Thank you! This is one of the greatest men to be President ever in the History of America. (4.00 / 4)

A man of singular honour. Singular commitment. He lives his principles and seems delighted in his ability to do so. I have rarely seen President Carter when he wasn't smiling, beaming. He goes where the courage of others fails them. He has the  courage of fierce attachment to the truths of his life.

That his truths include respect for the equality of women, respect for the peoples oppressed in Palestine, respect for human dignity or the need for people to be treated as if they mattered, not in ceremony, but in fact. He doesnt make speeches about housing, but builds them. He doesnt cal;l for peace but risks everything to enter dangerous areas to build it.

His work with both the PA, Fatah and Hamas and all Palestinian people is a truth he must witness. He loves Israel and works to protect it. Despite their leaders. He loves the Palestinian people and works for their freedom their peace and dignity too.  And yes despite the leaders of the Palestinians.

That hie understanding of his religion forces him to leave his church brings me such pride, makes feel like I'm not working hard enough, that I am not brining my principles to the fore enough.

I am inspired.

My respects Mr. President. There are not many like you.

Oh that more would rise up now and stand with you.

Congratulations.

I stand with President Carter.

Change
"We must break up the banks and never again let them get so big that they distort our politics and take down the economy.

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by: HousesofProgress @ Mon Jul 20, 2009 at 18:07:40 PM CDT

Well said (4.00 / 2)

carter is what a human being is supposed to be

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by: The Big Hurt @ Mon Jul 20, 2009 at 18:19:13 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Speech Was Popular (4.00 / 3)

I've read several times recently that the "Malaise" speech was actually popular at the time, or at least was appreciated.  Carter's big drop in approval ratings came when he cleared out his Cabinet, not the speech.

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by: Mark Matson @ Mon Jul 20, 2009 at 18:10:40 PM CDT

Yep (4.00 / 1)

Apparently polled quite well...public response was indeed positive...that is until the spin demons worked their black magic...firing his entire Cabinet a week later might have been a problem too.

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by: lorij @ Mon Jul 20, 2009 at 18:25:27 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

I would also like to say that story is essentially not in the media. (4.00 / 1)

It may be in the media eventually but if you search google for it, you will find few mentions and no mentiuons in major news sources. The Guardian in Britain is the largest publication. Send this to everyone you know.

Change
"We must break up the banks and never again let them get so big that they distort our politics and take down the economy.

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by: HousesofProgress @ Mon Jul 20, 2009 at 18:12:58 PM CDT

Get real HoP, this story is nine years old. (0.00 / 0)

What are you trying to pull HoP? The internet could give you a step up in research buddy.

Change
"We must break up the banks and never again let them get so big that they distort our politics and take down the economy.

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by: HousesofProgress @ Tue Jul 21, 2009 at 07:28:49 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

Spare Me the Laudatory Comments For This Speech. (0.00 / 0)

It caused me and my associates in the environmental community a lot of grief.  Note Carter's mention of oil shale as a preferred fuel for America.  This is one of the dirtiest fuels imaginable - the feds were in essence calling for northwest Colorado to become a National Sacrifice Area, because that is what it would have become if Carter had had his way with the commercialization of oil shale.  I wrote an OpEd at the time for Cervi's Rocky Mountain Business Journal calling this Carter's snake oil speech - "Step this way for a dose of what will cure you of your malaise - shale oil!"  Bad factually, morally, and politically.

Carter also was myopic when it came to 3rd parties.  I saw a private letter which he wrote, as a member of the 'Commission on Presidential Debates', in response to a fellow Green asking for Nader to be included in the national Presidential debates.  He was brusque, and partisan, and not at all the statesman.  More like a party hack defending the duopoly's prerogatives.

There were things I admired and liked about Carter, but let's not get all starry-eyed about his saintliness and infallibility.

Decarbonize, Deglobalize, Demilitarize

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by: Brad Klafehn @ Mon Jul 20, 2009 at 22:21:10 PM CDT

I thought he quit (0.00 / 0)

the Southern Baptist Convention a long time ago. Is this a new development?

Join the Iowa progressive community at Bleeding Heartland.

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by: desmoinesdem @ Mon Jul 20, 2009 at 22:53:36 PM CDT

Yes, our support is correct, our timing is off. (0.00 / 0)

In 2000, Carter severed ties with the Southern Baptist Convention, saying the group's doctrines did not align with his Christian beliefs.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J...

I can't pretend that I didn't see this as a new development in President Carter's growth, and continuing degradation of some Christian churches. But while my timing is off, even after reading Carter's article about the Elders and women's equality, I am glad I got to recognize again, and more completely, how a good heart acts.

Change
"We must break up the banks and never again let them get so big that they distort our politics and take down the economy.

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by: HousesofProgress @ Tue Jul 21, 2009 at 07:27:16 AM CDT

[ Parent ]