Spine

That Jimmy Carter has a strong opinion about George Bush is not offensive. No big deal.

That Jimmy Carter wants to pass off any strong reaction to his strong comments as "maybe misinterpretation," which implies that the listener got it wrong, is odorous.

Interviewed on the TODAY Show about the comments, Carter said, "They were maybe careless or misinterpreted." He said he "certainly was not talking personally about any president."

When pressed by NBC's Meredith Vieira as to whether he was saying his remarks were careless or reckless, the former president said, "I think they were, yes, because they were interpreted as comparing this whole administration to all other administrations."

Ah, it's you, see. The one listening who is the problem. You interpretted the comments poorly.

Either belly up to the bar and speak it out, or don't, but if you put it out there, don't crawl away from it by blaming it on a misinterpretation by those who heard you when you said, "I think as far as the adverse impact on the nation around the world, this administration has been the worst in history." How can anyone misinterpret that? He was blatantly "comparing this whole administration to all other administrations."

Never blame the listener for hearing your clear comments as you gave them. You come across as an egotist and a buffoon. You either misspoke. Or you said something you shouldn't have said publicly. But misinterpretation on the part of your listeners is not the error of your words.

by Brett Rogers, 5/21/2007 3:40:31 PM
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I confess I didn't follow this story all the way through. I agree that Carter should not have backed away from his statement but I do believe the misinterpretation is a constant fact of life too.

We all "hear" based on where we are at in our own experience. Reality is in the eyes of the beholder.

I have strong opinions and a background that provides the filter through which I "hear" information. We each are constantly assessing the data that comes in through eyes that view the world one way.

This explains why we can have two sides to almost everything where the only thing we share is opposition.

Personally I'm cool with what Carter said. I saw the cartoon in the Des Moines Register a day or so later that sort of made fun of the story. If anyone can speak to comparing administrations it should be someone who served in the office!

Posted by Sherry Borzo, 5/24/2007 11:24:26 AM

Hey Sherry

The fella who interviewed Jimmy recorded it and made it public, leaving it to you to determine if those words were taken out of context or misinterpretted.

I have no problem with Carter speaking his mind - we live in America, after all. Viva free speech.

Posted by Brett Rogers (http://www.beatcanvas.com), 5/24/2007 11:55:51 AM

It is so hard for me to comment rationally on this. I've waited several days to try to stop laughing. Jimmy has never been that intellectually gifted and this is just one more example. He meant exactly what he said, there is no question about it. It isn't a matter of how we perceive it. It just amazed me how clueless and now classless he has become.

I have one political wish now. That is for a leader who will inspire all of us, regardless of party affiliation.

Posted by Pale Rider, 5/26/2007 7:46:42 PM