Jakebrake Loc: Broomfield, Colorado

Former President Jimmy Carter once again is getting way out in front of the U.S. government on the Middle East, co-authoring an op-ed in which he calls for Washington to recognize designated terror group Hamas as a legitimate "political actor" -- while blasting Israel for its military campaign in the Gaza Strip.

The scathing column on ForeignPolicy.com was written by Carter and Ireland's former president Mary Robinson.

The article called the current conflict a "humanitarian catastrophe," and while acknowledging Hamas' "indiscriminate targeting" of Israelis, focused its criticism on Israel.

"There is no humane or legal justification for the way the Israeli Defense Forces are conducting this war," they wrote. "Israeli bombs, missiles, and artillery have pulverized large parts of Gaza, including thousands of homes, schools, and hospitals."

They said "deliberate attacks on civilians" constitute "war crimes" on both sides, though noting far fewer Israelis have been killed in the fighting.

The two "elders" (a group of former statesmen and activists) also pushed the West to formally recognize Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip but is considered a terror group by the U.S. They lauded the recently announced unity agreement between Hamas and Fatah, which controls the West Bank -- an agreement that Obama's State Department has voiced serious concerns about.

"The international community's initial goal should be the full restoration of the free movement of people and goods to and from Gaza through Israel, Egypt and the sea. Concurrently, the United States and EU should recognize that Hamas is not just a military but also a political force," Carter and Robinson wrote. "Hamas cannot be wished away, nor will it cooperate in its own demise. Only by recognizing its legitimacy as a political actor -- one that represents a substantial portion of the Palestinian people -- can the West begin to provide the right incentives for Hamas to lay down its weapons."

Carter has voiced support for Hamas in the past, and in 2009 visited with Hamas leaders on a high-profile trip.

And this is just simply why Carter is considered irrelevant by the vast majority of the Country, and is indeed deserving of the opinion, he is now tied for the worst POTUS in our great history!

raferrelljr Loc: CHARLOTTE, NC

Carter should take a dirt nap.

travelwp Loc: New Jersey

I think Obama is still the #1 worst president, but Carter sure is in second place.

These two guys don't think like we do. In the case of Obama, I think he is a Muslim, but Carter ??????

raferrelljr Loc: CHARLOTTE, NC

:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

Jakebrake Loc: Broomfield, Colorado

You may be right in your assessment of obama being the worst, but I'm sure Carter is bordering on treason considering Hamas is designated as a terrorist organization. I despised Carter during his Presidency and I do, still think he is beyond despicable!

soba1 Loc: Somewhere In So Ca

A stance on how you feel about the Israel Palestenian conflict should have nothing to do with religion.

raferrelljr Loc: CHARLOTTE, NC

Isn't it all about the Muslim religion trying to eliminate another people/religion?

larrypayne Loc: Texas Hill Country

"These two guys don't think like we do."

Do you think it is accurate to use "we" on this thread? That implies you think all readers on this thread think like you do.

Carter doesn't think like you do because he is an American patriot.
He does not swear allegiance to the apartheid state of Israel.

There are many of us on this forum who do not swear allegiance to Israel.

You should retract the "we."

raferrelljr Loc: CHARLOTTE, NC

You are warped. Carter is NO patriot. He's a Baffoon.

larrypayne Loc: Texas Hill Country

It's all about Zionists committing genocide against Palestinians.
The people of the world are against it.

New York City, which has the largest Jewish population in the U.S., had over a thousand people turn out to protest Israel's slaughter in Gaza.
http://mondoweiss.net/2014/07/yorkers-protest-israels.html

larrypayne Loc: Texas Hill Country

Anyone who swears allegiance to Israel is not an American patriot. That would include you and most others on this thread.

You are the "baffoon", by the way.

raferrelljr Loc: CHARLOTTE, NC

Wow!! a whole thousand, Man oh man that speaks for a thousand not millions. Maybe they should go to Israel and stand in the streets instead of the bomb shelters when Hamas is sending rockets into them to kill them. They are as misguided as you are.

larrypayne Loc: Texas Hill Country

Did you notice the sign that says "New York Jews Say Not in Our Name"?

The ones that say "Stop U.S. Aid to Israel." are good as well.

soba1 Loc: Somewhere In So Ca

How about I think all religons are the problem.
No one is more special than another.
Christians have killed tortured in the name of God as well.
Religion imo is the great divider........

raferrelljr Loc: CHARLOTTE, NC

BLah! Blah! Blah! You are the Jew hater. And I won't lower myself to say what you are!!