James Earl "Jimmy" Carter, Jr. (born October 1, 1924) is an American politician who served as the 39th President of the United States (1977–1981) and was the recipient of the 2002 Nobel Peace Prize, the only U.S. President to have received the Prize after leaving office.
...
During Carter's term as President, two new cabinet-level departments were created: the Department of Energy and the Department of Education. He established a national energy policy that included conservation, price control, and new technology. In foreign affairs, Carter pursued the Camp David Accords, the Panama Canal Treaties, the second round of Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT II), and returned the Panama Canal Zone to Panama.
...
After leaving office, Carter and his wife Rosalynn founded the Carter Center in 1982, a nongovernmental, not-for-profit organization that works to advance human rights. He has traveled extensively to conduct peace negotiations, observe elections, and advance disease prevention and eradication in developing nations. Carter is a key figure in the Habitat for Humanity project, and also remains particularly vocal on the Israeli–Palestinian conflict.
Jimmy Carter has been and will remain one of my heroes. While he is vilified by many because of the Iran Hostage situation I look at the other accomplishments, most particularly the Camp David Accords which I followed with interest as I was very interested in Egypt (still am) and appreciate what he was able to do to diffuse and normalize the relations between Egypt and Israel. To see him use his post presidential time to work for good in the world makes him worthy of a Sunday Salute (for my contemporaries who have made a difference and with whom I am glad I share the planet).
Jimmy Carter recently left his church over its treatment of women. He explains it in an essay which you can read here. He concludes:Some of the other things he has said:
The truth is that male religious leaders have had - and still have - an option to interpret holy teachings either to exalt or subjugate women. They have, for their own selfish ends, overwhelmingly chosen the latter. Their continuing choice provides the foundation or justification for much of the pervasive persecution and abuse of women throughout the world. This is in clear violation not just of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights but also the teachings of Jesus Christ, the Apostle Paul, Moses and the prophets, Muhammad, and founders of other great religions - all of whom have called for proper and equitable treatment of all the children of God. It is time we had the courage to challenge these views.
It is difficult for the common good to prevail against the intense concentration of those who have a special interest, especially if the decisions are made behind locked doors.
We cannot be both the world's leading champion of peace and the world's leading supplier of the weapons of war.
Republicans are men of narrow vision, who are afraid of the future.
We must make it clear that a platform of 'I hate gay men and women' is not a way to become president of the United States.
Like music and art, love of nature is a common language that can transcend political or social boundaries.
I have often wanted to drown my troubles, but I can't get my wife to go swimming.
America did not invent human rights. In a very real sense human rights invented America.
We become not a melting pot but a beautiful mosaic. Different people, different beliefs, different yearnings, different hopes, different dreams.
I thought then, and I think now, that the invasion of Iraq was unnecessary and unjust. And I think the premises on which it was launched were false.
I say to you quite frankly that the time for racial discrimination is over.
It is good to realize that if love and peace can prevail on earth, and if we can teach our children to honor nature's gifts, the joys and beauties of the outdoors will be here forever.
The experience of democracy is like the experience of life itself-always changing, infinite in its variety, sometimes turbulent and all the more valuable for having been tested by adversity.
At the Carter Center we work with victims of oppression, and we give support to human rights heroes.
Testing oneself is best when done alone.
Sadat was a great and good man, and his most bitter and dangerous enemies were people who were obsessed with hatred for his peaceful goals.
People make a big fuss over you when you're President. But I'm very serious about doing everything I can to make sure that it doesn't go to my head.
My position has always been, along with many other people, that any differences be resolved in a nonviolent way.
Ellen DeGeneres Edward "Ted" Kennedy Paul Newman
Michelle Obama Audrey Hepburn Princess Diana Harry S Truman
John Shelby Spong Nelson Mandella Rachael Maddow Matt Damon
Jehan Sadat Jane Goodall Mohandas Gandhi
Eleanor Roosevelt Lyndon B. Johnson Michelle Obama
Helen Hayes Marion Wright Edelman Bishop Gene Robinson
Bishop Desmond Tutu Rachel Carson Helen Keller
Martin Luther King, Jr Dalai Lama Dag Hammarskjold
No comments:
Post a Comment