Looked like a snake charmer then and now looks like the old snake.
Posted on 10/01/2005 2:31:21 AM PDT by lunarbicep
Jimmy Carter aspired to make Government "competent and compassionate," responsive to the American people and their expectations. His achievements were notable, but in an era of rising energy costs, mounting inflation, and continuing tensions, it was impossible for his administration to meet these high expectations.
Carter, who has rarely used his full name--James Earl Carter, Jr.--was born October 1, 1924, in Plains, Georgia. Peanut farming, talk of politics, and devotion to the Baptist faith were mainstays of his upbringing. Upon graduation in 1946 from the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, Carter married Rosalynn Smith. The Carters have three sons, John William (Jack), James Earl III (Chip), Donnel Jeffrey (Jeff), and a daughter, Amy Lynn.
After seven years' service as a naval officer, Carter returned to Plains. In 1962 he entered state politics, and eight years later he was elected Governor of Georgia. Among the new young southern governors, he attracted attention by emphasizing ecology, efficiency in government, and the removal of racial barriers.
Carter announced his candidacy for President in December 1974 and began a two-year campaign that gradually gained momentum. At the Democratic Convention, he was nominated on the first ballot. He chose Senator Walter F. Mondale of Minnesota as his running mate. Carter campaigned hard against President Gerald R. Ford, debating with him three times. Carter won by 297 electoral votes to 241 for Ford.
Carter worked hard to combat the continuing economic woes of inflation and unemployment. By the end of his administration, he could claim an increase of nearly eight million jobs and a decrease in the budget deficit, measured in percentage of the gross national product. Unfortunately, inflation and interest rates were at near record highs, and efforts to reduce them caused a short recession.
Carter could point to a number of achievements in domestic affairs. He dealt with the energy shortage by establishing a national energy policy and by decontrolling domestic petroleum prices to stimulate production. He prompted Government efficiency through civil service reform and proceeded with deregulation of the trucking and airline industries. He sought to improve the environment. His expansion of the national park system included protection of 103 million acres of Alaskan lands. To increase human and social services, he created the Department of Education, bolstered the Social Security system, and appointed record numbers of women, blacks, and Hispanics to Government jobs.
In foreign affairs, Carter set his own style. His championing of human rights was coldly received by the Soviet Union and some other nations. In the Middle East, through the Camp David agreement of 1978, he helped bring amity between Egypt and Israel. He succeeded in obtaining ratification of the Panama Canal treaties. Building upon the work of predecessors, he established full diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China and completed negotiation of the SALT II nuclear limitation treaty with the Soviet Union.
There were serious setbacks, however. The Soviet invasion of Afghanistan caused the suspension of plans for ratification of the SALT II pact. The seizure as hostages of the U. S. embassy staff in Iran dominated the news during the last 14 months of the administration. The consequences of Iran's holding Americans captive, together with continuing inflation at home, contributed to Carter's defeat in 1980. Even then, he continued the difficult negotiations over the hostages. Iran finally released the 52 Americans the same day Carter left office.
Now go away.
Seems that he and Clinton are vying for the title of "Most Disgraceful Ex-President". It's neck and neck right now.
UNHAPPY BIRTHDAY JERKY CARTER-GAN!!
*silence*
let us not forget the 100's of worthless liberal circuit court judges he appointed the last few days in office , the bungled rescue attempt of the Iranian embassy employees,encouraging and allowing Castro to empty his prisons of every piece of human debris. giving away the Panama canal and the long lines at the gas stations via odd/even days. surely there are hundreds of other screw ups he did that are insignificant but to the people who they impacted. may god take this piece of human excrement soon
I'll wish "Jimmun Kahtah" a happy birthday. Just wish it was posthumous.
The most stupid president ever elected could not fade into oblivion fast enough to suit me. His continued babbling is distracting and void of meaningful content. As a Georgian I am ashamed to have seen him inflicted on the nation. Strong letter to follow....
Jimmy Carter said Americans should abandon their fear of communism; as he proceeded to help the communists advance their cause in the world.
"His achievements were notable,..."
His most notable achievment was the Killing Fields in Cambodia.
He attributes his longevity to all the akaka he spews.
I could wish they would both butt-out of politics the same way Franklin Roosevelt did.
My husband and I were married in 1977. I remember gas lines, no Christmas lights, 18% mortgages, the giveaway of the Panama Canal, the betrayal of the Shah, the hostage crisis, the disaster in the rescue attempt, Carter's surprise at Russia invading afghanistan, the resultant American boycott of the Olympics, the Russian boycott of OUR Olympics, the cold business offices, leisure suits, disco, and after all of this misery...Carter got on TV and BLAMED US for having a POOR ATTITUDE.
Don't get me started! Billy Beer, Amy's face everywhere, Miss Lillian, killer rabbits, micro-managing who got to use the tennis courts, Playboy interview (how dignified was that?), high taxes, the start of Islamic terrorism....I could go on and on. The WORST four years I have lived through! Misery cubed! /rant>
Looked like a snake charmer then and now looks like the old snake.
Are his nostrils getting bigger?
Bush's father 41 looks very young for 80 he is doing something right.
Clinton looks older than him and has 20 years on him.
81?
Far too long a run for this idiot.
Semper Fi
At least we had his brother around for some comic relief.
Happy Birthday Mr. Carter.
It is wonderful that your life has been longer than your term as President. Best wishes in the coming year.
I met Jimmy's advance team in the 70's when I was working for a small daily in S.Texas. I went to their hotel suite to pick up an ad and a check for a full page ad announcing Jimmy's visit there (a three hour fly-by). Most were in their underwear drinking martinis at 2 pm. Don't know why they even bothered in that area because it was 85% dimocrat anyway. Seems like just a bad dream to me now...
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