Jimmy Carter is one of our nation’s greatest ex-presidents. There is no doubt that Carter, the humanitarian, deserves praise and admiration for his work, except for that silly book about the Middle East in 2006, where he pushed the “apartheid” narrative regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The man who botched a rescue operation and humiliated the United States during the Iranian hostage crisis lecturing on world affairs was always amusing. As president, Carter was one of the most incompetent, though Joe Biden might take that title. At 99, however, Carter clings to life, albeit with gusto. Yet, given what his grandchildren have said about his heath, is it safe to say that the former president has died, but no one has told him yet?
Riding on a wave of change from an electorate who wanted to rid itself of the last vestiges of the Nixon presidency in Gerald Ford, who was unfairly maligned for his pardoning of the 37th president, Carter rode his "just a peanut farmer" narrative to the White House in 1976. He then led a disastrous presidency, where the economy was declining, the national mood was abysmal, and we seemed rudderless abroad. The Iranian hostage crisis hobbled the Carter White House, and blaming Americans for the “national malaise” only helped Ronald Reagan boot Carter in a landslide in 1980.
Carter’s post-presidency is the longest in American history, spanning over four decades, and it is the same amount of time that Biden has been incorrect about every significant American foreign policy initiative. His hospice stay has also been a lengthy process for which no member of his family expected. His wife, former First Lady Rose Rosalynn Carter, died last November at 96. If there is one thing to say about the former First Family, it is that they’ve lived full lives. For Mr. Carter, he’s reached an age where he can no longer stay awake (via The Hill):
Jason Carter, 48, told Southern Living his grandfather is not awake every day and his condition varies day by day. Carter’s relatives continue to make frequent trips to see the former president, and Jason recalled a recent visit to Plains in which they watched an Atlanta Braves game and discussed The Carter Center and family.
“I told him, I said: ‘Pawpaw, you know, when people ask me how you’re doing I say, ‘Honestly, I don’t know,’” Jason Carter said. “And he kind of smiled, and he said, ‘I don’t know, myself.’”
“It was pretty sweet,” he added.
The Carter family did not expect a lengthy hospice stay, but “God had other plans,” Jason Carter said.
As Carter’s other relatives said last month, his grandson reiterated there has “really been no change” in the former president’s condition.
At nearly 100, Carter’s life functions are on autopilot, heavily degraded, and have not enough strength to remain alert throughout the day, but constant. That’s amazing. It’s like the film "Grumpier Old Men," where Burgess Meredith’s character wonders if God forgot about him in his elder years. However, the former president appears to be at peace with moving on whenever that day should come.
Politically, I can’t say I, or any Republican, support Carter on anything. On humanitarian work and performing some form of volunteer service for the community, he’s the undisputed ambassador, as he should.
