FROM ONE FAILED PRESIDENT TO ANOTHER – AT 8:31 A.M. ET:  His Eminence, Jimmy Carter, has now spoken out in effusive praise of his "little Jimmy" copy, Barack Obama, and the latter's decision to open relations with Cuba.  The delusions flow.  From The Politico:

Former President Jimmy Carter on Thursday praised President Barack Obama’s “political courage” in reestablishing relations with Cuba.

“This is the kind of thing that has been long overdue, and I’m very proud and grateful that President Obama has shown such wisdom and also I think political courage in taking these long overdue steps,” Carter told MSNBC’s “Morning Joe.”

Whenever someone on the political left praises "political courage," run in the other direction.  It generally means that something has been done in defiance of the will of the American people, who are regarded as dolts and reactionaries ruled by dead white men who reappear miraculously on July 4th in funny outfits.

Carter, who also tried to mend relations with Cuba as president, said that the Cuban people will be the main beneficiaries of a new relationship - not the country’s rulers - and he added that the move will be “good for both countries.”

“I think this openness of communication will be much better, there will obviously be more trade, commerce, visitation back and forth, which I think will promote democracy,” Carter said.

We hope so, but that usually is not the case.  Nixon opened China, but the Chinese people are as controlled as they ever were.  In addition, while the opening to China has produced some economic benefits for both countries, the growth of the Chinese economy has also meant the growth of a powerful and threatening military.

There are no absolute predictable results here.  But we do know that the first effect has been to strengthen the Castro boys, who are in firmer control than ever.  And why should that surprise us?  Look at all the relationships that Nazi Germany enjoyed in the 1930s.  You know how that worked out.

What many resent here is Obama's refusal to discuss this major step with the American people, or even with Congress, before he took it.  What is further resented is the fact that we got essentially nothing for giving the Cuban regime what it has dreamed of for years, respectability in Washington.

You may be sure, though, that Obama will enjoy a good Cuban cigar.

December 18,  2014