Way to go Mr Carter. You were truly the gentelest president I've known in my lifetime. The actions of this neocon administration will find its place in history as the worse disaster the USA has ever suffered. What I cant figure out is the level and sheer numbers of IGNORAMUSES that live in this great country who continue to be bamboozled by their propaganda.

That's how Republicans have dealt with other countries they don't like. Disrespect them and not talk to them! If someone doesn't do something about the middle east we'll be fighting Jordan, Egypt, Syria, Iran, Iraq, and Lebanon all at the same time b/c of our relationship with Israel alone. Israel is not worth the lives of our children. Let them fight their own wars. How many Israeli soldiers are fighting in Iraq – how many fought with us in the Bush's dad's gulf war, etc… This any condition love affair with Israel has to stop.

There goes Clinton Forgein Relations helper

This is why Carter likes Obama. One of Obama foreign affairs advisors Melly like Hezbollah and Hamas .

The peanut farmer needs to butt out. Lets remember how much he did while occupying the White House.

President Carter, you are no longer our president. Do not interfer in the politics of today. You will be sending messages that may hurt our country in the long run. Please think about what you are planning to do. Things do not always seem to be what they appear. Please think long and hard on this issue.

HE NEEDS TO RETIRE.

Mr. Jimmy Carter was the President when I first arrived in the US. Through the years I still maintain respect for him, although I must admit that through the same period that respect has slowly diminished. For him to meet with Hamas leaders would be the last straw of any respect I have left for him. I guess you could say who cares whether I have any respect for him or not. You are so right, I myself don't care anymore. I have always maintained that one cannot meet or negotiate with the devil. How can Mr. Carter meet with people whose avowed goal is annihilation of Israel and, by extention, annihilation of other people who do not subscribe or subjugate themselves to their brand of Islam. I know what I am talking because I was borned and grew up in a Muslim country.

I hope Carter does meet with Hamas.

While Bush was happy to see Palestinians vote, he did not like that the Palestinians voted overwhelmingly for Hamas. Immediately Bush placed heavy economic sanctions on their country in hopes of turning the citizens against Hamas. But they voted for Hamas because Hamas provides social services, food, shelter and jobs. They voted for Hamas because they were tired of the corruption.

Bush calls Hamas a terrorist group. Hamas is militia group formed during the 1980's in response to Israel's occupation of Palestine.

Humanity's Universal Laws of freedom, liberty, human dignity, equality, peace, etc. are known by every person everywhere whether experienced or not … they know. When those laws are not adhered to people know too that repression, war, violence, chaos, etc. are the results thereof. Thus people will fight back with whatever means they have.

The ones whom oppose Carter talking to Hamas, let me ask you how many more lives must be lost? Americans need to realize that what happens in the Middle-East and elsewhere on this planet greatly affect us and right now we have an administration without a clue as to how to handle this are reckless and acting irresponsibly with people's lives and the stability of the world.

Communication is the first step to finding common ground and finding solutions. Carter knows this which is why he is willing to talk to Hamas.

Have Americans lost their sense of justice?

A good leader is the one who can honestly humble himself to GO to the enemy and diague with him with a view to making peace. When will American leaders learn to humble themselves, come down from their high horse and reach out. not for what they will gain but what they can give. Let us for once erase this notion that americans are arrogant, especially in the arab world. HUMILITY is the watchword. Go ahead Carter.

Hooray for Jimmy Carter, the elder statesman and former President. His knowledge of foreign policy exceeds any knowledge that Bush can ever hope to have.

Jimmy Carter does represent the future in his thinking, too bad his presidency was not so eloquent.

I have spent the last 2 months in Israel and I can tell you that even Israelis want their governemnt to talk to Hamas.

Hamas are the democratically representatives by the Palestinians. We need to live with it.

I think this people are now showing us what they are made of. America has lost it already .Isrealites can you see yourself i think some of you are supproting Obama can you see youself now. I know Obama wil be a very great disaster for America it is coming to be . Well i think it is your time China to take over as world power . America has missed it in every way. I CRY AND WEEP FOR AMERICA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You go right on and talk to Hamas, JC.

When you're there, make sure you go talk to all those Hamas officers who believe Israel has no right to exist. Take a tour. Go to the areas where those rocket launchers were responsible for blowing the legs off the eight-year-old Isreali boy on 2/10/2008, and have your picture taken while standing next to them just like "Hanoi" Jane Fonda did with those rocket launchers that were killing our troops in Vietnam.

Then, you can come back and claim your "patriotism".

I never thought it was possible for an ex-president to actually be worse that what he was as president. You sir, have consistently shown me that this is possible. The fact that you were such a lousy president, and what you are now, is simply mindboggling.

Carter has done more good as an ex president than Bush has done with both his terms..

Smart and brave president.
You represent a better American image than the last 2 presidnets…

While Israel has been right on many occasions to take certain actions, illegal settlements, occupation, use of napalm, and collective punishment remain ILLEGAL under International Law and the Geneva Conventions. These facts seem to be lost in the fray…

Why can;t Carter do what he wants to do, especially when our current president refuses to meet and greet and diplomatize….

Why is the Bush administration so afraid to talk? He must have had a lonely childhood

In all due respect to former President Carter, you did not have the backbone in 1980 to r\force the realease of the hostages in Iran.President Reagan did shortly after his ignauguration by showing spine and backbone to the Iranian leadership.

I would suggest that President Carter stay home and mind his business. Your time has gone by. Please go back to building housing for the needy.

Let's just take them out right, like Israel has been trying to do for the past 60 years, because its working out so well for the both parties.

Evil begets evil.

Stop the circle of violence.

You can't address a problem or issue without talking.
Hurrah Mr. President. Boo to the administration.

If you want to stop a dog-fight, you have to get in the middle. Don't listen to Bush, go to Damascas. Thank you, Jimmy.

I don't know enough about all the details to think whether this is right or wrong…but if it's about foriegn policy, and Bush doesn't reccomend it, Carter is probably on the right track. I don't trust this administration as far as I could throw it.

Matt, next time you try to comment on issues using a comparative statement, try to compare APPLES TO APPLES OR ORANGES TO ORANGES. You will end up with a more educated comment. Trying to help!

The US forced the Palestinians to use democracy to elect their leaders, even overseeing elections, and the people chose Hamas, who is essentially a political party that has long provided government services to the Palestinians. Of course, the US now wishes they had picked hte leaders rather than the Palestinians voting on their own. That's completely dishonest — if you're going to spread democracy, then you have to accept the will of the people (though ironically, that seems to be a problem in our own domestic voting system).

Jimmy Carter is an honorable man. The US needs to be even-handed in solving Middle East peace, not favoring either side over the other. Unconditional support for Israel has become excessive — though sometimes right and sometimes wrong, much of Israel's conduct has not been much different than what has gone on in Tibet, Darfur, and South Africa. It's time to take a stand and change the way we do politics in the Middle East, rather than look the other way, if we ever want to return to our moral standing in the world community.

We are not wining this war, its time to try something else, anything. Just talking, does not cost the taxpayers any money, no kill anyone.

Its always been the humanly way of resolving conflicts. War is just a show of force, which always ends up with the bigger guy bullying the little one.

Thank you Mr.president.

I guess the Bush administration does not want him to go because then we will see that it is possible tot TALK with enemies as well as friends and that good can come out of talking with them. the bush administration believes you should never talk when a gun is availiable!

I totally support President Carter's move to negotiate with Hamas. Thank God Condoleezza Rice and the Bush Administration will soon be gone and America can resume the pursuit of diplomacy in the world!

and i thought the WORST president in History can't get any more worst

Are you people serious, our refusal to have discussions with anyone who doesn't agree with Bush is why allies are disappearing in the middle east. I believe we should open up as mant channels as possible. Whats the worst that could happen, nothing. On the other hand maybe we exchange some of the faces dying in the middle east, to the indiginous peoples. Why should sacrifice any more lives or $$ in this region??

And another thing, I have never ever disliked anyone like I dislike Hannity I thing is very racist and he loves bush which I think he is the worst president ever, what I would like for all the bush lovers including Hannity to do since they believe so much in this war while our children are dying YOU put on a military uniform and go and support your president and his war, let me really see how much you support him.

I agree with Nick from Tx; say what you want about Jimmy Carter but a peackeeper he is. What can it hurt to talk to Hamas it isn't helping by ignoring them, it only leads to more hate.

What has the present administration done…..tried to TELL them the way WE see democracy. That is what people don't get, not everyone's terminology of democracy is the same. I am not saying that terriost or the like shouldn't be punished, but if we don't start talking with different groups, they will continue to raise their children to hate Americans, because it is our way or the highway.

We spend billions with a communist country like China, but will not even talk with a smaller country to negociate peace. HMMM sounds right.

Give it a chance.

Oh my God!! I really can't believe there are actually people like James, Ben, Justin, and Nick out there, and they actually have the nerve to say everyone else is ignorant! Let me guess, they're not terrorists, they're just "misunderstood", right? Why don't you fools go live in Israel for a while, and then come back to tell us how exciting it is to live in constant fear of a mortar attack.

Carter is a complete disgrace to this country, and liberals ought to be downright ashamed to claim him as one of their own!

Carter has totally lost touch with reality. He exhibits a complete lack of rational judgement. Go build a house Jimmy and leave politics to those with common sense and sound minds.

How do you negotiate with someone who's stated desire is to destroy (kill) you ? If he doesn't kill you then you win. If he does kill you he wins. There's no win/win here.

The basic premise of negotiation is that there must be a reasonable point that both parties are willing to get to. If that is not present then talking solves nothing more than not talking.

The problems of the Middle East have existed for 2,000 years. The problems began long before there was a US let alone a living administration (past or present) to blame.

Most of this is just spleen venting. Let Carter go. It's highly unlikely he'll solve anything but there's also little downside risk.

Carter…now there's a war monger (cough, cough)

It's the right thing to do to try and keep the peace. G Dubya seems to sit on his hands on every issue that's not gonna benefit his cronies.

Not only was Jimmy Carter the worst president in my lifetime, he continues to prove that he is the worst ex-president as well.

Nick, I agree with you, whats wrong with talking to try to find a solution. One thing I came to realize we will never correct Isreal even when she's wrong and that is amazing to me.

obama/08

Why not? At least he is trying to solve problems, where as some ex- presidents sell the country through free trade agreements, and represent / lobby for foriegn countries Dubai acquiring US port!!!!!!

Ric and Nancy,

You know, you can try learning more words so that you don't need to keep repeating the only 9 words that you know.

Wow, Ric… you wouldn't happen to also go by the name of Nancy, would you???

I agree with the Political Junkie. i LOVE Carter and george bush could learn alot from him.

Carter is well intended I am sure – but his experience in the arena of 'diplomacy' even if only as an 'elder' is significantly lacking.
I find it interesting that he is doing this against the administration – regardless of the logic behind their request of him not to meet with Hamas – This is a game of chess – this is a dance – this is not however, a game. Now, like it or not, the only man for such a role – the only guy who proved time and again his innate ability and brilliance as a foreign policy envoy – consulted by almost all presidents on the left and right after he left office – the trusted and ingenius geo-politician – I have to say it my dear American friends – RICHARD NIXON – now there is a man who knew what the heck he was doing when it came to foreign policy!!

Thank you, Mr. President.

And shame on the Bush administration!!

Talking is the only way to solve problems. Thank god the decision isn't Bush's or we'd be getting in yet another war….

OBAMA 08…. YES WE CAN!

Oh please keep this senile man at bay. Carter is the second worst president of this country (second to Bush). I don't care that he helps build homes or whatever. It was Carter who changed the face of the Middle East by engineering the removal of the Shah of Iran in 1979. Now he is back there meddling again.

Meeting with Hamas leaders is wrong not because they are against us, but because they are against the welfare of their own people.

To Matt…. Please, That has to be one of the dumbest comments I've seen In a while…. Take both your republican canidates and vote for them…. The american people are sick of lies and MCbush …..

Carter is way off with this trip – and with his book that caused many at his OWN CARTER foundation to resign due to some of its disputed content

Take Obama with you!!!

Viva President Carter, He is a true human being, a true American.

Great childish policy by the Bush administration. If we pretend evil doesn't exist and close our eyes, maybe it will go away! Face your fears and you will understand and be able to deal with them better. Grow up Bush and his followers.

the reason the bush abomination doesnt want carter to go is simply because bush is not interested in peace in the middle east. he wants widespread hate and discontent so he has a reason to bomb someone and say it was a mission of mercy

LET"S GET REAL HERE!

You can't solve the problem if you don't speak to all sides in the issue!

OBAMA/NUNN in 2008

Only a stronge leader talks to the 'enemy' while a weak leader, like bush, stays in the background making noise. Well done Mr Carter!!

Carter is a great leader and negotiator. I'm very proud of you President Carter.

Carter was the worst president ever! What a disaster his 4 years in the WH were…the Hamas meeting goes to show that he hasnt changed.

What we need to consider is that even tho we dont agree on things. We can sit with them and discuss isssues..If I am not correct issues are not resolved unless we talk them out..If no talking is involved. Doesnt the turn of events just get worse? I think we need a different strategy. Communication. It could save Billions of dollars. Think about it.

The enemy is Hamas not Isreal, people. No one should know that better than Carter. The only good thing he has done in a offical capacity was broker peace between the State of Israel and the Egyptian Rep. Hamas are terrorists (puppets of Iran).

He's a grown man, he can meet with whomever he pleases. What's bush scared of?

A humanitarian that can talk peace? Why does Bush not want
Jimmy Carter to go an talk peace. It will take someone like Mr.
Carter to make some sense of the mess we are in.
Obama-Carter.

Jimmy Carter is trying to make up for diplomacy time lost during his Presidency. I think Carter's believes in making peace. Unfortunately, most of the Western world is pro-Israel (since most of the western countries helped established Israel in the middle east) and the Middle East is pro-Palenstian. I would prefer that the Bush Administration engage both the Israelis and Palenstinans (Hamas included), but someone has got to get Hamas, Iran, Lebanon, and Syria on-board with a two state solution.

If this is a way to a way over peace in the Middle East, then so be it. The people i.e. Jews and the Palestians are brothers and they need to start acting according….Jimmy Carter is a true "Christian Man with Faith…let him do whatever good he can….he a builder like Jesus the Hu/man….Habitat for Humanity.

Jimmy Carter is NOT anti-Israel. He negotiated the longest lasting, most durable, and now fully institutionalized peace treaty between Israel and an Arab country (Egypt).

What he IS – is a practitioner of peaceful conflict resolution and mediation, a field that dictates that you talk to all the major stakeholders in a conflict.

He is only anti-Israel when judged from the perspective of the most blindly pro-Israel administration this world has ever seen.

Has a former President ever been charged with treason? He mind as well just aid and abet the enemy. What is wrong with him? Is he going to bring a gift, too.

I think what Carter would like to do is admirable. The U. S. has long favored Israel and treated the Arab world as second rate — except for the oil producing countries. We have always sided with the Israelis and never understanding and sympathizing with the Palestinians and their plight. I wonder what American would appreciate living in the conditions the Palestinians live in.
I see nothing wrong in communicating with the other side. Perhaps if we hadn't ignored their needs, they wouldn't be terriorist.
Nancy's comment is a clear demonstration of viciousness borne out of her total ignorance. Get a brain.

Carter is a fool.

One more example of the Bush Administration believing that the best ways to handle diplomacy is by ignoring and admonishing anyone who doesn't agree with them. I don't believe that this report stated that President Carter was "representing" the U.S.

Let's not forget, also, that every American has the right of free speech. At least that's what I thought while spending four years in the Marine Corps!!!!

Len in Washington

Jimmy Carter is his own man! His wisdom is guiding him to do what is right!

I suggest we sit back and support him while he does his job.

POLITICAL JUNKIE No truer words have been spoken: Hamas was put in charge by a democratic vote of the people of that country. Like it or not you either believe in the democratic process or you don't

Angus McDugan – Carter meeting w/Hamas does not mean he supports them – How on earth do you come up with that conclusion?

Jimmy Carter was able to broker peace in the middle east when he was president…Given the total lack of ability regarding peace that this current regime has, why shouldn't he give it a shot?…The only thing that Bush/Rice et al., are able to broker is war & death…Perhaps they are afraid he will make inroads and make them look worse than they do already…Is that even possible?

Well put SwilliamP. I'm happy to read that not everybody that posts in here is the kind that would bomb first and ask questions later.

Yes, you fools, we MUST have a dialogue with people who want to kill us… er, uh… I mean "convert" us. Er, uh, I mean…

I'm not one to disrespect former presidents, not even "ol Wild Bill," but this is proof positive that any good judgement Jimmy Carter may have possessed is clearly gone. Hey, I wore a uniform once and I'm all for peace too, but not at the cost of bowing and appeasing our enemies. Carter is going to apparantly "listen to Hamas' grievances." I'll tell you their greivances and save you the plane ride… "We want to shove Israel into the sea and convert or destroy the decadent Infidel West, but we cannot carry out these plans if you insist with your 'war on terror.'" There ya go, Jimmy… I saved you a plane ride, a plane full of fuel and saved you from contributing more to your imaginary "man-made global climate change."

Maybe former Pres. Carter is seeking the truth to find a solution in this region. It makes sense to do so if you only are talking to the favorable diplomats and you only hear one side of a problem. You've got to talk to all parties, that's the only way of finding a solution.

Leave it to the Bush administration to dictate orders to everyone and tell them who they can and cannot meet. The man is going to talk to them about pursuing peace – something the state department should have been doing instead of this failed policy of isolation – you won't do what we want so we will "isolate" you until you obey us.

He looking for trouble!!!!

Carter is not representing the U.S. As the article says, he runs the Carter Center. He represents nothing more than that.

Meeting with a group is not supporting them.
Meeting with a group is not agreeing with anything they may say.
Meeting with them does carry an implicit acknowledgement that they are a significant player in the region – but anyone who can't see that is pretty blind to start with.

I think that Jimmy Carter is suffering from "self-delusion." He believes that he is still the President.

typical obama supporter-"talk with the enemies of the USA"-this makes us look weak. Is he allowed to do this in official capacity or is this guy a personal friend?

Hamas has American blood on its hand.
We are still trying to fix his mistake of 29 years ago with Iran.
This is beyond comprehension, he has no right to do this.
The world doesn’t see Democrats and republicans the world only sees one USA.
Carter’s actions are damaging to the interests of the United State of America.

do what u want jimmy— its a free world

This old fool is just as bad as the new fool the Democratic Party wants to put in a leadership role. Carter needs to stay home and stop interfering with the State Department.

Sign of things to come. Israel will be abandoned and the Radical Islamic terrorists will have free reign in the region.

What if they take him prisoner?… and keep him for a year like he left Americans in Iran…
That would be interesting!

Well atleast someone is willing to talk with them………….. our current strategy isn't working at all. Maybe Carter has achange of mind, or he will act like a confused old man………….. wait maybe he should take John McCain with him…

Typical Carter.. he's been certifying the rigged elections for Hugo Chavez in Venezuela.. always anti U.S..

However, maybe we need to begin unofficial dialogue with Hamas, and Carter would be best for the job.. he's not endorsed by the U.S. Government… but again.. who knows? go figure…

I think President Carter is one the few significant voices that has an impartial stand in the conflict. Please give peace a chance; how can we ignore Hamas, a political movement that the majority of Palestinians chose to lead their government, two years ago? They have to be part of the solution. The problem is not Hamas, it's not the jewish settlements either, it's what really created both of them: an israeli occupation of palestinian territories for over 40 years.

70%+ of Israelis are for meeting and talking with Hamas.
It is only the Likud (right wing neocons of Israel) Party that is for no talks.

…and wasn't Hamas party elected?

At least one Ex-President is acting responsibly. I know people love to bash Carter but his book on the situation in Israel was the closest thing to the truth that has been written by an American politician in a really long time. I applaud Jimmy Carter for being, it seems, the only American left going after a real and fair peace.

Carter is the man.

oh course the bush administration does not want carter to meet with Hamas it might lead to bigger talks towards reconciliation and peace bush nor any other right wing republicans want that they want to sit back and act as thought there religion and beliefs are the only ones that matter. Bush has never liked anyone that had true diplomacy in mind. They would not be able to funnel as much of the American's money into there accts. Good Job carter you were not the best president but you have done far more on the diplomatic front in this countries best interest then are current president the worst in US history!!!! so please consider the source and reject it your judgment in these areas has been far better than the Bush administration.

You folks are deeply misled. You don't know what Hamas says and why they commit terrorist activities. You don't know what is the source of their evil acts and what is the cure to that.

You are ignorant! That's what gave presidency to Reagan and disasters begun then.

And the purpose is, oh yea he's going to make them recognize Israel, you go Jimmy!

Go President Carter. Dialog before bombs.

See Carter! He is one-of-a-kind leader who could have ended the cold war a lot better than Reagan did. He has the insight and he is open, he looks to the future.

Obama has the same qualities, better adopted for today's world.

So it is okay to accept the Chinese government's recent actions on the Tibetians but it is not okay to meet with Hamas and come to a working conclusion. What a double standard as usual.

What is amazing to me is the US has long supported democratically elected governments so when the people demoratically elect sthis government in a vote that everyone saw as fair and open, the US cuts and runs…Can't have it both ways folks. You either support democracy and live with the results or get out of the game. Let's not forget that US indifference helped cause the election of Hamas. Still another blunder by the current adminstration.

Way to go Jimmy. You have done more for the World than people know. You are a true American and an example for everyone.

Maybe if I start murdering the innocent and blowing things up Jimmy will come to my aid too..

What is Carter thinking? He really does not support the interest of our Israeli friends. Now it appears he supports Hamas. Wow!

Jimmy Carter cannot possibly make things in the MIddle East worse. Even if he spins his wheels, the other side may absorb the message that there are Americans who are willing to listen, if not necessarily agreeing with them – as opposed to cluster bombing them, the favored communication tool of the Bush Administration for 'bad guys'.

I pray the next administration will do better in the Middle East. Condi Rice is very intelligent but is too clearly pro-Israel to be credible in a neutral role.

"par for the course from President Carter, demonstrating a lack of judgment typical of what he does."

should not

I'm not terribly comfortable with this either…especially since he is a bit anti-Israel. I would be open to talks with Hamas, but Carter should not be representing the US without being dispatched.