Bush Bashing -- Jimmy Carter's Turn

[BachQ]

 
President Carter Blasts Bush

Associated Press

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (May 19) - 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.

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 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. 

[Iago]

I totally agree with everything that President Carter said.

But it's too bad that HE (a man of somewhat tarnished reputation) was the one to say it.
It would have far more meaning, if those remarks had been made by any former member of the Bush Administration.

[Mozart]

Carter said hes the worst not me! Hahha nice

[BachQ]

I totally agree with everything that President Carter said.

Yeah, I do too.  And I think Carter was trying to be as gentle as possible, and he still couldn't avoid the conclusion that Bush will go down in history as the WORST PRESIDENT . . . . . . .

[carlos]

I don't think Bush will go as the worst president.
Wait an see who's going to follow him.

[Haffner]

I don't think Bush will go as the worst president.
Wait an see who's going to follow him.

Good point. The most sickening part is that GWB was reelected.

[BachQ]

I don't think Bush will go as the worst president.
Wait and see who's going to follow him.

On the one hand, whomever follows GWB as prez will inherit an utter, colossal nightmare as to Iraq and related international relations; on the other hand, the rest of the world will be so delighted to have Bush out of office that our allies will be offering vigorous support from all corners of the planet.

[Haffner]

On the one hand, whomever follows GWB as prez will inherit an utter, colossal nightmare as to Iraq and related international relations; on the other hand, the rest of the world will be so delighted to have Bush out of office that our allies will be offering vigorous support from all corners of the planet.

Very insightful.

[Shrunk]

I don't think Bush will go as the worst president.
Wait an see who's going to follow him.

I think if Pee Wee Herman was to follow him, it would still be an improvement.

[Haffner]

I think if Pee Wee Herman was to follow him, it would still be an improvement.

Yay! "Good morning, Mr. Breakfast!"

[The new erato]

Good point. The most sickening part is that GWB was reelected.

That is SO true.

[Haffner]

That is SO true.

The fact that GwB was re-elected tells me too much about the mentality of the American people as a whole. Americans in the majority aren't really patriots, in my humble opinion. They're like cheerleaders, rooting only for the biggest bullies in the world. I'll be leaving this country for good, the attraction of the neutral countries in Europe is for me irresistible. Not to mention getting away from the..."culture" of America, which today is MacDonald's, MTV, and the '70's carryover of baseball, hotdogs, apple pie and...well you know!

[DavidW]

Americans in the majority aren't really patriots, in my humble opinion. They're like cheerleaders, rooting only for the biggest bullies in the world.

A forum troll is someone who intentionally posts derogatory or inflammatory messages about sensitive topics in an online discussion forum with the deliberate intent to bait users into responding.

That was from the gmg guidelines.  Just so you know I am offended by your remark, I'm not going to argue with you, nor will I insult you, I'm simply letting you know, and I'm reporting your post to the mods.  Other posters might be less civil and this could lead to a flame war, but we don't want that do we?

[Haffner]

That was from the gmg guidelines.  Just so you know I am offended by your remark, I'm not going to argue with you, nor will I insult you, I'm simply letting you know, and I'm reporting your post to the mods.  Other posters might be less civil and this could lead to a flame war, but we don't want that do we?

I find it interesting that you were offended, as I certainly didn't post that to offend anyone David. it's my opinion, and I made that clear. Perhaps you might ask yourself exactly why you are so sensitive on this subject. I definitely did not post that to "inflame" anyone, and I am betting more than one poster here agrees with me.

However, I will do what I feel is the right thing and ask for your forgiveness. I am very troubled that I offended you, and about as sorry for that as a person could be.

[Josquin des Prez]

You people are starting to sound like women. What's wrong with flame wars? Bring it on i say. 

BTW, here's what Bush has to say about Carter's comment:

[DavidW]

Thanks Haffner.

[Todd]

on the other hand, the rest of the world will be so delighted to have Bush out of office that our allies will be offering vigorous support from all corners of the planet.

You're far too optimistic. 

[Haffner]

You people are starting to sound like women. What's wrong with flame wars? Bring it on i say. 

For me, respect is the key to having an interesting forum for grown ups.

Maybe I'm weird.

[Haffner]

Thanks Haffner.

You deserved an apology. I don't take my offending people lightly, especially kind people with opinions I respect, like you(rs).

[Josquin des Prez]

For me, respect is the key to having an interesting forum for grown ups.

Maybe I'm weird.

Yes, you are weird. (i hope that wasn't offensive).