Maybe What We Don’t Need is a POLITICIAN in the White House. On morning television a while back there was a segment that reported on a past president who continues to be a leader in this country and the world in a very unpolitical way. An interview conducted by Chris Cuomo on Good Morning America profiled, Jimmy Carter, the 39th President of the United States. He was hawking his latest book, and talking about his works of service since he left the office over 25 years ago.
This amazing man has dedicated his life to making a difference. Not a politician, as much as a statesman, Carter has worked tirelessly to help the poor, broker deals to manage peace in troubled countries, promote racial equality, and work on solutions for our complex environmental issues. A small part he was given a Nobel Peace Prize in 2002. He was asked if he would have altered his decision- not to invade Iran during the hostage crisis that dominated his last year or more in his presidency, which probably caused him his re-election.
Carter agreed his negotiations for the 52 Americans in a diplomatic dialogue versus militarily probably did cause him an early retirement, but he believed he did the right thing. Noting that he continued the process after his political defeat with all 52 people being released on his last day of office, they were all alive without having to take any innocent lives in the process. It was not a popular strategy at the time, but he stands behind it.
Apparently, it was the right resolution for the situation in retrospect. If you have lived long enough to remember when Jimmy Carter became President and the subsequent jabs at his moral character (his lust in his heart comment) or strength and lack of it when dealing with the Middle East conflicts (yes, it was an issue back then too-only the players slightly change), you have seen one administration after another fumble with any one the same circumstances that Carter did. Yet, not one of them has done better at it. Carter appears to be a good man, maybe not a good politician. Being a little too honest, a little more independent, and maybe just a bit more intelligent than some of his predecessors or successors, he has become the very model of what a true statesman seems to be. His lack of support from fellow Democrats over the years is still a bone of contention with him and he noted that in his interview.
According to Merriam-Webster, a statesman is a wise and skilled person involved in fixing the policies and conducting the affairs of government. A politician is just an individual engaged in government and politics. A very essential difference, don’t you think? Carter’s credentials speak for themselves. Maybe, just may be during the next election we should step back, peruse the candidates, and research just who is running for the highest office in the land. Is it for the power it affords, the prize itself, or is the ultimate candidate from either party bringing some real ammunition for making this country the best it can be?
Jimmy Carter was also congratulated on having been married for 61 years. Jokingly Carter added that it has been happily to the same woman. Diplomacy definitely remains one of his strong suits.
Until next time...
