Down With Dogs
Fox News is reporting that former President Jimmy Carter is set to meet with leaders of Hamas, an organization officially named as a terrorist organization by the US government.
The Arabic-language newspaper Al-Hayat reported Tuesday that Carter was planning a trip to Syria for mid-April, during which he would meet with Khaled Meshal, the exiled head of the Palestinian terror group Hamas, on April 18.
Deanna Congileo, Carter’s press secretary, confirmed in an e-mail to FOXNews.com that Carter will be in the Mideast in April. Pressed for comment, Congileo did not deny that the former president is considering visiting Meshal.
“President Carter is planning a trip to the Mideast next week; however, we are still confirming details of the trip and will issue a press release by the end of this week,” wrote Congileo. “I cannot confirm any specific meetings at this point in time.”
I have no idea what Federal laws cover this, but if Carter does this and it violates a law, he should be charged with it. Even for Carter, this is a bridge too far, so to speak. Lending the prestige of his former office to a group like Hamas is disgusting even if it isn't illegal (which I suspect it must be).
But at this point, I'm not even sure who will get the worse case of flea infestation if such a meeting occurs. It would certainly hand the Republicans a handy club to beat the Democrats with in November.
World news | Gaius Wednesday, 9 April , 2008
By kidrob, Wednesday, 9 April , 2008 @ 5:55 am
carter is opening a chain of felafel shops. he must be buying some authentic tahini dressing.
By Bleepless, Wednesday, 9 April , 2008 @ 12:18 pm
It is the Logan Act, which has been around for over 200 years.
By Gary Gulrud, Wednesday, 9 April , 2008 @ 2:36 pm
Considering the common fate of humanitarian non-combatants in Gaza, maybe we’ll get lucky.
By Mockinbird, Wednesday, 9 April , 2008 @ 2:39 pm
Jimmy Carter is…nuts!
By martian, Wednesday, 9 April , 2008 @ 2:40 pm
Honestly, I don’t think it is illegal as I don’t think the Logan Act applies since Hamas is not a national government and it’s leader doesn’t officially represent a nation. Once again it’s the reality of terrorism butting up against laws that were not writtent to take terrorism into account. I do agree with Gaius, however, that for Carter to meet with Meshal, in any capacity not sanctioned by the U.S. Government is despicable.
Besides, John Kerry got away with secretly meeting with North Viet Namese goverment representatives (in Paris) while the U.S. was in an actual state of conflict with their country. If he can get away with that, Carter will certainly get away with this.
By Ted Goldman, Thursday, 10 April , 2008 @ 12:09 pm
Mentioning Jimmy Carter, and the word "prestige" in the same sentence, is nonsense.