Jimmy

James Earl Carter, thirty-ninth president of the United States, passed away on December 29th, 2024.  He was one-hundred years old.  Some make it that far prefaced with decades of retirement.  Not Jimmy.  After leaving the Oval Office in 1981, he was more active than ever.  You probably know about his (and his wife Rosalyn's) tireless work for Habitat for Humanity.  There is a wealth of media showing him out there with hammers, far from bastions of bureaucracy, doing the sweat work.

His gift for diplomacy continued following his one and only presidential term.  He was particularly active in Middle East talks.  His POTUS successors sought his advice and assistance.  Even Donald Trump. 

Carter dared to offer his support for Palestine.  Did you ever see Jonathan Demme's excellent 2007 documentary JIMMY CARTER: MAN FROM PLAINS? This will give you a good overview, and of the man himself.

I was always impressed that Jimmy Carter walked the walk when it came to his Christian faith.  He evoked the name of Christ and lived His teachings.  Part of that was a refusal to engage in the usual dealmaking U.S. Presidents do (even Abraham Lincoln).  He found it distasteful, an affront to transparency.  This steadfastness may have cost him a second term.

1977-1981 were rough years for the U.S.  Carter's responses to the sieges in Iran and the energy crisis were not exemplary.  But he did much good, especially in his goodwill missions domestically and abroad.  Enemies could find peace, if only for a moment.

I've always had the greatest respect for Mr. Carter.  I'm afraid there will not be another President like him in my lifetime.  Maybe ever.  

R.I.P.