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Introduction
This was the announcement by CNN, Monday, December 30, 2024, 5:21 AM about Former President Jimmy Carter dead at 100:
“Jimmy Carter, the 39th president of the United States, died Sunday at the age of 100. Carter was surrounded by his family’ at his home in Plains, Georgia, in his final moments, the Carter Center said. Tributes are pouring in for the former farmer, lawmaker, humanitarian and Geogia governor who served one term as president from 1977 to 1981. President Joe Biden said Carter ‘stands as a model of what it means to live a life of meaning and purpose,’ and remembered Carter as a ‘dear friend.’ President-elect Donald Trump said Americans owe the former president ‘a debt of gratitude.’ Carter’s wife of more than 75 years, Rosalynn, died in November 2023 at age 96. The Carter’s were the longest-married presidential couple in US history.”
The full obituary for Carter is provided in The Washington Post, Sunday, December 29, 2024, 5:41 PM in the article, “Jimmy Carter, 39th president and Nobel Peace Prize winner, dies at 100.” This is a lengthy document that provides so much about Jimmy Carter that I highly recommend you read it. I liked the addition to the title since I think it describes Carter in one sentence, “the tenacious Southerner was turn out of office by disillusioned voters after a single term. But he had a brilliant post-presidential career as a champion of health, peace and democracy.”
I appreciate Chip Carter, his son, comments about his father, since they describe more about Carter and his postpresidential career: “my father was a hero, not only to me but to everyone who believes in peace, human rights, and unselfish love,” Chip Carter said in a statement, “My brothers, sister, and I shared him with the rest of the world through these common beliefs. The world is our family because of the way he brought people together, and we thank you for honoring his memory by continuing to live these shared beliefs.”
Public observance of his death will be held in Atlanta and Washington, and then there will be a private interment in Plains, Geogia. “President Joe Biden said he ordered a national day of mourning on Jan. 9. Biden issued a proclamation ordering U.S. flags to be flown at half-staff for 30 days at federal building and military installations. There are many buildings all over the country that have their flags at half-staff.
A President’s Legacy: Challenges and Triumphs
The most important things I can say about Carter is he was the opposite of Trump, since he was a moral, ethical and truly religious man. He taught Sunday school most of his life, and the respect he has worldwide is the reason that so many people in the world have reached out to the family and sent message to our country about how they lost a “dear friend” when Carter died.
Beyond the White House: Redefining the Role of an Ex-President
Jonathan Alter, who is the MSNBC analyst and the author of “His Best: Jimmy Carter, a Life” writes an article for The Washington Post, December 30, 2024, “Jimmy Carter’s presidency is ripe for a major reappraisal. His time in office is remembered almost exclusively for events that were largely beyond his control.” I appreciate what Alter says about Carter. I was alive during his presidency and know that he was not a “failed president”, and he is considered the greatest ex-president in U.S. History. Alter says, “Carter rejected speaking fees, corporate board memberships and golf in favor of writing 32 books to pay his bills and founding the Carter Center, which has done noble work ‘waging peace, fighting disease, building hope,” as its motto says.
The Moral Compass of a Nation
Here are other facts from this article:
“He was not a weak president. A tough, intense former naval officer beneath the smile, Carter was a political failure but a substantive success.” His presidency is remembered almost exclusively for a series of events that were largely beyond his control: the seizure of 52 American hostages in Iran and the failed rescue missions to free them; the wretched state of the U.S. economy, which resulted largely from disruptions in Middle Eastern oil supplies; and the resumption of the Cold War with the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, which Soviet documents show had nothing to do with Carter’s perceived weakness.”
Carter was known for not handling political challenges well, and Alter describes him as “politically tone-deaf and often ham-handed in his relations with the Democratic establishment. He couldn’t get Ted Kennedy to sign on to his incremental health-care bill—which helped prompt Kennedy to run against him in the 1980 primaries. And he failed to win approval of major welfare, consumer and tax reform bills. But the glass of his presidency was more than half full. In an era when Trump in his first presidency had only two major bills to brag about—criminal-justice reform and the tax cut—it’s easy to forget that Carter and a Democratic Congress put more legislative points on the board than any other postwar president except
Lyndon B. Johnson.” Any list that was provided by media coverage is incomplete since his accomplishment were extensive. Here are some of his legislative achievement, which were “the nation’s first comprehensive energy policy, including the first support for renewable energy sources; the doubling of national park land (mostly through the Alaska lands bill) and a string of bills that strengthened environmental and consumer protection; the first civil-service reform in nearly a century; the first major mental health bill—later defunded by President Ronald Reagon; the creation of two new Cabinet departments, Energy and Education, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA); the deregulation of airline fares, trucking routes, utilities and the price of natural gas; the appointment of five times as many female federal judges as all of Carter’s predecessors combined; and the development of high-tech weaponry (most notably, the B-2 stealth bomber) that helped win the Cold War.”
Here are his international accomplishments by Alter:
“Internationally, Carter was a visionary. His human rights policy, however, inconsistently applied—set a new standard for how governments treat their own people and helped spur a democratic revolution around the world. The ratification of the Panama Canal treaties, against great odds, prevented a major war in Panama” (Trump talks about eliminating this agreement). “Most memorably, Carter wheedled and cajoled his way to a historic deal between Israel and Egypt at Camp David, which has proved to be the most durable peace treaty since World War II.”
“Carter was eventually swamped by events and stomped by Reagon in 1980. But this should not overshadow his achievements. Too often, we remember Carter’s awkward style (such as the cardigan sweater, which was popular at the time) but not his brave decisions (such as the pardoning of draft dodgers, which helped heal the wounds of the Vietnam War).” I greatly appreciate Alter’s contrasting Carter with Reagan. He asks the question, “Who was the ‘better’ president: the one with the vision to put solar panels on the roof of the White House (Carter) or the successor who took them down (Reagon)? Under Reagon, inflation was tamed and the economy revived, assuring his reelection in 1984. But the man who did that was Federal Reserve Chairman Paul
Volcker—appointed by Carter in 1979.” Alter ends this article with this statement: “Jimmy Carter’s willingness to peer over the horizon and be unpopular—his moral standards and sense of decency—make his presidency ripe for a major reappraisal.”
I think The Conversations article, “Jimmy Carter’s Lasting cold War Legacy,” written by Robert C. Donnelly on May 2, 2019, 6:55 am EDT Updated December 29, 2024, 5:31 EST has information that other media do not provide. The summary of Carter’s challenges as president are factually stated and give us a clear picture of Carter’s exceptional talent as a leader.
Here is one example from this article:
“The Carter doctrine. In his 1980 State of the Union address, Carter revealed an aggressive Cold War military plan. He declared a ‘Carter doctrine,’ which said that the Soviets’ attempt to gain control of Afghanistan, and possibly the region, was regarded as a threat to U.S. interests. And Carter was prepared to meet the threat with ‘military force.’
Carter also announced in his speech a five-year spending initiative to modernize and strengthen the military because he recognized the post-Vietnam military cuts weakened the U.S. against the USSR.
Ronald Reagan argued during the 1980 presidential campaign that, “Jimmy Carter risks our national security our credibility and damages American purposes by sending timid and even contradictory signals to the Soviet Union.” Carter’s policy was based on “weakness and illusion” and should be replaced “with one founded on improved military strength,” Reagan criticized.
In 1985, however, President Reagan publicly acknowledged that his predecessor demonstrated great timing in modernizing and strengthening the nation’s forces, which further increased economic and diplomatic pressure on the Soviets.
Reagan admitted that he felt “very bad” for misstating Carter’s policies and record on defense.
Carter is most lauded today for his post-presidency activism, public service and defending human rights. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002 for such efforts.
But that praise leaves out a significant portion of Carter’s presidential accomplishments. His foreign policy, emphasizing human rights, was a key instrument in dismantling the power of the Soviet Union.” The humility of Carter was another characteristic that was shown throughout his life. In The Washington Post article by Mary Jordan and Devin Sullivan on December 31, 2024, entitled “Jimmy Carter made enemies, then peace. Ask Ford, Kennedy, Clinton.” The article details what the issues were between Ford, Kennedy and Clinton and then what Carter did to resolve those difference. I am giving you the Ford example from the article.
“During the bruising 1976 presidential campaign, Jimmy Carter called President Gerald Ford ‘incompetent’ and his policies ‘morally and politically and intellectually bankrupt.’
But after Carter, a Democrat, unseated the Republican incumbent in a close race, he praised Ford in his inaugural address: ‘For myself and for our nation, I want to thank my predecessor for all he has done to heal our land.’ Carter’s gracious words prompted a standing ovation for his recent rival.
The two men worked together on Carter’s transition to power, and began speaking regularly about issues, including reviving the economy and ratifying the Panama Canal treaty. In time, they became exceptionally close friends.
Carter did not make peace with every political opponent, most notably Ronald Reagan, the Republican who defeated him in 1980 and went on to dismantle many Carter policies, including environmental efforts to reduce the nation’s reliance on gas and oil.
But to a degree rarely seen in modern politics, Carter was determined throughout his life to reconcile with many of his political adversaries — not just Ford, for instance, but also Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, his most famous foe, who challenged him for the Democratic presidential nomination in 1980.
Carter was proud of his unlikely friendship with Ford and described it ’as the closest bond between any two former presidents.’
The two former presidents made a pact that the one who lived longer would speak at the other’s funeral, according to Richard Norton Smith, author of a Ford biography. When Ford died in 2006, Carter stood in front of Ford’s flag-draped casket in a Michigan church and talked about what he and his former rival shared in common: They had both served in the Navy, married strong women, raised three sons and a daughter, and were committed to their religious faith and public service. And he quipped, we both enjoyed our unexpected promotion to commander in chief.’
Ford had helped Carter build a relationship with Egyptian President Anwar Sadat. So, after Carte mediated the Camp David peace accords with Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem in 1978, the president made only one call from Marine One during the helicopter ride from Camp David to the White House: He phoned Ford. ‘It was a nod to the credit he was due,’ said Norton Smith.
‘The four of us learned to love each other,’ Carter said at Ford’s funeral, as Betty Ford nodded, and Rosalynn Carter dabbed tears from her eyes.
Reflecting on their friendship, Ron Nessen, Ford’s White House press secretary, said in a 2023 interview: ‘It’s pretty amazing when you consider politics these days. Now there is so muchanger and dislike among politicians. In those days, it was a little nicer.’
Personal Statement and Conclusion:
Personal Statement:
As I anticipate watching the funeral of Former President Jimmy Carter, I am struck by the profound impact of his life and legacy. The forthcoming tributes from leaders around the globe will undoubtedly reflect the immense respect he garnered for his integrity, compassion, and tireless service. Even now, the outpouring of admiration for his contributions underscores how deeply he touched the lives of so many.
Conclusion:
Jimmy Carter’s life is a powerful reminder of what it means to lead with integrity, compassion, and purpose. While his presidency was often criticized, history now reveals a leader who faced extraordinary challenges with resilience and moral clarity. Carter’s post-presidential years showed the world a man committed to service-building homes for the homeless, eradicating disease, and championing peace. In a world often divided, Carter’s life serves as a call to bridge divides, prioritize humanity, and lead with love. His enduring legacy will inspire generations to come, reminding us that a life lived for others is a life well lived.
Podcast 114 references:
- CNN, Monday, December 30, 2024, 5:21 AM about Former President Jimmy Carter dead at 100.
- The Washington Post, Sunday, December 29, 2024, 5:41 PM in the article, “Jimmy Carter, 39th president and Nobel Peace Prize winner, dies at 100.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/obituaries/2024/12/29/jimmy-carter-president-dead
- Jonathan Alter, who is the MSNBC analyst and the author of “His Best: Jimmy Carter, a Life” writes an article for The Washington Post, December 30, 2024, “Jimmy Carter’s presidency is ripe for a major reappraisal. His time in office is remembered almost exclusively for events that were largely beyond his control.”
- The Conversaion article, “Jimmy Carter’s Lasting cold War Legacy,” written by Robert C. Donnelly on May 2, 2019, 6:55 am EDT Updated December 29, 2024, 5:31 EST.
https://coldwarstudies.com/2019/05/02
- In The Washington Post article by Mary Jordan and Devin Sullivan on December 31, 2024, entitled “Jimmy Carter made enemies, then peace.