The Real Worst President

• Author: Ben Keeler
• Filed under: International, Presidential
• Date: Apr 16,2008

I saw a recent survey of historians that found that over 98% of the 109 "professionals" who were interviewed stated that the Bush Administration was a failure. There will be ample time in the future to discuss this, but I don't know how conclusions can be made already. Sure, I have been disappointed by many facets of his two terms. But I don't think history will judge him as harshly as they do now.

(What makes someone a historian? I know history pretty well and discuss it quite frequently. I am going to start referring to myself as a historian.)

The reason I bring up the above is because the actual worst president, Jimmy Carter, is back in the news. I am saddened he did not get a Supreme Court appointment because I am sure he would have botched it and appointed someone who turned out conservative. Carter will be the worst president of my lifetime, no matter how long or short I live. There are too many dark moments from January 20, 1977 to January 20, 1981 to relive in this post, and I only have limited space. Fortunately, I was just a little guy back then and was oblivious to Carter's attempts to ruin my future. I was more interested in blinking lights, ducks, and telling my mom I wanted to grow up to either be a baker or a pig (this is true). Our 39th Commander in Chief was a disaster enabled by President Ford's "Poland" gaffe in their 1976 debate in San Francisco. Had Ford not made that mistake, he probably would have won his own term and Carter would be a footnote in our nation's past and I would be on a different topic for today.

Other than raking it in through his book sales, things haven't been much better for the Georgian since he was humiliated in November 1980, though to his credit he has hammered a few nails with Habitat for Humanity. Sorry, let me skip ahead to the current time. Carter is currently over in the Middle East meeting with Hamas. Hamas wants to destroy the state of Israel and kill the Jews who live there. They are pretty clear about that. Yesterday, he met with and hugged a senior Hamas official. Later, he placed a wreath on Yasser Arafat's grave. According to Powerline, one of Carter's hosts said that Arafat's resting place is only temporary - they hope to move him to Jerusalem. "I'm not a negotiator. I'm just trying to understand different opinions and provide communication between people," Carter said. He also said Arafat had a "historic role in serving his people's cause," and the former PLO chairman was a "dear friend." Both Carter's actions and his comments are disgraceful. He appears determined to do everything possible to legitimize Palestinian terrorism.

Maybe this is one reason why Carter seems to be supporting Obama, since Obama is so eager to meet with Iran. Carter will probably request to go along on the potential trip.

One last note. Carter tried to diffuse some of the controversy by saying he was going as a representative of his Carter Center, not as an ex-president. I think that as an ex-president, when you go on a foreign trip like this, no matter what you say, you are viewed as an ex-president. Carter has every right to go; he is a private citizen these days, but it doesn't make it acceptable. If he wants to stir up headlines, he should just do it from here. He has done enough of that in recent years without traveling to places like Syria to meet with the exiled leader of Hamas (this will take place Friday).

Posted by The Point historian, Ben Keeler. Black and white photo used in remembrance of the malaise experienced by the United States during Carter's term.

Olympic Torch Relay Protests

• Author: Ben Keeler
• Filed under: International
• Date: Apr 9,2008

What do you all think about this whole thing? I really don't think China gives a damn what some professional protester does in San Francisco, or London or anywhere. Actions of some guy in America climbing a bridge to put up a banner is not going to change anything. China is going to do what they are going to do. Generally speaking, I am not a real big fan of sports, politics, and protesters mixing in one place. It is sad that these protesters have to ruin it for the athletes and other selected people who have probably been eagerly awaiting their chance to run with the torch, even for a few minutes. We all know this is not what the Olympics are all about. They are about Nike, Kodak, Coca-Cola, etc. Ha. But really it is about the sports, countries coming together, competition, and putting aside political differences for the duration of the Games. If I was running with the torch and some idiot came up to me and tried to do something to me I would burn them with it.

To be truthful, the Tibet issue is not one I know a whole lot about. I know the basics, but that is about it. I never had the desire to learn more about it. You can only care about and learn so much on so many things. I probably would be more interested, but displays like what we have seen so far along the torch relay tend to push me away from caring. I am certainly not going to sit here and say China has a great human rights record. They do not. I am saying that I hate when things like the torch relay that are supposed to be celebrations are turned into events where most of the people causing trouble are doing it just to do it, not because they genuinelly care about what they are protesting that particular day before they move on to their next cause. If I protested everything I thought was wrong, I would not have time to do anything except gather with my fellow malcontents.

The only way I would get involved is if the owners of A-Wok in Montrose asked me to. And that is because they have the best Chinese food in Ohio. Hahah…in the link it says "reservations not required." No kidding.

Anyways, these Olympics have "potential disaster" written all over them, ruining the experience for the athletes that worked so hard to get there. We shall see.