Some people are very upset that other people are calling Jimmy Carter an antisemite. I actually tend to think that he probably is. I've read too many personal accounts like this one.
Carter's Hatred of Israel: Rooted in MegalomaniaWhen I taught at Emory University, I used to see former President Jimmy Carter on a fairly regular basis, and it was all I could do at times to stop myself from spitting at him (A Matter of Opinion: "What's the Matter With Jimmy?" Dec. 7).
Carter's hatred of Israel and, by extension, of all Jews (and make no mistake, if you spend any time in the man's presence, his discomfort at being in the same room with someone who merely appears to be Jewish is palpable), is rooted in the man's megalomania, and his unflinching belief in his own rectitude.
He cannot but hate anyone who disagrees with him. His tactic -- one I have seen up close -- is to bribe and flatter people around him into a state where their sense of obligation prohibits them from disagreeing publically even when they know he is wrong.
On the plus side, at least he has finally revealed his true feelings publicly. Perhaps for his next book, he can publish a collection of his favorite articles from Der Sturmer and the Volkische Beobachter.
William Bradford Smith
Chair, Division of History, Politics & International Studies
Oglethorpe University
Atlanta
Even if he's not, it surely can be said that he's an antisemite's best friend. The quotes in the post below give you an idea of how exceedingly happy they are to have him on their side.
