The American Spectator

Kevin Dunn| 9.16.09 @ 6:54AM

"Racism" is rich coming from a notorious Jew-hater.

Crabby Apple Mick Lee| 9.16.09 @ 7:23AM

The President's healthcare policies and economic programs are such obvious winners that there can't possibly be any other reason to call him a turkey except for racism. Everyone knows in their heart that, when the government steps into matters that were once thought to be your business, freedom abounds. Experience shows that people just don't know how to take care of themselves so thank God our government will move in to straighten out our health choices and thus by making us healthy we enjoy even more freedom. Lastly, Obama once again shows the Republicans the economic midgets they are. The Democrats have long claimed that Republicans arranged the economy to benefit the rich. What Obama has shown us is what Democrats meant that the economy should be constructed to benefit "targeted" wealthy people. That's the reason why throwing all those billions of dollars at particular, large banks was a sound business practice. Any lowlife who had the disgrace to object to that use of our taxes also had to be a racist.

Thank you, President Carter, for calling it like it is. It was history's injustice that the golden age of your Presidency was replaced by the greatest President of the 20th century. That's why so many of us took the Reagan years as a personal insult.

S.L. Toddard| 9.16.09 @ 7:25AM

I wonder if there is any concievable metric by which one could measure Jimmy Carter a worse president than George W Bush. The economy? Obviously not - for all of Carter's stagflation, he didn't leave the economy a smoking ruin, in the worst state since the depression. Foreign Policy? Obviously not - Carter never failed to execute two wars, never attempted to conquer a foreign country based on a mistake, and never lost over four thousand soldiers in a war to capture weapons that (much like the unicorn) did not exist. National security - no again, since Carter did not allow the worst terrorist attack in history to occur on American soil during his watch. Spending? Nope - Bush spent exponentially more than Carter ever did. The defecit? No - Bush ran up the deficit much, much higher than Carter or any other president ever did. Bush expanded the size and scope of the federal gov't far more than Jimmy Carter, and spent far more on federal social programs than Carter. I know neoconservatives really want to believe Bush was a better president than Jimmy carter at least, but you guys need to find at least some piece of evidence to hang that spurious claim on. What on earth could it be?

PKane| 9.16.09 @ 8:06AM

Go ahead. Keep it up with this racism nonsense. There's no better way to persuade already skeptical Americans of your policies then to bully anyone who disagrees with the most reviled insult in American life. People just love to have their character assailed.

Seriously, do they really think this is going to win people over??? Do they imagine an independent voter jumping up and saying "Oh, I wasn't impressed by the 50,ooo speeches Obama has given on healthcare, I've been reading about this issue for months and I'm still worried about the government messing with my medical care...but now that's it's racist to oppose Obama, well, I'd better fall in line,

stephanieanne| 9.16.09 @ 8:29AM

Kevin Dunn, well put. Notice that Barry doesn't come out and call us racists himself, but sends his minions out to do it. The administration is so smarmy and sleazy and yes, dangerous. Our country is so divided now with this man in office that I have not seen good friends who are democrats or ones who are only getting their news from Morning Joe , MSMBC. Spouting the party lines, the MSM's lines and not researching to get the facts. Just spoon fed the pap from the MSM. Sad indeed.
And yes, Carter is an embarrassment. Perhaps his wife should try to keep him at home and away from the press.

Obama Sucks Ass| 9.16.09 @ 8:29AM

Dear Obamalover,

You are a communist left wing pile of vermin. Political incumbents are put in office by the people for the people. If these far left radical extremist can not vote based on what the people want then they should go eat shit just like you. When the dems did not support Bush what does that make the liberal? Perhaps you far left extremist are racist against people who prosper by earning their money. Jimbo Cater was a loose cannon and an embarassment to the White House. He was a 4 and out piece of garbage and Obama Slob on My knobba is going to do the same. Hail to capitalism, and to hell with socialism. National health care is just another way for the government to tell what to do and when to do it. Good day you nasty pile of garbage!

Becky| 9.16.09 @ 8:40AM

Racism is a weak charge, used by weak people. I am not too fond of all the women he put in charge of things also, so I guess I must be sexist, too. Unlike my good freind who voted for Obama based on the fact he was a nice black man, I had other qualifications I looked for. I guess if I were stuck on the fact I wanted to be proud to elect a black man, I would view every objection to him as racist too.

As Shelby Steele commented before the election, his candidacy was about race, bottom line. All arguments reduce to the lowest common denominator, which for many of his supporters was his color. For many of the opposition, it was his politics. You defend someone based on why you voted for them.

TennesseeVolunteer| 9.16.09 @ 8:43AM

Trying to paint all of the people of good faith with the racism brush that disagree with big government is a foolish and perilous mistake. Their disagreements with the role of government, their belief in personal freedom, responsibility and accountability and their mainstream religious beliefs have allowed them to be very patient with this President and the Congress. Calling them names and insulting their very honor will come to no good for the Democratic party.

MJG| 9.16.09 @ 8:57AM

Past POTUS Cater is what you get when people withdraw from the process. Need I say more?

Alan Brooks| 9.16.09 @ 9:05AM

I like Obama, he is being underestimated-- and by that I really mean he will be re-elected, for sure.
But first Holder telling us we're cowards because we don't smarm minorities, and possibly vice versa. What are we supposed to do? French kiss minorities?
And now... Jimmuh. Don't get us started!
Jimmuh isn't senile, it is far worse than that; he is politically senile, and there are no trials being done for political senescence drugs.
Life revolves around race now?

Here is what the good man (no not Carter) said,

"There is not a racist bone in my dad's body," said Alan Wilson, an Iraq veteran who is running for state attorney general in South Carolina. "He doesn't even laugh at distasteful jokes. I won't comment on former President Carter, because I don't know President Carter. But I know my dad, and it's just not in him."

"It's unfortunate people make that jump. People can disagree — and appropriately disagree — on issues of substance, but when they make the jump to race it's absolutely ludicrous. My brothers and I were raised by our parents to respect everyone regardless of background or race."

Alan Brooks| 9.16.09 @ 9:09AM

only one mistake in Wilson's statement",
"My brothers and I were raised by our parents to respect everyone regardless of background or race.":

Background can be a very bad background.

Alan Brooks| 9.16.09 @ 9:17AM

"for all of Carter's stagflation, he didn't leave the economy a smoking ruin, in the worst state since the depression. Foreign Policy? Obviously not - Carter never failed to execute two wars"
Smoking ruin? Then why over the past year did America still retain the best agriculture in history? why did Obama's #1 economics guy say we're probably out of the recession after only one year?

And how many proxy wars did Carter bungle '77-'80?
But Carter was the best person that was ever president-- WRONG JOB.

Lea| 9.16.09 @ 9:18AM

Jimmy Carter was never a serious president. He was ignorant of foreign policy; how he got us in trouble in Iran. We suffered through the hostage crisis and how those hostages and their families did suffer. Then the botched "rescue" mission that was ill-planned.
I well-remember the 22% unemployment rate, the gas lines and everything that came with his presidency. God was merciful and he was a one-term president. I am not being critical of him because he is white or because he says he is a Christian but because his politics hurt this country and still do. Just as when I am critical of Obama's policies, I am not doing so because of his color but because they are unsound and very bad for our country. Oh, and by the way, Jimmy Carter WAS the worst president of my lifetime until Obama came along. And that didn't take very long, did it?
All those "race cards" need to stay in the deck. That deck is old and worn out.

Alan Brooks| 9.16.09 @ 9:28AM

"George W Bush has become the worst president of our lifetimes. "

Depends when you were born. LBJ was the worst in my lifetime-- IMO anyone's lifetime.
George Wallace? he turned around and became more (the inverse of Jimmuh) decent later on. Wallace apologized to blacks. Jimmuh merely smarms them.

S.L. Toddard| 9.16.09 @ 9:34AM

"Trying to paint all of the people of good faith with the racism brush that disagree with big government is a foolish and perilous mistake"

Absolutely. It is as inaccurate and unfair as it is morally reprehensible. It's exactly like when the David Frum, the Fox News Right etc accused those who were against the Iraq War of being unpatriotic or "pro-terrorist". Such a generalization - demonization, really - is invariably evidence of either simple thinking or of reptilian cynicism - it's a tactic to stifle honest debate. Indeed, Carter is in the wrong no less than than those who demonized those anti-war conservatives and others as "unpatriotic".

Alan Brooks| 9.16.09 @ 9:35AM

"Jimmy Carter was never a serious president. He was ignorant of foreign policy; how he got us in trouble in Iran."

Jimmuh Pancake Face got us into Afghanistan too. In '78, a Kremlin guy announced: "Da, Leonid, zer is a loser in zuh Wuss House. Let's roll"

S.L. Toddard| 9.16.09 @ 9:36AM

"And how many proxy wars did Carter bungle '77-'80?"

Good question. How many, and what was the death toll? I would be more than happy to criticize Carter for excessive interventionism.

S.L. Toddard| 9.16.09 @ 9:38AM

"He was ignorant of foreign policy; how he got us in trouble in Iran. We suffered through the hostage crisis and how those hostages and their families did suffer. Then the botched "rescue" mission that was ill-planned."

All poorly handled, to be sure. Still, though, nothing at all compared to the Iraq disaster - an invasion to capture weapons that did not exist, which lead to the deaths of thousands of our soldiers and hundreds of thousands of innocent civilians. That blood will never wash off Bush and the MSM's hands.

Mean Sweater Wearer| 9.16.09 @ 9:41AM

Jimmy Carter may be a decent human being, but he was a lousy president. (Ted Kennedy 1980 anyone?) He does himself or "the national dialogue on race" NO GOOD WHATSOEVER crying wolf like this.

Alan Brooks| 9.16.09 @ 9:44AM

not to blame it all on Pancake Face; without that Thing who became president after JFK was assassinated, Nixon would never have been elected potus. Without Nixon, Pancake Face would have never been elected in a million years. You could blame it on JFK, for allowing The Thing to be his running mate in '60. No one forced JFK to accept LBJ at gunpoint, did they? No one ever forced JFK to do anything; no one pointed a gun at JFK's head until Oswald came along.

Alan Brooks| 9.16.09 @ 9:46AM

"All poorly handled, to be sure. Still, though, nothing at all compared to the Iraq disaster - an invasion to capture weapons that did not exist"

Turdtard,
Pancake Face's proxy wars '77- '80 were botched worse than Bush's.

S.L. Toddard| 9.16.09 @ 9:52AM

"Pancake Face's proxy wars '77- '80 were botched worse than Bush's."

A meaningless statement. What proxy wars? What were the death tolls? Without backing that up it's so much worthless hot air.

tonypal| 9.16.09 @ 9:53AM

To Paul, Dan, Julian Sanchez and S.L. Toddard:

I know reading can be a challenge for some people, but the point of the (very) brief column was that Carter is the worst "EX-president." Now I think it would be pretty easy to make the case that he's also one of the worst, if not worst, presidents in history. But once again, Mr. Vadum declared him to be the worst EX-president. Got it?

S.L. Toddard| 9.16.09 @ 9:57AM

And what's with the "Turdtard" business? I didn't take you for one of these feces-flinging baboons who insult instead of debate. You strike me as someone further along on the evolutionary chart than those simian knuckle-draggers.

Alan Brooks| 9.16.09 @ 9:57AM

Carter's wars:
Latin America: conservative est. 2 million (incl. malnutrition related to wars)
Asia: unknown; so say

S.L. Toddard| 9.16.09 @ 9:58AM

"I know reading can be a challenge for some people, but the point of the (very) brief column was that Carter is the worst "EX-president."

I compared him to Bush. Bush is an "ex-president".

S.L. Toddard| 9.16.09 @ 10:00AM

"Latin America: conservative est. 2 million (incl. malnutrition related to wars)
Asia: unknown;"

Unknown is right. What proxy-wars did Carter have waged in South America? What proxy-wars were waged at his behest in "Asia"? What on earth are you talking about?

tonypal| 9.16.09 @ 10:01AM

S.L Toddard:

Please do me a favor and pull up some quotes for us of prominent conservatives or Fox News calling lefties unpatriotic for opposing the Iraq War. I've heard people such as yourself whining about this for years, yet no one ever produces the evidence. Perhaps you'll be the first.

By the way, I know that leftists aren't really offended by the use of the term unpatriotic. After all, the sitting Vice-President declared that paying higher taxes is patriotic, thus making the direct implication that those of us who oppose higher taxes are unpatriotic. And of course, as Mr. Vadum's column and many others point out, the left has no problem throwing around the worst of invectives, racist, at anyone who disagrees with them on matters of race or anyone who disagrees with Obama.

So surely you can't be the least bit offended by name calling if it comes from the right because, based on some of your posts on this site, you are an implacable enemy of hypocrisy, as are all leftists.

S.L. Toddard| 9.16.09 @ 10:03AM

"Please do me a favor and pull up some quotes for us of prominent conservatives or Fox News calling lefties unpatriotic for opposing the Iraq War. "

Sure:

http://www.nationalreview.com/frum/frum031903.asp

Alan Brooks| 9.16.09 @ 10:04AM

... couldn't find figures for Asia.
Africa"? Pancake Face helped kill several million. He really messed up for someone who likes blacks.
Afghanistan, '78-today; Pancake helped kill at least a million (we wont count post- '81 casualties).
Where do I get my stats? DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH.
I'll call you turdtard because if you don't like it go to NAMBLA site; this is a rightist site, we don't have to smarm if we don't want to.

tonypal| 9.16.09 @ 10:05AM

S.L. Toddard:

The original column said he was the worst EX-president, not the worst president. Now do you really need to have this spelled out for you? I guess you do.

The criticism of Carter deals with his actions once out of office, thus the term worst "Ex"-president, as opposed to worst president. I'd draw you a picture if I could, but given the limitations of this site, this is as much as I can do for you.

tonypal| 9.16.09 @ 10:07AM

I don't have time to read that whole column. Besides, I really don't care for David Frum. So why don't you do us all a favor and just tell me where exactly to look for the offending words.

Alan Brooks| 9.16.09 @ 10:10AM

Pancake Face helped killed as many blacks in Africa as Brezhnev and Castro-- albeit with the best of intentions (!)

Knuckle dragger? I'm a Menckenite-- more cynical than a redneck.

Tom Rowan| 9.16.09 @ 10:10AM

It was Carter who got me interested in politics.
In 1976, the Bicentennial, I though it was kinda cool that an obscure southern gentleman could be elected president. He even had both houses of congress. What could go wrong.

What soured me about Carter was his propensity to lie at first resort about everything. He was a bitter partisan and a liar.

What won me over as a lifelong conservative was Ronald Reagan's "YOU LIE" moment. Not once but a few times during the debate with Carter Reagan would say "There you go again, that simply is not true."

If you were like me you were yelling at the TV and screaming FINALLY someone called this simpleton out on lying!

I always hold the belief that POTUS must always tell the truth. Carter told me otherwise. A hard lesson for the idealistic.

Since Carter was roundly humiliated in defeat he has been the sorest of losers. He is a vile anti-Semite.

Over the years whenever Carter opens his mouth I keep coming back to one simple conclusion.

Jimmy Carter is a dispicable bitch.

BTW-he was one of the worst presidents and THE worst ex presidents. Proof of this is that compared to Carter, Bill Clinton has behaved honorably, patriotically, and in some cases selflessly as an ex prez. And the left played the race card on him!

S.L. Toddard| 9.16.09 @ 10:11AM

"couldn't find figures for Asia."

Or Latin America. Or anywhere - you haven't even cited one single proxy war. Haha.

"Africa"? Pancake Face helped kill several million. He really messed up for someone who likes blacks.
Afghanistan, '78-today; Pancake helped kill at least a million (we wont count post- '81 casualties).
Where do I get my stats? "

You don't have stats. You can't even name one proxy war. You're naming vague regions of the world and then making up death tolls. Like this: "Bush, Antarctica, 50 MILLION". It's meaningless.

I understand that you and others on the Fox News Right cherish your Carter-hatred. That's fine - cherish away! But it's probably unwise to try to back it up in debate when you have nothing to base it on. That's not to say there's no reason to dislike Carter - there are plenty. You're just not really sure what they are.

S.L. Toddard| 9.16.09 @ 10:13AM

"Besides, I really don't care for David Frum. So why don't you do us all a favor and just tell me where exactly to look for the offending words."

There in the headline, and then in the paragraphs after it. Sorry to destroy the point you failed to make.

Ruth Newsome| 9.16.09 @ 10:13AM

He said "overwhelming portion" not, as you then deliberately misquote him, "whoever opposes..."

So, within three sentences you prove yourself a liar. I'm sure I will be back to read more of this. NOT

tonypal| 9.16.09 @ 10:13AM

S.L.

Let's go. Where is the word "unpatriotic" in pseudo-conservative Frum's column. I'm waiting.

Alan Brooks| 9.16.09 @ 10:15AM

pardon,
Pancake Face helped, by being a wimp, KILL as many blacks as the Russkies and Cubans did in the late '70s.

Look, I don't dislike you, Toddard, but why on Earth do you waste your time? Whatever you learn by picking brains at AS isn't worth it. You'd learn more at TNR.

tonypal| 9.16.09 @ 10:16AM

Sorry, but I thought you were talking about liberals. Since when did liberals start worrying about conservatives being called names. So no, you haven't destroyed anything because leftist whining was always about liberals being called unpatriotic. Incidentally, you'll have to come up with a better source than Mr. Frum, who you can have on your side if you would like.

S.L. Toddard| 9.16.09 @ 10:18AM

“I always hold the belief that POTUS must always tell the truth”

You must *despise* George W Bush then.

"We recently found two mobile biological weapons facilities which were capable of producing biological agents." Source: President Talks to Troops in Qatar, White House (6/5/2003).

"Here's what -- we've discovered a weapons system, biological labs, that Iraq denied she had, and labs that were prohibited under the U.N. resolutions." Source: President Bush, Russian President Putin Sign Treaty of Moscow, White House (6/1/2003).

"We found the weapons of mass destruction. We found biological laboratories. You remember when Colin Powell stood up in front of the world, and he said, Iraq has got laboratories, mobile labs to build biological weapons. They're illegal. They're against the United Nations resolutions, and we've so far discovered two. And we'll find more weapons as time goes on. But for those who say we haven't found the banned manufacturing devices or banned weapons, they're wrong, we found them." Source: Interview of the President by TVP, Poland, White House (5/29/2003).

"We know that Iraq and al Qaeda have had high-level contacts that go back a decade. Some al Qaeda leaders who fled Afghanistan went to Iraq. These include one very senior al Qaeda leader who received medical treatment in Baghdad this year, and who has been associated with planning for chemical and biological attacks. We've learned that Iraq has trained al Qaeda members in bomb-making and poisons and deadly gases." - President Bush Outlines Iraqi Threat; Remarks by the President on Iraq, White House (10/7/2002)

"This is a man who has got connections with Al Qaida. Imagine a terrorist network with Iraq as an arsenal and as a training ground, so that a Saddam Hussein could use this shadowy group of people to attack his enemy and leave no fingerprint behind. He's a threat." - Remarks by the President in Texas Welcome, White House

"He's a threat because he is dealing with Al Qaida. In my Cincinnati speech I reminded the American people, a true threat facing our country is that an Al Qaida-type network trained and armed by Saddam could attack America and leave not one fingerprint." - President Outlines Priorities, White House (11/7/2002)

"Evidence from intelligence sources, secret communications, and statements by people now in custody reveal that Saddam Hussein aids and protects terrorists, including members of al Qaeda. Secretly, and without fingerprints, he could provide one of his hidden weapons to terrorists, or help develop their own." - President Delivers "State of the Union", White House (1/28/2003)

"Saddam Hussein has longstanding, direct and continuing ties to terrorist networks. Senior members of Iraqi intelligence and al Qaeda have met at least eight times since the early 1990s. Iraq has sent bomb-making and document forgery experts to work with al Qaeda. Iraq has also provided al Qaeda with chemical and biological weapons training. We also know that Iraq is harboring a terrorist network, headed by a senior al Qaeda terrorist planner." - President Bush: "World Can Rise to This Moment", White House (2/6/2003)

"He has trained and financed al Qaeda-type organizations before, al Qaeda and other terrorist organizations." - President George Bush Discusses Iraq in National Press Conference, White House (3/6/2003)

"The regime . . . has aided, trained and harbored terrorists, including operatives of al Qaeda. The danger is clear: using chemical, biological or, one day, nuclear weapons, obtained with the help of Iraq, the terrorists could fulfill their stated ambitions and kill thousands or hundreds of thousands of innocent people in our country, or any other." President Says Saddam Hussein Must Leave Iraq Within 48 Hours, White House (3/17/2003)

S.L. Toddard| 9.16.09 @ 10:20AM

"Where is the word "unpatriotic" in pseudo-conservative Frum's column"

The headline is "Unpatriotic Conservatives". Can you not read or something?

2Anglico| 9.16.09 @ 10:22AM

Yeah, right, it is racist to object to a black guy who wants to take my money by force and use it to serve the needs of another. Because when a white guy does the same I usually ask him "are you sure you took enough?" Yes, I love having white people steal my money. So, I admit I am a racist. BUT, according to Newsweek, I was born that way, I can't help myself. Can I get some money from ADA?

S.L. Toddard| 9.16.09 @ 10:23AM

"Look, I don't dislike you, Toddard, but why on Earth do you waste your time?"

It's never a waste of time to enlighten those fumbling around in the darkness of ignorance, old boy.

Alan Brooks| 9.16.09 @ 10:24AM

You don't have stats. You can't even name one proxy war. You're naming vague regions of the world and "then making up death tolls. Like this: "Bush, Antarctica, 50 MILLION". It's meaningless.
I understand that you and others on the Fox News Right cherish your Carter-hatred."

They were all conservative estimates, except Africa. When the Red Army invaded Afghanistan in '78-'79, it led to millions of deaths; say 2 million from all causes.
Do you know how many casualties in Latin America during the late '70s? Look it up.
I don't hate Carter, most people here aren't haters, they turn off the computer at night and that's it. Even Daphne is calm at night-- after the orderly brings her steak and mashed potatoes.
But why do you blog at AS? with your smarts you could go so much farther by adjusting your preferences.

S.L. Toddard| 9.16.09 @ 10:27AM

"Yeah, right, it is racist to object to a black guy who wants to take my money by force and use it to serve the needs of another."

Well, if you object to others doing that that aren't "black guys" then no - you're not racist. For instance, if you you *also* objected to President Bush taking your "money by force" to "serve the needs of another" - for instance, by serving the needs of Iraqis by rebuilding their infrastructure, or serving the needs of Israelis with the $3 Billion yearly we send them - then no you're not "racist" at all. But if you object strictly on the grounds that Obama is a "black guy" then... well, you probably know.

Alan Brooks| 9.16.09 @ 10:29AM

"It's never a waste of time to enlighten those fumbling around in the darkness of ignorance, old boy."

What a whopper! you write as if you are in Africa lighting lamps so the missionary docs can treat patients. What a piece of work you are. You draw it into tit for tat, and bring it down on me later.

A mind is a terrible thing to waste. Am I wasting mine? yes, replying to you.

S.L. Toddard| 9.16.09 @ 10:30AM

"When the Red Army invaded Afghanistan in '78-'79, it led to millions of deaths; say 2 million from all causes."

Uh, you mean the same Afghanistan Bush invaded? Yes. Wait - you're saying Carter fought a proxy war using... the Red Army? What?!

"Do you know how many casualties in Latin America during the late '70s? Look it up."

I wasn't aware we had attacked Latin America in the 70s. Could you provide a link?

tonypal| 9.16.09 @ 10:32AM

S.L.

Where in the column does he accuse conservatives or anyone of being unpatriotic simply for opposing action in Iraq?

You see, what troubled people like me and others was not that people disagreed or dissented. It was always about the manner of the dissent. While you and others were so busy with your righteous indignation against straw men on the right, you were busy calling Bush a murderer, Hitler, etc. Seems kind of silly to be offended by the (supposed) words of others when you say far worse. In fact, while you seem to fancy yourself as some sort of intelligent person, you sprinkle your posts with the kind of childish name calling usually reserved for a grammar school playground.

Again, I ask for you to produce evidence that anyone was called unpatriotic simply for opposing the war. You fail. Also, since you question my ability to read, have you figured out what Mr. Vadum meant by "EX"- president yet, or do you need that picture drawn for you?

Alan Brooks| 9.16.09 @ 10:34AM

You're like a highly intelligent version of Daphne, lurking all day on the premises; you're no burnout like Daphne, so why waste one second here? This isn't tit for tat, it is trying to remind and prod you into going to a suitable blog for your preferences so you can enlighten ignorant friendly natives in the jungle of your choice.

Alan Brooks| 9.16.09 @ 10:41AM

I'm writing this calmly, without resorting to epithets:
With all Bush's flaws, he was no wimp; he made grave mistakes, but not in an egomaniacal manner such as LBJ.
The assymetry of the war threw Bush for a loop.
BTW, I voted for Gore and Kerry. But to be progressive when young means you have 'a heart' ; to be progressive when old means 'no brain'.

Tim| 9.16.09 @ 10:44AM

It's really unfair to compare W. Bush and Carter for the title of worst living president. Bush after all had twice as long in office to excercise the magic touch.

2Anglico| 9.16.09 @ 10:46AM

I would respond but the site is malfunctioning. Lost posts.

Mean Sweater Wearer| 9.16.09 @ 10:48AM

KEEP TALKING, PEANUT MAN!!! The more you talk, the better we look! And that goes for Pelosi and Biden, too! The fact that Carter doesn't like Joe Wilson (if there was ever a better endorsement!) will probably help him raise more money! Send a message to Jimmy Carter! Donate to Joe Wilson now!

Alan Brooks| 9.16.09 @ 10:50AM

"You're not so bad yourself, Mr. Brooks. Though I must say you should be putting your imagination to better use. Carter fighting a proxy war using the Red Army! "

okay, no more jabs. I'm a piece of work, but otherwise I'd be using the time to do charity work instead of blogging. I blog at AS because I'm not lib anymore.
carter's proxy actions were done by covert ops, political bungling (incl bad diplomacy), etc.
Why do you think Reagan Dems voted for the Gipper?
they wanted someone competent after almost four years of well-intentioned agonizing and bungling

Interested Conservative| 9.16.09 @ 10:53AM

Gov. Carter was excellent - just what Georgia needed, when it needed it (actually, several decades late). However, SLT's elisions aside, he is perhaps the ultimate example of the Peter Principle when viewed as POTUS. He was simply overmatched by the job. Even his scandals were small bore - Bert Lance?

Rather than parsing the failures, let's consider the accomplishments - I can recall only one - deregulating the airlines, largely with Alfred Kahn. It's the single best act wholly due to the democrats in the past fifty years. I'd love to hear any better examples (or any examples), as well as back stories discrediting this.

As for the rest, what did he do that President Ford couldn't have done?

Alan Brooks| 9.16.09 @ 10:54AM

"It's really unfair to compare W. Bush and Carter for the title of worst living president. Bush after all had twice as long in office to excercise the magic touch."

Carter did more bungling in 4 than Bush did in 8-- hardly an indictment of Bush.

S.L. Toddard| 9.16.09 @ 10:56AM

"Where in the column does he accuse conservatives or anyone of being unpatriotic simply for opposing action in Iraq?"

He doesn't. No where in that article are anti-war conservatives called "unpatriotic conservatives", nor are they condemned for opposing the Iraq War. He doesn't question whether someone can even be "conservative" and oppose the war. That Frum piece is actually a glowing paean to the patriotism of anti-war Conservatives.

Alan Brooks| 9.16.09 @ 11:03AM

Toddard,
You're brighter and more educated than I am, so why would you think bloggers at AS would be moved more than negligibly by your rhetoric? Defending Carter at AS is beneath your considerable abilities. If we cons went to TNR to defend Nixon, wouldn't that be Kool Aid peddling? They'd think we were acid burnouts like Daphne.

S.L. Toddard| 9.16.09 @ 11:03AM

"It was Novak's criticism of the Bush administration's Iraq policy, and especially his agreement with Buchanan on that subject, that earned him inclusion in David Frum's notorious 2003 catalog of "Unpatriotic Conservatives."

- Robert Stacey McCain
http://spectator.org/blog/2009.....favorite-u

Conservative Bob| 9.16.09 @ 11:07AM

Jimmy who?

O I remember the pitiful fool at whose feet can be laid America's empowering of radical islam. Are you referring to the Jimmy who dithered and shook while American embassy personnel were held captive for how many days? Could it be the same one who threw a reliable long term ally under the bus to give us the gift that keeps on giving in the Ayatollahs of Iran? The despicable anti-Semitic revisionist whose own associates resigned when he published his dishonest and distorted work?

That Jimmy...?????
I wake up every day waiting to discover what his opinion might be before making my daily plans.

Alan Brooks| 9.16.09 @ 11:10AM

And why do you defend an academic con artist such as Chomsky? You can't be conservative and reference a radical such as Chomsky?
Chomsky is no moderate.
If someone came here to defend a highly intelligent cognoscenti-crook like Joe Sobran, you'd ask, "to what purpose?"

S.L. Toddard| 9.16.09 @ 11:10AM

"You're brighter and more educated than I am, so why would you think bloggers at AS would be moved more than negligibly by your rhetoric?"

I don't, really. But I have to try. There is a profound disconnect between people's conservative inclinations and the agenda of the party to which they are loyal. It is my task to highlight that disconnect.

S.L. Toddard| 9.16.09 @ 11:16AM

"And why do you defend an academic con artist such as Chomsky?"

Because a person has a political persuasion does not mean every thing they say can fit into that box. President Obama believes we should continue to prosecute the War in Afghanistan. Is the war now "Liberal" by virtue of that? No. Relatedly, not all Chomsky's arguments are "radical".

"You can't be conservative and reference a radical such as Chomsky?"

Of course you can, although I haven't.

Alan Brooks| 9.16.09 @ 11:18AM

Toddard,
Please, just ask yourself over 'n over:
"Why would I want to defend Carter at the AS site?"

Very few bloggers here dislike you; they just don't understand why you wouldn't want to go to a different site. It would mean less scrolling down for us.

S.L. Toddard| 9.16.09 @ 11:19AM

"If someone came here to defend a highly intelligent cognoscenti-crook like Joe Sobran, you'd ask, "to what purpose?"

No I wouldn't. I would probably be that person defending him. Joe Sobran is generally an excellent conservative, though not PC enough for much of the FNR's tastes.

S.L. Toddard| 9.16.09 @ 11:20AM

"Very few bloggers here dislike you; they just don't understand why you wouldn't want to go to a different site. It would mean less scrolling down for us."

Haha. Touche!

Alan Brooks| 9.16.09 @ 11:25AM

"Relatedly, not all Chomsky's arguments are "radical". "

too many of Chomsky's opinions are radical to consider him any sort of a moderate. You did defend him somewhat yesterday. He is like Ward Churchill; a genius who is trying to show how fair he is to our enemies:
"how big of me, a brilliant American academic , so understanding of the plight of imperialism's victims. Safely scribbling in my writing room."

Alan Brooks| 9.16.09 @ 11:36AM

Britain was the most largest or most long-lived imperialist power, but Stalin's empire was the most destructive.

Pinochet was a saint compared to Stalin. Franco was practically a nun. So was Carter.
So, please, why is it always Western imperialism's fault? Russia has been an empire for centuries. China was, long ago. They are both undemocratic behemoths to this day.
With Chomsky and Ward Churchill it is blame America first; it is safe and fashionable.

Alan Brooks| 9.16.09 @ 11:41AM

"Carter seems to be past the event horizon."

That's why he shouldn't be such a white mau mau; can't he enjoy his exploitive capitalist lucre in peace? Can't he grow older gracefully?

Spicy Joker| 9.16.09 @ 1:16PM

It's time to take the fight to the liberals and stop whining about media bias. It's time to FREEP liberal demogogues like Jimmy Carter and show them we're not going to let them slander us as racists.

S.L. Toddard| 9.16.09 @ 1:24PM

Mr. Brooks - what is it about Joe Sobran you hate so much? I'm at a loss.

sam| 9.16.09 @ 1:29PM

S.L.

I like your style. You kicked a**.

sam| 9.16.09 @ 1:32PM

IMO: Jimmy Carter has does more good in the world (in the Christian sense) before breakfast than any of you nincompoops will do in your lifetimes.

Jeremiah| 9.16.09 @ 1:39PM

SL Turdtard--good one, Alan.

Must be something about you, Turddard. Liberal sh!thead.

Top Hat| 9.16.09 @ 1:41PM

Yeah, sam; spoken like a true anti-semitic bigot.

Marcel| 9.16.09 @ 1:42PM

Turdtard and sam--both fascist liberals.

S.L. Toddard| 9.16.09 @ 1:51PM

For anyone interested, "Jeremiah", "Top Hat" and "Marcel" all have the same IP address and are the same person.

"Top Hat" haha

WendyG| 9.16.09 @ 2:25PM

Hamas-hugger/anti-Israel Carter has some nerve calling anyone racist. Do you know Bin Laden himself endorsed Carter's policies re: Israel? Carter is a pathetic old crank.

Top Hat| 9.16.09 @ 2:36PM

Turddard, no one cares, loser. Get a job.

Top Hat| 9.16.09 @ 2:38PM

Turddard and sam are the same person. How pathetic to fake a name to compliment yourself.

Freak.