The Passing of an American Patriot: Jimmy Carter 1924 – 2024

Copyright by James Carlson

President Jimmy Carter (1977-1981)

I watched the "What's My Line?," television show (recorded on December 13, 1973) that was broadcast in 1974. Jimmy Carter was on that show but was not very well known then, even though he was the Governor of Georgia. His appearance on the show was the beginning of his national campaign for the Presidency in 1976, which was in the wake of the Watergate scandal. I was not old enough to vote for him but I would have. His legacy extends beyond his time served as America’s 39th President as he was a very intelligent and godly Christian man, a sincere Liberal in every sense of the word, and a Patriot who served his nation in the Navy and beyond. His legacy will not be forgotten.

When I was old enough to vote in 1980, I did vote and I voted for him. My parents were both Democrats and as I admired my dad, Mr. Carlson, he was one year older than Mr. Carter and my dad was once a cotton farmer where Mr. Carter was a peanut farmer; they were very much alike in many ways. Following the scandals of the Nixon Watergate investigations, many people lost respect for the Nixon Presidency and Mr. Carter offered hope to people for someone who could be trusted in the White House. I was never disappointed.

As I voted for Mr. Carter in 1980, I became a born again Christian in 1982. I began to study the Bible and ideas of classical conservatism. I became a Reagan Democrat in 1984, when I vote for Ronald Reagan and have been a Christian Conservative ever since. Later serving in my local GOP headquarters, I became a student of the Reagan Coalition. There are many lessons that the new Trump administration can learn from the Reagan legacy. Lessons I hope to share from time to time.

Jimmy Carter was formerly a naval nuclear engineer working on nuclear submarines. He was highly intelligent and served his country with honor. He was also deeply committed to Christ Jesus and taught Sunday School regularly for decades. His personal charity (after leaving the Oval Office) was with groups like the Habitat for Humanities where he gave his personal time and effort in building homes for people in need. His charity wasn’t the typical tax and spend liberalism where people in Washington seek to take money from some and give it to others (false generosity or false liberalism). Mr. Carter gave of himself to meet the needs of others. He served God with the Gospel of Jesus Christ and selfless charity.

Sadly, I’ve witnessed the tone and demeanor of Mr. Carter over the past few years devolve from calm, cool, and collected to angry, disturbed, and belligerent. He once had the foundation as a Spirit led Christian to provide for a Peace Treaty between Egypt and Israel. I can only conclude that Mr. Carter was a victim of the liberal media who regularly pumped fake news and mean spirited hate of Mr. Trump and conservatives alike. The violence of the liberal media against anyone opposing their viewpoint can change the demeanor of the best of us. Still, I have never lost my admiration and respect for Jimmy Carter.

If there is anything that Mr. Trump can learn from this great man it would be to temper his speech, seek the high moral ground, provide a foundation for peace from the Spirit of Peace, and as a Patriot, serve our nation with honor. There are many things apart from public policy to admire about this man. My deepest sympathy for those who grieve at his loss; I too grieve. Truly, he was an American Patriot!!!