Carter wants US talks with Hamas

Yahoo News/AP ^ | April 14, 2008 | Beth Marlowe

[Clairity]

AIRPORT CITY, Israel - Former President Jimmy Carter said Monday he hoped to help open talks between Hamas and U.S. leaders, saying Washington's policy of not meeting with people it labeled terrorists was counterproductive.

Carter angered Israelis with his plans to meet in Syria this week with the leader of the Islamist group, which rules Gaza and is largely responsible for rocket fire against Israeli towns. Hamas has killed some 250 Israelis in suicide bombings and has been blacklisted by the U.S. and Israel as a terrorist organization.

Speaking at an event organized by an Israeli financial newspaper, Carter said he wanted to become a "communicator" between Hamas and the U.S.

"I hope then the Israeli government will deign to meet with me -- they have so far refused," he said.

State Department spokesman Tom Casey told reporters that the U.S. has "made clear our views that we did not think now is the moment for him or anyone to be talking with Hamas."

Casey said any meeting with Hamas officials is "something we've counseled against. But he is a private citizen, and it certainly is his decision."

Sderot mayor Eli Moyal said he met with Carter to present Israel's side, even though he said he was "upset" about Carter's scheduled meeting with the Hamas leader, Khaled Mashaal.

"I don't think he should meet with killers," Moyal said.

[Clairity]

Even as a private citizen Carter should NOT be meeting with terrorists. And in addition, he is NOT meeting with them as a private citizen, but he is trying to force the US to talk to terrorists. This doesn't just border on sedition, it is sedition. He is giving aid and comfort to our enemies.

Obama would probably make Carter his Secretary of State.

[KevinB]

KevinB wants Carter to STFU!

[Slapshot68]

“Former President Jimmy Carter said Monday he hoped to help open talks between Hamas and U.S. leaders, saying Washington’s policy of not meeting with people it labeled terrorists was counterproductive.”

Labeling terrorists as terrorists is counterproductive.

It’s simply shameful this man was ever our President.

[goldstategop]

Jimmy Carter is the most morally obtuse person I've ever seen in my lifetime. The simplest grasp that free countries do have enemies is lost on him. The American people couldn't wait soon enough to throw him out of office after his nightmare one term.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

[IM2MAD]

Talk with hamas. Plead with them...to keep Carter.

[vietvet67]

The swimming terrorist bunny had no comment..

[liberty_lvr]

He needs a taste of his own medicine.

If only the Mooj would capture and hold onto his sorry @ss for the next 444 days.

[SQUID]

Is this even legal for a former president to do? Isn’t this some kind of obstruction? Any constitutional people in here?

[Bitsy]

Carter - still trying to become relevant. Traitor.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

This is a complete outrage.

[DieHard the Hunter]

> State Department spokesman Tom Casey told reporters that the U.S. has “made clear our views that we did not think now is the moment for him or anyone to be talking with Hamas.”

The State Department surely has the power to make this stick. Stop him at the airport departure lounge and seize his passport. Alternatively, if he has already left the US, arrest him upon his return to US Soil as an enemy combatant and ship him to Gitmo. There are probably quite a few questions he could answer quite handily if he were to surf the Waterboard for a spell...

[Clairity]

“This is a complete outrage.”

It certainly is and I think he is committing crimes, for which he should be prosecuted.

Even as a “private citizen” you are forbidden from fraternizing with our enemies and he is making it very clear that he isn’t even “just” doing this as a private citizen, but he wants to force the US government to talk to terrorists, meddling in our foreign policy, giving aid and comfort to our enemies. He wants to represent Hamas — sound like a prosecutable crime to me.

[PeterFinn]

Why does Jimmy Carter hate Jews so much?

[albie]

“Carter wants US talks with Hamas”

...and I want to talk with a brain surgeon about a frontal labotomy for Jimmah! I’ll pay!

[goodnesswins]

YES..that was my thought....PULL his PASSPORT....and, I’ll add...don’t let him back in the US

[Robe]

§ 953. Private correspondence with foreign governments.

Any citizen of the United States, wherever he may be, who, without authority of the United States, directly or indirectly commences or carries on any correspondence or intercourse with any foreign government or any officer or agent thereof, with intent to influence the measures or conduct of any foreign government or of any officer or agent thereof, in relation to any disputes or controversies with the United States, or to defeat the measures of the United States, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than three years, or both.

This section shall not abridge the right of a citizen to apply himself, or his agent, to any foreign government, or the agents thereof, for redress of any injury which he may have sustained from such government or any of its agents or subjects.

1 Stat. 613, January 30, 1799, codified at 18 U.S.C. § 953 (2004).

NOTE:
There has been little judicial discussion of the constitutionality of the Logan Act.

In United States v. Curtiss-Wright Export Corp. (1936), however, Justice Sutherland wrote in the majority opinion: “[T]he President alone has the power to speak or listen as a representative of the nation. He makes treaties with the advice and consent of the Senate; but he alone negotiates. Into the field of negotiation the Senate cannot intrude, and Congress itself is powerless to invade it.” Sutherland also notes in his opinion the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations report to the Senate of February 15, 1816:

The President is the constitutional representative of the United States with regard to foreign nations. He manages our concerns with foreign nations, and must necessarily be most competent to determine when, how, and upon what subjects negotiation may be urged with the greatest prospect of success. For his conduct, he is responsible to the Constitution. [6]

Basically.. there IS a law on the books, but we lack an Administration with the stones to enforce it

[TheThirdRuffian]

“If only the Mooj would capture and hold onto his sorry @ss for the next 444 days.”

LOL.

[henkster]

It’s like watching Greg Maddux climb the all-time list for career wins by a pitcher. But while Maddux has an outside shot at finishing 3rd on the all-time wins list, Carter has an outside shot at finishing as the worst president of all time. Carter’s true genius is by being the first president to use his status as ex-president to pad his career stats. When Carter was turned out of office, he was arguably in the bottom five of worst presidents (joining the elite company of Buchanan, Wilson & LBJ). However, this gaffe put him past LBJ, and now bottom spot of all time, held by Buchanan, and once considered out of reach of all presidents, is now within his grasp.

[Da Coyote]

I’d like to have a talk with Hamas myself. I would also like Jimmy Classless to be there. Just give me the coordinates/times of the gathering of one-celled brains, and I’ll do the rest in my old trusty F-15. Heh!!

[Lurker]

I'll state that Carter passed Buchanan long ago and is now the standard by which all future Bad Presidents will be judged.

While there's no argument that Buchanan basically did nothing productive during his miserable tenure, Carter actively undermined the national interests of the USA at every single turn.

That's something Buchanan never did.

L

[Clairity]

Here is something I didn’t know about — it’s in an article by the Jerusalem Post:

“It was the Carter administration that pressed Zimbabwe to include Robert Mugabe in the 1980 elections that brought the guerrilla leader to power, despite the fact that he - like the leadership of Hamas - had also not renounced violence or pledged to respect democratic norms.

Shortly afterward, Carter welcomed Mugabe to Washington. This is how Time magazine reported that visit: “’I came, I saw, I was conquered,’ Robert Mugabe, prime minister of Zimbabwe, declared expansively after a rousing welcome last week in the East Room of the White House.

Well, as they say in Carter’s part of America, here in Israel we learned a while ago this dog don’t hunt. Whatever Jimmy Carter’s intentions, as he travels on to Damascus to speak with Mashaal he might want to contemplate the Mugabe legacy in Zimbabwe that he helped to create - and the Hamas one for the Palestinians that he is only helping to encourage. “

http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1207650003109&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull

[Right Cal Gal]

Absolutely. This man is a national disgrace. I think it would be best for the country and all citizens thereof to have this demented man committed to a convenient mental facility before he endangers the entire world.

[caseinpoint]

I can’t speak to your question as it stands now but I think it is time to pass “The Carter Law” stipulating that former high level government officials may not engage in talks with foreign government representatives without the consent of the current administration. I think we ought to get something of value for those millions in pension funds going to ex-presidents and such.

[Niteranger68]

JC blew his only chance.

[Texas Mom]

He is such a arrogant know it all who doesn't have a clue. I wish I could buy him for what he is worth and sell him for what he thinks he's worth.

He meets with Hamas against the advice of everyone but he thinks he knows better. He did such a great job with the Iranian hostage crisis didn't he?

Talk about aiding and abetting the enemy.

[pepsionice]

If George Bush ever wanted to say something bad about Carter....which he would never do...ever...because he has too much class...then GW would say that they ought to give the Neville Chamberlain yearly trophy to former president Carter. Carter would sit there for a minute....trying to contemplate who the heck Neville Chamberlain was...then realize it was an insult...but then would be unable to conceive of a comeback.

[SQUID]

I think that is an excellent idea. Perhaps a constitutional pro can write a letter we can all sign and send to Congress.

[SQUID]

Robe, you’re the best. Thanks.

[Thudd]

Yeper.... This is exactly the kind of stupid stunt that Obama has promised he would do. Somebody needs to ask Obama what he thinks. If he is truthful, he’ll admit he thinks it’s a great idea. If he hedges, ask him why it’s ok for him to meet with our enemies, but not Jimmy Carter. Someone needs to start flushing this guy out.

[SQUID]

Stones were all traded in for wind socks.

[Cyber Liberty]

Tell you what, Jimmy....get yourself elected President and I’ll care what you want.

[Just A Nobody]

This doesn't just border on sedition, it is sedition. He is giving aid and comfort to our enemies.

Treason and sedition already have set a precedent within the US CONgress with Jon EFFIN Carry in 1971.....

...and the treasonous b-turds last April during their little jaunt to meet with terrorist regimes. Lest we forget!

Pelosi to take message from Jerusalem to Syria
Matthew Kalman, Chronicle Foreign Service
Monday, April 2, 2007

"We have an alternative Democratic foreign policy," Lantos said. "I view my job as beginning with restoring overseas credibility and respect for the United States."

First-term Democrat Rep. Keith Ellison of Minnesota, a member of the delegation and the first Muslim elected to Congress, said the trip marked another stage in the development of an alternative Democrat strategy toward foreign policy in the Middle East.

The "bipartisan delegation" included GOP members Frank Wolf from Virginia, Pennsylvania's Joe Pitts and Robert Aderholt of Alabama, Ohio's David Hobson. Demonrats Tom Lantos from California, Henry Waxman of Los Angeles, Louise Slaughter of New York and Nick Rahall of West Virginia also joined Nancy and Keith Ellison of Minnesota on this treasonous mission.

REMEMBER

Somehow I missed the class when we were taught that the losing opposition were permitted to travel the world offering an opposing foreign policy to that of the winning President. But then again, I was out of school when that new policy went into effect in 2001...or was it 2004 that it became popular?

[Just A Nobody]

Basically.. there IS a law on the books

This is the same law that was touted one year ago with the treasonous excursion by Nancy and the Gang to Syria as I noted in post #32.

The outrage didn't go far then and it won't now. Pathetic!

[Just A Nobody]

From the link:

Given Carter's record in conducting such conversations with Hamas - and with a long list of dictators over the past three decades, including Kim Il Sung, Fidel Castro, Hugo Chavez, Slobodan Milosevic and many, many more - it is fairly safe to expect little good to emerge from that discussion.

Odd there is no mention of his crime against the Iranians in ushering out the Shah and helping to seat the Ayatollah.

Worst.President.EVER!!!

[Myrddin]

Pull Carter's passport. He isn't authorized to conduct negotiations with foreign governments on behalf of the U.S.

[Gorzaloon]

...and I want to talk with a brain surgeon about a frontal labotomy for Jimmah! I’ll pay!

((Image of a laproscope or scalple fishing around in empty air.))

[Convert from ECUSA]

Dhimmi Jimmuh can kindly go sit on an airhose and turn it on full blast!

[Robe]

OK folks.. just how pi$$ed are you about this nut job flouting the law in our faces (See my post #16 Logan Act) We had an impact in pressuring the “Hill” during the amnesty debates.. lets make ourselves heard here.. Copy the text of the Logan Act sent it to your Congress critter/Senator and demand to know why this law is not being applied in the case. Don’t take the answer that it hasn’t been used in modern times.. the law is still on the books.. enforce it or remove it. If the Government can selectively apply the law as it pleases then we truly are in deep deep trouble.. Lets make some noise here and see where it gets us ... /Rant Off

[DGHoodini]

Hey Jimmy, There’s no place left for you in this world, you worthless, waste of space, air, time, food...You old senile traitor. You fart in the wind. You are not, and never will be again...relevant.

[Towed_Jumper]

The only thing I want to talk to the Hamas leadership about is their current grid coordinates.

[<1/1,000,000th%]

“US Wants Carter to Move to West Bank and Shut Up”

Film at 11.

[brytlea]

What could anyone possibly imagine talks could accomplish? They want Israel gone. They are not going to budge on that. So, what’s the point of wasting breath by talking? I was dismayed to see Joe Scharbauer (msp?) this morning yakking about how we have two choices, kill them all or talk to them. He suggested we talk. I wanted to make him say what he thought that would accomplish, but of course, he didn’t go there.
susie

[brytlea]

I always remember that he was responsible for the mess we have with Iran now. It may have happened eventually anyway, but he directly supported it.
susie

[lonestar67]

Why are people giving Carter such a hard time?

look at how well his moderation with Iran in 1979 worked.

Who can complain about the great cooperation we now receive from that government?

[Ole Okie]

..trying to contemplate who the heck Neville Chamberlain was...then realize it was an insult...but then would be unable to conceive of a comeback.

He might spew a few peanuts.

[Cindy]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/2001198/posts?page=31#31

[SJackson]

If you'd like to be on this middle east/political ping list, please FR mail me.

High Volume. Articles on Israel can also be found by clicking on the Topic or Keyword Israel. or WOT [War on Terror]

----------------------------

I don't want to see an ex-President arrested, but I do hope that "privlege" isn't estended to cronies. Assisting a designated terrorist group is a crime.

[Uncle Meat]

If you can’t beat them,join ‘em,huh Nan?

[bill1952]

[justiceseeker93]

Obama would probably make Carter his Secretary of State.

Not exactly, although he might very well pick someone with similar views to Carter on negotiating with terrorist organizations and terrorist states.

Even Obama can recognize that Carter is too old for the job, for starters.