. . . generally when mentioning the Iran Hostage Crisis, or the Panama Canal.

The hostage crisis and subsequent failed rescue attempt, as well as the lives lost in that episode, were not his doing, but folks continue to harp on it anyway -- like the man was supposed to control all sand and dust storms in the Middle East.

Losing the Panama Canal (which, incidentally, cost the U.S. tax payers 1 cool mil per year to operate) was a boon to the U.S., as well as Panama. The action saves us money, and joins together a nation that had been separated with a Zone of U.S. regulation throughout much of its history. Pulling out of Panama was one of the best things the U.S. could do for our relations with Panama, as well as bolstering support in that nation against drug-runners to North America. They also don't mind that we're still hosting a certain warlord-wannabe from down there. And if complaints simply MUST be aired about our losing the Panama Canal, the true culprit was General Omar Torrijos, who traveled to Washington for the express purpose of getting the U.S. to release its occupied territories in Panama.

Carter was our humanitarian president, and gets far more flack regarding his term in office than he ever rightly deserved. The article posted by Ed is an example of this, and the document also holds a good level of truth. It points out the fact that the U.S. legal system is pocked with far, far too many loopholes to be considered constructive at all. The big trials aren't won through any righteous process. They are won through judicial collusion.

Dan