Lessons (Un)learned

It’s somehow with a straight face that the AP reports that Jimmy Carter is as gullible as ever:

ATLANTA (AP) – Former President Jimmy Carter said Wednesday that it was almost inconceivable that Iran would “commit suicide” by launching missiles at Israel.

Speaking at Emory University, Carter, who brokered the 1979 Camp David peace accord between Israel and Egypt, said Israel’s superior military power and distance from Iran likely are enough to discourage an actual attack.

“Iran is quite distant from Israel,” said Carter, 83. “I think it would be almost inconceivable that Iran would commit suicide by launching one or two missiles of any kind against the nation of Israel.”

I’ll give Carter a break, and not remind him that just last week Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad threatened to launch 600 missiles at Israel. But let’s do remind him that it was just six years ago when al Qaeda launched four missiles, of the passenger jet variety, straight into the financial and military hearts of the United States. It might be helpful if Carter would remember that Afghanistan, from whence the 9/11 attackers came, is even further from New York than Israel is from Iran. And let’s also remind Mr. Carter that that mission was specifically suicidal in nature. Maybe also Jimmy needs a refresher that the 9/11 attacks haven’t worked out so well for al Qaeda. Finally, give the ex-President a moment to ask himself if he really thinks Ahmadinejad is any more sane than Osama bin Laden.

Now that we’ve wasted a minute or two trying to knock some sense into Carter, let’s go on to more productive tasks, like teaching kitties synchronized swimming.