Photo courtesy of The Elders Flickr page - Jimmy Carter with his grandsons: https://www.flickr.com/photos/theelders/4150589762/in/photolist-7jLRJs-oX1WF-8koe83-5nHBsM-89DrRy-8DS6AK-5SZq78-b5qaeT-7jGYfV-7jLSu1-7jGYpF-8kk2wv-8koe5L-8kk2wP-MZxpG-eeoHpb-eei15r-uGsA6S-4JwjNp-kz42WV-pJnffg-5FbFTp-2XAg8e-eE1frf-5QDy4K-uiktS-o31Sc1-rEGZZ7-uiktW-g6cCBD-5T55Ls-5SZq5H-5FbwDz-j9wBgW-uiktQ-5FbwGD-uiiAt-uiiAp-uiktT-4PnZXt-39afGA-dVku6U-5FbG62-RqGKa-dVhyFC-dVhyGL-eeoPbb-qXcAAB-mV9YNZ-mVq3Bk
Days ago, Jimmy Carter became the oldest living ex-president in American history, at the age of 94 years and 172 days old. He passed former President George H.W. Bush, who had previously held the record.
Deanna Congileo, a spokeswoman for the Carter Center, told CNN:
"He and Mrs. Carter take walks, and they have followed a healthy diet for a lifetime."
"Both President and Mrs. Carter are both determined to use their influence for as long as they can to make the world a better place, and millions of the world's poorest people are grateful for their resolve and heart."
The Carter Center itself released a statement:
"But we at The Carter Center sure are rooting for him and grateful for his long life of service that has benefited millions of the world's poorest people."
Indeed, Carter has truly been an inspiration. His sacrifices and examples have helped millions of people, becoming probably the most exemplary American of our modern times. This is a man who consistently remained principled, who worked hard to promote peace and fair elections and better, more sanitary conditions in literally almost every corner of the world. This is also a man who exuded success on every level in his personal life, and who does not get enough credit for what he managed during his presidency. Think about it: he was the only American president in modern times not to have been fighting a war somewhere in the world during his eight years. He achieved the first major Middle East peace breakthrough, something that was progressing for a while, especially with another major breakthrough under Clinton, but which seems to have been completely abandoned since. He orchestrated Panama regaining their Canal. And he fought for a better future for the country beyond the 1980 election, arguing that the United States needed to establish energy independence, something that has become crystal clear in the decades since, but which Americans chose to reject at the time. He also gave a major speech about the moral crisis (known as the "Malaise Speech"), and which it also has become clear in the decades since that he was spot on with. Again, though, Americans rejected him. When some Americans, especially conservatives, quickly try to reduce the Carter years as some kind of a failure, I think it should be pointed out that it might be a valid argument to suggest that Americans failed the visionary Carter, more than Carter failed the Americans who put him in the position to be their leader. They did not want to hear about limitations or even small sacrifices. This has assured that we are in a position, decades later, where we have sacrificed our good name and reputation, and have the most mediocre leadership imaginable right now.
We could use someone like Jimmy Carter again!
I, for one, feel that this is a man we can all be undeniably, unconditionally proud of! He told it like he saw it when he was President of the United States, and many - including but not limited to Israelis - viewed him as a true hero! Since leaving the White House, he has authored dozens of books, which have provided considerable wisdom and insight that Americans, and the rest of the world, can benefit from. And even more impressive, he has involved himself tirelessly in helping people out the world over. He famously spends vacations helping to build houses for poorer families, and has gone to remote regions of the world to help better living conditions, provide education, oversee fairer elections, and to negotiate for peace, sometimes placing himself in dangerous areas and situations along the way.
Carter is a true American hero, and offers the world the best of what Americans represent and offer, as opposed to the man who currently sits in the Oval Office.
The world needs more people like Jimmy Carter!
All quotes used above were taken from the following article (see link below):
Jimmy Carter just became the oldest living former president ever by Jodi Upchurch and Saeed Ahmed, CNN, March 22, 2019:
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