Contrast Jimmy And The Georges

[goofyfish]

An early September edition of The Washington Post carried one of Jimmy Carter's rare rebukes to his successors in the White House. Makes nostalgic reading, up to a point.

By Jimmy Carter

Fundamental changes are taking place in the historical policies of the United States with regard to human rights, our role in the community of nations and the Middle East peace process -- largely without definitive debates (except, at times, within the administration). Some new approaches have understandably evolved from quick and well-advised reactions by President Bush to the tragedy of Sept. 11, but others seem to be developing from a core group of conservatives who are trying to realize long-pent-up ambitions under the cover of the proclaimed war against terrorism.

Formerly admired almost universally as the preeminent champion of human rights, our country has become the foremost target of respected international organizations concerned about these basic principles of democratic life. We have ignored or condoned abuses in nations that support our anti-terrorism effort, while detaining American citizens as "enemy combatants," incarcerating them secretly and indefinitely without their being charged with any crime or having the right to legal counsel. This policy has been condemned by the federal courts, but the Justice Department seems adamant, and the issue is still in doubt. Several hundred captured Taliban soldiers remain imprisoned at Guantanamo Bay under the same circumstances, with the defense secretary declaring that they would not be released even if they were someday tried and found to be innocent. These actions are similar to those of abusive regimes that historically have been condemned by American presidents.

Carter began his term with an optimistic and decent view of foreign policy, only to be dragged slowly to the right by his foreign policy adviser, Zbigniew Brzezinski. At the end the President found himself in the obscene position of supporting Pol Pot, because of Brzezinski's idiotic belief that the friend (Pol Pot) of the enemy (Red China) of my enemy (the Soviet Union) is my friend.

But at least he (President Carter, not Brzezinski) refrained from the folly of going to war with Iran. This brave and decent refusal to sacrifice hostages cost the president a second term in the White House.

Now, out of office, Mr. Carter has devoted his extraordinary energies to the service of peace. The man from Plains stands in interesting contrast to the man from Greenwich. Not George W., who is also from Greenwich, but his father. Once ejected from the White House, George Herbert Walker Bush lost no time in hiring himself out as an influence peddler for the Carlyle Group; arms merchants to the world.

No doubt a corner office is waiting there for Bush the Younger as well.

Peace.

_____________
Youth is the first victim of war - the first fruit of peace.
It takes 20 years or more of peace to make a man;
it takes only 20 seconds of war to destroy him.

• -- King Boudewijn I, King of Belgium (1934-1993)