This piece originally appeared in The New York Times. I saw Rosalynn Carter angry only twice. Both occasions involved Ronald Reagan, who had crushed Jimmy Carter in the 1980 election, and both reflected her passion and decency. The first concerned a free public swimming pool in the Carters’ hometown, Plains, Ga., that they
Thank you, Jonathan. Beautifully put, as always. Thanks especially for Jimmy's poetry and letter excerpt, which say so much about both of them. Rosalynn and Jimmy were, truly, an exceptional couple of humans. It seems that, apart, they were each exceptional but, together, they became an unsinkable force for good in this world. Although Jimmy's time in the oval office was brief, his life - their life - before and, particularly, after - is a saga worth retelling often. And when I say "saga," I mean it in the original sense of the word - the story of great heroes. God speed, Rosalynn.
I hate religion and yet think Jimmy Carter was one of our best Presidents. He and his wife just had great character. Practically no one else qualifies so reading about them only makes me realize why religion exists in the first place.
Agreed. I did not vote for Carter (nor Ford) in 1976, but I came to realize that Carter's evangelical "religiosity" was sincere, so I proudly supported him for re-election in 1980 despite the poor performance of most of his "gang" during the previous 4 years. Ray-Gun was a cunning sham and did not fail to live down to my expectations. It's been a very short, sad trip from Ray-Gun to Trump since. Neither was anywhere close to being a principled conservative like Barry Goldwater. Goldwater and I were both "wrong" about certain things back then, but he was never a bigot like the hyper-religious, so-called "conservatives" of today.
I am reasonably certain that "Brzknbrzinski" (Carter's "Kissinger") was the author of the incursion for the mujahedin and, indeed, that did lead to all of those horrible things that later occurred. But, who were the gibbering "Einsteins" in the military & govt. who all signed on, OK'd it, and who told Carter it was the "right" thing to do? How many Re-Pubes PUBLICLY raised objections back then? I don't remember any.
Just more "Cold War" BS!
And, Nancy Pelosi was one of the BEST House Speakers we've ever had!
Beautifully told, Jon. Thank you.
Wonderful piece on an amazing light in our political world. So many things to model for those who wish to follow in her footsteps.
Thank-you. This is a beautiful tribute and inspiring as a wife, partner and aspiring do-gooder! Happy Thanksgiving- R.
A fine piece, Jon. Just what we needed to read. Needa link to Threads, not the dread…
Rosalynn's exemplary life refutes the timeworn chestnut "only the good die young".
I can't really think of any demerits to her record. She seemed to be a benevolent force.
However, to me Eleanor Roosevelt tops them all. She is second to none:
Inviting Marian Anderson to sing at the Lincoln Memorial when the DAR turned her down
Resolutely standing against Fascism when so many "America Firsters" were in love with Father Coughlin
Going into the Mines and saying, "I am my husband's legs."
Stranding solidly for the Jews as Hitler's murderous infernos rages accross Europe
Going down South to fight for civil rights and even takng a gun with her becasue of threats against her life.
Thank you so much for this beautiful piece Jonathan ❣️
Thank you, Jonathan. Beautifully put, as always. Thanks especially for Jimmy's poetry and letter excerpt, which say so much about both of them. Rosalynn and Jimmy were, truly, an exceptional couple of humans. It seems that, apart, they were each exceptional but, together, they became an unsinkable force for good in this world. Although Jimmy's time in the oval office was brief, his life - their life - before and, particularly, after - is a saga worth retelling often. And when I say "saga," I mean it in the original sense of the word - the story of great heroes. God speed, Rosalynn.
she was just amazing, and this captured her so well. thank you for writing this
Wonderful, thoughtful piece.
Thank you for this. Elegant. Pertinent.
Thank you for that thoughtful piece about Rosalynn Carter. It's nice to read about a First Lady with her positive characteristics.
I hate religion and yet think Jimmy Carter was one of our best Presidents. He and his wife just had great character. Practically no one else qualifies so reading about them only makes me realize why religion exists in the first place.
Agreed. I did not vote for Carter (nor Ford) in 1976, but I came to realize that Carter's evangelical "religiosity" was sincere, so I proudly supported him for re-election in 1980 despite the poor performance of most of his "gang" during the previous 4 years. Ray-Gun was a cunning sham and did not fail to live down to my expectations. It's been a very short, sad trip from Ray-Gun to Trump since. Neither was anywhere close to being a principled conservative like Barry Goldwater. Goldwater and I were both "wrong" about certain things back then, but he was never a bigot like the hyper-religious, so-called "conservatives" of today.
I am reasonably certain that "Brzknbrzinski" (Carter's "Kissinger") was the author of the incursion for the mujahedin and, indeed, that did lead to all of those horrible things that later occurred. But, who were the gibbering "Einsteins" in the military & govt. who all signed on, OK'd it, and who told Carter it was the "right" thing to do? How many Re-Pubes PUBLICLY raised objections back then? I don't remember any.
Just more "Cold War" BS!
And, Nancy Pelosi was one of the BEST House Speakers we've ever had!