[.ca] Our Endangered Values: America's Moral Crisis (ISBN 1594131589)

what a cool guy:
he may not have been the greatest president, but jimmy carter is a very cool guy with a very unique and positive outlook on the international situation and american foreign policy. carter provides a clear description of America's current international standing and reputation, and explains the hypocrisy of the various moral values which exist within the united states. as a strong-willed human-rights activist, environmentalist, and supporter of diplomacy over military action, carter sums up the moral dilemma which is endangering the values that the world's largest and most powerful democratic nation holds.

Really terrible attitude of Carter's on many points:
He criticizes President George W. Bush for his military handling of Saddam without giving an alternate explanation on how to have gotten the evil Saddam (whom Carter admits was very bad) out of power without military force. Carter should realize that middle eastern despots usually can't be driven out economically with all the oil wealth they posses. Carter couldn't get rid of Khomeini of Iran (or even stop him a little) by freezing all Iranian assets in US banks back in the late 70's. Carter's hypocritical views on sinful gays make no sense either.

Refreshing:
As someone living north of the American border, I have been astonished over the years at how quiet most Americans have been to current U.S. policy, particularly the media. I found this book very refreshing, and coming from an unexpected source, from a former President who is very religious in his own right. I thought Carter's arguments to be very well spoken and presented, in a smooth linear fashion. My criticism is that as a political essay, I found it to be very light reading, Another writer on this topic may be far more detailed, hard hitting, and indulgant. Carter seemed to be going out of his way to sound non-partisan. As well, he does not effectively gage the international community's opinion to the current Bush administration, it is far more flippant than what he may realized. Still, the book has a pertinent message, for which I think people need to hear. Yet I suspect those most likely to read this book are not the audience that needs to hear the message the most.