After all, let's remember now who it was who called President George W. Bush's sitting administration the "worst in history." Or do you recall the claim that President Bush had inspired an "overt reversal of America's basic values" and that his "arrogance" and "fundamentalism" were taking the country in the wrong direction?
Could it be.Jimmy Carter?
Of course we should treat our sitting President with respect, and I will be the first to stand against those who do not treat President Obama as the duly elected leader of this country, and you had better believe that I will oppose any racially-motivated attacks against President Obama or any other leader or individual in this nation.
But in a democracy, in this great and free country, we retain the right of dissent, the right of free speech, the right to oppose government policies and the direction of our leadership, and the right to speak that disagreement publicly. If we lose that freedom, if we allow it to be suppressed by claims of racism, then what sort of free society are we?
Moreover, with his comments, President Carter is in essence telling independent voters across the country, including those who may have voted for Obama in 2008, that if they disagree with the president on any issue, their disagreement must stem from racist motives rather than clear thinking. Now that is not smart politics, and it's something Democrats should stand up and oppose as well.
These latest comments by Carter cannot help by remind me how fortunate we were as a nation that my father's election removed him from office.