The “bickering” between Rice and Carter got me thinking that this whole talk or not talk controversy comes out of a much larger fundamental problem. That is: Do Christians trust Jesus’ teaching enough to follow it in large life and death matters or is it just something nice to teach the children in Sunday school. Both Condoleezza and Carter are professed Christians. One believes in talking with Hamas, the other (following her bosses guidelines) says we cannot because they are “terrorists”. Jesus said in fact we must pray for our enemies and even love them. At least we can talk with them and try to get the problems that cause the terrorism resolved. Others say we must kill them. Or at least be prepared to, and certainly it is naïve and “sends the wrong message” to talk with them. Maybe Jesus WAS naïve. What He did certainly did get him killed. BUT of course the point is: he taught that God is in control and if we follow Him, He will give us the best result in the end, as He did for Jesus. We say we are a Christian Nation. I wonder if that only applies to Sunday school.