When my wife and I attended the opening night for Jimmy Carter...Man from Plains...there were five of us in our party, and a couple from Canada in the row ahead of us...quite a testimony about the "culturally enlightened" people of Sarasota, Florida and their plush downtown theater.

There are just a few American Presidents I would have liked to meet.....Abraham Lincoln was one...Dwight Eisenhower another...and then Jimmy Carter....how ashamed I feel that I mocked him when he was elected...how embarassed I am that the "Evangelical" Christians mock him now.

Their insults are stones thrown at Stephen.

Bob Cork, Bradenton, Florida

There will never be peace in the middle east for as long as Israel remains there, obviously Israel will never give up what they recently took some 60 - 70 years ago so here we are, embroiled in a never ending situation of violence and bloodshed.

For those who understand the history of these people and countries involved will know that any good done for this cause is sadly a complete waste of time as the problems are deeply rooted.

The next major war will be in that region and obviously involve the usual players in particular Israel and the US with Iran being the bad guys. BTW-Who are the good guys these days?

C Kroustis, London, UK

A history of crimes against humanity; committed by a professional army receiving the most sophisticated war technology from “western world”. Why and for how long will Israel live above every human law? Who will compensate hundreds of thousands of Palestinians for every kind of suffering; think of eleven thousand prisoners and their families nowadays!

saleh darwish, Amman, Jordan

I wish all the good luck there is to the patient effort of Jimmy Carter. Thank you for trying hard to make peace.

Wolfgang Seyfert, Osnabrück, Germanny

There will never be lasting peace between Isreal and the Arabs. How do I know? Because I read the book. Like it or not they are God`s chosen people!!!

Bill, shreveport la,

Poor Mr. Carter?! Obviously, Alzheimer's has kicked in. So, now we have Hamas doubled over in laughter (by day's end, reporters were told "No way" by head of Hamas) and embarrassment of most of "asleep at the wheel" Americans. Iran backs Hamas and seeks to expidite the end of days. Mr. Carter has done absolutely nothing to change thier minds. He is not setting any example that will help the world listen more. Except put a smile on the faces of Hamas leaders. A momentary diversion. Mr. Carter needs to stick w/Habitat for Humanity. In America.

Kathleen, Dallas, Tx.

Does Jimmy Carter also support the Palestinian diaspora and refugees having the vote? and electing representatives who can negotiate for them? Does Hamas support Palestinian diaspora and refugees having voter registration?
If Hamas and Fatah and people like Jimmy Carter set an example by helping organise voting for exiled Palestinians, then it could help the rest of the world also want to listen more.

How has keeping the diaspora/refugees electorally invisible helped the peace process? about 2 million+, voters over 18.

It could help if the Palestinian leaders lead by example, in recognising the votes of people who would like to return to their ancestral lands.

For a simple off-the-shelf process, google: out of country voting

Hugo van Randwyck, London, UK

Poor Mr. Carter! worked hard a long life in the direction of peace making. However, the Israeli army has committed enough atrocities against the Palestinian people over the last 60 years to an extend that makes any effort towards peace go in vain. No blame on the Israeli officials, they are anyway war criminals, the Arab people blame in the first place Israeli people, Israeli mothers and fathers watching every evening what their profesional army is doing to the Palestinian children and do nothing....the sad fact is: Israel as a state has no future in this region...Mr. Carter, don't waste your remaining efforts, save your energy to enjoy the last few years of your life.

saleh darwish, Amman, Jordan

Good on you Jimmy.
America's interest must come first.

Parsia, London, UK

Is Carter stupid or naive?.

Subramaniam, Paris,

Carter is an unstable old fool whose mental abilities have declined since leaving office. Carter, last year, referred to the holocaust as the "alleged" holocaust, and, of course, he still does not acknowledge the fact that the Sandinistas were communists. The old fool is an embarrassment who should be disavowed by the Government without hesitation.

markm, cape coral, usa/florida

More power to Mr Carter, in countering the "group-think" attitude here in America. I urge all to read his book and remember that if you hear criticisms of this man, consider this: the man is a Christian minister who, all other things being equal, would ordinarily be expected to favor the Jewish view over the Muslim. So the fact that he doesn't must at least make one think that maybe the Palestinians do have a point, and may not be the evil "terrorists" portrayed so often in American media. I urge you to investigate this important issue from independent and non-biased sources. An issue that has embroiled us in a long and expensive war which could get worse. Thanks!

Ed , Hailey,

Jimmy Carter's criticized for meeting with Hamas leadership. There are other options to resolve the problems the world faces such as military action or isolation of the opposition until they are willing to meet on our terms. Let's take a quick look at recent history:
• We isolated North Korea and refused to meet with them to find ways to resolve our differences. After 50 years we sit down at the table and wonder why we can't fix everything in a few months.
• We refused to hold meaningful discussions with Iraq, instead we gave them a lesson in shock and awe and find we are the ones that are now shocked and awed.
• We isolating Iran and find the problems are deepening so we decide we'll further isolate them until they come to their senses.
Mr. Carter brings hope by meeting and discussing issues with Hamas. While this may not mean the problems will be resolved - it does mean that there is greater chance of understanding that might lead to reconciliation instead continued conflict.

Edward DiTomas, Brewster, NY

What a Bozo Carter is. Regan proved that. Didn't he learn ANYTHING at the end of the disaster called his presidency? Really, I think this man, I am sorry to say, is a fool. Maybe a jean wearing fireside chat on nuclear proliferation?? I just wish for once some agency would document how many deaths Carter is responsible for. I mean just drop the political crap and look at it for what it is on a world theater. You have to see that reasoning with kid killing terrorist is just stupid … very very stupid.

Kirk Brewer, The State, Of Reason

i'm from Quebec,Canada. I'm happy to see some different point view from USA citizen.

What's Israel is doing to Gaza people is about the same what they received from second war. this is very bad. Israel cannot continue to persecute gaza people like that. it's a shame that USA, Canada and other moden country let Israel continue to do what they do. stop to persecute and stole palestien territory and probably mortar will stop...

Tone, Quebec, Canada

Jimmy Carter is the worst president that the United States has ever experienced. By abandoning the Shah in Iran and acceding to the long term captivity of our Embassy people following that country's mullah revolution, he fostered the jihadist Arab movement that we face today. Now he goes, uninvited, with hat in hand to the terrorist gang leaders seeking peace, knowing in advance that his toothy smiled homage will be used by the jihadists as proof that they are indeed a power to be reckoned with. Carter is a sham and a shame.

Lester Gilbert, Encino, USA California

Readers around the world will recall in the Second World War
many countries were occupied by the Nazi Armies and Britain and America aswell as many other countries liberated Europe.

Today Palestine territories in the West Bank and the Gaza strip are under Occupation and under seige.

Yet today we support the Israeli Occupation. We ignore the breaches of international law, human rights law and say nothing about the collective punishment of millions of Palestinians.
Jimmy Carter is to be commended for seeking to achieve a dialouge with Hamas, a democratically elected Government.
James, Reading, UK.

James Penn, Reading , UK

When Obama says '“We must not negotiate with a terrorist group intent on Israel's destruction".
When he was in Iowa he stated that he would meet with anyone anywhere for peace.
Will the real Obama please come forth

ed, iowa city, iowa

there's nothing to lose by talking.

It's the damn pride and stubborness.

nev, new york, ny

The Tooth Fairy gave me Cincinatti, but I don't bomb them

Rich, Murphy,

You don't negotiate with terrorist regardless of their motivation for being terrorists.
Carter should have his passport revoked. He is not in any capacity whatsoever to speak for the US or any other governing body. He needs to go home and pick peanuts.

Rich Smith, Carrollton, Texas

Jimmy Carter doesn't know peanuts about the Middle East. Dealing for peace with Anwar Sadat 30 years ago has little to do with what Hamas wants and its ultimate aims. Sadat was an interested party to peace for the progress and good of Egypt. Hamas is led by religious fanatics who believe in life after death more than life on earth and are willing to sacrifice anything and everything, at any cost, to ultimately fulfill their goal and dream -- the total destruction of Israel. Yes, they may reluctantly agree to a temporary "truce" (NOT PEACE) in exchange for prisoner releases and any other concessions given to them by fools -- but it will last only long enough for them to consolidate political power, re-arm their missile supplies, and upgrade their war machine for the coming battle. It's ironic that in the years since Oslo the Palestinians have regressed to a mental and emotional state of uncompromising hatred that is worse that what we had before "Peace talks" ever began.

Steve S, Los Angeles, USA

The former President is right to intervene a reconciliation between the parties involved and Hamas is one of these sides to be invited in such a peace meeting

Ali, Alexandria, VA USA

As long as the Palestinians, Hamas and Hezbulla are happy to act as surrogates of Iran, accept their money and arms to try and achieve their propaganda goal of the destruction of Israel, and Israel keeps building on land that was expropriated, there will be no peace and settlement in that corner of the Mideast. - Exclusionary objectives and unwillingness to give up a policy of destruction of your opponent will result in an endless conflict.

Gunther Steinberg, Portola Valley, California USA

You´re a Good Man, Jimmy Carter! God bless you and yours!

Ivan, Merida, Venezuela

BRAVO Mr. Carter. Since when did you ever hear of people making peace with their buddies? Peace talks by definition must be made between enemies folks, not your favorite Aunt. I'd say that those who deny your occupation of a piece of real estate and are in the process of trying to boot you off of it qualify perfectly as your enemy with whom you should speak. Not to, simply means you think you can 'win' by continuing warfare. It's all pretty basic. They did by the way win a fair election to represent those people. Too bad we are too blinded by our own bigotry to actually respect those elections which may well have been more honest than our own.

mike caggiano, San Mateo, CA.

Wow. I guess Mr. Obama has to make this kind of public comment for fear of being branded anti-semetic and endangering needed votes and support... however, I was hoping he'd have something more positive to say about President Carters efforts in this conflict. I tend to agree more with the former Presidents views... Israel's retaliation IS disproportionate, and in my opinion borders on state-sponsored terrorism against the Palestinian people.

I am dissapointed in Mr. Obamas cookie-cutter response to this issue.

dave, Seattle,

I think that Jimmy Carter should stay exactly what he is, RETIRED!
This is a disgrace to the people of both America and to Israel. No one asked him to go and talk to a terrorist group he just took it upon him self to give them validity. They do not deserve to have an opinion. When they start acting like rational people then they can come to the table and discuss there differences but if they are going to support terrorist activities then they need to be treated as such.

Gabriel , Pittsburgh, PA

Imagine a splinter group of Mexicans who decided that any territory that formerly belonged to Mexico must revert back to Mexico. They viewed California and Texas as "occupied" territory. And, their charter said until California and Texas are returned to Mexico, they will fight the occupiers. So, they began shooting rockets across the border into California and Mexico, and began sending in suicide bombers to blow themselves and innocents up on buses, in markets, in schools. When the US, through back-channel contacts asked "what can we do to settle this conflict?" They answered "leave California and Texas. Because until you do, we will never stop our resistance (e.g. terrorism)." How many Americans would push for negotiations with these people? How many former presidents would meet with its leader? That is the situation that exists between Israel and Hamas. Hamas, like Hezbollah, and like Osama Bin Laden, believe that any territory which was ever under Moslem control is forever Moslem.

Rob, Santa Cruz, CA

I support Mr. Carters mission to the middle east to talk to Hamas. Hamas is a legitimate representative of the Palestinian people and has been democratically elected to power. Hamas grievance is real and their struggle is just. While I do not believe in some of their tactics, I believe anybody who is under a system worse than apartheid would fight with all they have…

Decades of blind support of Israel's Miltarism and terrorism has not solved the problem and will not solve the problem.

Iris Gray, alexandria, VA

Carter is an EX-president, who has no business assuming a role he wasn't even capable of handling in his heyday. He is not privy to current intelligence and has no business going against the advice of the State Department. His actions are inexcusable. If Hamas was hurling rockets into Plains, Georgia what would the good townfolks wan't done?

Mel - , Cincinnati, OH

Hamas get their money from Iran and represent the people's needs about as well as you in Chicago and Colorado do. There is a threat of fuel shortage so they bomb the fuel lines. There is a threat of blockage so they bomb their own border crossings. They talk of peace but their charter includes a recipe for war. They in American editorials praise the contributions of the Jews to history, and in then in the local propaganda deny there was ever a Jewish presence, even in Jerusalem. They say they want negotiation "without preconditions", then insist on incredibly unlikely conditions before any negotiations, and then insist that the outcome of the negotiations is already set: the end of Israel. They disseminate incredibly hate-fueled propaganda to children. The article above says the Palestinian deaths are due to the "extreme military capability of Israel". Not so. They are due to Hamas firing rockets from civilian rooftops, storing bombs next to schools, hijacking ambulances, etc.

Dan, NJ, USA

Thank goodness someone in our government has a brain! Whether we like it or not, we all live together on this tiny planet. We must strive to reconcile centuries of hatred and intolerance. This cannot happen without brave people like Mr. Carter reaching out to disenfranchised people and attempting to open peaceful dialog. Thank you, Mr. Carter!

Sara , Kingston, AR

Jimmy Carter, an island of reason in a sea of madness created by the Bush administration.

Leroy Cobb, Pasadena, California

Don't be so foolish people...If a gang was attacking your neighborhoods with guns and bombs, you would not request to have a sit down to discuss where they are coming from...instead you would demand that it stop and take every step forward to push the issue. What would make you think that a converstaion would change the points of view? This a battle that has commenced literally for 2 thousand or more years, our minds can barely even conceive of this in this 230 year old country. To deny the holucost, to kill in the name of Allah, to make unkept promises of cease fires, to send people into Israel with bombs strapped killing women and children are all behaviors of irrational people that cannot be dealt with using words. C'mon people, if all of these things were going on in your own back yard you would laugh at Jimmy Carter and DEMAND immiediate results by any means.

Jeff, San Diego, CA

I support Mr. Carters effort for discussing directly with Hamas to understand there position. This provides Hamas an outlet that they deserve as legitimately elected representatitives of the people.

Hassan, Chicago, US

Too bad that our current administration doesn't have the courage that Jimmy Carter does, to do the right thing and try to bring peace to the Middle East.-Our current President brags that he is a "War President"and speaks and carries on in the Orwellian style that only breads insecurity in all that our country has created internationally during the occupation of Iraq.

charles mark, silverton, colorado

Carter is on the right track. US, Israel are wrong again, as usual

R Dalterio, Chester, USA

Thank God there is SOMEONE with a brain and courage!!!!
God bless Mr. Carter. He is a real hero who is just calling it like it is. I think the Palestinian people need someone to speak on their behalf who does not have an agenda other than to further peace and diplomacy. Unfortunately, in today's climate to speak out for decency regarding this issue is to be branded by a very politically incorrect term. Having a heart and compassion for people who lives are hell and do not happen to be on the right side of the wall does not make one an anti-semetic.

Katherine, Orlando, Fl.

Thanks to people Like Carter for thinking about more than his position and making money. Hope this is the beginning of more meetings for peace

Ali, Bradford,

President Carter deserves all praise for his human rights and human value agendas around the Globe and in PALESTINE.
He has rightly said that Israel is carrying out crime day and nights and must be stopped. America rather than stopping such crimes, their political leaders competing each othet to make Israel more lethal, inhumane and aprthied giving billions of dollars and political and military protection.
In reality, Israel is the culprit for the middle east mess of America. The new President has to be bold enough to say lemon as lemon. If Obama wants to bring a change, he must not talk too much to continue the wrong, senseless and anti-humane American Policy towards 4 million human beings who are sieged under Israeli control.

john dahodi, ontario, San Bernardino/USA

Mr.Carter is absolutely correct in talking and negotiating with
Hamas. When you are at war,as Israel and the Palestinian peoples are, you negotiate with your enemy and not with your friends. Mr. carter is the only high personality in the whole world that the Palestinians can trust. Although he may sound as though he is on their side and against Israel, the fact is, he is correct in his pronouncements against terror on both sides.
So, the US and the Israeli governments must give him a chance instead fo criticising him. Furthermore, Mr Obama who has said in the past that he would talk to anyone, is now playing the Jewish vote game . Mr Obama has a long way before he could possibly fill Mr. Carter's shoes.

Abdallah Shahin, Myrtle Beach, SC USA