Is Jimmy Carter in Violation of The Logan Act?

Is Jimmy Carter in Violation of The Logan Act?

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As a Southern American, I’d like to offer an apology to Israel for Jimmy Carter. There is an old expression one used to hear upon encountering a fool, and it went something like this: “Somewhere a town is missing their idiot.” Unfortunately, when Jimmy Carter is away from Georgia “the South” is missing its idiot!

Yes, I am embarrassed by Mr. Carter’s antics. I cannot, for the life of me, figure out what is wrong with him! I once saw a poster of a painting of Christ’s head with Jimmy Carter’s face superimposed over the face of Christ. It represented his “Messiah Complex”. Apparently, Jimmy still sees himself as the Messiah of the world.

Israel is right to snub Carter. If they value their freedom, and their lives, they will continue to shun Carter.

I have never forgotten Carter and the Shah of Iran and the Ayatollah. Remember? It was the kick-off the troubles we have, to this day, in that region. We are still paying for Carter’s fumbling and bumbling in the late 1970’s.

Another thing is bothering me about this meddling by Carter. Is it legal? I was under the impression it is illegal for private US citizens to negotiate foreign policy with foreign governments. Some federal law covers this, I think. Oh yes… that would be The Logan Act. Read the text below:

§ 953. Private correspondence with foreign governments.
Any citizen of the United States, wherever he may be, who, without authority of the United States, directly or indirectly commences or carries on any correspondence or intercourse with any foreign government or any officer or agent thereof, with intent to influence the measures or conduct of any foreign government or of any officer or agent thereof, in relation to any disputes or controversies with the United States, or to defeat the measures of the United States, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than three years, or both.
This section shall not abridge the right of a citizen to apply himself, or his agent, to any foreign government, or the agents thereof, for redress of any injury which he may have sustained from such government or any of its agents or subjects.
1 Stat. 613, January 30, 1799, codified at 18 U.S.C. § 953 (2004).

So… is he authorized? Seems to me, US foreign policy is set by the President of the United States and only HE can authorize a private citizen to do what Carter is doing. Actually the Supreme Court has ruled that the President, and the President alone, has the power to negotiate with foreign governments. The Senate can Advise and Consent on Treaties, but the President, alone, has the power to negotiate.

So, if Carter is, in fact, in violation of the Logan Act, why not have Israel detain him, send the FBI over to pick him up, bring him back to US soil, charge him, and try him?

OF COURSE, that is not going to happen! But maybe it should.

It is past time that we have a federal law forbidding past Presidents of the US from meddling if any kind of diplomacy after they leave office.

For now, in our opinion, Mr. Carter is in violation of the Logan Act and the matter should be looked into by the proper authorities.

Longstreet


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