Carter, defying Israel, meets Hamas ex-minister

"Mr. Carter wanted to listen to the positions of different Palestinian figures. The meeting was very good and he promised to continue such meetings," said Shaer, who was among several Palestinian political figures to meet with the former president.

Carter has angered the Israeli government over plans to meet Hamas' top leader, Khaled Meshaal, in Syria, and for describing Israeli policy in the occupied Palestinian territories as "a system of apartheid" in a 2006 book.

Even Bush crone James Baker admitted that sometimes you have to talk to people you don't like. I applaud JC for doing just that even if his trip won't amount to doody-poo in the larger picture.