Last Word: Jimmy Carter

[Poll_Blind]

From the upcoming issue of Newsweek, emphasis mine:

Former president Jimmy Carter has long been regarded as an elder statesman, using his political muscle to address issues like democracy and human rights. But he's also been a prolific author. Since leaving office in January 1981, he has written 23 books, on subjects ranging from American moral values to his childhood on a Georgia farm. His latest—and perhaps most controversial—offering, "Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid," reflects his long interest in the Middle East. (As president, he personally negotiated peace between Israel and Egypt.) But it has also drawn fire for its use of the word apartheid to describe the current circumstances of the Palestinian people. While the book has shot up the best-seller list, the former president has been denounced for his criticism of Israel. He's also come under fire from former Carter Center associate Kenneth Stein, a professor of Middle Eastern studies at Emory University, who has raised questions about the book's accuracy. (Disclosure: NEWSWEEK's Christopher Dickey was one of the people asked to comment on an early draft of the book.)

President Carter spoke to NEWSWEEK's Eleanor Clift. Excerpts:

Questions answered by President Carter in the full story at the link:

:bluebox: Clift: You've created quite a stir. I suspect it was partly intentional.
:bluebox: The word apartheid—did you agonize about that?
:bluebox: Why do you think you're under attack for the book and the title?
:bluebox: In some of your interviews you've said that this is a debate that's out in the open in Israel, and it's only here that we feel inhibited.
:bluebox: You're obviously aware of your main critic, Mr. Stein, who used to be with the Carter Center.
:bluebox: He says that he was a third party in some meetings and that his notes don't jibe with yours.
:bluebox: He also accuses you of plagiarism, saying you took from other sources.

PB

[flpoljunkie]

1. Thanks! I urge everyone to read this.

[fuzzyball]

2. I will second your motion....good thought provoking book.

[question everything]

3. As a researcher once said: there are no outside signs for Alzheimer's

one can even be a president..

Or, to give him the benefit of the doubt, he still does not get it; did not get it while president and does not get it now.

You cannot preach your ideas around the world. Just because you want every one to be happy and Evangelical does not make the world a better one. This is what is wrong with going around forcing one's god on others. It is bad when Bush does this and bad when Carter does it.

[OzarkDem]

4. I admire his honesty and willingness to be frank

The ME is spinning out of control and its threatening to take the rest of us with it. US obsession with its own misguided policies there is nearly destroying our economy and our future.

To say that Carter's remarks are anti-semitic is just plain wrong. He's not making judgements about anyone's god, he's holding nations accountable for their actions. Period. Trying to label him as an anti-semite is both dishonest and alarming from someone who professes to be a Democrat.

[against all enemies]

5. Thank you.

It's funny how we can criticize the US but no one can criticize Israel.

[oberliner]

6. No one can criticize Israel?

What are you talking about?