I wrote on
Monday on behalf of my son,
Jack Carter, for his US Senate race in Nevada. Here are some of the questions that you asked, and my responses.
Mr. President, (4+ / 0-)
I'm writing an article today about tenure and academic freedom. It is awful
to see scientific research challenged on religious and political grounds.
We see suppression of research on birth control and global warming, and the
refusal to fund vital stem cell research.
The fact that some science in the US is now shaped by religious and
political concerns involves several of your questions, and maybe you could
also discuss it here.
I'm happy to contribute to Jack's campaign.
by JPete on Mon Jun 26, 2006 at 09:11:33 AM PDT
Answer to JPete: Under this administration there has been an unprecedented
interference in scientific processes, and President Bush has directly avoided
implementation of a law designed to guarantee scientific independence.
One of his 750 "signing statements" bypassed implementation of the law.
You should read Elizabeth Drew's
"Power Grab" in the 6/27 New York
Review of Books.
It is good for academics and scientists to speak out forcefully - which,
unfortunately, most of them are reluctant to do.
Dear President* Carter (*and still eligible! ;-) (3+/0-)
President Carter,
I'd like to entertain your thoughts on the election of Frank Page of South
Carolina as president of the SBC (Southern Baptist Convention).
Does it represent a change in the conservative takeover of the SBC that you
talked about in Our Endangered Values? Is it just more of the same? What are
your thoughts?
Thank you very much for posting here: I really appreciate it. It's our
pleasure.
History will judge the GOP's abdication to the NeoCons as the single worst
tactical blunder since the Taliban gave safe harbor to Osama bin Laden
by BentLiberal on Mon Jun 26, 2006 at 02:08:20 PM PDT
Answer to BentLiberal: I was pleased by the election of Frank Page. I am
sure that he adheres to the basic conservative positions of SBC, but his
victory indicates that many members object to the tight control of a few
powerful men. The increasingly narrow definition of an acceptable Christian
re Calvinism, speaking in tongues, etc. has caused some unprecedented
internal debates, which is encouraging.
Dubai Ports deal and allies in the middle east (3+ /0-)
Hello Sarah,
I was dismayed by the way in which the Democratic establishment seized upon
the Dubai Ports World deal as a means to burnish their foreign policy
credentials at the expense of the Bush Administration. If we are to reform
the Arab world, it will require building long-lasting economic links between
our societies, and making common cause with political moderates against the
Islamists. As has been noted, the Islamophobia evident in the reaction to
the DPW deal (which was largely fueled by the Democrats, it must be noted)
has had serious consequences. What is President Carter's position on the DPW
deal and what strategies does he support for reaching out to the moderates
in the middle east?
Dean Nation is now Nation-Building : Purple politics, muscular liberalism,
principled pragmatism
by azizhp on Mon Jun 26, 2006 at 08:50:35 AM PDT
Answer to azizhp: In an
interview on CNN, I publicly supported the DPW as
soon as the issue arose. My agreement with President Bush on the issue was
highlighted that evening by Jon Stewart on the Daily Show. There was no
threat to U.S. security, and it was a false and demagogic issue.
Dear President Carter, (6+ / 0-)
I have been working since last summer on the issue of successful
reintegration of our returning troops back into their communities and
families.
Fortunately, most troops have a solid family and community support network
in place to help them through that process of reintegration. Some, though,
just don't have the support or the funding (or the maturity even, being so
young) to get the help they may need if they're suffering. So, I'm working
to change the dynamics. I'd like to see us reach out to them....us find
them...us commit to helping them, rather than expecting them to get our
attention and ask for help on their own.
I'm writing a book on this issue this summer, set to publish in April 2007.
Moving America to Care: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and America's
Returning Troops will be a study of some of the OEF/OIF combat-PTSD cases
that I've been tracking in ePluribus Media's PTSD Timeline, as well as a
'call-to-arms' to get average Americans --just like me -- interested and
engaged on this issue.
As a former military man yourself, do you have any thoughts on this, on how
we as Americans can best support them? (And, of course, you'd be welcome to
write the forward to my book, sir! Just let me know.. :o)
Thank you for being one of our very best Presidents while in office, and
beyond. Your son and granddaughter must give you and Mrs. Carter much reason
to be proud.
Warmest embrace...
Blogging on PTSD Combat
by ilona on Mon Jun 26, 2006 at 04:32:29 PM PDT
Answer to ilona: I am glad to know that you are publicizing this problem,
which has existed during/after every conflict. This is a challenge that many
organizations can help to meet, including veterans' organizations, local
civic clubs, religious congregations, and Chambers of Commerce. The
Department of Defense could be a key player by making available the identity
of the new veterans. At least now, they are looked upon as heroes. It was
quite different when my son Jack returned from Viet Nam. It took Max
Cleland, as head of my Veteran's Administration, to begin their proper
recognition.
a question on global warming (1+ / 0-)
The gap between the action that would avert a calamity and an action that
can be accepted by American political system seems enormous.
Sadly, Republicans used their disregard of this issue as a weapon, brazenly
disputing the facts, intimidating anyone proposing tax solution or even
efficiency standards.
Should Democrats evade this issue during the elections? Should they make it
a priority? Is there a hope that American public will see the truth given
the cacophony of facts and disinformation that it receives?
by Piotr on Mon Jun 26, 2006 at 10:47:48 AM PDT
Answer to Piotr: This is a subject that is too important to ignore or
finesse, and Democrats should address it forthrightly. It will be a good
campaign issue. Al Gore has done a superb job in explaining the threat of
global warming, and all reasonable Americans should join in this justified
crusade. Even some of those who are in bed with the oil companies are
beginning to see the light.
Mr. President, re: negative polticking (10+ / 0-)
First, thank you again for joining us here. I was watching a Globetrotters
show recently and loved seeing you at home in Plains on the softball pitch.
Second, I remember your past campaigns and the graciousness you always
showed. These days, we have 'swift boaters' and fearmongers, out-right lies
and shadowy half-truths, not to mention just plain ill-behaved partisans on
both sides of the aisle. I believe that this often has the effect of
turning good people away from politics and the polls, even when they might
otherwise become engaged or at least vote. Do you have any suggestions for
how we can encourage a return to civility in politics?
Thank you for your time and your continued leadership in the world and in
our country.
-6.75, -5.79
"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do
nothing." Edmund Burke
by edgery on Mon Jun 26, 2006 at 08:45:40 AM PDT
Answer to edgery: Even at 81, I still enjoy softball and other sports.
As I mentioned in my blog post and in "Our Endangered Values," negative political
advertising is a relatively recent development. It has been largely brought
about by enormous sums of money now pumped into campaigns from highly
partisan interest groups. Its other cause, unfortunately, is that the tactic
of destroying the reputation of an opponent often seems to be effective.
Bloggers and others should concentrate on the issues, which includes an
accurate analysis (and sometimes condemnation) of the voting record of
incumbents.
There have been some encouraging indications of voters' antipathy
toward negative campaigning in some state races, and it is helpful to
require the candidate to claim responsibility for TV and radio commercials.
Our Endangered Values (35+ / 0-)
Fantastic book. Everyone should pick it up.
Question for Jimmy Carter. How do we start to educate the multitudes of
religious folks who have tied their wagons to the Republican party? I'm not
talking about the powerful right-wing evangelists like Pat Robertson, but
the everyday churchgoer who has been, for lack of a better term, brainwashed
into thinking that somehow Republicans have a lock on morality and even that
Republicans follow the teachings of Jesus Christ.
If we could only open their eyes to certain facts: Republicans do little or
nothing to help the poor. Republicans support the death penalty. And now,
Republicans either support or turn a blind eye to torture. I can't imagine
that Jesus taught any of these concepts.
How do we turn the faithful back into Progressives, something they were long
ago?
Whackos get their info thru the Christian right. We'll bring them out to
vote against something and make sure the public lets the whole thing slip
past them.
by chemsmith on Mon Jun 26, 2006 at 08:34:17 AM PDT
Answer to chemsmith: It has been somewhat encouraging the last few months to
see a trend of aversion to these distorted fundamentalist interpretations of
Christianity. Recent decisions within the Southern Baptist Convention have
shown that there is a practical limit to extremism.
More and more traditional believers are speaking out, and a number
are coming together to strengthen our common voices. In addition to
publishing my book, I have been involved lately in a coalition of North
American Baptist organizations, all members of the
Baptist World Alliance,
who comprise more than 20 million members and include blacks, whites, and
Hispanics. We are planning a major convocation next year, just to strengthen
our collective influence and to demonstrate that there those who oppose
torture, still worship the Prince of Peace (not Preemptive War), and believe
in freedom, justice, and equality.
President Carter, Sir when you were elected (7+ / 0-)
an election was the casting of a vote that mean you were an American and
participated in the governing process. The classical Greeks had many a
debate as to whether the aristocracy should be the only voters because the
more common people could not be trusted properly to particpate in democracy
with their lack of an education.
Now the disenfranchisement of people of color (like myself) is part and
parcel of the process and has led to cynicism about the process. What
arguments have you made that resonate with voters to increase polictical
participation in the fullness of our Democracy?
Thank you for all you do. Jack Carter WILL be a most excellent Senator for
the great state of Nevada!
Every time history repeats itself the price goes up - Anon.
by Pithy Cherub on Mon Jun 26, 2006 at 10:30:01 AM PDT
Answer to Pithy: My hope is that Americans like you, who have suffered from
present policies, will see the need for a special effort to participate in
the coming elections. One key example is among workers whose income has been
frozen for ten years at the minimum wage of $5.15 per hour while the
congress members have increased their own salaries by $30,000 per year. The
lowest minimum wage among other industrialized nations is $9.70 per hour.
Many states are increasing the level on their own.
A direct obstacle to many people who desire to vote is the
requirement of a photo ID, often costly, without adequate time allowed to
provide these free to all registered voters before the restriction is
imposed. We're fighting this provision in the federal courts in Georgia.