President Carter Fact-Checks the Movie 'Argo'

President Jimmy Carter provides his take on the movie version of the rescue of American hostages from Iran in the Ben Affleck film Argo.

[JerzyFeliksKlein]

I think what's being missed here is that they had a parliament with 400+ people vote for it, and not a single leak. That speaks volumes of the civic responsibility they represented.

[robertpadillosandiego]

Good gosh. He was 88 at the time of this speech. Might as well be 60 years old

[WallyMoran]

from a Canadian, thank you Mr. Carter - that was very gracious of you.

[annettealex]

i to thought the movie belittle the Canadian role, but as a Canadian i also realize that American public want to see movies where they are the heroes, so way to go Hollywood for mixing the truth up yet again, and thank you mr carter for setting the record straight

[squamish]

"I was on the edge of my seat." Even though he already knew everything that happened in more detail than pretty much anyone XD

[watro]

As a Canadian, I thank you President Carter.

[yazidyusop]

well good job canadian and even great job Jimmy for highlighting the truth

[enzodellacorte]

thank you Jimmy he definitely put an end to all those morons believing the Argo story! shame on Hollywood for ignoring Canadian heroes!!!

[dwayners]

While it's true Ken Taylor was given a bit more credit than was due immediately after the event, it was because the US was afraid that if Iran knew the CIA was active in their country, a lot of the hostages would have been harmed or even killed. That being said, the movie did minimize our involvement & the risk it put our people through. The reason many Canadians reacted with some negativity was because we often feel slighted by America. For example, on 9/11, we allowed American airliners to land at our airports even though there were concerns of more hijacked planes. Since the US shut down their airspace for a few days, the passengers were unable to return home. In the smaller towns like Gander NFL, there were very few hotels, so the people living near the airport opened up their homes & invited the passengers to sleep & eat their homes, while they went to sleep in church/school basements. At a speech made by Bush Jr., shortly after he thanked several countries for their assistance on that day, Canada wasn't one of them. Furthermore, we've been criticized for not going to Iraq, even though we fought in the toughest spots in Afghanistan, taking a highly disproportionate number of casualties. A show on Fox News even spent time making jokes about our military's involvement in Afghanistan, on a day when 4 of our soldiers returned home in body bags. I don't think it's that Canadians want or expect huge gestures of appreciation, rather it's the minimization & the intentional slights that bother many of us. Regardless of this, I can guarantee that Canadians will continue being good neighbours despite the way we feel about any of the things I've mentioned.

[requiemforamerica]

thanks for setting the record straight jimmy!

[OperationChicago]

President Carter seems like a great soul. For them to pretend to make a movie is smart, especially what would happen if they got caught. History was made here

[Stevieboy]

Great man. Not necessarily the best president. But the best man who was president.

[dandoiron]

mr. president carter you have always been my favorite president, and now even more so. thank you so much for speaking the truth. and also for all your humanitarian work, you will always be remembered.

[TheMikejonez]

thank you my love MR President!!! As a Canadian I appreciate this

[yagher]

Americans always trying to take credit where credit isn't due. People will see the movie and treat it like a history lesson.

[bneth]

It's funny how outside of the US, most of the world looks at President Carter as a great president, humanitarian and individual.

[realistbrit]

I feel I have to stand up for my countrymen here. Mr Carter speaks in error at 1.20 when he says that the British turned them away. A little research shows that to be false even though the same falsehood is stated in the film. They were initially unable to get to the British Embassy (which was soon to be overrun itself) due to the massive protest and general chaos. Over the next few days they were helped by the British when hiding out in a diplomatic compound. New Zealand and Sweden were also involved in providing protection until they could get to the Canadian Embassy.
When 'factual' films are made they should be as accurate as possible. To not mention the help provided by UK and NZ could be excused as it was not of major significance to the main plot. However, to include dialogue stating that both countries refused to help (as the film does) is inexcusable.

[ThaOneChrisJONES]

Is anyone really surprised that Argo portrayed the typical "American Exceptionalism" cliche ? A lot of Americans aren't so caught up in it but A LOT of them suffer from delusions of grandeur... This is nothing new. lol

[liagog]

thank you... that's how i remember it

[Danny-bdch]

The most honest and decent President of the USA in my lifetime. When I was twelve(1980), I remember my Dad talking to my Mom. My Dad stated that 'he would not be re-elected, because he was to honest'.