Thelma Berger – 4/14/05

This page was last updated on April 14, 2005.

Carter should have been there; Thelma Berger; Beaver County Times; April 14, 2005.

Below is a detailed critique of the letter.

“I was watching the U.S. delegation kneeling to pay their respects to John Paul II on Wednesday. It was certainly noticeable that one of our former presidents was missing from the picture.”

[RWC] Frankly, I was surprised any former presidents were invited.

“Former President Ford is 91 years old and in frail condition.

“However, President Carter said he had hoped to go. He was then informed that only five would be going, and he was not included. Along with President Bush and Mrs. Bush the former Presidents Bush and Clinton was Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.

“In my opinion, the fifth one should have been former President Carter, and Secretary Rice should have been seated with a delegation from the Senate. I think a former president takes precedence over the secretary of state.”

[RWC] Ms. Berger believes Sec. Rice should have taken a seat “in the back of the bus” to make room for a white guy? Let’s see if Lonzie Cox, Jr., picks up on this. <g>

Ms. Berger fails to note Mr. Carter could have attended the funerals of Popes Paul VI and John Paul I in 1978 as President of the United States but chose not to do so.

“President Carter had a personal connection with Pope John Paul II as he visited the White House during his presidency.”

[RWC] A personal connection from two short meetings 25 years ago? Yeah, I’m sure.

“Being the gentleman he is, President Carter said he doesn’t want this to become an issue, but I can imagine that it is embarrassing for him to be snubbed.”

[RWC] “A gentleman?” I guess Ms. Berger hasn’t noticed the mean-spirited attacks Mr. Carter has been making on President Bush for the last few years. Indeed, he won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002 in part because of his international Bush-bashing. I could be wrong but I don’t recall Ronald Reagan or Bush #41 bashing Bill Clinton when he was in office.

“Whoever was responsible for making the arrangements showed very poor judgement. [sic] I imagine it’s the president who makes the final decision.”

[RWC] I think it was incredibly generous that President Bush included Bill Clinton. In case Ms. Berger forgets, President Bush has been very gracious to his opponents.

I didn’t hear that any Democrat Representative or Senator offered his seat to Mr. Carter.

I’m surprised Ms. Berger didn’t also complain that Bill Clinton wasn’t allowed to take Hillary.