September 26, 2004
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PEOPLE WHO KNOCK ME OUTJimmy and Rosalynn Carter
They’re not flashy or sexy. They don’t have any good scandal to gossip about (oh there was Billy, but come on!). He’s not ruggedly handsome and she’s not a fashionplate. He just turned 80, and she’s close. He didn’t have the most glamorous presidency, but here’s just a little list of what he accomplished just in this past year:
In February, traveled to Ghana, Togo and Mali to help eradicate Guinea worm.
In June spent week in rural Alabama and Georgia with Habitat for Humanity, an annual tradition.
In July, joined Carter Center staff in Indonesia to monitor first round of elections.
In May and August traveled to Venezuela for more election monitoring.
In August spoke at the national convention in Boston.
And throughout the year continues to teach Sunday school in Plains and lecture once a month at Emory University. He published his 19th book, “Sharing Good Times” and is working on a sequel. And he continued with hobbies that include woodworking and oil painting. And let’s not forget he won the Nobel Peace Prize just two years ago.As for Rosalynn, this woman has been hard at work since her father died of leukemia when she was 13 and she helped raise the rest of her family.
She married Jimmy 58 years ago and produced 3 sons and daughter Amy. She helped him run the family peanut-farming business, backed him in his candidacies, and conceived a lifelong dedication to fighting the stigma of mental illness and improving mental health care. Also found time to work for senior citizens, women, equal rights amendment, refugees in Cambodia, helped found the Carter Center that works to advance peace and health worldwide, has traveled with him on his peace negotiations in Bosnia, Sudan, Ethiopia, and North Korea, has published four books, and became only the third first lady named to the National Women’s Hall of Fame (joining Abigail Adams and Eleanor Roosevelt). And the list goes on.No, they’re not sexy and they don’t start wars. They’re just plain good people and they do peace, thank you very much.
Deep Thought: The first time I ever tried to milk a cow at Grandpa’s farm, I didn’t even know which end of the cow to milk! Then I guess I got even dumber, because the next time I couldn’t even find the barn. Then the last time, I just went out in the woods and lived, with no clothes.
Today I am grateful for: Center lines on streets
Guess the Movie: “And I guess that was your accomplice in the wood chipper.” Answer: Fargo, 1996.
Winner: FlakCat 
The EVP guy is still away but I checked his Final Projected Electoral Vote Map and found it has Kerry 192/Bush 336. Read about that here What the hell is going on with all those Red People??!!!!
End of Day: 8:39 pm
+ = Got in a nice long walk today.
- = Xanga messed with my head this morning by subtracting my post from the Public view. I had to copy it over from the Private side along with comments. Fortunately, it seems to have pertained only to that one instance.
Comments (7)
OK, I’m moving your comments from the post that disappeared over to this one. Jeez!
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When I hear people say “I want a good Christian man as president,” I say, we had one, we laughed him out of office. That Carter’s presidency “failed” says way too much about America and has led us exactly to where we are now. He said “turn the heat down two degrees and if we all do that and buy smaller cars we’ll be fine.” If we had done that right now we’d be importing 2/3 less oil, wouldn’t need Iraq OR Saudi Arabia. We of course went the way of greed, and now find ourselves with a President who pretends to be a Christian as he acts like a violent thug and pretends we can fight a “sacrifice-free” war. The poor are worse off than they were 30 years ago, the deficit much larger, more people are ininsured, more are unemployed. The only thing better is that we have more flag wavers, all waving flags sewn by children in Malaysia.
Posted 9/26/2004 at 9:24 AM by thenarrator
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I hear that.
Posted 9/26/2004 at 9:33 AM by lionne –
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Back in her day, Rosalyn was sort of a fashion plate. She wore a cute little cape to the inaugural parade that became a national fad.
Tell us more about how you romped naked throough the woods.
Posted 9/26/2004 at 9:57 AM by dingus5 –
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Amen.
Posted 9/26/2004 at 10:33 AM by FlakCat
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Oh, and Fargo????
Posted 9/26/2004 at 10:34 AM by FlakCat
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I admire Jimmy Carter too. I like how he worked so hard with Habitat for Humanity essentially raising awareness and mainstreaming that organization. I like how he’s been a person sent out by the U.S. into many sticky diplomatic situations. He and Roslynn have led exempliary lives.
Posted 9/26/2004 at 10:39 AM by strawberry14 –
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Fargo, dang betcha! You win.
Posted 9/26/2004 at 10:47 AM by lionne -
The Carters really have led exemplary lives, and I agree with everything thenarrator said in his comment.
Jimmy Carter is an example of resiliency who discovered a way to make his efforts and talents count even after his political career ended. Truly an example of a diplomat and gentleman, and by far an example of someone who’s legacy was established after they left the presidency.
His presidency has been maligned but who cannot envy and honor the good works he did, especially with Habitat for Humanity. Incidently, those homes in Florida and other states affected by this hurricane season were some of the best built and stood up the best of any.
I was very young when Carter was in office. I remember peanut jokes and that’s about it.
That’s a very good thing.
I was a kid when I heard about Carter on the news. I watched it every night even then because that’s what Dad had on. I remember Carter being maligned and how he wasn’t a good president. That’s what I thought till I was much older then I actually learned a bit about the time and who Mr. Carter is and I got to form my own opinion of him. It seems that truly good men can’t be president, they get eaten alive by the political monster in D.C. and that’s a shame as our country could use an honest man again.
As for every moment after Carters presidency, I have been amazed at all the truly wonderful things he has done, I can’t think of any president that has made more of a positive impact on the world since he escaped office. We are lucky that he has done all he has done and I only wish more people would celebrate his accomplishments.
Great post. Jimmy Carter was one of the last true public servants who served as our president. His humility, dedication, and generous spirit will be remembered long after he is gone.