librarian.net at the DNC

July 26, 2004

the crush to freedom begins

They're doing the wave here in the auditorium. The stairs are packed with "suits" looking for any good vantage point to watch the proceedings. I am now more afraid of a fire than I am of a terrorist attack. One of the odd things about being a member of the "press" is that we get embargoed copies of the speeches before they actually happen. So I've been hanging around waiting for Carter to speak ["He put solar panels on the White House!"] and now I can read the speech from the comfort of my own email account.

This is my favortie part of Carter's upcoming speech, and by the time I get this Wifi working, the embargo deadline willl have passed

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.

Posted by jessamyn at July 26, 2004 08:57 PM

Comments

How are you getting embargoed copies of the speeches??

Posted by: Dave Winer at July 26, 2004 10:06 PM

Because she's Jessamyn.

But thats just my guess :)

Posted by: Liz W-P at July 26, 2004 10:50 PM

President Carter can give a great speech. This is from his Nobel acceptance:
==
In order for us human beings to commit ourselves personally to the inhumanity of war, we find it necessary first to dehumanize our opponents, which is in itself a violation of the beliefs of all religions. Once we characterize our adversaries as beyond the scope of God's mercy and grace, their lives lose all value. We deny personal responsibility when we plant landmines and, days or years later, a stranger to us - often a child – is crippled or killed. From a great distance, we launch bombs or missiles with almost total impunity, and never want to know the number or identity of the victims.
http://www.nobel.se/peace/laureates/2002/carter-lecture.html

Posted by: Kathleen de la Pena McCook at July 27, 2004 08:16 AM

Jimmy is such an inspiration. He has a special goodness about him.

Posted by: Fred at July 27, 2004 11:00 AM

Jimmy Carter spoke plainly about the reality of the US policies in the world. Maybe not suprisingly, "Public Broadcasting" (Lehrer) questioned him afterwards about what he was talking about, as if what Carter were saying was not true. My local NPR station had a Republican respondent who discredited Carter by calling him a democratic attack dog and questioning why the Democrats would do that to a former president. "Bush senior would never do that." We'll wait and see if Papa Bush shows up for Baby Bush's party.

Posted by: warren at July 27, 2004 11:29 AM

NPR has pretty much caved to the right. When I realized that they were featuring Heritage Foundation pundits I knew the game was up. Getting rid of Bob Edwards was another tip-off, too. Our local NPR affiliate terminated many in the news room w/o reason. Luckily we have community radio and the $$$ I used to give NPR I now give to WMNF and I also to subscribe to Air America via satellite TV.

Posted by: Kathleen de la Pena McCook at July 27, 2004 12:29 PM

Carter spoke at my college graduation in 1998, and he came to my white, upper-class institution, stood on the stage, and (in slightly more polite and politically appropriate words, but not by much) told 500 gradutates to do something useful with themselves, and give back to society, instead of living off of daddy's money.

It was amazing, and unforgettable.

I'm glad he's still speaking in a national arena.

Posted by: Jenica at July 27, 2004 01:36 PM

Jimmy Carter is a good man. It was a real pleasure to hear such a strong speech from him.

Now I've got to go visit his library!

On another note, where'd you get the Blogger button?

Posted by: Lady Crumpet at July 28, 2004 10:43 AM