Yeah, I think I could get behind this.
Today, Rep. Sue Myrick (NC-9) called on Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to revoke former President Jimmy Carter’s passport. This is in response to the former President traveling to Syria to meet with Hamas, an organization officially designated by the United States as a Foreign Terrorist Organization.
“Former President Carter has acted in contradiction of international agreements to isolate Hamas. He has acted in defiance of both United States policy and international policy. His actions reward terrorists, lend support, and provide legitimacy to their belief that violence will eventually get them what they want,” said Rep. Myrick.
There’s no doubt that Carter’s been acting against every policy this country has regarding the Islamists. He has directly and intentionally undercut our diplomatic efforts with Hamas which has made them much more bold. What’s worse, though, is that he’s been acting as Hamas’ emissary on this trip. Essentially, he’s putting himself in the position of being Hamas’ ambassador, which is way the heck out of line.
That being true, I think revoking his passport is fitting punishment for his flouting our rules and basic decent behavior.
(via memeorandum)
UPDATE: Consider me a member of the “Sick of Jimmy Carter Coalition”.
He’s a private citizen. He can travel where he pleases and speak freely. Don’t get all authoritarian about it, herr Commissar.
Spoots – Do you actually think Jimmy is a private citizen? Like just another Joe Sixpack? Well, I can tell you that Joe Sixpack is not at liberty to go visit & conspire with terrorist organizations. Average citizens are not allowed to go & discuss cease-fires & such on behalf of our government or the governments of our allies. So the “just an average citizen” defense really doesn’t work.
There is nothing authoritarian though about an average citizen being disgusted with a man who is trying to usurp the authority of our elected office holders with regards to foreign policy….especially when that man’s own foreign policy was an abysmal failure when he was that elected official.
Join the Sick of Jimmy Carter Coalition…
With that disgusting former president going and meeting with Hamas, it’s fortunate that someone is out there who’s starting to wake up and react to creepy Carter’s abominable acts. For example, Rep. Sue Myrick, who’s calling for revoking his passpo…
Better idea. Don’t let him back in the country. What a fucking assclown. A disgrace of a president.
I think, though I could be wrong, that if we revoked his passport while he was out of the country, he couldn’t get back in.
Heh…that’d be beautiful.
I don’t think he has any authority, so it should not matter. The only problem is media coverage. He could undermine are current policy, assuming our current policy is worth a shit. We might as well get as many muslims in the world to hate us, right?
J: “Do you actually think Jimmy is a private citizen?”
Of course he is. He’s not representing the US gov’t.
“Joe Sixpack is not at liberty to go visit & conspire with terrorist organizations.”
Are you sure? If Joe6 went to Ramallah and Damascus on his own dime and people there agreed to talk to him, what would the difference be?
“There is nothing authoritarian though about an average citizen being disgusted…”
That wasn’t quite what I was referring to. Rather, your support for the idea of yanking his passport struck me as very *Iron Curtain*. I’m sure Carter knows the laws involved. If he has run afoul of any of them, then I’m sure he’s prepared to pay the price. But your citizens’ posse to shut him up and stop him from doing what he is otherwise allowed to do is reprehensible. I was gonna say “fascist”, but unlike you I know what that really means.
“conspire with terrorist organizations”
I shouldn’t have let this stand, either. He’s not “conspiring” with anybody.
J: “Do you actually think Jimmy is a private citizen?”
Of course he is. He’s not representing the US gov’t.
Oh yes he is….he cannot go to another country & not be known as the former POTUS. He cannot go visit a designated terrorist organization without interfering with the US’s current foreign policy regarding this group. And your effort to make it seem that way is a contradiction to other comments you have made on this issue. In another thread you said you believe that our current policy of “ignoring them” won’t make them go away and that there is “no harm in Carter trying” to affect change in that region. So by saying that, you are essentially admitting that both you and Carter have no confidence in the current administrations policy towards this terrorist group; which is more than okay for you to speak out about it here on our soil, and it is more than okay for you to vote for someone whose foreign policy views are more in line with your own. That’s how private citizens are to handle policy that they disagree with.
Carter has gone way beyond that; by going there as a self-appointed, rogue ambassador of our country. We didn’t elect him to do the negotiating that he has taken upon himself to conduct with Hamas; and thus, we can’t vote him out either. He was not appointed by the current administration who was legitimately elected by the people of this country to lead our foreign policy efforts.
The thing that disgusts me most about liberals is whenever their guy doesn’t get elected, they seem to believe that obstruction is a perfectly acceptable form of dissent…it isn’t. It shows a complete lack of regard for our constitution and our laws. If you don’t like Pres. Bush’s or Republicans’ philosophy on dealing with terrorists, you are in luck….because in short order, Pres. Bush will be required to step down and allow the newly elected POTUS to take over. And if it is Obama who gets into the Whitehouse, and his foreign policy consists of a middle eastern group hug & maybe a mutual massage between him and Ahmadinajad, I want you to consider for a moment how you would feel if former Pres. and “private citizen” George Bush travels “on his own dime” to Israel to encourage the govt. to bomb the snot out of Iran??
But of course, you will have to simply imagine that happening as a mental exercise since it is unlikely Bush will try to intervene in such a fashion. Contempt for the constitution & executive power seems to only afflict the left.
“There is nothing authoritarian though about an average citizen being disgusted…”
That wasn’t quite what I was referring to. Rather, your support for the idea of yanking his passport struck me as very *Iron Curtain*. I’m sure Carter knows the laws involved. If he has run afoul of any of them, then I’m sure he’s prepared to pay the price. But your citizens’ posse to shut him up and stop him from doing what he is otherwise allowed to do is reprehensible. I was gonna say “fascist”, but unlike you I know what that really means.
And, I didn’t even use the word “fascist” here so I don’t know why you are squealing about that. But if you are so keen on definitions, please explain to me what is so “Iron Curtain” and “reprehensible” about private citizens discussing what we believe ought to be against the law (if it is not already) and what we believe ought to be the penalty for breaking such a law? If I wanted the government to increase the penalty for parking tickets, would it be too “Iron Curtain” for me to say so? And if I’m not allowed to discuss these things, wouldn’t that be…..fascism?
spoots, you’re working awfully darned hard on Carter’s behalf. The facts are simple. He’s there because he believes he can help Hamas. He’s there fully knowing that he’s working against our duly-elected government. He is there specifically to give Hamas a voice he believes it does not have. He is acting as its advocate. There is no way to contort your way around that, mostly because that is what he has said himself. What I don’t understand is why you are so intent on attempting to absolve him from blame. Is it simple partisanship or are you just intent on being obdurate?
As for your fascism comment, well, it’s simply to silly for me to address. That you made it in the context of my comments proves that you know far less than you think you do.
Spoots, your alias and yourself both are complete cretins, shut your mouth until you actually grow up and have some kind of clue.
J: “As for your fascism comment, well, it’s simply to silly for me to address. That you made it in the context of my comments proves that you know far less than you think you do.”
I’ve see you pushing Jonah Goldberg’s “liberal fascism” thesis many times here. It mangled the definition of fascism and was a dismal failure everywhere but the conservative echo chamber.
“you’re working awfully darned hard on Carter’s behalf.”
Not especially. Merely pointing out the obvious to the clueless.
“He’s there because he believes he can help Hamas.”
He’s there because he wants a resolution to the Palestinian-Israeli issue. It may be a fool’s errand, but no harm will come from it.
“He is acting as its advocate.”
That does not jibe with the comments he has made that spank Hamas.
spoots: “He’s not representing the US gov’t.”
Lori: “Oh yes he is….he cannot go to another country & not be known as the former POTUS.”
If they can’t tell the difference between former and current presidents, Hamas is in more trouble than any of us thought. Repeat after me: Carter is NOT representing the US gov’t. And lay off the BOLD, eh? What you say isn’t that noteworthy.
“The thing that disgusts me most about liberals is whenever their guy doesn’t get elected, they seem to believe that obstruction is a perfectly acceptable form of dissent…it isn’t.”
That can’t be the thing that disgusts you most, because it never happens.
“I want you to consider for a moment how you would feel if former Pres. and “private citizen” George Bush travels “on his own dime” to Israel to encourage the govt. to bomb the snot out of Iran??”
It sure wouldn’t surprise me a bit.
“Contempt for the constitution & executive power seems to only afflict the left.”
You are a laff riot!
” And, I didn’t even use the word “fascist” here so I don’t know why you are squealing about that.”
As is clear in context, I was addressing Jimmie.
“please explain to me what is so “Iron Curtain” and “reprehensible” about private citizens discussing what we believe ought to be against the law (if it is not already) and what we believe ought to be the penalty for breaking such a law?”
Because it is solely based on free speech that you don’t happen to agree with.
Alister: “Spoots, your alias and yourself both are complete cretins, shut your mouth until you actually grow up and have some kind of clue.”
Why, aren’t you a knowledgeable and witty foe with formidable rhetorical skills!
I didn’t bold it because it was noteworthy you tard…I was obviously trying to distinguish between your lengthy post & mine…..at the time, bold & italics were the only ones I knew how to do.
Are you planning to construct any arguments beyond “yes it is” and “no it isn’t”?? Because, if not, I’m going to stop wasting my time.
You said this right under one of my sentences so it was not really that clear. What is clear is you don’t seem to understand what it means at all.
Okay, this doesn’t even make sense. You should try having a coherent conversation.
At least he had the sense not to spend too much time on you.
You are kidding, right? Number One on Amazon? Number One on the NYT bestseller list? That’s the “conservative echo chamber”? The book’s gone to multiple printings, which means that more people than you suspect are buying it.
As for mangling the definition, I’ve heard his definition and I’ve seen the outlines of yours. His comes complete with verifiable facts and a trail of logic you can follow. Yours comes with neither. Forgive me for not buying your definition.
Further proof that AIPAC rules this country. Carter is a former PRESIDENT of this country and over the years has learned to see through the lies of Israel and their poodles in the US government. He is free to meet with whatever group so long as it ensures no more death of Americans.We have lost enough citizens because of the lies and bad intel coming from our so-called ally. Hamas IS a terrorist organization, but that in the end is our label. Yet their people voted them in office eventhough Abbas and others begged the US and Israel NOT to push for elections at the time because they KNEW the results would go Hamas’ way. Did we listen? Of course not.
Now the idiot Israeli ambassador insults a US President and calls him a “bigot” and not a single media outlet or so-called US politicians has the balls to stand up for their own American who is simply trying EVERY AVENUE to bring peace.
Home of the brave my ass, since 1973 his has become home of the poodles when it comes to foreign policy and our stupid one-way policy has led us to these problems. We have nothing to gain but everything to lose continuing on this path.
Yeah, CaliMan, you have to watch out for those crafty Jews. You know, maybe we should keep them in camps so we know where they all are and make them work for real cheap so we get something useful out of them. What do you say?