a Nobel Peace Prize recipient and former Presidents travel visa because he has an interest in trying to revive a stalemated peace process...

To what end? He has constantly avoided the spotlight personally, allowing his foundation work on the issues...

[EDITED FOR POTENTIALLY INFLAMMATORY CONTENT]

Not even close. Who exactly elected Carter in this great democracy to go over there and create worse issues for our country by talking with known terrorists? These are the same people that dance in the street when US citizens are blown up! :down: ANd now you want to give them credibility? Real nice. Get a grip on reality for once. Nothing good can come out of this, and Carter is going there acting on his own behalf, yet he brings it like he is representing our country and they will see it like he is representing our country? Are you nuts? This is the craziest idea ever!

-S

There can be no peace between Israel and Palestine without Hamas, seeing as how they represent the majority of Palestinians. The current US/Syrian/Israeli attitude of isolation will do nothing but harden attitudes.
Trying not to go over what Platapus said, the propaganda spin that Hamas put on this isn't going to be a fair reference of what actually takes place. Find me a government or political party that doesn't do this.
They are a terrorist group, yes. But they are also the legitimately electedd governement of the Palestinian people, which itself demands a response other than ignorance.
Saying that this visit by Carter is what confers legitimacy on Hamas is silly, and insulting to those who elected them.

@tchocky... :up:

An interesting quote from U.S. Policy World: http://www.uspw.org/index.php?title=Israel/Palestine

'nuff said...

[EDITED ONCE AGAIN FOR POTENTIALLY INFLAMMATORY CONTENT] One day I'll learn...

Further Developments... Part Deux
 

http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/meast/...mas/index.html

Two of the most sensible things I've read yet:

This is only because you are willing to give them legitimacy. Hardly - we don't negotiate with terrorists since that only encourages more of the same actions.

oh are they? Did they not force people to vote for them? I believe they did. And any person that takes joy in the killing of my people, or the Jewish people... Why do you support these barbaric acts? Are you a Muslim that enjoys the killing of Westerners? Every post you make on the subject points that direction.

No one ELECTED him to do this. Did you elect him? You probably did after the fact, but your vote means nothing in the US, so it means nothing. So I hope its insulting to the people who elected him - which is one person - Carter, who is the only one who elected that he do this on his own. He needs to be insulted.

Now since the Koran requires that Hamas kill the Jews, nothing will come of this either, except insults to the Western world. And I'll tell you who its really insulting to - the United States of America. Screw Carter. He might as well stay over there since he is not welcome over here anymore.

-S

Are you joking? Most Palestinians support Hamas, it is therefore logical that agreement between Israel and Palestine will, at least these days, involve Hamas. Excluding Hamas from discussion will embitter their supporters, making further progress that much more difficult in a region where unnecessary problems have to be avoided. THe legitimacy, however distasteful, is already conferred through election.
Hamas occupy the unusual position of being both terrorists and popularly elected government. If you want peace in the Middle East, you deal with the factions that exist, not imaginary ones. Excluding Hamas alienates a huge number of people, and popular support for a workable peace is desperately needed.
The elections were professionally conducted, albeit with tactical platforming by Hamas which makes their majority appear more than it actually is.
No straw men please, I've never said anything of the sort. I'm advocating negotiation in the place of exclusion and conflict. If you have to invent things to argue then please do it with someone else's posts.
Back this up please. Failing that, keep your vaguely racist constructions to yourself.

You misunderstand. I am referring to the election of Hamas, not Carter.

Basically, if you have anything of substance to add other than attacks, then please, lets continue this discussion. This is a pretty pathetic response.

-S

See the first two segments of my post. They describe why I feel that engagement is a better policy than exclusion.

Well, on the idea that its a good idea this is happening, though its not, but if it was, remember who you are dealing with. Carter is known for having no clue on how to deal with terrorists organizations. He just doesn't understand them. He thinks they think like him, and they aren't.

Your first clue that he doesn't understand them is that he is going there in the first place against the wishes of anyone who has advised him on the subject.

Your second clue is 444 days of hostage crisis in Iran during his presidency. You also had airline hijacking through this time, and he couldn't resolve those either. These people simply used him in the past to further their aims and goals, and they are doing it yet again.

I can't believe he just doesn't get it, yet how could we have elected him as president for 4 years? It is pretty obvious why he didn't get a second term.

-S

PS. The point is - Carter is giving them a platform in the world where none existed before. His simple presence means people are going to look. This is how they are using him.

How so? I haven't seen one single article or item that indicates that Hamas or any other group is using this event in any propagandist way. Not one...

No one has "used" him yet. As for a platform, I'm glad to see Carter involved in this humanitarian crisis. What don't these people deserve to exist? Aren't Palestinians human beings?

Everyone wants to color this through "terrorism-colored" glasses. I call BS. These are people who are being denied their existence. Just like the friggin' Jews... And the Jews NEVER let the world forget about THEIR struggle.

Just like the world judges the US by the actions of our government, so we are guilty of the same thing. We forget these are PEOPLE, not just a religious idealism. Hamas IS a legally recognized government whether we like it or not.

Shutting them out and closing the channels of communications the way the US and Israel have leaves the Palestinians little choice in how to be heard by the rest of the world.