Jimmy Carter, regardless of how his presidency is remembered, will always be remembered for being a man of great character—the kind of character I’d love to see more Americans aspire to have.
Jimmy Carter was the first candidate that I voted for who actually became president! I made a donation today to Habitat for Humanity in President Carter’s name because I believe that is how he would like to be remembered!!! RIP Jimmy Carter!!!
To be sure, Carter had his flaws as president, but who are the 40 percent who still view him unfavorably? Geez. The guy was the grandpa every kid SHOULD have and his post-politics career was the stuff of total inspiration. RIP, President Carter.
After leaving office Jimmy Carter saved the world and earned a Nobel Peace Prize while Obama bought a house on Martha's Vineyard and makes shows for Netflix.. Let's not even go where GOP Presidents do after they leave office. OK W paints.
Oh and don't forget Reagan was a traitor with negotiations over the Iran 🇮🇷 hostages so he could win and continue to make Carter look week.
Three outstanding achievements by President Carter:
1. He actually abolished a federal agency: the Interstate Commerce Commission. Work on deregulating the transport industry began in the Nixon Administration, continued under Ford, but it was Carter who helped get the legislation passed and he signed it. The last of the ICC commissioners left in the 1980s per the statute, but Reagan had nothing to do with this. Result was the introduction/expansion of: FedEx, UPS, discount passenger airfares, and negotiable commercial freight rates (pre-Carter, ICC set all freight rates & airfares, competition forbidden). Near the entrance to the Federal Triangle METRO station in DC, if you look up towards the southwest, you might see the bas-relief atop what was once the ICC building. (Note to Vivek & Musk: It took a decade of bipartisan work to abolish the ICC.)
2. Camp David Accords: Carter developed personal trust with Egyptian President Anwar Sadat, and they negotiated an agreement that continues to operate today. It was America's first agreement with a Middle Eastern Muslim country.
3. Paul Volker was nominated by Carter to head the Federal Reserve Bank. Volker had a near-impossible job: to bring inflation down. This was at a time when people considered themselves lucky to get a 13% mortgage rate! Reagan tried and failed to get Volker fired. Fortunately for the American economy, Volker kept his hands firmly on the steering wheel, and inflation came down (with an assist from accomplishment #1, which lowered transport costs).
Jimmy Carter was a diehard fan of the Atlanta Braves, just like me.
He was such a diehard fan that he ran onto the field to celebrate with the players after the most famous moment in Braves history. Look away Pirates fans:
He also attended the game where Hank Aaron broke Babe Ruth's home run record and apparently in his last years, he always followed the team and talked baseball with his son.
I said it first in humor but then I realized I seriously believe it: If there is a Heaven then Jimmy Carter is the only living or dead President who has a place there.
Jimmy Carter was 28 when he headed an American team working with Canadians to repair a nuclear reactor that had had a partial meltdown in Chalkriver, Ontario. They practiced for weeks on a replica reactor, having just 90 seconds, due to radiation, to unscrew a bolt.
I will always remember that long ago the President thought it worthy to sleep in the house of his hosts in Clinton Massachusetts. A small town, a new President, no national media covered the event - just President Carter and the local TV. This wouldn’t ever happen today.
Oh Chris, thank you for this. I just listened to Mary Harris’ What Next podcast on Slate. Since you are also on a faith journey, you might find it worth your while. Her guest was Jim Wallis, the chair Faith and Justice and the founding director of the Georgetown University Center on Faith and Justice. He talks about religion, politics, and power and how Jimmy Carter lived his religion.
Listen to the end to hear how Jimmy would love that if people continue to ask the question, “What does it look like to follow Jesus Christ?”
This is also a story about how powerful people choose to spend their retirement. Tbf, it is not about a binary evil choice as a choice on a continuum - painting versus aid to Africa. George Bush Junior’s obit will be…..interesting.
Jimmy Carter, regardless of how his presidency is remembered, will always be remembered for being a man of great character—the kind of character I’d love to see more Americans aspire to have.
Christians are so OUT! "10% FOR THE BIG GUY" is IN! Believe the PSYCH OP!
Well said!
Jimmy Carter was the first candidate that I voted for who actually became president! I made a donation today to Habitat for Humanity in President Carter’s name because I believe that is how he would like to be remembered!!! RIP Jimmy Carter!!!
To be sure, Carter had his flaws as president, but who are the 40 percent who still view him unfavorably? Geez. The guy was the grandpa every kid SHOULD have and his post-politics career was the stuff of total inspiration. RIP, President Carter.
After leaving office Jimmy Carter saved the world and earned a Nobel Peace Prize while Obama bought a house on Martha's Vineyard and makes shows for Netflix.. Let's not even go where GOP Presidents do after they leave office. OK W paints.
Oh and don't forget Reagan was a traitor with negotiations over the Iran 🇮🇷 hostages so he could win and continue to make Carter look week.
My daughter was one of those who shook President Carter’s hand on a plane some years ago. He was a true gentleman and a great human being.
Three outstanding achievements by President Carter:
1. He actually abolished a federal agency: the Interstate Commerce Commission. Work on deregulating the transport industry began in the Nixon Administration, continued under Ford, but it was Carter who helped get the legislation passed and he signed it. The last of the ICC commissioners left in the 1980s per the statute, but Reagan had nothing to do with this. Result was the introduction/expansion of: FedEx, UPS, discount passenger airfares, and negotiable commercial freight rates (pre-Carter, ICC set all freight rates & airfares, competition forbidden). Near the entrance to the Federal Triangle METRO station in DC, if you look up towards the southwest, you might see the bas-relief atop what was once the ICC building. (Note to Vivek & Musk: It took a decade of bipartisan work to abolish the ICC.)
2. Camp David Accords: Carter developed personal trust with Egyptian President Anwar Sadat, and they negotiated an agreement that continues to operate today. It was America's first agreement with a Middle Eastern Muslim country.
3. Paul Volker was nominated by Carter to head the Federal Reserve Bank. Volker had a near-impossible job: to bring inflation down. This was at a time when people considered themselves lucky to get a 13% mortgage rate! Reagan tried and failed to get Volker fired. Fortunately for the American economy, Volker kept his hands firmly on the steering wheel, and inflation came down (with an assist from accomplishment #1, which lowered transport costs).
Jimmy Carter was a diehard fan of the Atlanta Braves, just like me.
He was such a diehard fan that he ran onto the field to celebrate with the players after the most famous moment in Braves history. Look away Pirates fans:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PilAosY41eA
He also attended the game where Hank Aaron broke Babe Ruth's home run record and apparently in his last years, he always followed the team and talked baseball with his son.
I said it first in humor but then I realized I seriously believe it: If there is a Heaven then Jimmy Carter is the only living or dead President who has a place there.
Jimmy Carter was 28 when he headed an American team working with Canadians to repair a nuclear reactor that had had a partial meltdown in Chalkriver, Ontario. They practiced for weeks on a replica reactor, having just 90 seconds, due to radiation, to unscrew a bolt.
Another 100 year life, why Radiation hormis is GOOD FOR YOU and fears of low dose radiation is BUNK! LIKE LNT CORRUPT FAKE LIES.
Hmmm not sure that was my point. Certainly i don't know what tbe exposure was. And one 100 year old person does not a body of research make.
I will always remember that long ago the President thought it worthy to sleep in the house of his hosts in Clinton Massachusetts. A small town, a new President, no national media covered the event - just President Carter and the local TV. This wouldn’t ever happen today.
Fascinating write-up -- thanks for exploring some of the lesser known sides to his story.
Just beautiful! Thanks Chris ♥️
Oh Chris, thank you for this. I just listened to Mary Harris’ What Next podcast on Slate. Since you are also on a faith journey, you might find it worth your while. Her guest was Jim Wallis, the chair Faith and Justice and the founding director of the Georgetown University Center on Faith and Justice. He talks about religion, politics, and power and how Jimmy Carter lived his religion.
Listen to the end to hear how Jimmy would love that if people continue to ask the question, “What does it look like to follow Jesus Christ?”
Carter RIP, BUT Carter WEAKNESS empowered IRAN. https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/iranian-president-sworn-with-chants-death-america-israel-2024-07-30/. THANKS JIMMY, but at least you were not "10% for the BIG GUY"!
This is also a story about how powerful people choose to spend their retirement. Tbf, it is not about a binary evil choice as a choice on a continuum - painting versus aid to Africa. George Bush Junior’s obit will be…..interesting.
These mafe me giggle and smile. Having read a few of Jimmy's book. These are purely his style.