posted on March 22, 2004 11:06:23 AM new
The Monday Interview: Former President of the United States
By Andrew Buncombe in Atlanta
22 March 2004
"There was no reason for us to become involved in Iraq last year. That was a war based on lies and misinterpretations from London and Washington, claiming falsely that Saddam Hussein was responsible for 9/11, claiming falsely that Iraq had weapons of mass destruction.
"President Bush and Prime Minister Blair probably knew that many of the allegations were based on uncertain intelligence and a decision was made to go to war [and then people said] 'lets find a reason to do so'.
"Bush Jnr was inclined to finish a war ... that his father had precipitated against Iraq. And his coterie of influential advisers, including [Vice-President Dick] Cheney and [Defense Secretary Donald] Rumsfeld and [National Security Adviser] Condoleezza Rice and [Pentagon Adviser] Richard Perle and [Deputy Defense Secretary Paul] Wolfowitz and others had long ago expressed publicly through their writings and statements a belief that we should overthrow Saddam's regime.
"That commitment of Bush prevailed over the better judgement of Tony Blair, [who] became an enthusiastic supporter of the Bush policy."
"One premise of my life in public service is that we should use the tremendous power and prestige and military status and economic influence to pursue the interests of our country but pursuing them wherever possible through peaceful means, and not to resort to wars.
"Another lesson learnt in this war is about the horror and brutality of war and that people tend to degenerate [from] their natural inclination towards benevolence and kindness and understanding and flexibility, away from all of that into an intense hatred. We dehumanise our adversaries so there is no compunction against death or even sometimes murder."
posted on March 22, 2004 11:38:36 AM new
I always respected Jimmy Carter. Not all conservatives like me supported the Iraq war either. The republicans choose the wrong man in 2000.
posted on March 22, 2004 11:51:04 AM new
Well there's something you don't hear everyday - a conservative admitting to being against the Iraqi war. Good for you Blairwitch!
posted on March 22, 2004 12:47:09 PM new
Jimmy Carter is a great person, with all the things he does (habitat for humanity and other things) but was just about the worst President. IMO
__________________________________
"Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known."- Carl Sagan
posted on March 22, 2004 01:28:00 PM new
What does him being a good or bad President have to do with anything? He's a noble man that has a heart. Something we need these days.
posted on March 22, 2004 02:47:49 PM new
Carter needs to stick to farming peanuts......something he KNOWS about....
'We have dispatched Dr. David Kay...to search for the bio-warfare agents we believe hidden in Senator Kerry's forehead. If Senator Kerry has used botox as part of a wrinkle enrichment program, he is in violation of UN Resolution 752. Upon receiving Dr. Kay's report, the weapons of mass destruction that Senator Kerry so adamantly insists do not exist...may well be above his very nose.'" --Dick Cheney when asked whether John Kerry has had Botox treaments
posted on March 22, 2004 03:29:00 PM new
You know what I mean, Twelve. So if Jimmy Carter said Bush was a sharp tack, would you still feel the same about him?
P.S. You don't have to answer. I already know what you'd say.
posted on March 22, 2004 04:20:49 PM new
You're making an assumption that I think Carter is a bad person... no I don't as NTS already pointed out, he does good for Habitat for Humanity... however is credentials to even speak about Iraq as other than a normal citizen...bear looking at and as he was a dismal failure as a President... his word about Iraq should carry about as much weight as yours...
posted on March 22, 2004 05:34:03 PM new
""Another lesson learnt in this war is about the horror and brutality of war and that people tend to degenerate [from] their natural inclination towards benevolence and kindness and understanding and flexibility,"
He must be kidding, because he definitely is not stupid.
Carter is a very compassionate person, but unfortunately not equipped to live in the real world.
His kind of person is among the first to get their heads lopped off after the "negotiations".
posted on March 22, 2004 08:15:47 PM new
I didn't assume that at all Twelve. Also, I wasn't aware that you had to be a successful past President to have an opinion. If true, I can't wait to hear what Bush says next year!
That's sad DeSquirrel. Sounds like kindness and honesty aren't good virtues anymore - too weak.
posted on March 22, 2004 08:57:26 PM newSounds like kindness and honesty aren't good virtues anymore - too weak.
Well you can argue all day and night on Bush's honesty, I've read enough here
ok kindness and how bout being real
check this out:
I'm at the 8:00 am service at my church, St. Johns at Lafayette Square, across from the White House. (I wanted to go early because I was going for breakfast at the Cracker Barrel in Manassas.) Much of the service was uneventful — nice, but uneventful — until it comes to the part of the service when the Minister says, "Greet one another in the name of the Lord." I turn to my right to exchange the peace with my friend, Amy Fox Smythe, who was on the other end of my pew. I then shake hands with the person in front of me, and turn around to say hello to the person behind me.
The person behind me was our 43rd President, George W. Bush. I am not kidding. A small crowd was forming around him, and not wanting to delay the church service or bother him by waiting to shake his hand, I turned back around and sat down and talked to Amy. About 30 seconds later I felt a hand on my left shoulder and turned around to see President Bush with his hand extended. "Peace of the Lord, " he said, and held my hand with both of his. "Peace of the Lord," I replied, and held both his hands and smiled at him.
I turned back around and was remarkably calm about the fact that the most powerful person in the world was sitting two feet behind me. I could hear him flipping through his bulletin as the Minister made the announcements. I loved the idea of him thinking, "Oh, there's a covered dish next Sunday."
We prayed and when I stood up to go to the communion rail, he got up and walked down the aisle behind me. We passed a little old lady who said, "Mr. President, I pray for you every day." To which he said, "That's a very special gift. Thank you so much." We got to the communion rail and there were two spaces, one in front of us and one around the side of the altar . I started off around the corner. He stopped me and whispered, "No, no. I'll go around" and motioned for me to take the closer spot.
The only exception made in the entire service was that the President was allowed to leave first and then the rest of the congregation followed.
With all sincerity, and partisanship aside, I tell you: This is a special man! There is a peace and a Godliness about him. It radiates from him. It is the only reason that I was able to remain calm. It was more than the adrenaline I've felt when I've met other famous people. A goodness flows through this man. He has more than my vote in November. He has my respect, my prayers, and my gratitude. Whatever your political affiliation, and whether or not you agree with his decisions, you should take comfort in the fact that — despite recent press attacks — this is a man of integrity who makes decisions because he believes that they are RIGHT, not popular. He makes these decisions with a heavy heart and through prayer
Does that kind of being 'real' and humble bother you kraft, or the 'being spiritual'or 'religious' scare you?
run it through snopes.com
__________________________________
"Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known."- Carl Sagan
posted on March 23, 2004 03:24:55 AM new
Yep that kind of hero worship scares the crap outa me.
Kinda ass kisser that would be happy with a king instead of a president.
About like the fellow who when Hitler said his reich would last for a thousand years jumped up and said no ten thousand.
"this is a man of integrity who makes decisions because he believes that they are RIGHT, not popular. He makes these decisions with a heavy heart and through prayer"
Boy that's a LOT to tell about a person just from seeing them walk through your church.
This level of suction kinda makes me ill.
posted on March 23, 2004 08:16:33 AM new
Gravid says it well.
I'm sure some of the crooks at Enron and many of the other scammers also go to church.
With all the mention of prayer lately and how God is showing Bush the right way it is pretty scary. Then again, if that is the truth it wouldn't matter who we elected because God will show them the right way.
posted on March 23, 2004 10:04:28 AM new
I didn't get that from the post above, (where the gal 'met' him behind her in church)
What I got was he was a 'real' person.
Where she mentions 'He does what is RIGHT and not what is popular'
I've thought that also.... doing things WITHOUT the 'permission' of the EU or the UN.
Because obviously, there are Europeans that do not like us any longer.
(kiara, was it you or it may have been someone else, who said they sold Canadian hats or such to Americans who were going overseas, so they won't be taken for American? If I go to Europe again, I will never apologize for being American-ok that was OT, and not anything against you kiara, business is business, and the more Canadian items you sell, thats great but I will not 'hide' the fact I am American or from the U.S., thats me though)
There is nothing wrong with prayer. It might be the same as a non Christian leader 'meditating' on an issue or situation.
IMO
__________________________________
"Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known."- Carl Sagan
posted on March 23, 2004 10:19:36 AM newand not anything against you kiara, business is business, and the more Canadian items you sell, thats great
What's that supposed to mean? If someone comes in and buys an item and then tells me their reason I'm supposed to deny them the sale? I don't really care what anyone does with the merchandise they buy from me after they've bought it.
Nowhere did I state that ALL Americans do this and I didn't mean to imply that. I just stated that it happens and THEY are the ones that tell me that they don't want to be known as American when they travel.
BTW, I sell Canadian items to people from all over the world. Many Americans buy the Canadian items as souvenirs only to remember their trip or take back to relatives. It comes up in the conversation when they pay, never ever do I ask what they intend to do with them.
posted on March 23, 2004 10:20:22 AM new
NTS - That's how I see it too. [your last post].
I've thought that also.... doing things WITHOUT the 'permission' of the EU or the UN.
And if kerry is elected we can expect him not to make a move without the approval of the UN. [which we'd never get, and most know and hope for just that]. I hope that never happens.
Agreeing or disagreeing on the world's issues is one thing, but putting our countries defense in the hands of the UN will be the GREATEST mistake we could ever make.
posted on March 23, 2004 10:30:51 AM new
kiara, I wasn't even sure it was you that sold items. I only remember that someone posted saying that Americans come and buy Canadian items so they won't be mistaken for American. I don't think I said ALL of them do. If so I apologize
Also when I said buisness is business, I meant that its great that you are selling well ???? I don't understand your being upset over that.
Again, if so, I apologize.
Linda, yep. That is what I see in the message from the gal; she says He does things that he thinks is RIGHT, not popular. I have to agree with it.
__________________________________
"Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known."- Carl Sagan
posted on March 23, 2004 10:37:52 AM new
NTS, sorry if my post sounded like I was upset. I guess I forgot to pepper it with smilies. I was making a point and in no way am I upset as I'm usually quite calm when I speak....... guess I sound direct and it's how others read my writing.
posted on March 23, 2004 11:42:20 AM newI've thought that also.... doing things WITHOUT the 'permission' of the EU or the UN.
We are perfectly able to do most anything without permission of the EU or UN, however, to reach successful results concerning international issues we have to have cooperation from the UN and the EU.
Persauding people to follow you towards well formulated goals and activities is called LEADERSHIP, somethinmg Bush sorely lacks.
Exhibiting leadership is not a sign of weakness.
In fact, I can predict right now that without the approval and cooperation of the EU or the UN, our activities in Iraq will be unsuccessful, and the war on terrorism will also be unsuccesful.
Why do you think Bush has all of a sudden started courting the EU and UN to help out in Iraq ? He has finally realized that he can not attain success without them.
posted on March 23, 2004 12:45:21 PM new
This President has shown leadership.
Kerry on the other hand couldn't even convince Spain's new socialist leader to leave his troops in Iraq, even though he has said he supports a kerry presidency.
Kerry himself doesn't know where he stands on many of the issues and keeps changing his mind.
We can't put our countrys safety in the hands of an anti-war anti-supporting our troops who are at war president. He's an Internationalist who supports the UN making decisions for the US.
posted on March 25, 2004 05:16:38 AM new
As far as I can tell, Jimmy Carter is the ONLY former U.S. President who is leading a life of service. He is a role model for future former Presidents, in my book.
Witness the golf playing and life of leisure of other former presidents--Gerald Ford (on our nearby Palm Springs courses), Ronald Reagan on his ranch (until Alzheimer's got him), Dwight Eisenhower after he left office, etc. etc. etc. These guys are leaches. Good for Jimmy, that he has the heart AND the energy to work for good.
___________________________________
Have you noticed since everyone has a Camcorder these days no one talks
about seeing UFOs like they used to?
