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The International Relations Organization at Virginia Tech would like to bring Jimmy Carter back to Virginia Tech; Carter last visited Tech on April 13, 1989.
In light of his recent book titled "Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid," outlining his views on what should be done to bring peace in Israel and Palestine, IROVT has begun seeking support from the universities' organizations and departments to bring back this former U.S. President.
Larissa Mihalisko, president of IROVT, said IROVT members believe that having Carter at Tech would give students a credible viewpoint of the current issues in Israel and Palestine.
Yannis Stivachtis, associate director of international studies, said that it is important to have "different people that express different opinions" come speak at Tech. While they are still in the beginning stages of bringing this political figure to the university, IROVT has been gathering support from student organizations and departments that share the desire to provide a venue for students to listen and openly discuss a controversial issue.
Mihalisko said 15 student organizations are currently showing their support, as well as about five departments. Mihalisko hopes that by having Carter at Tech, "people can learn to openly discuss a controversial issue," while "raising awareness about global issues."
Alyssa Kats, secretary general of the Virginia Tech Model United Nations Conference, believes that it's "important for students to see a different political view."
In the past, IROVT has also hosted members of the U.N. If Carter comes to Tech, a forum will be open for him to discuss his policies in his book and a question and answer discussion session will take place where students can pose questions to the former president.
"It's interesting to see how something can become a controversy," Stivachti said. "We hope people are open."Stivachtis said that Carter's book has received a lot of attention, and that the issue of peace and justice in Israel and Palestine is an important issue for discussion.
"The Israeli and Palestinian problem has been swept under the rug," Mihalisko said. "I don't think it should be ignored."If anyone is interested in supporting IROVT to bring Carter to Tech, Mihalisko recommended contacting IROVT at IROVT@vt.edu.
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WHy are we going to bring one of the worst foreign policy people to speak about international foreign policy issues? Carter was a terrible failure as president, and has continued that trend since becoming an ex-president. WHy on earth does anyone listen to this guy when all he does is embrace dictators and people who want to destroy this country? The world would be a lot better off if he had just stuck to framing houses and harvesting peanuts.
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Why would you want this political hack on campus? America's only president who was never right about anything.
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Until George Bush came along
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It has always struck me as ironic that, only AFTER he had left the Presidency (or, more accuratly, was forced out by the American people in favor of Regan) did Carter begin 'taking action' on foreign policy issues. And even now, all he ever does is talk about how he would do things differently. Trouble is, he DIDN'T do things differently, and his foreign policy failures have directly led to the poor relations we have with many middle eastern countries today. No situation is more offensive than Carter's stance on Palestine; despite the fact that the Israelis have, historically, come to the table time and time again to broker a peace, only to be met with hostility and violence, Carter still contends that it is Israel which is in the wrong. I don't doubt that atrocities have been committed by the Israeli people agains the Palestinians, but I contend that there are certainly two sides to that coin and in large part, the UN is at fault for creating Israel in the first place. Nonetheless, rather than trying to broker peace for the region, Carter stirs up more hatred and resentment. It is an insult to true foregin policy experts to label Carter an 'expert.'
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