Posted on 04/22/2008 3:49:56 PM PDT by Libloather
Knollenberg Introduces Legislation to Prohibit Federal Funding of the Carter Center
Bill in response President Carter’s meetings with terrorist leaders
Washington, Apr 16 -
Congressman Joe Knollenberg (MI-09) today introduced legislation that would prevent the federal government from giving taxpayer money to the Carter Center, headed by former President Jimmy Carter.
“America must speak with one voice against our terrorist enemies,” Knollenberg said. “It sends a fundamentally troubling message when an American dignitary is engaged in dialogue with terrorists. My legislation will make sure that taxpayer dollars are not being used to support discussions or negotiations with terrorist groups.”
Former President Carter confirmed over the weekend that he plans to hold meetings with the leaders of the terrorist group Hamas. The United States has long considered Hamas to be a terrorist enemy, and it was declared as such by both Presidents Clinton and Bush.
Knollenberg was the first member of Congress to speak out against President Carter’s planned meeting with Hamas, sending a letter to the former president immediately following news of the plan. Knollenberg’s letter is available online at: http://knollenberg.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=88299
The bill, the Coordinated American Response to Extreme Radicals Act (CARTER Act), would prohibit any taxpayer dollars from being directed to the Carter Center. The Center has received at least $19 million in federal taxpayer funds since 2001.
A small business owner, PTA president, homeowner association president, and parish leader, Congressman Joe Knollenberg has been a citizen leader in Oakland County for the better part of three decades. He was first elected to Congress in 1992 and is a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee.
Washington, Apr 10 - Below is the text of a letter sent by Congressman Joe Knollenberg to former President Jimmy Carter regarding reports of a meeting between the former president and the leader of the terrorist group Hamas.
April 9, 2008
The Honorable Jimmy Carter
c/o The Carter Center
453 Freedom Parkway
Atlanta, Georgia 30307
Dear Mr. President:
I was deeply disturbed to read reports today regarding a meeting between you and Khaled Meshal, the leader of the terrorist group Hamas.
As a former President of the United States, you undoubtedly understand that the United States must speak with one voice to our enemies. I hope and pray that we all as Americans stand in strong opposition to acts of terror and the terrorist groups that coordinate and fund them.
Hamas, as you well know, is a terrorist organization that is actively and continually seeking the destruction of a key ally of the United States. That is what makes these reports of your meeting with its leadership so troubling.
I would ask that you please formally and publicly declare whether or not you have planned such a meeting. If you in fact are planning to meet with this terrorist leader, I would strongly urge you to reconsider. I would hate for Hamas to realize any benefit from an American dignitary, such as you, engaging in dialogue with them.
Sincerely,
Joe Knollenberg
Member of Congress
Oh good! It’s an empty building anyway!
Mr. Knollenberg is rather too charitable to Jimmy Carter here...
Why isn’t he charged with violation of the Logan Act and thrown in jail?
That is exactly what the Logan Act was passed to accomplish.
There are other who should also be charged, but if Carter isn’t charged, nobody ever will be.
I had trouble with 'The Honorable'...
We all need to call our reps and tell them to co-sponsor “The Carter Act.” It adds insult to injury when we have to pay for this nonsense.
Plus, they need to take Carter’s passport away from him. Condi Rice has the power to do that.
Joe is a stud. You may think he was being soft on Carter but he was first into the fray and had a tight message.
Joe is in a targeted seat that is vulnerable to a total surrender monkey Dem. His being the first to take the high road on this issue is wise.
He must practice the politics of addition. We have got to rip Carter ruthlessly.
Agreed. I think that de-funding the Carter Center is a great idea, although I guess that perhaps I should be grateful to Carter for making me a ground-glass conservative voter...
19 million dollars? WTF does the “Carter Center” do??
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