Israel to Jimmy Carter: You’re on your own, pal
posted at 8:25 am on April 14, 2008 by Ed Morrissey
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Jimmy Carter has generated a lot of controversy by declaring his intention to meet with Hamas on a trip to the Middle East. Israel will stoke the fires even further by refusing to provide Carter with the security normally provided for current and former American presidents. In fact, Carter will get no cooperation at all from the Shin Bet in his travels through Israel, Gaza, and the West Bank:
Israel’s secret service has declined to assist U.S. agents guarding former U.S. President Jimmy Carter during a visit in which Israeli leaders have shunned him, U.S. sources close to the matter said on Monday.
Carter angered the Israeli government with plans to meet Hamas’s top leader, Khaled Meshaal, in Syria, and for describing Israeli policy in the occupied Palestinian territories as “a system of apartheid” in a 2006 book.
The Nobel Peace Prize winner, who brokered Israel’s first peace treaty with an Arab neighbor, Egypt, signed in 1979, met Israel’s largely ceremonial president, Shimon Peres, on Sunday but was shunned by the political leadership, including Prime Minister Ehud Olmert.
Israel has also rejected Carter’s request to meet jailed Palestinian uprising leader Marwan Barghouthi, who is seen as a possible successor to President Mahmoud Abbas, a spokesman for Carter said.
The unprecedented breach, as Reuters reports it, means that the Secret Service will face more danger with less intelligence than on any other trip to the region. That will be especially problematic in Sderot, which Carter intends to visit. Khaled Meshaal’s nutcase followers rain rockets into Sderot on a regular basis, and with Carter’s visit so well publicized, they could either cease as a gesture of goodwill for Carter’s upcoming visit — or they could choose to make headlines around the world by killing Carter.
It gives the State Department a little more leverage about Carter’s trip. They could use the danger into which Carter would lead the Secret Service as a means to ask the Department of Homeland Security to refuse to allow them to accompany Carter. Carter could choose to go without the Secret Service, but without Israeli security, it would present a huge risk — and if he did go and got killed, it would be an explosive issue for the Bush administration.
Quite frankly, although I understand the Israeli’s action, I think it sets a bad precedent. Cooperation in security should not be predicated on agreement of political policies. Jimmy Carter may be the worst ex-president in American history, but he is still our ex-president, and the Secret Service detail that accompanies him deserves Israeli cooperation. The snub from the political class is well-deserved, but the Israelis should consider how Americans will view them if their refusal to cooperate on security leads to American deaths on this trip./
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Wade on April 14, 2008 at 8:29 AM
he is a dumbass but deserves security.
trailortrash on April 14, 2008 at 8:32 AM
the idiot should be locked up, not protected by tax payer funded security.
bull.
Onager on April 14, 2008 at 8:34 AM
Yes, I think we should press Israel to protect Jimmy and all others who seek to make Israel’s enemies stronger! We should also press them to give bullets to their enemies and make them stand still while the enemy takes aim. Let’s get real. Carter is no friend to Israel or to the United States. If he wants to be a fool, let him, but I don’t think the Israel’s should help him out. Besides if he and his other buddies that are part of The Elders are as well loved as they think, they don’t need any protection.
USBB on April 14, 2008 at 8:34 AM
World’s Worst Person.
apoole on April 14, 2008 at 8:35 AM
I don’t know if Israel is really wrong not to provide Carter with security. This goes beyond simple disagreement with policy…Hamas are killers. They’re a major terrorist organization. And if Carter wants to meet with them, he does it on his own.
JetBoy on April 14, 2008 at 8:36 AM
Israel gets $5,000,000,000 worth of welfare from America every year.
Think it’s time to cut ‘em off.
Morons.
alphie on April 14, 2008 at 8:36 AM
You mean Homeland Security can deny Carter secret service protection (Security), but Israel would be showing bad form by doing so? Another double standard for Israel?
We had every right to restrict Ahmadinejad’s and Castro’s and Chavez’ visits to the US to visit the UN. We don’t want our enemies wandering freely around our country. Why should Israel?
JiangxiDad on April 14, 2008 at 8:36 AM
So because he’s an ex-president, Secret Service member and Israeli lives should be put on the line for the sake of his efforts to make friends with terrorists and his borderline violations of the Logan Act?
No dice, Ed. I hope the DHS tells the SS to stay home, and leave Carter to the mercy of those bastards. If something happens to him, then maybe people will see the reality of his folly.
MadisonConservative on April 14, 2008 at 8:36 AM
Through the Looking Glass.
People would look unfavorably on the Israelis if the Palestinians killed Carter.
Unreal.
Lehosh on April 14, 2008 at 8:37 AM
Screw Carter and the horse he rode in on. It’s laughable to suggest Israel should protect him while he shares some tea with their enemy.
David in ATL on April 14, 2008 at 8:40 AM
Ya, they should help him meet with the terrorists who want to kill every living Jew.
Hey, here’s an Idea: Let Hamas provide him security.
TheBigOldDog on April 14, 2008 at 8:40 AM
You’re on you on Jimmy . . . now, go pander to your vile terrorist buddies and stay out of our faces. What a disgusting human being.
rplat on April 14, 2008 at 8:41 AM
Amazing what the world has come to huh? The brainwashing has been going on for so long and is so complete a statement like that it made without batting an eye…
TheBigOldDog on April 14, 2008 at 8:42 AM
He would probably not be in danger without security. After all, the “nut cases” love him.
duff65 on April 14, 2008 at 8:42 AM
Why can’t I stop grinning? Isreal gets it right again. Carter has no business talking to Hamas. We shouldn’t provide security either. To expect Isreal to protect this idiot – it’s a joke. Let him hire his own security if he’s hell bent on visiting a terrorist sponsor for the sole reason of bad-mouthing the United States and Isreal.
Good luck, Jimmuh!
Dork B. on April 14, 2008 at 8:43 AM
Why would the Muslims want to kill Carter anyway?
JiangxiDad on April 14, 2008 at 8:43 AM
When do we get to arrest him?
jimmy the notable on April 14, 2008 at 8:44 AM
I really dislike the man, but the office (even ex-office) deserves protection.
rbj on April 14, 2008 at 8:45 AM
Sorry, didn’t read your comment slowly enough. There is nothing more to say. You aced it. Great.
JiangxiDad on April 14, 2008 at 8:45 AM
Carter is placing countries and many people in a very precarious situation. He should not have been allowed passage but that is too late. He is acting against the wishes of the USA and Israel, I am undecided on his protection. Either way there is hell to pay because of his ego.
Wade on April 14, 2008 at 8:46 AM
Cooperation in security should not be predicated on agreement of political policies.
Even when a sleazy, anti-semitic clown wants to tour one of our allies en route to cuddle with their existential enemies?
jdub on April 14, 2008 at 8:46 AM
The only sympathy I have would be for the Secret Service agents detailed to this dumbass. Nothing would make me happier than seeing Jimmy Carter on video begging for his life while masked islamist sneered from behind him. He really is a piece of shit and if we have to lose a president to the vile islamist I nominate him. In his last act of irony he will finally redeem himself. Godspeed, dipshit!
manfriend on April 14, 2008 at 8:49 AM
Israel is in a similar position to a pizza delivery place that refuses to send their drivers to certain neighborhoods. If they refuse, they are RACAAAAASISTS, if they go and a driver gets killed they are dumbasses and responsible for the death.
I for one think they got it right, don’t go while citing the danger to their people. Give a stern warning that the area is dangerous and remind the world that they have citizens there as well that are in danger from Hamas. If he goes, its his funeral. Too bad some of our guys would have to go with him.
Sinner on April 14, 2008 at 8:53 AM
Doesn’t Jimmy Carter have Secret Service or something from the US going with him? Why should the Israelis get involved?
If Jimmy’s so concerned about his safety, perhaps Abbas can provide him with some security personnel (translation: terrorists) to help him out. I doubt that he’ll be in danger in Israel. I’m thinking the Palestinian territories would be the place. And why should the Israelis risk the lives of their own agents for this person?
Sorry, kiddos, I still stand behind the Israeli position of “go screw yourself, Jimmy.” After his book, the documentary with massive regards to the book, and other such things, Jimmy’s lucky the Israelis are even letting him in.
mjk on April 14, 2008 at 8:53 AM
Well look on the bright side,there maybe an upside to this!
Jimmy Carter is in a way the welcome wagon for the Liberal
Party,and then there’s this election cycle,so you get to see a Liberal in action,its too bad General Patton wasn’t
still around,you would of heard a lot of colorful language
describing Jimmy Carter!
And Jimmy Carter is free walking commercial which desribes his Liberal Party,Anti-war moonbat stance!
canopfor on April 14, 2008 at 8:57 AM
While I agree that it’s unfortunate that Israel is refusing cooperation, I hope that it will curtail future efforts by Carter to meet with proven terrorists. I know this is the sort of thing that gets people on the left jittery, fearing the police state, but I think that it would be better if we just denied him entry into the United States when he tried to come back.
Either that, or find some way to prevent him from leaving in the first place. I’m seriously wondering if the man isn’t getting like Mike Wallace. They really don’t have the wits they did and the terrorists are exploiting that.
NeoconNews.com on April 14, 2008 at 8:57 AM
Ed, you’ve outsmarted yourself by half. You’re playing the nuance game. It really is more simple than you make it out to be.
You need to take a step back and realize that the person to blame for this situation is NOT Israel, but Carter. It is not Israel’s responsibility to protect anyone who goes on a friendly trip to speak to her enemies.
fossten on April 14, 2008 at 8:57 AM
Bingo.
It’s a mad, mad world.
AZCoyote on April 14, 2008 at 8:58 AM
Face it kids. This clown has tried for 30 years to make people forget what an idiot he was as President. You remember the Cahtah years. Gas lines, 20% interest rates, giving up the Panama canal, gutting the military to the point choppers were crashing into each other, total weakness in retrieving the American hostages and worst of all, laying the groundwork for the current war. He took away backing of the Shah because the Shah’s government was torturing Soviet spies(ooooooooo), leading to the only Fundamentalist Muslim country in the region. We are still paying for this lunatic’s fine governance. It wasn’t enough to swing a hammer for “Habitat for Humanity”, now he has to try to dissolve Israel, and try for another Holocaust. He should just have Hamas and Hezbollah bodyguards since he loves them so much. My ideal scenario for this ass would be for him to have a stroke and develope tourettes that made him say anti-Arab things on his pilgrimage to Mecca,”Arabs have syphillus, Mohammed was queer,Muslim women are whores,etc…” Then he could experience true Arab love……..Usually I’m pro-American in all things but if they were to stone him to death during his tourettes outbreak, I’d look the other way. My two cents……………
adamsmith on April 14, 2008 at 8:59 AM
Captain Ed,little o/t,but Fox News mentioned
Hot Air at 7:39AM this morning!
canopfor on April 14, 2008 at 9:01 AM
.
This means that whatever dangerous or evil activity a person engages in, the victims should protect him for unfair fallout from a well deserved mishap?
.
If the Israeli’s have any backbone at all, they won’t protect him. If he gets hurt, the response will be mixed. The Leftists will howl as they do with any pretext to attack Israel and the sane people will realize in their hearts that he brought it on himself. It would be poetic justice.
FactsofLife on April 14, 2008 at 9:02 AM
Jimmy Carter deserves no protection from Israel. They’re calling his bluff. If he truly thinks Hamas is a peace-loving group, he has a perfect opportunity to prove it. He has been warned that this is a potentially dangerous stunt and nobody, including the Secret Service detail assigned to him, should have to risk themselves for his foolish prank.
windbag on April 14, 2008 at 9:03 AM
In any normal universe, the Palestinians would be the ones concerned about how Americans would view them if their actions caused American deaths.
But this is not a normal universe. This universe operates by the rule, “Whenever something happens, it’s Israel’s fault.”
aunursa on April 14, 2008 at 9:04 AM
Why should Jimmy Carter get security from Israel when he is speaking to a man responsible for the murders of Israelis and Americans? I applaud Israel for their decision.
jencab on April 14, 2008 at 9:05 AM
Why doesn’t the State Department move in and revoke this idiot’s passport? He is clearly doing more damage to foreign policy than he is trying to assist with it.
pilamaye on April 14, 2008 at 9:06 AM
I fail to see how Carter could be a worst problem dead then alive?
ajm on April 14, 2008 at 9:06 AM
Bullshit, Ed. Cooperation should be based on the U.S. not allowing a former President to unilaterally declare that he is going to engage in talks with an enemy of our ally, the State of Israel. It works both ways. Israel has never, and would never deny security to any American of good will who came there under honorable circumstances, and you know it.
They don’t have to honor those who work against them; that’s dhimmitude.
Jaibones on April 14, 2008 at 9:07 AM
Newsflash: Jimmy Carter is not just a “bad” ex-president; he’s not acting as an ex-president at all.
An ex-president’s ONLY responsibility is to quietly and peacefully step down from office. Don’t laugh. It may not be the most demanding job in the world, but it’s still an extraordinarily important responsibility.
In fact, it’s the only thing that separates democracy from tyranny.
And Jimmy Carter is isn’t doing it.
Hey, there’s an idea. Hamas invited Carter, and they are the only ones who want him to go. So why not pretend that Hamas is a real “government” for once.
Gosh, I wonder why that never occurred to anyone?
As an added bonus, it would help out the media worldwide. They could all write their headlines before the trip even starts: “American Ex-President Murdered Due To Israeli Carelessness.”
logis on April 14, 2008 at 9:11 AM
Yes, and they should clothe, feed, and provide energy to those dedicated to slaughtering them, too! Oh wait, they already do…Israel isn’t forcing Carter to visit; they have no responsibility to protect someone who despises them….
blue13326 on April 14, 2008 at 9:12 AM
A little off point but, I just don’t know the answer to the question: Does Jimma need a visa or state department clearance of some sort to visit the region? Any experts or recent visitors out there know?
Up-Chuck on April 14, 2008 at 9:14 AM
Americans know that these peace-loving savages would like nothing more than to butcher an American ex-president. Yet they insist on getting security. Why?
AlexB on April 14, 2008 at 9:19 AM
I wonder how how many lives will be lost because this idiot’s visit will have embolden the monsters of Hamas.
I just wish Obama, Piglosi, and dick wrinkle Harry were going with him, unprotected.
leanright on April 14, 2008 at 9:26 AM
“Terrorists and Mothers and future Mothers of terrorists, the Foreign Minister of OPEC, Jimmy Carter.”
OPEC can pay for his security.
gabriel sutherland on April 14, 2008 at 9:28 AM
Maybe Carter is thinking, “I’m an old man, I’ve lived my life, let me be murdered in Israel. Then I’ll become a martyr, & Israel will be even more of an outcast.”
jgapinoy on April 14, 2008 at 9:28 AM
Good for Israel. The US obviously no longer has their best interest in mind, so they need to watch their own backs and do what they need to do. Carter has no business getting involved.
gator70 on April 14, 2008 at 9:28 AM
No Ed, Jimmy Carter deserves the Secret Service protection provided by our government, but no other. Our government has asked him not to do this, Israels government has asked him not to do this, and yet he is going to do it anyway. Now he can make the choice, but in no way does Israel have to cooperate with him! This is not a State sponsored trip, so I am not sure where precedent is being set. He is an ex-POTUS making deals with terrorists. Maybe it is Jimmy Carter that needs to think about this sentence:
They aren’t the ones that set this up, Jimmy did. Jimmy needs to consider this.
Pam on April 14, 2008 at 9:29 AM
If Carter’s life is in danger he can cancel the trip. Israel has no obligation to provide him with security or anything else.
aengus on April 14, 2008 at 9:29 AM
I thought that same thing!
Pam on April 14, 2008 at 9:30 AM
Because President Bush would order the State Department to return his passport, extend a visa to any country in the world, and not be the poster child for Presidents challenging former Presidents in their personal affairs after leaving office.
Bush is a gentleman. He won’t deny courtesy to a former President. President Carter still has a Secret Service detail.
gabriel sutherland on April 14, 2008 at 9:31 AM
Totally inappropriate. Love him or hate him, that’s a vile comment and a twisted wish.
pullingmyhairout on April 14, 2008 at 9:33 AM
This is a mistake on Israel’s part, but only because it puts our Secret Service agents in harm’s way. That’s already a thankless job; to be on your own in the Middle East of all places protecting the world’s biggest prick is almost unbearable.
Of course, if the US decides to deny him Secret Service access, well, I’d be fine with that, then.
amkun on April 14, 2008 at 9:34 AM
It’s bad enough that we’re still cleaning up after his catastrophic presidency, now he continues to make messes.
Carter is acting recklessly and putting Secret Service personnel in jeopardy. What a toad.
Israel should provide some help, but I wouldn’t expect them to roll out the red carpet. They are taking a lot of assistance from us.
spidgy on April 14, 2008 at 9:35 AM
I think of a security-less Jimmy Carter being captured and held by Hamas, and I keep thinking it’s going to end up like “The Ransom of Red Chief”.
jon1979 on April 14, 2008 at 9:36 AM
Because then he wouldn’t be able to go, of course.
Unless he chose to accept Palestinian security, which would be stupid.
amkun on April 14, 2008 at 9:36 AM
Hmmmm. . . so if Bush 41 wanted to visit the Dalia Lhama in Tibet, would China provide security for the visit?
2klbofun on April 14, 2008 at 9:39 AM
Peanut is the ultimate terrorists’ tool. A Ward Churchill but with a free pass because of his Peace Prize which would make Alfred Nobel hurl.
Jimmah is probably the safest man in the region when he’s pimping for our enemies whether that is for his buddy Kim Jong in Pyongyang, his buddy Hugo Chavez in Caracas, his buddy Fidel in Havana or his buddies Khaled and Marwan in Syria. In the Middle East the traitor Peanut Carter is safer than OJ Simpson in a South Central Los Angeles courtroom.
viking01 on April 14, 2008 at 9:42 AM
I like the idea of Hamas providing security for Carter. If the Palestinians are in such a scramble for this Peace I’ve been hearing so much about, why would they put the burden on Israel to protect this Harbinger of Peace?
Lehosh on April 14, 2008 at 9:42 AM
Why should Israel put their own peoples lives in danger to protect a man who is meeting with their enemy?
ArmyAunt on April 14, 2008 at 9:43 AM
Forget the Israelies…why are WE protecting this idiot? I understand he’s a former President. But in essence, he’s nothing more than a private citizen. Perhaps as a taxpayer, I’m willing to pay for trips that don’t go against the wishes of our Republic. But when you go outside the realm and decide to take diplomacy on our own, and make yourself a shadow Ambassador to our enemies…you’re on your own. Secret Service stay home!
Missed in all this is the underlying humor in the fact that he needs protection from those he goes to pander to. So innocent and victimized are these peace-loving people that this would even be an issue. Funny.
pecan pie on April 14, 2008 at 9:44 AM
That’s irrelevant. The Dalia Lhama isn’t sending children into the Chinese places to blow stuff up. He isn’t putting on TV shows with a bee or a bunny talking about slaughtering the Jews and taking back AlAqsa mosque. He isn’t calling for the finishing what Hitler started stuff.
We’re talking about Jimmy Carter meeting with the leaders of bloody terrorist organizations. We’re talking about Jimmy Carter thumbing his nose at one of the only allies the West has in the Middle East to support his own ego driven ideas of “peace in our time.” We’re talking about a man who writes a book full of distortions and bald faced lies giving credibility and comfort to a bloody murderer.
I’m sorry, he’s on his own. He wants to do stupid crap like this, he can have at it. The Israelis shouldn’t be expected to give him anything for this stupid boondoggle of a trip.
mjk on April 14, 2008 at 9:47 AM
First, most of that money is used to buy American military equipment. Second, we give that and more to Egypt, and ‘Palestine’ too. Third, we give them that money so that they’ll listen to us when they get attacked and we say ’show restraint’. If we don’t give them that money, expect Jordan, Lebanon, and a big chunk of Egypt to be a new part of Israel.
As for Carter, Israel has no obligation. Carter has no position in the US government and is insignificant. If he wants to be a guest of Hamas, then Hamas should be required to offer protection. I applaud this by the Israelis. Would foreign dignitaries expect us to protect them if they go into the Mexican border towns on a visit to the USA?
If Carter wants ‘Palestine’ to be a state, then he should expect them to pony up security. It is Carter’s decision, not Israel’s. Carter can stay safe by not going. But if he decides to go, it isn’t Israel’s responsibility. Maybe this way he can understand the damage he does to the peace process by negotiating with people who want nothing more than to destroy everything that isn’t like them.
ThackerAgency on April 14, 2008 at 9:48 AM
This is how a country is supposed to treat politicians that speak poorly of them and damage their image to the world with lies, as well as hurting the peace process. This is how we should have treated the president of Iran when he wanted to come here. Why do we allow our enemies to take advantage of us so easily? At least Israel has some balls to stand up to this idiot. Maybe if Carter gets himself killed perhaps democrats/liberals will wake up and smell the frickin coffee.
dalejrfanfreak on April 14, 2008 at 9:48 AM
I happen to agree with Israel on this one. The whole purpose of this trip is to allow Carter to make them look bad again.
If this idiot wants to walk into the lion’s den to prove we can lay down with them, then prove it jackass!
And don’t give me any of that protect the office crap either. Jimmy Carter has nothing to do with the office or the Government of the United States anymore. His whole purpose in life is to undermine those institutions at every oppertunity.
conservnut on April 14, 2008 at 9:49 AM
Because Jimmy is the guy who started all that pork heading Israel’s way, Armyaunt?
I think Jimmy is meeting Hamas in Syria anyways…judging by the Lebanon debacle, Israel’s ability to provide security ends about 20 miles south of its northern border.
Nothing to see here.
alphie on April 14, 2008 at 9:49 AM
I’m with Israel on this. Carter is actively working to harm Israel’s interests. They should not be obligated to help and protect a person who is essentially their enemy. Unfortunately, we are still obligated to protect him, just as we’re obligated to protect and try to rescue missionaries and other U.S. citizens who place themselves in dangerous parts of the world despite warnings and end up in trouble.
aero on April 14, 2008 at 9:50 AM
Borderline violations? The Logan Act is quite clear:
The Logan Act (18 U.S.C.A. § 953 [1948]) is a single federal statute making it a crime for a citizen to confer with foreign governments against the interests of the United States. Specifically, it prohibits citizens from negotiating with other nations on behalf of the United States without authorization.
sinsing on April 14, 2008 at 9:50 AM
As I said in the headline comments, too bad we can’t impeach an ex-president.
aero on April 14, 2008 at 9:50 AM
Carter isn’t welcome in Israel, has no diplomatic status, is on no mission for our country; he is actually inserting himself into political discourse which he has no part in.
Secret Service have to protect him, but he has no right to put them into harm’s way unnecessarily simply because he wants to meddle.
He had his shot (forgive, please) at Middle East Peace in 1979. He failed badly.
Nearly three decades later, he is still failing; Carter has a legacy of buffoonery. He has meddled in foreign policy with absolutely zero results,and yet he keeps trying. He is an old fool.
Doug on April 14, 2008 at 9:53 AM
I predict that they WILL provide the security.
If Bush plays it right he will be the one to make the request. He should ensure that it gets press play too. But Bush seems ill-adept at taking advantage of this kind of political opportunity. Minor as it might be.
The press would of course claim that it was a bluff, and downplay the strength of Bush/US influence/relationship with Israel. Then they will turn it around into a “bad Israel-not our friend” story.
Should things go the other way, we would still get a “bad Israel-not our friend” story (nothing new). So I’m with Ed on this one, but I still kinda hope they do it, as long as they make it clear that Bush was not the one who was snubbed.
Agrippa2k on April 14, 2008 at 9:54 AM
Carter doesn’t need any security to meet with Hamas. It is not in the best interests of Hamas for something to happen to Carter while meeting with, or en route to meet with Hamas.
Carter could walk in there unarmed, unaccompanied, have a nice photogenic meeting. There would be a press conference where Hamas would say, “You see, we are not terrorists. You can negotiate with us.” Carter would say the same thing.
Then about six weeks later a hail storm of rockets would fall on Israel. Nothing changes. Send Obama instead. He offers both hope and change.
rockhauler on April 14, 2008 at 9:54 AM
Carter has nothing to fear on this trip. To extremist Muslims, Carter is as revered as Ayotollah Kohomeini. Sheikh Nasrallah and Khaled Meshall and Ahmedinejad are all very complimentary toward Carter. When Carter arrives in Gaza and to Damascus, he will be feted and adored. So he has nothing to fear.
In Carter’s book, he even told Hamas and Islamic Jihad that they should stop suicide bombings WHEN Israel retreats to the pre June 1967 borders. So the only protection Carter might need is protection from the adoring mobs at the Hamas parade ground.
Larraby on April 14, 2008 at 9:56 AM
So why wouldn’t Syria be on the hook for security? Why is it Israel’s fault? Is everything Israel’s fault? The Lebanon debacle is the result of Israel giving the UN authority to police the area. Instead the UN just allowed Hamas to build up fortifications preparing for a defensive fight (and used the UN positions as shields). In Lebanon, Hamas LOST. If Israel had kept up the pressure instead of listening to us tell them to ’show restraint’, they would have had a complete victory with Hamas surrender. . . from Hamas commanders’ own assertions of the situation there. They were about to surrender, and Israel let up.
ThackerAgency on April 14, 2008 at 9:58 AM
Irrelevant. Carter’s trip is not State Department-sanctioned. Therefore, it’s unofficial. Therefore, it’s not related to aid that we send to Israel.
fossten on April 14, 2008 at 9:59 AM
Nice, Thacker.
A fantasy with interchangeable groups?
Israel lost to Hezbolllah in Lebanon, not Hamas.
alphie on April 14, 2008 at 10:02 AM
So? We should not provide assistance because they refuse to provide protection for a man who disdains them? Besides, God protects fools. Carter will be just fine.
Sue on April 14, 2008 at 10:05 AM
I think Israel is under no obligation to protect a man who openly supports their enemies, ex-POTUS or not. If he wants to visit terrorists, he’s on his own. I actually think that the US is under no obligation to protect him either. Just because we were dumb enough to elect the man 40 years ago, doesn’t mean we have to provide security for him every time he wants to go abroad and mess up our foreign policy objectives. Let him go as a private citizen on his own dime.
TX Mom on April 14, 2008 at 10:07 AM
AMEN
funky chicken on April 14, 2008 at 10:12 AM
I don’t think we should be sacrificing our security personnel to allow this insult to our country. HE IS MEETING WITH TERRORISTS!
WisCon on April 14, 2008 at 10:12 AM
Why not take him to the nearest airport and stick him on the next flight to Cairo, Cyprus or Athens, and declare him personna non grata and be done with it?
I R A Darth Aggie on April 14, 2008 at 10:17 AM
I don’t think Israel cares what we think where this visit from Carte is concerned.
jeanie on April 14, 2008 at 10:18 AM
More of this please. President Carter is their “hidden Imam”. They really love this guy. If he were to be targeted while in Hamas or Syrian territory it would be a huge disaster for Syria and Hamas.
gabriel sutherland on April 14, 2008 at 10:18 AM
Revoke this tools passport, get him a nice bent-wood rocking chair & shawl, have the SOB declared incompetent and confine him to his front porch for the rest of his days.
traderdfw on April 14, 2008 at 10:29 AM
The piece of garbage deserves nothing!
oceansidecon on April 14, 2008 at 10:30 AM
Carter’s attitude toward Israel goes a bit further than disagreement on political policies, don’t you think? Is Israel really supposed to assist him in talking to terrorists who want Israel wiped off the map? The mere fact that he has to rely on apartheid Israel for protection from the people he wants to negotiate with speaks volumes, no?
He’s doing positive harm to Israel, and they’re supposed to help him do it?
misterpeasea on April 14, 2008 at 10:34 AM
Yes, but…
MadisonConservative on April 14, 2008 at 10:35 AM
While he is an ex-president, that right of supremacy may still apply.
MadisonConservative on April 14, 2008 at 10:36 AM
Well, no. It’s been US policy for a long time that Joe Sixpack won’t be bought out from kidnappers. If we can afford that, I’m sure we also can afford to care very little for privateer Carter.
Niko on April 14, 2008 at 10:47 AM
Actually, I think it sets a great precedent. How long are we going to allow assholes like Jimmy the Peanut to aid and abet our enemies?
mcgilvra on April 14, 2008 at 10:50 AM
When Carter (or anyone else) is deliberately taking action to undercut the foreign policy of a country, he has absolutely no right to expect that country to help him do so.
If he had instead gone to visit an Israeli official to try to change his mind, that would be different.
Frankly, I think we ought to make Carter prove he is an American citizen who has not renounced his citizenship before we let him back in the US.
landlines on April 14, 2008 at 10:51 AM
The state dept should pull his passport!
xler8bmw on April 14, 2008 at 10:52 AM
Carter is meeting with an actual terrorist group, which is devoted to bringing down Israel and the United States.
Yeah, I’m gonna blast Israel for not paying for it. Not.
amerpundit on April 14, 2008 at 10:53 AM
heh. I wish I could find a reason to disagree with you just based on respect for the office of POTUS…but, er, I can’t.
DAMN STRAIGHT
funky chicken on April 14, 2008 at 10:55 AM
I’d have loved to see Israel deny him a visa LOL.
funky chicken on April 14, 2008 at 10:56 AM
He proves, again and again, that his mother was much brighter than he. As he moved through life, she said, didn’t she, that she wished that she’d remained a virgin? I join in that wish, but it’s too late. And when someone shoots him in the head and he heads below, his wise mother will be looking down from heaven and saying, “I wish that I had remained a virgin.”
ich dien on April 14, 2008 at 11:02 AM
The irony is too sweet to imagine.
Valiant on April 14, 2008 at 11:04 AM
Given the outcome of Kelo eminent domain case I have serious doubts several on the Supreme Court (Buzzy Ginsburg, Anthony Kennedy, David Souter) could find their posteriors with both hands and a flashlight much less adhere to our Constitution. As long as William Jefferson gets a pass for the cold cash in the freezer don’t expect the Feds to do much about Peanut .
Which makes it all the more important that the next president be an adherent to our Constitution instead of an outright Marxist like Obambi or angry Hillary appointee. Eventually one of Buzzy Ginsburg’s (or Stevens’ or Souter’s) nap times during proceedings may extend to eternal slumber. Who would fill the robes next? BJ Clinton au naturel under the robes with rhythmic commotion from under the bench? “Justice” Chappy Kennedy reviewing a wrongful death or Big Dig graft ruling? For any considering sitting out the November election… consider that possibility.
viking01 on April 14, 2008 at 11:05 AM
I applaud the decision. The sad thing is that now Hamas and others wont do anything, and Carter will tell us how peaceful they are. I am sure you will eat it up also.
WoosterOh on April 14, 2008 at 11:07 AM
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