Peanut Diplomacy

Former President Jimmy Carter issued a "liar, liar, pants on fire" statement today, in an apparent effort to salvage what's left of his shattered reputation as a diplomat. According to the Associated Press, Carter "accused Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice of not telling the truth about warnings she said her department gave Carter not to speak to Hamas before a Middle East trip."

Regardless of what the State Department did or didn't say to the former President before his trip, one would think that Carter's own common sense would have told him that a meeting with Hamas terrorists dedicated to the destruction of Israel would not be a very smart move. It really shouldn't have been a surprise for Carter to learn that, after his visit, Hamas would disavow any intention suggested by Carter that the group make peace with Israel. Just as it shouldn't have come to any surprise to Carter when his coddling of the U.S.S.R. ended in the Soviets' invasion of Afghanistan.

As one commentator put it: "He came, he saw, he Cartered."

Please note: The postings of "G. Morris", written by John K. Bush and which end in 2016, stated his views as of the dates of posting and should not be understood as current assertions of his views. The postings, which have not been altered since they came to an end, remain on this blog to preserve the historical record. In 2017, Mr. Bush took a position that precludes further public political comments or endorsements. He will no longer be contributing to this blog.

France Has Lost That Loving Feeling For U.S.

France's new Foreign Minister belongs to the Junior High School of diplomacy -- complete with narcissism, the back-biting, and an assumption that popularity is everything.

That's the only explanation for Bernard Kouchner's interview with the International Herald Tribune, via Drudge. Kouchner says that "whoever succeeds President George W. Bush may restore something of the United States' battered image and standing overseas, but that "the magic is over." (Emphasis added.)

Kouchner is a left-wing appointee in a right-wing regime; this is a guy who wants to negotiate with Hamas, even though Hamas denies Israel's right to exist. Even given Kouchner's perspective, his comments are perplexing.

First, what magic died? The U.S. and France do not have the same close relationship as the U.S. and Britain, a relationship forged by a shared language, philosophy and common law tradition -- a relationship where there actually is some "magic."

France came to our aid during the American Revolution, and we have returned the favor (over and over). Our relationship of France is dysfunctional: France surrenders; the U.S. rescues France; France resents the U.S. and looks down its nose at our boorishness.

Second question for Kouchner: Assuming "the magic"once existed, when did it die? Seems like it's been dead for some time. I saw no magic when I studied in France as a junior in college. The French loathed Reagan and wanted the U.S. to capitulate to the former U.S.S.R. so France could get cheap gas. I wish I had a franc (or a Euro) for every time a Frenchman reminded me of America's treatment of our Indians. Or America's crime rate. Or how uncouth JFK was to put his feet upon his desk. Or how weird it is that we shower daily.

Final question: Why should America care if the "magic" with France has died? The compulsion to please other people can lead to some very self-destructive behavior. The same holds true for nations. It is not America's job, it is not our President's job, to make the French like us.

Kouchner's hint that France should somehow be given a say in America's selection of our next president offends our sovereignty. But for many like Kouchner, "a longtime humanitarian, diplomatic and political activist on the international scene," sovereignty has no place in the Global Community.