Carter on Bush's extremism: Former president Jimmy Carter just hit the nail on the head in his DNC speech--the Bush administration's policies, especially in the global arena, have taken the country in a radically different and damaging direction than all other presidents, and he casts Bush as an extremist. How refreshing to hear a president take a hard stance against terrorism while also upholding American values of human rights, truth-telling, and international cooperation:

In repudiating extremism we need to recommit ourselves to a few common-sense principles that should transcend partisan differences. First, we cannot enhance our own security if we place in jeopardy what is most precious to us, namely, the centrality of human rights in our daily lives and in global affairs. Second, we cannot maintain our historic self-confidence as a people if we generate public panic. Third, we cannot do our duty as citizens and patriots if we pursue an agenda that polarizes and divides our country. Next, we cannot be true to ourselves if we mistreat others. And finally, in the world at large we cannot lead if our leaders mislead.

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