On a day where Jimmy Carter stole headlines for referring to his own tenure post-presidency as “superior” to that of other presidents, I thought it was somewhat disappointing that his real mind-bender was seemingly overlooked – even though it came in the very same interview as his other absolutely ridiculous comments. Remarking on the “state” of the United States, after being asked by Brian Williams if he views it as “glass half-full or half-empty”, Carter said he thought President Obama suffers from a Washington that has become more polarized than it was during the time of Abraham Lincoln and the “initiation of the ‘war between the states.’”
“This country has become so polarized that its almost astonishing…. Not only with the red and blue states… President Obama suffers from the most polarized situation in Washington that we have ever seen – even maybe than the time of Abraham Lincoln and the initiation of the war between the states.”
Skip to 2:25….
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I was just going to let this go after referencing these remarks in another post, but after my brain really came to terms with the enormity of what he was saying there, I couldn’t help but give it a home of its own. ”Washington is more polarized than during the time of Abraham Lincoln”. Lets just explore the ridiculousness of that notion.
Even if we give Carter the benefit of the doubt and assume he meant “Washington” to only include those doing business in our nations capital rather than the political tone of the nation generally, this is still among the most ridiculous things I have ever heard - rivaling only claims as ridiculous as …. “Eminem is the most influential musician in American history”, ” Tiger Woods is a faithful husband”; “Paula Deen makes light and healthy treats”; or “The casts of Jersey Shore, Celebrity Rehab, or Kourtney and Khloe Take Miami have cultural relevance.”
I mean are you kidding me? So, the representatives of the soon-to-be Confederate states that seceded from the Union were more cooperative with their respective Pro-Union counterparts than Republicans and Democrats of 2010? Newsflash to Jimmy Carter on the fifth planet from the Crazy Star… they seceded. They waged a war against the people they disagreed with!! You can call it a “war between the states” – rather than a civil war – or THE CIVIL WAR – if you’d like – you goofy and misguided revisionist historian, but seriously; what the hell was that “WAR between the states” all about?
Were they simply finding a more appropriate method for hammering out their differences? Were they just “thinking outside the box” and formulating new dispute resolution techniques for amicably reaching common ground? Were they merely expressing their differences by taking up arms?
Look…. I don’t live in the alternate universe that you call home and I am not privy to the distorted reality of pretty colors and fanciful imaginings that you clearly have on lock-down, so I fail to see how the polarization of 2010 even remotely resembles that of the 1860′s. John Boehner may rather gnaw off his arm than sit down for lunch with Nancy Pelosi, but he’s not petitioning Ohio to take up arms against California. Bipartisan may even be a word lost to antiquity, but in no way, shape, form, or fashion does partisan disagreement and stalemate give rise to a polarized climate anywhere near that which gave rise to the American Civil War.
Jimmy Carter. You may believe you are the most “superior” former president in American history. I’m fine with that. Believe as you choose to believe. I once believed in the Easter Bunny and the XFL too. That said, there are but two constants that will ultimately be aligned with your legacy – that you were one of the worst presidents in American history and the fact that you are, were, and always will be nothing more than a afterthought save for ridiculous remarks such as this to be etched on the epitaph of your history.
——————————–
VIA MEMEORANDUM
Linked at The Drudge Report
and
Jimmah Carter HAS AWAYS BEEN A JOKE THE DEMOCRATS PLAYED ON OUR COUNTRY.
Jimmah Carter IS NO LONGER RELEVANT.
Jimmah Carter REALLY NO LONGER NEEDS TO BE HEARD FROM AGAIN.
Jimmah Carter IS SECOND AS WORST PRESIDENT IN U. S. HISTORY.
ONLY ONE PRESIDENT IS WORSE, OUR CURRENT PRESIDENT BARRACK HUSSEIN OBAMA.
You mean Barry Soetoro?
Of course we really don’t know because we have NO records of this president’s past unlike all previous presidents….
It’s ironic to me that the guy who gave these muslims the cojones by not responding accordingly when 52 US citizens were held hostage for 444 days from November 4, 1979 to January 20, 1981, after a group of Islamist students and militants took over the Embassy of the United States in support of the Iranian Revolution, is still embarrassing himself. This was an open act of war, and our reaction then or lack of opened up this pandoras box where we’ve been sliding down the slope since. He’ll always be a politician, and that’s why he still makes the news, we need to ignore this idiot and anyone that reports on him.
Carter may be wrong on a lot of things, but he is right on this one. America is divided, not along geographic lines, but along ideological ones. There is a divide among Americans not seen since the 1860′s and may in fact result in some of the states leaving the existing union and re-forming a republic more like that envisioned by our founders.
Contrary to what the author is trying to say, the war of northern aggression was not a civil war in the true definition of such. The southern states were not attempting to take over the government of the union, they just wanted to peacefully leave that union, of which they wanted no more part.
Like a broken watch is right twice a day, Carter is right on this point; we are a divided nation, and anybody who does not see that is blind.
“Teabaggers” don’t swallow – we chew. You libs ready for some chewie, chewie. It’s almost tea time…
You are right that Carter’s an idiot.
That said, technically, the official name for the war referenced IS ‘The War Between the States,’ not ‘The Civil War,’ as it is commonly refered to as. You can check Congressional records where they passed a bill naming it as such, or just go to the Marine memorial in D.C. (the one where the marines are raising the flag on Iwo Jima) and you’ll see all around the base the names of all the wars marines fought in. No where does it say ‘Civil War.’ It says ‘War Between the States.’
I get it. I get it. I get it folks. War between the states – not Civil War. I grew up in Nashville, Tennessee. Trust me. I get it. I don’t agree with you, but maybe you should take another look at this piece. I sincerely doubt that ANYONE took it that literally OR that seriously.
Whomever wrote this never read a history book. The south did not attack the north. The north did not allow them to seperate from them and attacked. If you cant see the country right now as bad your an idiot. Civil War II, could it happen well keep spending and treating the masses like turds and see what happens.
I pray that Texas and the others do it again and to be honest i was never a conservative or liberal. Liberals made me into a conservative.
Deport all illegals starting with Obamas Aunt,then stop all grants to non US citizens. Take care of the USA first, but that wont happen with these douche bags.
What would be even better a millitary attack on Washington, do you think that Americans would get upset, only California and NY NY the rest would welcome it.
Enough of this failure, Navy, Gov, and President – we do not need his views on any matter and the press should stop giving this clown a stage.
Senility is not pretty!
Jimmy Carter was this country’s first woman president.
Why malign women??
No intent to malign. Just a factual observation. We often forget to credit him with that honor.
I’ll have to give to Jimmy. One this one, he is right. Back in the 1850, the issue dividing the country was slavery and the power of the national government. The Republican Party was born in 1854 on a platform against the extension of slavery. The Underground Railroad, John Brown’s Raid, Bleeding Kansas, Personal Liberty Laws all depicted the conflict in the country at that time. In 1860, the Republicans ran Lincoln, but the Democrats vote was split between Steven Douglass and John Breckinridge. As you know, Lincoln’s election brought the secession of the south.
Does it compare to today? In some ways. Instead of slavery, you have illegal immigrations with sanctuary cities, Arizona vrs. the Justice Department, violence on the border. With regard to economics, the government wants more power – ObamaCare, Cap & Trade, the new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, which will get its funds from the FED, not subject to Congressional oversite. All this government spending, the Stimulus, that does not stimulate and other pork barrel projects. The people are up in arms about it. The Tea Party movement is a direct result of the arrogance of Obama, Reid and Pelosi, forcing unwanted, undemocratic legislation down the people’s throats. Taxes are going up despite what the administration claims, but people are having trouble believing this the most radical of administrations.
In 1860, the South seceded out of fear of the expanding reach of government. It was conquered; slavery was abolished, then we forgot about the Black man, while we pursued industrialization. In 2010, the Tea Party and others of the Republican Party are protesting the expansion of governmental power at the expense of our liberty. They believe that the government will enslave all of us under a Marxist system.
Do we go to the next step? Many believe that history repeats itself. That people never learn the lessons of the past. Then again, we don’t teach it anymore. If the Republicans win in Congress, I believe we are headed for a constitutional showdown. 2012 may turn into 1860, then God help us all.
Billy was the “smart brother”!
[...] 22, 2010 by Stan McCullars Leave a Comment Jimmy Carter says: This country has become so polarized that its almost astonishing… maybe even more than the [...]
Pandora’s Box
Of course although the naive Tea Party does not realize it
the 2nd amerikan revolution will end like the first
violence, war, blood & killing.
“GIVE ME LIBERTY OR DEATH”
The USA is a sick bird
AN ILL EAGLE
Housing & jobs down// gun sales up,up, BOOM
Demand a refund from your history teachers… they failed you miserably.
The War Between the States was NOT a civil war… look civil war up in the dictionary, you moron! The South wanted independence NOT to overthrow the existing government in Washington.
Further, Lincoln sent troops to prevent legitimate secession and the South was defending hearth and home from a yankee invasion that murdered 50,000 CIVILIANS (FIFTY THOUSAND OLD MEN, WOMEN AND CHILDREN)… note where 98% of the battles were fought (hint: south of the Mason-Dixon line). Sounds like the Union was the aggressor to me!
Any objective observer can see the extreme polarity present in our country just like Jimmy Carter pointed out (Jimmy dumb… you dumber)… we have become so polarized that forming 3 or 4 separate countries is the only reasonable solution.
Talk about a great solution, a division of this country into 3 or 4 countries? Before we go to that extreme, we need to try and bring it back to its constitutional roots. Washington has gotten too big and under this administration, our liberties are under assault as never before
Earlier, I pointed out the new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. It will be able to regulate a variety of consumer financial services, from online banking to high-interest payday loans. Elizabeth Warren, a progressive, is putting it together. Funding will NOT BE FROM CONGRESS, but the FED. Where is Congressional oversight? No where to be found. This is another of Obama’s power grabs that must be stopped. Add this to ObamaCare, his moratorium on oil drilling, his judicial actions against Arizona, his apology tour, his outreach program to Muslims through NASA, and there is an extreme disconnect between him and the American people.
The Tea Party movement is composed of many Americans devoted to this country and what it stands for. Right now, the Republican Party is trying to absorb the energy and the reform attitude of the movement. If they don’t, in two years, the TEA PARTY will be a new party with its own candidates and platform. This is going to be an uphill battle. Obama is deliberately driving wedges among various groups, demonizing others. THEN, THERE IS THE DANGER OF HIS CZARS. It will be important to educate the country in the tactics of this administration which come right out of Saul Alinsky’s Rules for Radicals. The key is to throw the book right back at them. Is this country worth fighting for? I have had a great life because of it. I think I owe it that.
All tyranny needs to gain a foothold is for people of good conscience to remain silent.
Thomas Jefferson
Carter is an idiot but he is right about the polarization of this nation.
As to the other point, it is not the ‘Civil War’ nor ‘The War Between the States’ for each of these terms are a revisionist way of soothing the tensions between the once enemies. During the 19th Century the war was called ‘War of the Rebellion’ whereas in my beloved South it is referred to as ‘The War of Northern Aggression’.
The next war will be dubbed ‘The Third War of Independence’. Keep your powder dry.
Carter may not be too far off on this one. If the GOP wins this November, I think we’ll be okay (and I’m not a Republican). If the Dems somehow retain control of the House and Senate — despite the obvious rage of what seems to be a majority of Americans — then God help us all. I really do think we could be headed for another war between the states. And, as a previous poster said, that would not be good for anyone.
He would know. I’m pretty sure he was alive during the Civil War.
I think if that statement were being made as a mater of fact or intended to be representative of a thorough evaluation of the state of affairs it is quite off the mark. But I don’t think Carter intended the statement to be understood that way. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not a Carter fan by any stretch. But I think we should cut the former president a little slack and recognize use of hyperbole. I think we would all agree that there is great division in the country and great division in Washington. Democrats and moderate Republicans are trying hard not to appear in a panic while they run hard and fast from one another attempting to find a platform more acceptable to their distraught constituents. I think Carter was just trying to shine a light on this division that is so apparent even foreign press is calling it out.
You forget that with all your talk about ‘Obama is a socialist’ and ‘Obama is a muslim’ that you are in fact fermenting Civil War. You are whipping up certain segments of the population that will start a Civil War. I think the correct term is irresponsible journalism. When the first shots are fired you and those that spew hatred will wear the burden of destroying this fine country.
Did Carter say, MORE DIVIDED THAN THE CIVIL WAR? No. He said SINCE THE CIVIL WAR.
And How did we get Here? Id’ say with everytime the Liberals/Communist try to slander anyone who does not agree with them. Turning the Constitution into a worthless paper. Obamacare Unconstitutional auto bailout and other bailouts Unconstitutional. Trying to bribe other politicans with White House Jobs. Having a person stand for President that does not have a Mother and Father that are both U.S. Citizens.
Let me give you liberals a little insight of the near future.
This is called the Impeachment Application.
#1 Enter all data concerning the President.
#2 evaluate the data.
#3 Program has determined that the President does not meet Constitutional requirments and = Usurper.
#4 Usurper module is ran to determine if all data is correct.
#5 USurper is detected. Skip to the Impeachment module.
#6 Impeachment Module runs in the back ground and Usurper President is impeached.
#7 Progam finishes and displays “The Republic is Saved!!”
Poor Obama. Poor, poor Obama. Saddled with dumb ex-presidents and even dumber VP’s. It’s just not fair. Wahhh wahhh wahhh. Obama is an incompetent little kid who deserves no respect. As he is wussing around regarding the war on terror, worrying about the politics, our men and women are putting it on the line overseas for us. They deserve better than Obama puts out. We got rid of Carter once….why won’t he ever go away? ….and take the weird-Obama with him.
It’s called the War of Northern Aggression, you nits…
I thought the old sob was dead….
Guess what Carter was President and none of you ever will be or going to be. He is right. This nation is fractured beyond belief. With the Atheist nanny state liberals and the snake in grass corporatist bible thumping republicans both emitting lies from their corporate owned media. Police are now the enemy of the American Citizen, theres is a war on our constitution. Terrorism did not originate in Mexico. We really should divide into 5 seperate regions. We are a third world nation now and yet we spend billions and trillions denying the civil liberties of our own citizens. End the Drug War, stop trying to take my guns, stick your gps and cameras up your fascists asses and leave me and mine alone. PS The kOran you dont burn today will be the one read from as muslim scourge cut off your head for being an infidel.
when does the shooting start?
[...] From Republican Redefined: “Jimmy Carter Says US More Polarized Than During Civil [...]
Wow! Such hatred and vitriol!
Jimmy Carter Says US More Polarized Than During Civil War
That’s pretty funny when you consider that Carter has tried his very best to never miss an opportunity to take pot shots at America, and undermine sitting Republican presidents. Contrary to popular belief, these very unpresidential actions by peanutbrain actually contribute to the polarizing and fracturing of America. When you’ve got an ex-president, and an exceedingly poor one at that who has no room to talk, who is going around criticizing and apologizing for his own country, and doing anything and everything in his power to undermine sitting presidents, you really have a lot of nerve to complain about the very things you’ve helped bring into being. Take the tree out of your own eye before critizizing the sliver in your neighbor’s eye.
And Obama considered himself as the Great Uniter during his campaign. He was to wave his hands and end the partisan bickering in Washington. Sadly, this wasn’t his worst failure or biggest lie…..
[...] Jimmy Carter Says US More Polarized Than During Civil War [...]
Actually the one thing Carter is right on is that there now is a tremendous influx of money going to these campaigns from Big Money and Special Interest groups….both parties and yes I’m a tea partier, but a thinking one.
One thing that amazes me in all of these comments is how much one voice claims to speak for “all Americans”!
Please read ‘The Conspiracy of the Rich” by Robert Kiosaki then you’ll understand better who all of your anger, hostility and bitterness should be directed to.
[...] President Carter, who will turn 86 on Friday, was in the middle of a book tour promoting his new book – White House Diaries. [...]
[...] the Civil War.But if President Obama was serious about raising the level of discourse, he probably shouldn’t say things like this:Fox News pushes “a point of view that I disagree with. It’s a point of view that I think is [...]
Jimmy Carter still proving himself to be a real blockhead and total idiot
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