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Bear Flat Dispatch: The Legacy of Jimmy Carter

Ken Boon

January 8, 2025

 

Jimmy Carter passed away on December 29, 2024, at the age of 100.  Although just a teenager who was not very interested in politics, the 1976 US election of Jimmy Carter as President stands out in my memory probably because my dad was following it closely.  Being the youngest of eight kids, I was often exposed to political discussions and debates at the dinner table, and dad liked the relatively unknown humble peanut farmer from the south. As time moved on, I came to see how my dad’s character and politics were closely aligned with that of Carter, and they also looked very similar in appearance.  

 

President Carter served a single four-year term during a rocky period for the nation, but he proved to be an honest man of integrity who achieved some great things while in office.  Brokering a peace deal between Israel and Egypt was perhaps his greatest accomplishment, and his work to increase environmental safeguards was also noteworthy.  Carter is perhaps the only president who has publicly acknowledged concerns with overconsumption by modern society in our economic model that requires exponential growth.  While his promotion of moderation and conservation probably did little to bolster his political standing at the time, it is evident that history will reflect favorably on his term as President.  

 

After losing the 1980 election to Ronald Reagon, the Carters (Jimmy and Rosalynn) moved on to an incredible life of service to humanity that was perhaps without equal among “retired” politicians.   Many know of their involvement with Habitat for Humanity and the images of him working on homes into his advanced years.  They also established the Carter Center in 1982, and the website gives this short explanation of what they do: 

 

A nongovernmental organization, The Carter Center has helped to improve life for people in more than 80 countries by resolving conflicts; advancing democracy and human rights; preventing diseases; and improving mental health care. https://www.cartercenter.org/

 

Part of that remarkable work was leading an international campaign that has essentially eradicated Guinea worm disease in Africa and Asia.  When they started in 1986, there were an estimated 3.5 million cases in at least 21 countries in Africa and Asia.  Carter had said in later years that he hoped the last Guinea worm would die before he did.  That did not happen, but with only a few cases recorded in both 2023 and 2024, he came very close.  It is a remarkable achievement that likely will be completed soon.

 

I recently went down a Google wormhole of reading a variety of interesting articles about the fascinating life of Jimmy Carter, and I highly recommend doing the same to others. Both as President and as private citizen, his drive to help make the world a better place comes shining through.  

 

Ken Boon

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