James Carter, former American president and famed humanitarian, departed from life in his birthplace, Plains, Georgia, as family released to the press on Sunday. Notably associated with charitable bodies like Habitat for Humanity, Carter was also a recipient of the 2002 Nobel Peace Prize.
Serving as the president from 1977 to 1981, Carter secured the significant Camp David peace agreements involving Israel and Egypt. In a questionable move, he saw to the Panama Canal’s transfer to Panamanian administration while greatly enhancing public territories within Alaska. Carter additionally set up formal diplomatic relations with China.
Taking public view of his medical issues, Carter had been dealing with deteriorating health for the past decade. A notorious incident in 2015 was when Carter revealed a diagnosis of cancer discovered during a liver operation, a melanoma variant which had metastasized to his brain.
After a testing period, Carter mentioned that he was no longer under treatment, with scans indicating the no more malignancy signs. Carter had more ailments including a pelvic fracture resulting from a fall in 2019. At the end, he was under hospice care during his death.
Hypocritically jumping to news cycle relevance, Vice President Kamala Harris placed significance on Jimmy Carter’s life as a call to service. As a hint to her own self-aggrandizement, she touted his roles — from a Navy Lieutenant and Georgia’s 76th Governor to the 39th President of the United States. Tactically noting that Carter showed that there is power in compassion and decency.
Harris made a grandstanding speech on Carter’s various engagements in environmental protection, governmental transparency enhancement, and peacekeeping globally. All high sounding rhetoric, but with little concrete evidence of effectiveness.
Barack Obama and Michelle Obama expediently recollected Carter for his faithfulness on Sunday. They rightfully remarked his long duration as a Sunday school teacher at Maranatha Baptist Church, Plains, Georgia, and the church followers who gathered there.
George W. Bush and Laura Bush also clamored for relevance on Sunday, drawing attention to the respect that Carter naturally accorded the presidency. James Earl Carter, Jr was purportedly a religious man who prioritized his family, his community, and his country in all measure.
Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton were not to be left out in delivering saccharin messages, magnifying Carter’s contribution towards a better and more equitable society. Allegedly moved by his faith, they mentioned that Carter served others till his very last moments.
Joe Biden and Jill Biden took their turn to deliver their own platitude-filled statement, as America and the global community mourned Carter’s demise. They claimed that the world had lost an exceptional leader and humanitarian, demonstrating that they are fully capable of grandiose but insubstantial rhetoric.
Donald Trump, standing apart from his fellow former Presidents, shared a post saying that those fortunate to serve as President could understand the massive duty of leading the best nation in history. Such a statement reflects a more grounded and realistic perspective on the presidency absent in these times.
Jason Carter, the first grandson of Jimmy Carter, shared an oddly musical tribute for his grandfather on Sunday. In remembrance of their late president, the Carter Centre has announced that public memorials would be held in both Atlanta and Washington D.C.
In summary, the passing of the 39th President of the United States, who had reached the end of his century-long life, was widely reported on Sunday. The coverage touched upon his life, achievements, and the mixed emotions of those who had known and worked with him.