Carter's Criticism

Jimmy Carter is absolutely right in his strong criticism of American policies at home and abroad that violate significant U.S. constitutional safeguards, as well as international law. He's wrong, though, in giving the impression that this is just something that is happening on Obama's watch or that it's worse now, somehow. The truth of the matter is that all these human-rights violations have been par for the course for the U.S. government for decades. It's only self-delusion to believe that former administrations have not engaged in illegal, immoral or unethical practices against both American citizens and foreigners in the name of "national security" or "fighting terrorism."

Be that as it may, Carter's brave statements are a welcome departure from the usual propaganda based on "American exceptionalism" and other jingoistic concepts aimed at justifying fascism at home and imperialism abroad.

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