I’m not looking to put him on a mountaintop (or maybe I am), but one of the things that Jimmy had in common with Jesus is that they were both betrayed by those he loved.
By the way, isn’t it cool that we have always been able to call him “Jimmy?” He deserved, in retirement, the title of “President Carter” – but few referred to him as such. I think he was cool with that.
As a state senator, as Georgia’s Governor and as President, Jimmy was a steady advocate for civil rights and a foe of poverty.
During an epic inaugural address for the governorship, he said, “No poor, rural, weak, or black person should ever have to bear the additional burden of being deprived of the opportunity of an education, a job, or simple justice.”
He often resisted being photographed before the Confederate flags common in his home state of Georgia. Jimmy was the first president to receive a LGBTQ delegation at the White House, and later stated his support for marriage equality.
The navy hero was a brave man with stones so big, he probably wore a harness of some sort.
Jimmy wasn’t one of those prosperity gospel jackasses, or a kooky-creepy fundamentalist. He was simply a Christian man, a flawed man who sought to better both himself and the world.
As a private citizen, Jimmy Carter’s faith conflicted with the most obvious of controversies – but even then, the former leader who never publicly opposed Roe v. Wade maintained compassion and common sense.
He once told the New York Times, “I have never believed that Jesus would be in favor of abortion, unless it was the result of rape or incest, or the mother’s life was in danger. That’s been the only conflict I’ve had in my career between political duties and Christian faith.”
I don’t think anyone can fault him for this private belief.
Jimmy had the support of the Allman Brothers, the Doobie Brothers, all sorts of brothers and sisters from coast to coast – but ultimately, it wasn’t enough. Money – or the promise of money – is so persuasive.
His political will was exerted 45-60 years ago, championing the common man (and very much so, women) as an elected official. Decency, justice, fairness; peace through dialogue instead of military might. Speaking, at the podium and in meetings, like a grown-ass, intelligent, compassionate man of integrity. Like he was qualified for the the most powerful job in the world.
Lookit the shitshow we have now; the bar has been lowered so much, it’s subterranean. The world may indeed be an overall better place in 2025, because of people like Jimmy… but America has always been in a class by itself. Today, that class is riding the world’s short bus (or a prison bus, if you prefer) – not by mandate or necessity, but by choice. And there’s no Jimmy Carter, anymore, to re-fight battles that we once assumed had been won.
