Please don't tell me you think the Democratic Underground has any serious commentary, or for that matter, the Huffington post. I have enjoyed the left coaster, but after being physically threatened by some of their bloggers, some time ago, I chose to merely be a lurker.

But Jeffc, you have to consider the source and the potential reader of your blogs, whether its here on thecitizen or at fayetteforums or wherever. I don't know of a perfect format. I certainly don't want to preach to the choir,-- sure it sounds good to have attaboys everyday, but the interaction with those that hold a different view is important, and I'll ashamedly admit, you've caught me on a few key points dealing with facts, so I've personally benefited from some of your comments. Not that I'm going to jump up and praise your dad next time I see him on CNN, but still, I've enjoyed many of the debates.

As to this issue, well, there is some truth to the saying that one man's terrorists is another man's heroes. I know before the British left Palestine to the Jews, they were encouraged to leave after numerous "bombings" occurred. So the Jews are not immune from such behavior. But, Hamas and most of the Muslim countries are so backward, that it will take several generations for them to see the light. No different than here in America where women and blacks didn't have the right to vote for over 100 years after our birth. These things take time.

But the other day in the dreaded New York Times, they even acknowledged that there has been some dramatic "unintended" or "unanticipated" consequences from the violence occurring in Iraq. Specifically, the young people are sick of the violence, --remember its been going on there for about 6 years now, not even considering Saddam's contribution, and they are now growing to resent their Mullahs, and even the religion itself which perpetuates so much violence. I was amazed at the story, I think they never saw it coming, but I did. I believe in what Bush said several years ago, that only will time tell of all of the consequences of this war, but one thing that will occur is that freedom will be given to the people, and once that happens, they will fight never to lose it again. Add to that fact, that freedom spreads like a virus. That with a stable Muslim government in the middle east, Iran, Syria, etc, will be influenced by the advancements made there.

But your dad was and continues to be just plain wrong about these matters. He may "think" he understands the issues, and sure, I may not be at the same level of understanding over the international concerns that you are, while exposed to so much more data at the Carter center, but all I can say, is to remind you of your father's last book about the middle east. If I'm not mistaken, a large contingent of Carter Center advisors walked away in disgust over your father's intellectual opinions about the Jewish/Palestinian conflicts. So, to suggest that only the learned truly understand the issues, is well, a bit elitists, isn't it?

Oh, the brew is on Ice, email me privately and we can kick a few back.

I’ll post here occasionally probably. I would not suggest that only the learned few truly understand the issues or have interesting points to make. Elitist? No. But something more than the childish level of “Hitlery”, “Hussein Osama”, “I forgot you were an idiot” and the moronic stuff beaver and some others posts.

No one can come close the moronic statements by former POTUS Jimmy Carter -

Like this one, where he defends funding the terrorist group, HAMAS:

"If there are prohibitions -- like, for instance, in the United States, against giving any money to a government that is controlled by Hamas -- then the United States could channel the same amount of money to the Palestinian people through the United Nations, through the refugee fund, through UNICEF, things of that kind," he added.

Barack Obama is a human featherball -- a slick, smiling, substance-free empty suit who excites gullible dimwits by repeating the words “change,” “unity,” and “hope” over and over --

If you had continued the quote you would see that Carter, like many others, was calling for the funding of school teachers, police, health workers and for the feeding of children and not, as you proclaim the funding of Hamas. I think my characterization is accurate for someone who repeatedly proclaims so strenuously about that which he understands so little. If you must lie to frame your argument then your position is probably not a strong one.

Had Hamas been allowed to form a government as so many were urging then, the recent tragedy in Jerusalem would almost certainly not have happened. Furthermore, Hamas would almost certainly have consolidated around a central leadership which could have acted as representatives for further negotiations to stop its being used by Iran in Iran’s proxy war against Israel. The escalation of the missile attacks on Sderot would not have happened and if it had we would know who to negotiate with or to hold responsible. Probably you will huff and puff about how we shouldn’t negotiate we should just kill them all like the Cathars of Beziers and let God sort them out. However, civilized people generally do not advocate the killing of millions of people and the Israelis are, in fact, now negotiating.

So the advice was not taken and as a result everything that was so easily predicted has happened. Besides the strengthening of Hamas’s ties with Iran, the turning of Gaza into a prison where the standard of living now is below Somalia’s and the escalation of attacks on Israel; the Bush administration’s loud proclamations for bringing democracy to the region through elections were shown to the world to be a sham.

Since you opposed the advice and supported the further isolation and fracturing of Hamas, I suppose you are pleased with the course of events.

Although I doubt you will read it and I certainly do not care if you do or not, here is an article which others may find interesting:

The Gaza Bombshell

You've got to be kidding. You're posting an article from Vanity Fair. Now THAT's funny.

Look, HAMAS is a Terrorist organization, pure and simple. Why can't you and Jimmy get that through your heads? Like Father, like son, I guess.

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Barack Obama is a human featherball -- a slick, smiling, substance-free empty suit who excites gullible dimwits by repeating the words “change,” “unity,” and “hope” over and over --

A Vanity Fair article written by David Rose, a British journalist for the BBC, Guardian and Observer and well known as a critic of the Saddam Hussein regime and supporter of the Iraq war. Far from even remotely being a leftist.

He was calling for war with Iraq in December 2001:

The case for tough action against Iraq

And linked Iraq to the bombings in Spain:

Spain links suspect in 9/11 plot to Baghdad

As I said, I knew you would not read it. I am still contemplating how, again, your demonstrating your ignorance about a subject you are writing about here somehow furthers your case.

I appreciate what you say about laboring among the troglodytes and their childish babble. I would hope that you would try to ignore them for the sake of those out here who truly wish for discussion and your insights. Keep the faith.

Democracy is not a spectator sport.

"If you know of a site with a moderator that discusses ideas let me know; I might visit. Otherwise I’ll stick with the ones I’m already on."

If you've found some blogs that discuss/debate politics and international affairs intelligently, would you mind passing along the names to me (private email pls.). My email option is on. I'm finding it difficult to learn and discuss in this forum anymore. The mud-slinging we all engage in, is getting old.

Thanks.

BTW - I phoned the Carter Center last week to volunteer for a day each week, however, there is a wait list to volunteer.... It's so refreshing, in this day and age, that people are so inspired by Pres. Carter's work, that to volunteer there, it takes months to get in.

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HOW MUCH WE'VE SPENT ON THE IRAQ WAR SO FAR