Whatever reputation Jimmy Carter once enjoyed as a former President, Nobel laureate and peace broker has spiraled down the toilet since publication of his book "Palestine: Peace not Apartheid." The book's slanderous title, factual inaccuracies, biased analysis and willingness to excuse terrorism have alienated even Carter's friends, 14 of whom expressed their disgust by quitting the advisory board of the Carter Center in Atlanta. Among those distancing themselves from the cardigan-wearing peanut farmer were his one-time White House aide Stephen Selig and his ambassador to the Bahamas, William Schwartz. What moved these upstanding Atlantans to treat their pal as a pariah? Carter's vile and inflammatory comparison of Israel to the brutal racism of South Africa. His distortions of historical events. His biased determination that Israel is to blame for the murderous hostility of its neighbors. His loose talk about a "Jewish lobby" that supposedly squelches debate in America. And - worst - his readiness to condone the murder of innocents through suicide bombings and random missile attacks.
Don't believe it? Check page 213, where Saint Jimmy writes that Arabs and Palestinians should "make it clear that they will end the suicide bombings and other acts of terrorism when international laws and the ultimate goals of the Roadmap for Peace are accepted by Israel." In other words, bombings are okay until Israel meets his standards for the Palestinians. And this drivel sits near the top of the best-seller lists. Carter isn't just annoying anymore. He's dangerous.
