Do you think Jimmy Carter is right about July 4th?

Question

'Hardball with Chris Matthews' for Oct. 18
Read the transcript to the 7 p.m. ET show
Guest: Jimmy Carter

CARTER: "Well, one parallel is that the Revolutionary War, more than any other war up until recently, has been the most bloody war we‘ve fought. I think another parallel is that in some ways the Revolutionary War could have been avoided. It was an unnecessary war.

Had the British Parliament been a little more sensitive to the colonial‘s really legitimate complaints and requests the war could have been avoided completely, and of course now we would have been a free country now as is Canada and India and Australia, having gotten our independence in a nonviolent way.

I think in many ways the British were very misled in going to war against America and in trying to enforce their will on people who were quite different from them at the time."

When would we have been free?

Well into the 20th century like Canada, Australia, Africa and India?

We do not need the Queen of Canada to be a Queen of America:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canada#Government

Canada peacefully obtained independence from the United Kingdom in a process spanning from 1867 to 1982.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canada


THAT'S TOO LONG!!!

Answer 1

The revolutionary way ("Rebellion of the 13 Colonies" in England) was hardly the most bloody war the US has fought, considering how few colonists/British there were at the time, and in light of later conflicts such the Civil War and WWII.

However, could it have been avoided? Carter blames the English as being insensitive louts, yet nothing tells us they were any less repressive in any other colony, with their own rebellions (Canada, Australia, India etc.) Yet what seperates the US is only that we resisted so passionately and ultimately successfully, whereas other colonies had their rebellions crushed or were more patient and peaceful in their rebellion (ie. Gandhi in India.)

I disagree with Carter's assertion that the war was unavoidable and unnecessary, as the American colonies took it upon themselves to resist where other colonies didn't, or did so non-violently. Would more leniency from the British have subdued the urge to resist violently? I doubt it.

Answer 2

Speaking as a "free" Canadian...I wonder where you got the idea that Canada was not "free" till well into the 20th century. I assume you are referring to our Constitution not being signed into effect until the early eighties. We've been under self government since the beginning, we've been subject to all the rights and freedoms afforded the "free" Americans. We didn't need to fight for what we already had...neither did the Americans. We were even able to keep the Americans off our soil when they tried come up and "free" us from the tyranny of British rule in 1812-14. I don't know what it was about the 49th parallel that divides our two countries into such separate people when you consider we all started out exactly (mostly) the same. Back to your question..."when would we have been free?" ...you always were man, you always were.

As to your original question...Yes I think Mr. Carter has a completely valid point. He usually does. One of the finest statesmen ever to hold public office and yet so many of his fellow countrymen hold him in disdain...for no other reason than he's actually smarter than "y'all".

BTW...the Queen is nothing more than symbolic figurehead...no power no praise really no concern to us as a whole.

While I understand you feel that our "independance" was too long in coming...that is only a term and I re-iterate that we have always been free and didn't see any need for revolutionary change. There is nothing wrong with our way and your way may have been right for you...to each his own I often say...

Wikipedia may not be your most authoritative source of reference material for Canada...its not a bad place to start but it is very very limited.

Answer 3

Carter was one of the worst President's we've ever had. This statement supports that view. It's easy to sit back 200+ years later and Monday morning quarterback what Washington, Franklin, Adams, Jefferson and all the others did. He should watch the History channel series "Revolution" which just aired so he can learn a thing or two. Speaking of Monday morning quarterbacking, shouldn't Carter have handled the Iran Hostage crisis better? What an idiot.

Answer 4

I heard about a battle where americans were at the top of nine foot wall and the british we're trying to storm it. The bodies piled up so high, that the british could walk on their people to get over the wall.
This was a time of slavery. I doubt the british cared for how much suffering we were undergoing. This was very much a neccassary war for both sides. For america, freedom and for the british, some of their income.

Answer 5

Is Carter right in that eventually we would have been granted our independence from Britian? I am sure we would have but in what time frame and under what conditions? It is impossible to tell now. And how different would the US be today if independence would have been granted instead of taken? Maybe the colonists were to quick to fight and Britian to slow to concede independence.

Answer 6

Jimmy Carter was not right in 1976 and has not been since!!!!!!

Answer 7

Carter was right.

Answer 8

yea, i think he is right.

Answer 9

Please disregard ANYTHING that that old bag has to say......