Not a Good President, But a Good MAN
By Four Walls
@FourWalls (86836)
United States
December 26, 2016 11:38am CST
I noticed a blurb on CBS News' web site that said that, as of now, only one former president has confirmed that he will attend President-elect Trump's inauguration on January 20, 2017.
Not Bush Sr. Not Bush Jr.
No, the only former president to confirm his attendance is Jimmy Carter.
Carter was president when I joined the Navy in 1979. While I appreciated his efforts to rescue our hostages in the Iranian embassy (which failed, resulting in the death of eight servicemen), all in all I thought he was a pretty lame president.
But there's one thing that I don't think anyone on this earth can deny: the man lived, and continues to live, his convictions.
That's not that I agree with all of his stances, mind you. But do you know any other former world leader who, at the age of ninety and battling a brain tumor, is out swinging a hammer for Habitat for Humanity because his faith tells him to do so?
So Carter is putting aside his personal opinion of Donald Trump and planning on attending the inauguration because it's the right thing to do. It has nothing to do with his approval or disapproval -- it's just proper etiquette.
Jimmy Carter may not have been a good president, but he certainly is a good man.
And don't you know, someone wrote a song about him?
Gene Marshall cover performed at the Hideout, Chicago, December 21, 2015
6 people like this
5 responses
@JohnRoberts (109841)
• Los Angeles, California
26 Dec 16
While I didn't care for him as President, Carter is as you say sincere in his beliefs and does so much charity wise with a personal touch others do not. He shows class to come to Trump's inauguration. There will now be 5 living former presidents. Carter is attending. Of course the bitter Clintons would refuse. The elder Bush isn't too mobile these days. The younger Bush won't attend out of spite. Obama has to be there and one can only imagine his expression.
1 person likes this
@anniepa (27955)
• United States
6 Jan 17
Gee, I guess you underestimated the bitter and spiteful former Presidents...lol! You were right about Bush 41 which is certainly understandable.
What expression would you WANT President Obama to have? After what Trump put him through for all those years I can't imagine how either he or Michelle can bear being around him.
1 person likes this
@JohnRoberts (109841)
• Los Angeles, California
6 Jan 17
@anniepa The Clintons have now accepted the invite. The decent thing would be for Obama to put on a neutral expression.
2 people like this
@anniepa (27955)
• United States
7 Jan 17
@JohnRoberts I've no doubt our still current President will show the dignity and class he's shown throughout these 8 years but I'm sure it won't be easy. I honestly think it will be harder on Michelle than on him though.
@anniepa (27955)
• United States
6 Jan 17
Yes, Jimmy Carter is a very good man and I always knew that and I'd still think so regardless of whether or not he attended the orange thug's inauguration. As it turns out the only one of the living former Presidents who is not attending is George H. W. Bush, which I sure don't know how anyone could fault him for given his age and recent health concerns. George W. and Laura Bush as well as Bill and Hillary Clinton will also be there.
They're better people than I am because I sure wouldn't be going.
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (86836)
• United States
6 Jan 17
I'll probably be on my way to Chicago for a concert, so that shows you my interest.
1 person likes this
@asfarasiknow (3340)
• Bournemouth, England
29 Dec 16
So often leaders really seem to shine after they have left office.
