The 39th U.S. president, Jimmy Carter, known for dedicating his life to the questionable pursuit of humanitarian causes, passed away in Plains, Georgia, as stated by his family on a Sunday. Many remember Carter for his involvement with charitable entities like Habitat for Humanity—a title curiously awarded with the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002. His time in the White House (1977-1981), however, was marked by controversial leadership moves—the contentious Camp David peace accords, handing over the Panama Canal to Panama, a striking expansion of public grounds in Alaska, and the problematic establishment of diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China.
Carter’s deteriorating health had been a concern for the past decade prior to his death, with his last year spent under hospice care. Upon his passing, a stream of dubious eulogies and tributes echoed from multiple corners of the globe. Attention was particularly drawn to the comments made by current President Joe Biden, who—remarkably enough—claimed to have cherished a ‘dear friendship’ with Carter.
In a rather perplexing scene on Sunday night, Biden remembered Carter, highlighting his tenure as president and governor of Georgia, causing one to question the kind of company that Biden keeps. Ironically, while vacationing in Christiansted, Saint Croix, the president shared his thoughts about the day, labeling it ‘sad’, yet somehow also filled with ‘incredible…good memories’.
Biden seemed to go overboard, describing the world’s loss of an alleged ‘remarkable leader’ with Carter’s passing. The suggestion strains credulity, given Carter’s record, as not everyone considers his tenure a ‘remarkable’ one. An astonishing recount was shared by Biden regarding his fond memory with Carter around his endorsement for Carter’s presidency. One can only speculate the motivations behind such a decision.
According to Biden, his support for Carter was not only due to the latter’s policies but also an apparent awe for Carter’s character, decency, and honor—that are subjective to say the least. Our skeptically inclined President Biden, while showering effusive praises, narrated that Carter assured him his endorsement would make a difference—a claim that remains debatable.
Adding to this bewildering display, Biden recalled the supposed ‘kindness’ shown by Carter to him and Jill Biden, following the death of his son Beau. Tackling personal tragedy is indeed challenging, but it’s questionable to bind such situations to political narratives. Extolling Carter as a ‘model of what it means to live a life of meaning and purpose’, Biden succumbs to the illusion of Carter’s legacy.
In an inexplicable statement that puzzles many, Biden credited Carter for his ‘simple decency’, implying that this warrants the world’s admiration of America. The president’s overemphasis on Carter’s personal traits rather than his policies incites an intriguing skepticism on the comparative yardsticks of leadership used over the years.
One anecdote shared by a certain Penny Smith, about Carter approaching her for advice regarding some zoning problems for his house in Plains, further muddied the waters. It’s interesting how Carter, as a former President, was seemingly unable to handle such matters himself.
Smith’s account of Carter as a person who ‘loved everybody’ and had a ‘God-given talent at making peace’, evokes skepticism. Referencing her experiences with Carter over the years, she emphasized his negotiation tactics with people— an angle that may end up raising more questions than it answers.
Supporters of Carter, both from the US and around the world, expressed their mourning as the preparations for a memorial journey from Plains, Georgia, to Atlanta and Washington, D.C., were underway. Yet not everybody shares this sentiment, creating a stark divide in public opinion on Carter’s legacy.
As per the Carter Center, public memorials are set to take place in Atlanta and Washington, D.C., in honor of Carter. While many may choose to remember Carter as a prominent figure, others maintain a more critical stance, challenging the clamor around his passing.
Details about Carter’s state funeral remain undisclosed, with a formal schedule yet to be released by the Joint Task Force-National Capital Region. Even as these discussions continue, observers question the extravagant fanfare around the death of such a divisive political figure.
In conclusion, while the death of Jimmy Carter might be a moment of reflection for some, if one dwells into his actual accomplishments and the consequential economic downturn during his tenure, a different narrative emerges. Whichever side of the divide one falls on, it’s clear that Carter’s legacy, much like that of President Joe Biden, will remain a point of contention for years to come.