THE USUAL SUSPECTS – AT 10:26 A.M. ET:  It is Easter, and the faithful will strive to spend the holiday with family.  But not Jimmy Carter.  He is out saving the world in his usual manner – by appeasing international outlaws.  And he's brought friends:

BEIJING (AP) — Ex-U.S. President Jimmy Carter and three other former leaders arrived in Beijing on Sunday en route to North Korea to discuss the revival of nuclear disarmament talks.

Carter and the group of veteran statesmen known as the Elders are to travel to Pyongyang on Tuesday as part of international efforts to restart the negotiations on ending North Korea's nuclear program.

Elders but not wisers.

The group, which includes former Finnish President Martti Ahtisaari, former Norwegian Prime Minister Gro Brundtland and former Irish President Mary Robinson, said it also plans to discuss North Korea's chronic food shortages.

Mary Robinson is a case unto herself.  She presided over the infamous Durban hate-fest in 2001, a week before the 9-11 attacks.  Another contribution to humanity.

International disarmament talks with North Korea have been stalled for the past two years amid growing concerns over its nuclear programs.

"At a time when official dialogue with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea appears to be at a standstill, we aim to see how we may be of assistance in reducing tensions and help the parties address key issues including denuclearization," Carter was quoted as saying in a statement.

We have negotiated with North Korea for years and years, with nothing to show for it.  When will Carter understand that they're not giving up their nuclear program.  This is show biz, not diplomacy.

Carter, a Democrat from Georgia who was president from 1977 to 1981, is well regarded in North Korea despite its longtime animosity with the U.S.

I have absolutely no doubt about that.

COMMENT:  Before World War II the BBC refused to put Winston Churchill on the air, considering him a warmonger.  It had no problem with the appeasers.  The world listened to the appeasers.  Had it listened to Churchill, there might have not been a World War II.

Blessed be the real peacemakers, not the showmen.

April 24, 2011