Christopher Hitchens sums up former President Carter (bilingual, Ph.D physicist, Nobel laureate, etc.) as a "moron?"

Maybe it was for his brilliant handling of the Iranian hostage situation or his handling of the economy (fuel shortages, 21% prime rate, 12% inflation). Don't forget the Airline Deregulation Act, that has really worked well.

Granted he has since done a lot of house building for Habitat for Humanity, but...

Once again, your snide remarks only indicative of ignorance, petty partisanship, or, likely, both.

Carter's post-presidential achievements:

He is the author of 22 books; founded and heads the Carter Center, which is dedicated to promoting democracy, human rights, preventing diseases, and resolving conflicts; he has served as an international elections monitor; he was an envoy to North Korea and brought about the Agreed Framework; he is the first U.S. President (past or present) to travel to Cuba since 1959; and, yes, he has done work with Habitat for Humanity and much more.

And despite his poor performance as President, he is responsible for the Camp David Accords.

I am also aware that some people have issues with various aspects of this (e.g. monitoring elections in Venezuela; N. Korea's resumption of a nuclear program; etc.) However, the least you can do is base your ridicule on fact.

Reagan's big-money backers were paying to make sure the hostages were held until after the election.

Also, Can you say Iran-Contra?

Ronnie Alzheimer wasn't even qualified to carry Jimmy Carter's luggage, and neither of the Bushes are either!

Swift-boating Jimmy Carter at this late date is so utterly ridiculous! After all, what kind of political threat does Mr. Carter represent to these morons? Hello!!!!!

But, it's the Republican way to trash anyone who doesn't toe their party line. Look at what they did to John McCain ( a loyal Republican) when he dared to run against their boy Dumbya!

What a complete crock of shit!

plus Carter was a nuclear engineer in the Navy. And Hitchens' job while he was in the military service was...um....(suppressed laugh imagining Hitchens or other chicken hawks in a military uniform, following barked orders without whining or snide remarks)

hey now, Bush junior may not have distinguished himself before entering the political arena, and there are those that would suggest that his political achievements have left us peons to deal with problems it will take generations to repair, but let's give the guy a break--who knows what contributions to our country, and the world, he may make when he leaves office. He's young--there are so many great projects he could take on. He has powerful friends--the potential for useful work, unhampered by political expediency, is virtually endless!!

JGilbert,

You assume W. cares enough about ordinary people to do anything. I think he doesn't.

Now, if there were any charities dedicated to helping, say Saudi or Texas oil millionaires, or executives of big defense contractors get rich off the taxpayers...oh, wait, that's what Bush is doing right now!