Jimmy Carter at age 81 does the work of ten men and ten countries. Consider: he writes books, paints oil paintings and makes furniture. And that's just for starters. He sells the books, paintings and furniture for premium prices and donates all the proceeds to the Carter Center which goes around the world doing good deeds. Yes, Carter is a do-gooder, another word demonized by the Republicans, Rush Limbaugh and their ilk along with "liberal." But these folks are oh so religious. They just don't like do-gooders. Jeez, I thought that was what Christianity was all about. Oh I get it. That was what Jesus was all about. Christianity has had 2000 years to reorient and redirect itself from Jesus' original purpose.
Carter has done a lot of work building houses for poor people with Habitat for Humanity. You see him out there pounding nails. It should come as no surprise that Carter was maligned, derided, mocked and demeaned as President since that is the pattern for Republicans and assorted neo-cons seeking to undermine and weaken talented men trying to benefit the human race as opposed to lining their own pockets. We saw it with Michael Dukakis, Bill Clinton, Al Gore, John Kerry and others as previously blogged herein. The pattern is to demonize and emasculate their opponents - opponents who might interfere with the continuation of their self aggrandizement and pocket-lining.
Carter's main work, however, is traveling the world, overseeing democratic elections in various hitherto undemocratic parts. He has done more to bring democracy to the rest of the world at no expense to American tax-payers than George W Bush, his all powerful military and his unlimited credit card budget. In fact Carter's work in this regard has been so beneficial and so profound, it makes one wonder why his self-appointed task has not been an official branch of government. His results are so manifestly successful; why aren't the governments of the world appointing roving ambassadors to do what Jimmy Carter and the Carter Center does?
In addition to his work promoting democracy in various parts of the world, Carter has been instrumental in alleviating the world's suffering with his work in health care notably fighting the ravages of river blindness.
Carter was finally and much deservedly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his work waging peace and fighting disease and rightfully so. He's a genuine American hero, and, hopefully, his kind will prevail over those who seek to bring democracy to the world by waging war. I pray that he will be around and in good health for many years to come and there will be others, officially appointed or not to carry on his work. Long live Jimmy Carter!
