Here's another example of post-Presidential Jimmy Carter's good work, an opinion on the political hurricane threatening to hit Florida in November. It's really striking how clearly his voice comes through in his prose. I found it soothing as an elementary-school student. Now I rely on it for wisdom that others are too afraid or too self-absorbed to dispense:

The disturbing fact is that a repetition of the problems of 2000 now seems likely, even as many other nations are conducting elections that are internationally certified to be transparent, honest and fair. . . Some basic international requirements for a fair election are missing in Florida.

And in a number of other states as well, I'd warrant.

In a news story about the Carter Center's report, one of Florida's Republican Congressmen, Mark Foley, is quoted responding angrily to it in an interview with CNN: "They're alleging somehow we're a third world nation in our ability to handle ballots." Yes, Mark, that's precisely what they are alleging.

Who knows? If your friends in the state government get their shit together, Florida might still have a chance of edging Venezuela on the clean elections meter. Somehow, though, I suspect that your party's leadership has other priorities, like making people around the world express shock and awe at our willingness to liberate them at any price.

Mode: paranoimal
Muse: Monday Night Football theme - ABC Sports