Jimmy Carter Steps in Doo Doo - Again!

One of the problems many people have with Jimmy Carter is that he seems to give off an excess of self-righteousness. I have no way of knowing whether or not that is true. I'm sure many people feel Jimmy Carter is a humble man trying to do the right thing.

Unfortunately, if you don't know what you're doing, trying to do the right thing can by very trying, or deadly!

Carter decided, on his own, and against the wishes of our government as well as the government of Israel, to trot off to Damascus, Syria and meet with the leader of the terrorist group, Hamas. The purpose of this trek, according to Mr. Carter, was to broker peace negotiations between Israel and Hamas. Carter believes that Hamas "must be engaged in order to achieve Middle East peace."

So, the former president sat down with Khaled Mashaal, the "exiled leader of Hamas and his deputy, two men the U.S. government has labeled terrorists and Israel accuses of masterminding attacks that have killed hundreds of civilians."

What was Carter thinking?

Hamas exists to destroy Israel. Hamas lives to drive Israel into the sea. Hamas proclaims that Israel is an illegitimate state. Hamas sends rockets and suicide bombers into Israel at every opportunity. Hamas is one of the worst terrorist organizations in the world.

The result of Carter's meddling was fourfold:

1. Hamas now claims "new legitimacy from the meetings." Mohammed Nazzal, a spokesperson for Hamas' political bureau, said "Political isolation [of Hamas] by the American administration has begun to crumble."

2. Hamas did not respond to Carter's requests to stop its rockets attacks against Israel or meet with Israeli Deputy Prime Minister Eli Yishai to negotiate a prisoner exchange.

3. Hamas' belligerence hardened as it noted that the captured Israeli soldier, Gilad Shalit will "not see the light" until such time as Israel is willing to exchange Palestinian prisoners for Shalit.

4. Israel said that it has plans to built 100 additional homes in two West Bank settlements - the territory wanted by the Palestinians for their future state.

Nice work, Jimmy!