I saw this reimagined American flag in the New York Times shortly after the presidential election, it’s accurate of course but frightening as well. I’m still in a state of shock that so many would vote a convicted felon with the moral compass of black mold back into the White House. All of his poison and “lazy lies” didn’t hinder his path there at all.
“Truth, justice and the American Way” no longer belong in the same phrase of words.
I’ve shared it here before, but my first presidential vote was for Jimmy Carter’s second term. I’m not as old as many of my friends at the senior center (or ones I know in the blogverse), but Carter still feels like a century ago. To be honest, I had no plans to even vote back then; but in the summer of 1980, I was 18 and required to register for Selective Service. All young men born after Jan 1, 1960 had to.
When I went to the Post Office to register, I was asked if I wanted to register to vote as well and that surprised me. Was I really old enough to vote? When I was asked what party I said Democrat without giving it a second’s thought.
I can still remember my older brother Duke having a good laugh at the possibility of me getting drafted should they reinstate that (he was born in ‘59 and exempt) but when I told him I was looking forward to voting for Carter in November, he had a fit and told me to grow up.
Republican through and through, I wonder what he thinks of Trump? Actually, I don’t want to know. We haven’t spoken in decades.
Well, I’m just rambling here and don’t know what to say. I don’t want to share my forecast for the next 4 years, so I’ll just say RIP Jimmy Carter (and democracy as many of us knew it). I won’t say “Happy New Year” but “Hopeful New Year” instead.
Hopeful New Year is wonderful - I may borrow it . I remember Jimmy Carter being elected - as a European he always struck me as a thoroughly decent man , who genuinely sought to leave the world a better place than he had found it . And he achieved that . A life well led
ReplyDeleteHopeful New Year to you Doug
Siobhan x
Thank you for the kind words Siobhan, a Hopeful New Year to you as well.
DeleteSadly, we no longer live in the kind and moral world of Jimmy Carter. He was my first presidential vote! I admired him greatly.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing Margaret--well, we can still have kind and moral friends at least, and I'm glad you're my friend. :^)
DeleteI was sorry to hear that Jimmy Carter had passed... but he made it to 100. Wow! I too think he was a good man. As for the new year coming up, Dug, I'm trying to be hopeful. Just posted saying the same thing... for so many reasons.
ReplyDeleteThank you Rian, and I am nominating Jimmy Carter for sainthood. (Well, I wish I could.) By the way, I just read your blog and I loved it. Well thought out, you're a good writer.
DeleteJimmy Carter was the finest man who was ever President of your country. At least, in my lifetime (and my lifetime extends back to Harry Truman). He didn’t receive the kudos he deserved for his time as President (although he does for his later work).
ReplyDeleteI agree – how could anyone vote for that malicious criminal cretin who’s about to darken (in many senses of the word) the White House portals?
I first voted in 1966 (you had to be 21 back then).
What a pity about you and your brother. My (older) sister and I were good friends (at least after childhood) until she died a couple of years ago.
Thanks very much Peter, appreciate all that you said here. You are so right about Carter's later work too! As for family, I'll have to share more about that sometime. I sure was sorry to read about your sister's passing. I hope you have a healthy 2025. 🙂
DeleteGreat post Doug. Jimmy Carter had values that resonated with all that I believe in. Kind, compassionate, and giving back to the community. He will be sorely missed.
ReplyDeleteCarole
Carole, thank you. So nice to read.
DeleteJimmy Carter was my first vote too! How far we have fallen. Found this interesting opinion piece this morning that is thought provoking on the reasons. https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/america-gets-the-president-we-deserve-opinion/ar-AA1wHs6w?ocid=socialshare
ReplyDelete"How far we have fallen"--thanks Bobi, gosh so true. Ugh. Thank you for sharing that article link, I just finished reading it. The writer is right, of course. But this feels like a pretty deep hole we need to dig ourselves out of.
DeleteI agree with you completely about Jimmy Carter, Doug. Sure hope that one day a similar leader will surface. (I do very much admire Barack Obama.) Your description of the incoming president, "the moral compass of black mold" is sadly pretty accurate. I tend to vote for the candidate rather than a party but I always vote. Not so long ago and in some countries still, women don't have the privilege. Anyway, Hopeful New Year, my friend!!!
ReplyDeleteFlorence, thanks so much and I hope you know I've been wondering how you are these last couple weeks. (I know you're taking a break from your blog, but I hope it's just that--a break.) Well, you obviously vote the right way, I put on my blinders and vote party only. Anyway, I know you & Robin are dealing with your own political drama in Canada, but I can't imagine it being as bad as this. I'm not holding out hopes for womens rights here.
DeleteI have so much respect for Jimmy Carter, as a man, a husband and a president.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing Miss Merry, me too.
DeleteI believe with all my heart that the tide will change when some of the MAGA faithful begin to be affected by the policies. It is easy to sit back and dismiss someone else's trials and tribulations by believing that (somehow) they are deserving of the punishment. When the policies begin to affect the faithful themselves, I think the tide will turn. It's no different than gun control. Now that CEOs and the rich are being targeted, I think that we're on the verge of seeing some big changes in gun legislation, something that 1,600 dead/injured school children could not do. (That fact alone is the single most horrifying thing about this - in my mind, anyway.) We'll get through this Doug. I honestly believe we will, but hard times are coming. We'll fare better than the people with no common sense or critical thinking skills.
ReplyDeleteThat was Debby, btw. Sorry.
DeleteDebby, you are a smart cookie--thanks very much for what you said here, I sure hope you're right.
DeletePS. I just got what you meant about a change in gun laws, gosh how awful and how right.
DeleteMy first vote was for JFK, but I have always voted Democratic. I voted for Carter and was very sad when he didn't get a second term. His life was exemplary and we need more people like him in the world. And I will continue to say "Hopeful New Year" along with you, Doug!
ReplyDeleteI can't imagine getting the opportunity to vote for JFK, how awesome was that! Well, like you I've always voted Democrat too and always will--and you are spot on in regards to needing more people like Jimmy Carter. Thanks DJan!
DeleteI had to be 21 to vote, so 1964 was my first election. LBJ and Goldwater. I voted for LBJ, though I wound up protesting his war.
ReplyDeleteJoanne I thought I had to be 21 too, but they made it 18 in '71. Well, I think you were right for protesting that war but we could've done a lot worse than LBJ. (I've read some stories about him over the years, but he still did good!)
DeleteAlthough the age to vote changed the year I turned 18, the first presidential election for me was 1972--McGovern vs Nixon. I had worked on the McGovern campaign at college and even had a McGovern sticker on my 1963 Ford Fairlane. I had voted in other elections prior to that presidential election, and I have not missed any election, no matter how small, since I registered. It was a big deal for my parents and has been for me, too.
ReplyDeletedkzody, thanks for sharing that-- I remember the nixon mcgovern election very well. How cool that you got to work on that! In fact, I'm still bummed we got stuck with Tricky Dick, but compared to what's coming, he wasn't so bad. Hope you have a safe and happy New Year. 🙂
DeleteThings are so horrible right now that I would gladly take Nixon and/or Reagan as president over who is sitting out there waiting to annihilate the world for his own profit. And I couldn't stand either Nixon or Reagan (who had been our governor in California and done horrible things to the state for which we are still paying.)
DeleteI never had to contend with Reagan as my state governor (shudder) but BOY did I appreciate this comment. 100% in agreement.
DeleteJimmy Carter was the only president I ever saw in person, when he spoke at my high school during his term. He was not a great president in my view but he was indisputably a good and virtuous man. And yes, I am a Trump supporter. I've tried for 8 years to understand the origin of the deep and abiding hatred some have for him, and I'm no closer to an answer now than I was back then. So I respect the views of the friends who hold those opinions, and we agree to disagree and focus on the things we have in common.
ReplyDeleteLast night my sister emailed me and said she'd read a recent article that said as a president, Carter was mediocre; as a citizen, he was a giant. I did a bit of reading on his presidency a few years back and I know he wasn't exactly inspiring as a political leader, but they didn't come any more decent. Well David, I've known and liked you for quite awhile (I read your Comfort TV blog for a good year before I wrote my first comment). You're not the only Trump supporter I know and like, my one aunt & younger brother are too. I will just have to learn to accept it. Arrgh!
DeleteI think he was the best ex president we have had. I have worked with habitat for humanity…I belong to alpha phi omega..both at Westminster and Carnegie Mellon where I went for music education flute/voice..and I planned/chaired a service project for habitat for humanity..I remember clearly when he was president..I was 6-9 years
ReplyDeleteBeth
Thanks for sharing Beth, I know how much that program meant to Carter and that's awesome what you did. Happy New Year. :^)
DeleteYes, Carter was a kind, compassionate man. I admired him deeply. Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year Gigi.
DeleteHello Doug, I appreciate this post. It was a pleasure following ApacheDug's Teepee in 2024 and I’m looking forward to more in 2025. Happy (Hopeful?) New Year to you. It is truly a pleasure having you as a blogging friend. John
ReplyDeleteJohn, you sure are a nice guy and I'm glad we're friends. Thank you very much, and a Happy (hopeful, ha) New Year to you as well. :^)
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