Jimmy Carter's letter to Zell Miller

[KK]

To Sen. Zell Miller:

You seem to have forgotten that loyal Democrats elected you as mayor [of Young Harris] and as state senator. Loyal Democrats, including members of my family and me, elected you as state senator, lieutenant governor and governor. It was a loyal Democrat, Lester Maddox, who assigned you to high positions in the state government when you were out of office. It was a loyal Democrat, Roy Barnes, who appointed you as U.S. senator when you were out of office. By your historically unprecedented disloyalty, you have betrayed our trust.

Great Georgia Democrats who served in the past, including Walter George, Richard Russell, Herman Talmadge and Sam Nunn, disagreed strongly with the policies of Franklin Roosevelt, Harry Truman, John Kennedy, Lyndon Johnson and me, but they remained loyal to the party in which they gained their public office. Other Democrats, because of philosophical differences or the race issue, like Bo Callaway and Strom Thurmond, at least had the decency to become Republicans.

Everyone knows that you were chosen to speak at the Republican National Convention because of your being a "Democrat," and it's quite possible that your rabid speech damaged our party and paid the GOP some transient dividends.

Perhaps more troublesome of all is seeing you adopt an established and very effective Republican campaign technique of destroying the character of opponents by wild and false allegations. The Bush campaign's personal attacks on the character of John McCain in South Carolina in 2000 was a vivid example. The claim that war hero Max Cleland was a disloyal American and an ally of Osama bin Laden should have given you pause, but you have joined in this ploy by your bizarre claims that another war hero, John Kerry, would not defend the security of our nation except with spitballs. (This is the same man whom you described previously as "one of this nation's authentic heroes, one of this party's best-known and greatest leaders --- and a good friend.")

I, myself, served in the Navy from 1942 to 1953, and, as president, greatly strengthened our military forces and protected our nation and its interests in every way. I don't believe this warrants your referring to me as a pacifist.

Zell, I have known you for 42 years and have, in the past, respected you as a trustworthy political leader and a personal friend. But now, there are many of us loyal Democrats who feel uncomfortable in seeing that you have chosen the rich over the poor, unilateral pre-emptive war over a strong nation united with others for peace, lies and obfuscation over the truth, and the political technique of personal character assassination as a way to win elections or to garner a few moments of applause. These are not the characteristics of great Democrats whose legacy you and I have inherited.

Sincerely, and with deepest regrets,

Jimmy Carter

 

[conjur]

Hi, Rip.


That's a great letter from Carter, though.


Zell on Earth

 

[Moonbeam]

No man should put party loyalty or any other loyalty above truth, not that that's what happened. I am addressing only this pernicious concept of blind loyalty. What happens when you discover you're loyal to the Devil.

 

[Rainsford]

I think what bothers me is that Zell Miller comes off like a psycho. I still cannot actually believe, even after seeing the video, that he challenged Chris Matthews to a duel. Disloyalty is the least of his problems.

 

[Rainsford]

Originally posted by: Moonbeam
No man should put party loyalty or any other loyalty above truth, not that that's what happened. I am addressing only this pernicious concept of blind loyalty. What happens when you discover you're loyal to the Devil.

Moonbeam is right...but somehow I think Zell Miller has less pure motives.

 

[TheGameIs21]

Funny thing is that he didn't just **POOF** change his mind. He has been moving more and more right for the past few years (from what I have been told by friends in his state). This should have been addressed by these betrayed democrats long before now.

I know that the libs think he's a liar and has betrayed the party but just like there are republicans that don't think GWB is perfect or even the best candidate, there are libs who think he is. It's just nice to know that Zell is willing to come forward with his belief. If he trully betrayed the state then the state will vote him out and that is their right and duty. It is also Zell's right and duty to say what he feels and to act on it.

Zell, I have known you for 42 years and have, in the past, respected you as a trustworthy political leader and a personal friend. But now, there are many of us loyal Democrats who feel uncomfortable in seeing that you have chosen the rich over the poor, unilateral pre-emptive war over a strong nation united with others for peace, lies and obfuscation over the truth, and the political technique of personal character assassination as a way to win elections or to garner a few moments of applause. These are not the characteristics of great Democrats whose legacy you and I have inherited.

This is a load of crap too. There are no poor Republicans? Peace was no longer an option due to Saddams choosing and the 9/11 attacks. This is politics... tell me one presidential candidate that hasn't used personal character assassination.

If Carter can't handle politics then he needs to get out of the game. He even participated in "Personal Character Assassination".

 

[Czar]

Originally posted by: conjur
Hi, Rip.


That's a great letter from Carter, though.


Zell on Earth

omg!!
the man is crazy

 

[KK]

The claim that war hero Max Cleland was a disloyal American and an ally of Osama bin Laden should have given you pause,

When did that ever happen? I was in Georgia and don't recall anyone making such a statement.

But now, there are many of us loyal Democrats who feel uncomfortable in seeing that you have chosen the rich over the poor, unilateral pre-emptive war over a strong nation united with others for peace, lies and obfuscation over the truth, and the political technique of personal character assassination as a way to win elections or to garner a few moments of applause.

Heres some more class warfare that the democrats like to use. Unilateral pre-emptive war over a strong nations united with others for peace? well, I can say that when we had the latter ~2500 people died. Lies and obfuscation over the truth? Where's the proof that the administration has lied.

 

[Rainsford]

Originally posted by: TheGameIs21
Funny thing is that he didn't just **POOF** change his mind. He has been moving more and more right for the past few years (from what I have been told by friends in his state). This should have been addressed by these betrayed democrats long before now.

I know that the libs think he's a liar and has betrayed the party but just like there are republicans that don't think GWB is perfect or even the best candidate, there are libs who think he is. It's just nice to know that Zell is willing to come forward with his belief. If he trully betrayed the state then the state will vote him out and that is their right and duty. It is also Zell's right and duty to say what he feels and to act on it.

Actually...it's not his right OR his duty. If he decides now is the time to start being a radical, right-wing psycho, that doesn't mean he can be? You know why? Because he's an elected representitive of his people, and they didn't elect him with that in mind. I don't think our system is designed for people getting elected and then doing whatever the hell comes into their head. That may be what happens, but that doesn't make it right.

 

[TheGameIs21]

Originally posted by: Rainsford

Originally posted by: TheGameIs21
Funny thing is that he didn't just **POOF** change his mind. He has been moving more and more right for the past few years (from what I have been told by friends in his state). This should have been addressed by these betrayed democrats long before now.

I know that the libs think he's a liar and has betrayed the party but just like there are republicans that don't think GWB is perfect or even the best candidate, there are libs who think he is. It's just nice to know that Zell is willing to come forward with his belief. If he trully betrayed the state then the state will vote him out and that is their right and duty. It is also Zell's right and duty to say what he feels and to act on it.

Actually...it's not his right OR his duty. If he decides now is the time to start being a radical, right-wing psycho, that doesn't mean he can be? You know why? Because he's an elected representitive of his people, and they didn't elect him with that in mind. I don't think our system is designed for people getting elected and then doing whatever the hell comes into their head. That may be what happens, but that doesn't make it right.

So you want a polititian to not do what he thinks is correct? At this point, if his constituents feel that he didn't represent them then they need to vote him out. That is why people should vote whenever there is an election. You aren't only brining new people in, you are voting bad ones out.

AND, this isn't an overnight change. He has been going this way since before his last election. If he was so wrong for his constituents, they should have removed him then.

So yes, it is his right AND his duty to do what he thinks is correct and to do what he thinks would benefit his constituents.

 

[kage69]

Disloyalty is the least of his problems.

Ding!

 

[conjur]

Originally posted by: KK

The claim that war hero Max Cleland was a disloyal American and an ally of Osama bin Laden should have given you pause,

When did that ever happen? I was in Georgia and don't recall anyone making such a statement.

http://www.buzzflash.com/editorial/04/05/edi04037.html

He never rose to vigorously support Max Cleland, despite Saxby Chamblis' low class and cynical ads that compared Max to Saddam and Osama.

<shrug>

But now, there are many of us loyal Democrats who feel uncomfortable in seeing that you have chosen the rich over the poor, unilateral pre-emptive war over a strong nation united with others for peace, lies and obfuscation over the truth, and the political technique of personal character assassination as a way to win elections or to garner a few moments of applause.

Heres some more class warfare that the democrats like to use. Unilateral pre-emptive war over a strong nations united with others for peace? well, I can say that when we had the latter ~2500 people died. Lies and obfuscation over the truth? Where's the proof that the administration has lied.

Where's the proof?

Where are the WMDs?

Remember, Rumsfeld said he *knew* where they were. And the obfuscation? You deny Bush has attempted to equate Saddam with the war on terror?

 

[1EZduzit]

Originally posted by: KK

The claim that war hero Max Cleland was a disloyal American and an ally of Osama bin Laden should have given you pause,

When did that ever happen? I was in Georgia and don't recall anyone making such a statement.

But now, there are many of us loyal Democrats who feel uncomfortable in seeing that you have chosen the rich over the poor, unilateral pre-emptive war over a strong nation united with others for peace, lies and obfuscation over the truth, and the political technique of personal character assassination as a way to win elections or to garner a few moments of applause.

Heres some more class warfare that the democrats like to use. Unilateral pre-emptive war over a strong nations united with others for peace? well, I can say that when we had the latter ~2500 people died. Lies and obfuscation over the truth? Where's the proof that the administration has lied.

Where are the WMD's? They never had them, they lied. That's prrof enough for me.

Zell has the right to his opinion as does Carter. To try and call that "class warfare" is either obtuse or trollish. Take your pick.

 

[KK]

Originally posted by: 1EZduzit
To try and call that "class warfare" is either obtuse or trollish. Take your pick.

Maybe you misunderstood the point I was making, I called Carter saying that he had chosen the rich over the poor class warfare.

If you think that the administration had knowing lied, then ever other country out there except Iraq are guilty of it too. Name one country that before the war said that Saddam did not have WMD.

KK

 

[daveshel]

Jimmy's the man.

 

[Preyhunter]

Originally posted by: 1EZduzit

Originally posted by: KK

The claim that war hero Max Cleland was a disloyal American and an ally of Osama bin Laden should have given you pause,

When did that ever happen? I was in Georgia and don't recall anyone making such a statement.

But now, there are many of us loyal Democrats who feel uncomfortable in seeing that you have chosen the rich over the poor, unilateral pre-emptive war over a strong nation united with others for peace, lies and obfuscation over the truth, and the political technique of personal character assassination as a way to win elections or to garner a few moments of applause.

Heres some more class warfare that the democrats like to use. Unilateral pre-emptive war over a strong nations united with others for peace? well, I can say that when we had the latter ~2500 people died. Lies and obfuscation over the truth? Where's the proof that the administration has lied.

Where are the WMD's? They never had them, they lied. That's prrof enough for me.

Zell has the right to his opinion as does Carter. To try and call that "class warfare" is either obtuse or trollish. Take your pick.

NEVER had them, huh? Talk about being obtuse or trollish...

 

[kylebisme]

Originally posted by: KK

If you think that the administration had knowing lied, then ever other country out there except Iraq are guilty of it too. Name one country that before the war said that Saddam did not have WMD.

KK

It was the whole, "we know exactly what and where the WMD are" attitude that made it a lie, alone with the "unique and urgent threat" bit.

 

[Rainsford]

Originally posted by: TheGameIs21

Originally posted by: Rainsford

Originally posted by: TheGameIs21
Funny thing is that he didn't just **POOF** change his mind. He has been moving more and more right for the past few years (from what I have been told by friends in his state). This should have been addressed by these betrayed democrats long before now.

I know that the libs think he's a liar and has betrayed the party but just like there are republicans that don't think GWB is perfect or even the best candidate, there are libs who think he is. It's just nice to know that Zell is willing to come forward with his belief. If he trully betrayed the state then the state will vote him out and that is their right and duty. It is also Zell's right and duty to say what he feels and to act on it.

Actually...it's not his right OR his duty. If he decides now is the time to start being a radical, right-wing psycho, that doesn't mean he can be? You know why? Because he's an elected representitive of his people, and they didn't elect him with that in mind. I don't think our system is designed for people getting elected and then doing whatever the hell comes into their head. That may be what happens, but that doesn't make it right.

So you want a polititian to not do what he thinks is correct? At this point, if his constituents feel that he didn't represent them then they need to vote him out. That is why people should vote whenever there is an election. You aren't only brining new people in, you are voting bad ones out.

AND, this isn't an overnight change. He has been going this way since before his last election. If he was so wrong for his constituents, they should have removed him then.

So yes, it is his right AND his duty to do what he thinks is correct and to do what he thinks would benefit his constituents.

The problem is you can't "vote someone out" until the next election...well, except in California. If I vote for a senator, I don't view that as a license to do whatever the hell you want for the next 6 years.

 

[viivo]

Originally posted by: KK

If you think that the administration had knowing lied, then ever other country out there except Iraq are guilty of it too. Name one country that before the war said that Saddam did not have WMD.

I know this is not the place for this debate, but that's not what upsets people. It's the continual lying after the fact. "We didn't find any WMDs? Damm! Well, tell 'em he was allied with Al Qaeda. What? No terrorist ties? Hell, tell 'em it was a humanitarian effort. What, they aren't welcoming us? Just say we're trying to bring western democracy to the Middle East. Yeah, that oughta do."

 

[Darkhawk28]

Is it just me or is everyone sick of the word "vigilant"?

 

[heartsurgeon]

Gotta love Carter...

Anyone remember the "Killer Bunny Rabbit" story?
Carter was "attacked" by a rabbit that swum out to his fishing boat and started to make hissing and snapping noises?

Easily Frightened

a quote from the article:

?It just played up the Carter flake factor and contributed to his public persona as something less than a commanding presence. I mean, he had to deal with Russia and the Ayatollah and here he was supposedly fighting off a rabbit.?

maybe Zell reminded him of the rabbit!

 

[kylebisme]

Look, that rabbit's got a vicious streak a mile wide! It's a killer! I'm warning you! He's got huge, sharp-- eh-- he can leap about-- look at the bones!

 

[TheGameIs21]

Originally posted by: Rainsford

Originally posted by: TheGameIs21

Originally posted by: Rainsford

Originally posted by: TheGameIs21
Funny thing is that he didn't just **POOF** change his mind. He has been moving more and more right for the past few years (from what I have been told by friends in his state). This should have been addressed by these betrayed democrats long before now.

I know that the libs think he's a liar and has betrayed the party but just like there are republicans that don't think GWB is perfect or even the best candidate, there are libs who think he is. It's just nice to know that Zell is willing to come forward with his belief. If he trully betrayed the state then the state will vote him out and that is their right and duty. It is also Zell's right and duty to say what he feels and to act on it.

Actually...it's not his right OR his duty. If he decides now is the time to start being a radical, right-wing psycho, that doesn't mean he can be? You know why? Because he's an elected representitive of his people, and they didn't elect him with that in mind. I don't think our system is designed for people getting elected and then doing whatever the hell comes into their head. That may be what happens, but that doesn't make it right.

So you want a polititian to not do what he thinks is correct? At this point, if his constituents feel that he didn't represent them then they need to vote him out. That is why people should vote whenever there is an election. You aren't only brining new people in, you are voting bad ones out.

AND, this isn't an overnight change. He has been going this way since before his last election. If he was so wrong for his constituents, they should have removed him then.

So yes, it is his right AND his duty to do what he thinks is correct and to do what he thinks would benefit his constituents.

The problem is you can't "vote someone out" until the next election...well, except in California. If I vote for a senator, I don't view that as a license to do whatever the hell you want for the next 6 years.

You missed my bolded statement above...

 

[Darkhawk28]

Originally posted by: TheGameIs21

Originally posted by: Rainsford

Originally posted by: TheGameIs21

Originally posted by: Rainsford

Originally posted by: TheGameIs21
Funny thing is that he didn't just **POOF** change his mind. He has been moving more and more right for the past few years (from what I have been told by friends in his state). This should have been addressed by these betrayed democrats long before now.

I know that the libs think he's a liar and has betrayed the party but just like there are republicans that don't think GWB is perfect or even the best candidate, there are libs who think he is. It's just nice to know that Zell is willing to come forward with his belief. If he trully betrayed the state then the state will vote him out and that is their right and duty. It is also Zell's right and duty to say what he feels and to act on it.

Actually...it's not his right OR his duty. If he decides now is the time to start being a radical, right-wing psycho, that doesn't mean he can be? You know why? Because he's an elected representitive of his people, and they didn't elect him with that in mind. I don't think our system is designed for people getting elected and then doing whatever the hell comes into their head. That may be what happens, but that doesn't make it right.

So you want a polititian to not do what he thinks is correct? At this point, if his constituents feel that he didn't represent them then they need to vote him out. That is why people should vote whenever there is an election. You aren't only brining new people in, you are voting bad ones out.

AND, this isn't an overnight change. He has been going this way since before his last election. If he was so wrong for his constituents, they should have removed him then.

So yes, it is his right AND his duty to do what he thinks is correct and to do what he thinks would benefit his constituents.

The problem is you can't "vote someone out" until the next election...well, except in California. If I vote for a senator, I don't view that as a license to do whatever the hell you want for the next 6 years.

You missed my bolded statement above...

With all this flip-flop talk, couldn't your bolded statement be used for John Kerry?

 

[alchemize]

I don't believe this warrants your referring to me as a pacifist.

Ok, how about a wimp? A coward? A sissy? Even a rat will fight when cornered, correct?