I've been listening to the radio today; hearing people talk about him. As very vocal evangelical he could have been the person so many here, including myself, have portrayed as ignorant and hateful. Instead, I don't recall him ever condemning anyone's actions, just putting his hand to helping where he could. I think that in a world filled with men like that I would never have found a reason to leave the church. He didn't just mouth his creed, he lived it.
Jimmy Carter
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I'm not a Christian...
but Jimmy Carter, to me, exemplified what being a Christian should be like. He devoted his life, along with Rosalynn, to making the world a better place. He really deserved the Nobel Peace Prize he was awarded. The world is a little darker now.
We lost a good man.
Just as one example, in an interview he gave to the Huffington Post some years ago when we were still debating the idea of same-sex marriage, he was quoted as saying,
He took his faith very seriously and so was able to see Christian Phariseeism for the humbug it is.
— Emma
Agree
Carter, to me, began his real work post-presidency. He was a mediocre president at best in most ways, but after that, he's an example I wish more would live by. Obama was just as young when he left; I have yet to see him do many things like Habitat for Humanity and get dirty doing that - he just kind of walked away and pops up for politics. George W Bush? He definitely disappeared - which, given controversies, probably makes sense. Clinton might have done a few things, but nothing hands-on like Carter. Would we see Trump do this stuff? We didn't for the past four years, for sure. Biden might be the kind to think about it, but I don't think he has many years left in the tank. He definitely won't be vying for the oldest living title. All of the 'so-called Christian' presidents out there, none of them lived a life that exemplified Christianity - but Carter did. I have an immense level of respect for him in that regard.
I hope he finds peace now.
Jimmy Carter was President when I took my oath…….
As an Officer and a Gentleman in 1978. I remember what a big deal it was to some of my fellow Midshipmen when we were sworn into the Reserve Officer Training Corp that fall, to have a former Naval officer as President - especially to one of my best friends who was planning on joining the submarine service. He did in fact become a bubblehead, and we kind of drifted apart over the years as I went into surface combat, and then eventually ANGLICO.
I also remember the disappointment many of my fellow officers had with him later in his term, and their joy at having Ronald Reagan elected in 1980. Personally, I fell somewhere in the middle of the road, finding policies from both men to be both agreeable to me - and disagreeable in some instances.
But I will say that Jimmy Carter had a much more lasting effect on me than Reagan did. Yes, Reagan did have a huge impact on my military career - as did both Bush Sr. and Bush Jr., but Carter had a much bigger impact on my life as a whole. His strong commitment to honesty and his way of living his ideals, especially after leaving office, have always been a good example to live by - and as such he has had an outsized effect on my life.
When I look at politics in general, but especially in this country over the past decade, I cannot help but think that a man of the caliber of Jimmy Carter is sorely needed. But perhaps he was truly too good of a man for our system - and just what does that say about us as a country?
D. Eden
Dum Vivimus, Vivamus
Young Jimmy Carter and the Chalk River Meltdown
Pretty heroic stuff from a young naval officer:
https://www.fox5atlanta.com/news/jimmy-carter-nuclear-meltdo...
What impressed me here wasn't just his ability to plan and execute, but also that he didn't spare himself from the same exposure to radiation as the men under his command.
- iolanthe