By Carol Lucas
As I was watching coverage of President Jimmy Carter’s funeral, a series of pictures flashed on the screen, and one took me by surprise; in fact I was momentarily shocked till I looked closer. President Carter was shown wearing a bright red cap, leaning over a work bench with hammer and nail in hand.
For one moment, all I could think was “MAGA” hat, although the rational part of my brain knew otherwise. Indeed, the logo on the hat was that of Habitat for Humanity, and the picture was used in reference to Carter’s devotion to this organization.
This brief flash was a reminder that the contrast between Carter and the perpetrator of the now infamous “red hat” is so stark that one can only stand in amazement.
From the time the 39th president was elected until he failed to be reelected in 1980, I insisted he was too moral to be in politics. And Washington made it apparent that they didn’t find his Plains, Ga., way of thinking to be a positive change from business as usual.
Despite the fact that Carter came in after having served as Governor of his state, the Washington “elite” of both parties were somehow horrified that a peanut farmer occupied the White House.
In 1976, Carter promised voters that he would bring change to Washington, and as soon as he arrived, it was clear he intended to do so. Instead of glad-handing and boozing with members of Congress, he immediately sold off the presidential yacht, Sequoia, to save the taxpayers money. There was never any questioning as to where that money was spent, nor do I recall his standing where the Sequoia was docked, selling small gold replicas of that yacht … but I digress.
The fact that the Trumps opted to attend the Carter funeral was cause for questioning on the part of some, myself included. Why would a man who spoke nothing but ill of the deceased, show up at his funeral? In 2019, Trump tossed out about Carter, “Nice man, terrible President.”
Later Trump stated Carter was the worst President in history, but then added that the 39th president had to be “a very happy man since his presidency was great compared to that of President Biden.”
Well, Donald, just as an aside, I would like to suggest that you attained half of your 2019 statement. As to why you attended the service, dedicated to a man for whom you showed such little respect, remains open to conjecture. Photo op, perhaps?
And while I am drawing comparisons, I can remember how everyone made fun of Carter’s comment that he had “lusted in his heart.” Imagine, if you can, that coming from Trump who’s now a convicted felon in the hush money trial regarding a porn star.
It’s worth noting that Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter were married for 77 years, the longest married couple in presidential history, until her death in November of 2023. The marital history of Donald Trump, not to mention his “lusting,” can be assessed by you, dear reader.
There is a level of sadness that Carter’s accomplishments during his only term in office failed to be recognized until his death. Yes, written word regarding his philanthropy after he left office was plentiful as were those works in which he so vigorously engaged, but consider the following.
Jimmy Carter created a national energy policy that included conservation, price control, and new technology. He also successfully pursued the Camp David Accords which were a framework for peace in the Middle East, negotiated between Egyptian President Anwar Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister, Menachem Begin. The agreements were signed on Sept. 17, 1978, at Camp David, the presidential retreat in Maryland.
The creation of FEMA was also Carter’s to claim. Furthermore, he negotiated the Panama Canal Treaties and the second round of Strategic Arms Limitations Talks.
I’m sorry, but a partially completed wall that Mexico didn’t pay for doesn’t make the list.
Of course the most recent and more familiar pictures of Jimmy Carter are those where he is working on houses for Habitat for Humanity, this when he was in his early 90s. Just as an aside, there are no pictures of or Jimmy’s throwing rolls of paper towels. Nor did we ever see Rosalynn wearing clothing touting, “I don’t care!”
Again, I digress, but that’s what this column is about … contrast!
To conclude, the nation watched as many in government, present and past, gathered to pay their respects to a man of character. Family members as well as sons of political rivals, now deceased, paid homage.
The ceremony was one of well-deserved pomp and circumstance. It should be noted that a major part of that ceremonial tribute included the President’s casket being brought from the Capitol Rotunda to the National Cathedral by men of the armed forces, none of whom would ever be called suckers and losers.
Nor were you, President Carter. You were luminescent in the political dark, despite the efforts of those who battled you. Indeed you were a man for all seasons. Rest in peace.
Carol Lucas is a retired high school teacher and a Lady’s Island resident. She is the author of the recently published “A Breath Away: One Woman’s Journey Through Widowhood.”
