Jimmy Carter found himself in the White House as President following a tumultuous period of Watergate and international challenges. Although, he was not affiliated with my particular political party, he accomplished much I admired. His efforts in Human Rights, Middle East Peacemaking, work as a Washington DC outsider, non-political orientation as President, and as a challenger to the Soviet Union, earned my deep respect.
In 1995 he published a book of poetry titled Always a Reckoning. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and as I often do, sent him a letter of praise, not expecting a reply. I also mention my intention to visit Plains, Georgia.
His surprising reply to me (attached), thanked me for my letter and said he looked forward to seeing me in Plaines. The letter was also initialed by his wife Roselyn.
Happy 99th Birthday, Jimmy!
Hi Jim, I am in good shape with Susanne’s help. i’m in good health physically but I have been diagnosed with Primary Progressive Aphasia and Alzheimers disease. We are still in Redlands and have a great church and wonderful friends. And our kids keep in touch. Hope and yours doing well.
Blessings,
Bill
Jimmy Carter,…perhaps we need him now ! A Good Man.
(I’d love to read your poetry !)
Mr. Carter was and is a great man. His flaws, if they can be called that, came from his attepting to live his Christian faith in all that he did and said. Hardly a racist, he stood up for civil rights long before it was popular in south Georgia and as governor did much to end embedded racism in state institutioins (law enforcement, administration, etc.). We lived in Atlanta in these years and watched as he took on bigotted folks like Lester Maddox. Persons who blame him for inflation must live on a different planet — interest rates before his election were astonishingly high. (Interest on our first home in Atlanta, 1971, five years before his election, were over 16%!) Perhaps his most important contribution was an emphasis on human rights around the world and the resultant commitment to honest electoral processes. As a southerner he faced bigotry by norther elites who looked down on and ridicuoled him. Didn’t agree with other efforts — he pushed too fast on some things — still I have always been deeply appreciative of a leader who read and understood the Christian ethical life.
Wow, neat story! But the question remains: did you ever get to visit Plains?
He may be a nice man but was a terrible president. Interest rates were 12%; He fired most FBI members who had ethnic names. Racist???
I believe he and his wife did more good outside Washington, and I thank them for what they did for so many years.