Jimmy Carter was the first president that I voted for when I turned 18. At the time of his presidency I did not understand how ethical and moral he was than the sorry lot that we have had to suffer through since then. In retrospect, he was clearly the last honest and virtuous president. People like Carter, as with Kennedy before him, are not allowed to be president anymore. Nothing can be done about that until we destroy and rebuild the rigged primary system in this country.
I appreciate your work, Bill. You're one of my favorite writers.
But there's an elephant in the room, and it's called propaganda.
It's everywhere, even if you don't watch cable TV or read mainstream news. There's still writers on Substack who *think* they're leftists while dissing Republicans and ?ing Democrats. Not sure what word to use- these people glide over the fact that Democrats haven't helped workers in decades.
I call it the Lola test, after my friend Lola, who quit Dunkin Donuts for the Publix deli here in Georgia. I used to believe, 10 years ago, that I could convince Lola to vote Democrat. Because Democrats help the less fortunate, so the indoctrination goes.
What has Biden done for Lola? Or has he only *said* how much he *wanted* to help Lola, but for that doggone civil servant parliamentarian, or Manchin, or whatever? Note GA minimum wage is $7.25/hour and YES people are actually paid that and NO the southern cost of living is not that cheap.
As for a 2nd coming of Trump. I don't see how that is more dangerous than a 2nd coming of Biden. I'm so sick of Democrats saying the economy is great. Unemployment is low. Yeah, unemployment is low because people work more than 2 jobs, and they still can't pay their bills. Democrats distort the current situation of HELL the majority of Americans live in. It makes me angry, because this is the same stuff they mock Republicans for. When Trump was president, mainstream media told us how awful everything was. They talked about normal people suffering.
Now they say peoole are doing great and get indignant if contradicted. Literally NOTHING changed, except now normal working people think they're the only ones struggling because NOBODY TALKS ABOUT US!
Caitlin Johnstone has been my sanity during this past year. I'm sure you're familiar with her. But for those who aren't- she has a very perceptive take on US politics- that Dems and Republicans are the same and propaganda prevents us from seeing this clearly.
Thanks again for your work, I don't mean to hijack your thesis and go on a rant, I'm just so angry with Democrats lately and their fake, do-nothing concern for the people. It's hard not to jump at the chance to challenge the narrative.
Morning Bill, this lifelong lefty, until recently, thinks that calling Donald Trump a "malignant and sociopathic exploiter" is the type of hyperbole that drives Americans to voting for him.
In some quarters, the ones Trump inhabits, it might be considered a compliment, Dennis.
He didn't get where he is by playing nice. He is relentlessly focused on himself and his own desires. It's a common trait in people who rise high in "society."
As was Field Marshal Bernard Law Montgomery - 1st Viscount Montgomery of Alamein; Winston Churchill was born into a life of privilege, and an unapologetic elitist; Henry Ford the recipient of the Grand Cross of the German Eagle, ( the highest medal Nazi Germany could bestow on a foreigner), and an antisemite; Lee Iacocca, and William E Boeing.
You don't get to be a great leader by not focused on yourself. Some of the biggest narcissists were people that really did make America great -whether you want to believe that or not Bill.
Between 1935 and 1944, William Boeing set aside a large tract of land north of the Seattle for subdivision. He placed racially restrictive covenants on their land to enforce segregation, forbidding properties from being "sold, conveyed, rented, or leased in whole or in part to any person not of the White or Caucasian race." Non-whites could occupy a property on the land only if they were employed as a domestic servant "by a person of the White or Caucasian race."
Many of Americas most influential leaders where relentlessly focused on themselves and their own desires. And despite of it, or because of it, they hugely benefited millions of average workers who were not high in society.
In 1998, Bezos invested $0.25 million in a little company at the time, now a trillion-dollar business, known as Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOG).
Since then he has invested in more than 95 companies and startups, ranging from healthcare to aerospace.
Bezos invests in early-stage startups that have potential for growth.
Bezos has invested in several healthcare startups, and has invested in several space exploration companies, including Blue Origin, paying big bucks salaries for Engineers and scientists.
Bezos’ investments span many different industries, with a focus on technology and healthcare.
invested in 98 companies and start-ups providing high paying jobs for millions.
Jeff Bezos announced plans for $1-billion in conservation spending in places like the Congo Basin, the Andes and tropical parts of the Pacific Ocean. The announcement was the latest step in his largest philanthropic effort, the Bezos Earth Fund, to which he pledged $10-billion last year. “By coming together with the right focus and ingenuity, we can have both the benefits of our modern lives and a thriving natural world,” Mr. Bezos said.
The initiative is intended to support an international push to safeguard at least 30 percent of Earth’s lands and waters by 2030, known as 30x30. The plan, led by Britain, Costa Rica and France, is intended to help tackle a global biodiversity crisis that puts a million species of plants and animals at risk of extinction. While climate change is part of the problem, activities like farming and fishing have been even bigger drivers of biodiversity loss. The 30x30 plan would try to slow that by protecting intact natural areas like old-growth forests and wetlands, which not only nurture biodiversity but also store carbon and filter water.
In November 2022, during an interview with CNN, Jeff Bezos said that he plans to give away most of his wealth to charity during his lifetime. The billionaire wants to give his money to solve the climate change problem and to end social and political divisions.
I'll leave the debate as to whether Jeff has been "great" to other Bracing Views posters. It's a hot potatoe with strong arguments from both sides of the debate. Ask the little used bookstore owner in Sumner WA, who is now getting rich selling books on Amazon, or the warehouse worker in Tennessee.
What a great article and retrospective, President Carter was not perfect, none are, but he was honest and trustworthy which is so unusual. I am afraid that younger people, who do not remember Carter and Kennedy, have no idea what a president could be. I am afraid that younger people do not remember Senators like Sam Irvin and Howard Baker who put country before party, even if they were from the south. I hope lots of people read this after I share it.
As Fireman 1110 said: “President Carter will be remembered mostly I think for what he became to "Be" after leaving office...”
In my words, Carter may not have been the greatest president, but it is indisputable that he is the greatest ex-president in his retirement, words and deeds. And to have the record for the greatest foresight and honesty while in office… He can be proud, whatever voters thought or think now. Ultimately History will be the judge.
President Carter and Rosalyn were 2 country folk that resonated with s lot of folk till interest rates and inflation went through the roof. The hostage situation didn't help his bid for a second term either. Bit I agree he was honest, uncoruptable, sincere and empathetic. Not a psychopath like the others. I liked John and Robert Kennedy as well. Both exuded sincere empathy for the down trodden. Look where that got em.
I became politically aware during the Carter administration. I remember running around the house turning off all the lights after listening to him on the TV. I became a Democrat and voted for Walter Mondale. By the end of the Clinton Administration I left the party and became an independent. Carter's Cold War mentality was disappointing and he began the road to deregulating, by deregulating the trucking industry.
Thinking about it a bit, i would argue that the last “honest speech” given by an American President was in March 1991 ~ just after his victory in OPERATION DESERT STORM and the “liberation” of Kuwait from our Errand Boy in the area, Saddam ~ when a bubbling President George H.W. Bush told a group of state legislators, "The specter of Vietnam has been buried forever in the desert sands of the Arabian Peninsula.... By God, we've kicked the Vietnam syndrome once and for all." [Note: You can read the Washington Post’s gushing account of the most important speech Daddy Bush ever gave at https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1991/03/04/kicking-the-vietnam-syndrome/b6180288-4b9e-4d5f-b303-befa2275524d/ .]
And he was absolutely, totally, and completely correct. After ODS, the US has never again hesitated to start another War anyplace on the Planet. And has lost every one of them.
Among other things that this nation needs right now and most of all is a serious case of ~ for lack of a better term ~ “The Forever War Syndrome.”
In the summer of 1980, i was in the Army and had the opportunity ~ and privilege ~ to meet and informally chat with several individuals who either personally and directly participated [as in on-the-ground]~ or were officially and indirectly involved someplace at higher HQ ~ in OPERATION EAGLE CLAW, the failed Iranian Hostage Rescue mission on April 24 and 25.
And a number of those Army and Air Force folks involved in EAGLE CLAW also noted what else happened in 1979 in that part of the world besides the overthrow of The Shah and the subsequent “Embassy Hostage Crisis”: the seizure of total power by Saddam Hussein in Iraq and the distinct possibility of an Iraq-Iran War; the occupation of Islam’s Holiest Site in Mecca by a brand new “Bad Guy” on the scene, radical, fundamentalist Islamicists; and most significantly, the USSR’s invasion of and “special military operation” in Afghanistan against US-sponsored and -supported “insurgents” in late December.
And those same folks then concluded that all of these things were definitely and directly somehow related, and were merely setting the stage for something much, much bigger and badder [and thus better for the folks in the Pentagon] in the future.
Charlie Beckwith commanded the ground team on Eagle Claw. He wrote in his book that after briefing Jimmy Carter and the WH on the operation, Carter took him aside and told him that if the operation was successful Beckwith and his team would get all the credit; but if the operation was a failure, Carter would take all the blame. Beckwith said he had never been impressed by Carter before, but he came away with a lot of respect for him for his willingness to take the blame and not pass the buck (as every other President would do).
Hi Tom. First of all; Thank You for the link. i did not know that Colonel Beckwith had written a book. Looking at Amazon, it looks like he's written several. Which particular book of his are You referring to?
In any event, that is a neat, neat story. My guess is that Carter's time in the Navy may have had a lot to do with it happening that way.
And passing the buck is not something every other President WOULD do. It is what every President since Carter did, has done, and is doing.
It was in his history of Delta Force. And you're right, passing the buck is what every other President has done and is doing - along with starting and continuing wars for political gain; using the Fed to juice the economy in election years; selling out voters whenever the donors demand; and...so on (it's an endless list).
Count the number of gas guzzling SUVs that have been sold since Cater gave that speech and the number of wars that this country has fought and financed. Such is the path to failure.
Oil prices were about $72 dollars a barrel when Carter took office in 1977. About $133 after Carter's 4 years when Reagan took office in 1981. During his eight years in office oil prices were driven down to about $43 when Reagan left office in 1989. In other words, Carter was good for the oil sheiks, bad for American consumers. Reagan was bad for the oil sheiks, good for American consumers. But Carter evokes more wistful memories, as if that solves anything.
Where are You getting Your 1977, 1981, and 1989 oil prices from, Alex? Particularly the part that says they were about $72 when Carter took office? That makes them very close to what they are today, 46 years later.
And if Reagan was "bad for the oil sheiks," he was definitely Very good for the MICC. Which is totally to be understood, given that Bush the Elder was running Bozo's White House, and all our movie and tv ad star had to do was to read his scripts and follow instructions from his handlers.
The chart You linked gives Prices as "Inflation-Adjusted." What were the Prices paid by those buying Oil at that time without being adjusted for inflation?
Thanks. It looks like Reagan reduced oil prices to the pre-Carter years. Perhaps we could call skyrocketing oil prices the "Carter Effect". Have you found a chart that shows MICC spending over those years?
I recently read a historian's take that Nixon was inevitable. He represented mainstream America's backlash against the rabble-rousing and hippy-dom of RFK and MLK. I hadn’t really considered that through-line before, but it makes sense to me.
I wouldn't say "inevitable." But given America's inherent conservatism and penchant for violence, a Nixon victory was certainly likely in 1968. So it proved.
I dunno. Seen in the light of the reaction against MLK's advocacy for Black rights, and RFK's espousal of equality for all, and given the conservatism you cite, Bill, maybe another outcome wasn't in the cards. Humphrey just didn't come across as "strong" as Nixon did. Nixon promised to put an end to the race riots and other chaos, all those hippies burning draft cards and staging sit-ins. I think that's what most voters wanted. That is, the percentage of people who made the effort to vote, which probably didn't include many under-30s, I'd guess.
As much as I respected Ronald Wilson Reagan esp. after getting shot I respected Jimmy more-- too bad he got stuck with the "Wimp" characterization. Plus the Iranian Hostages I think caved in whatever chances he had for a Second Term. Just my opinion of course.
In a way, Carter and Reagan were opposites. Carter was strong on details; Reagan was strong as a symbol. Carter was more like a prime minister; Reagan more like a figurehead king.
I can't recall the "wimp" label being applied to Carter; I know it was to George H.W. Bush. Carter was dismissed not so much as a wimp but as naive, as inexperienced, especially vis-a-vis the Soviet old guard like Leonid Brezhnev.
I am neither Political, nor for that matter deeply religious so I don't talk neither-- mostly, but Carter yes was stuck with the "Wimp" label and it stuck to him unfortunately! Crazy times back then as well, not too many were aware of Carters heroic Service on Subs. even helping to avert a Nuclear "broken arrow" like incident on one of his deployments when a young Lt. even exposing himself to Radiation! I will always respect Reagan as well for that matter.
I remember a political cartoon back then that compared Carter to Teddy Rosevelt. It had TR saying: "Speak softly and carry a big stick," followed by Carter simply with "Speak softly."
How typical that Carter was attacked for not wielding eagerly the "big stick" of U.S. military power!
But recall that Carter "lusted in his heart" during that infamous Playboy interview. No wimp he! :-)
lol Yup rem. his PB Interview and also Carter's Sister trying to Convert Hustler Publisher Larry Flynt, but I beg to differ Carter was a Wimp in not handling the Iranian Hostage situation well as in taking home briefcase upon briefcases of papers working 20 plus hr. days when decisive bold, gritty moves were needed instead!
In the same way that Cornell West deserves the label of as "naive, as inexperienced"
If he is elected, which we all know will never happen, he will achieve even less than Obama, which is pretty sad.
Wasn't it an old meme in the Air Force Bill...."Who do you want to be flying your jet fighters? An aggressive, bullying, despicable barstad, or a meek politically correct wimp?"
Sending a Cornell West type into the swamp to fight the alligators will be ugly.
At least the arsehole Trump has a slim chance, eh?
Everything needs to start anew--- if only with honesty, the truth, a fresh start would be enough. The one requirement! You never know what you've lost till its gone forever. President Carter will be remembered mostly I think for what he became to "Be" after leaving office...
Didn't the intelligence services time the release of those hostages, so that Reagan would get credit? Or maybe it wasn't intelligence, but I'm pretty sure there's an argument for their release being politically manipulated.
Rumor has it that Reagan's advisors actually made an agreement with the Iranians about releasing the hostages after he was elected. Some quid pro quo was offered.
Jimmy Carter was the first president that I voted for when I turned 18. At the time of his presidency I did not understand how ethical and moral he was than the sorry lot that we have had to suffer through since then. In retrospect, he was clearly the last honest and virtuous president. People like Carter, as with Kennedy before him, are not allowed to be president anymore. Nothing can be done about that until we destroy and rebuild the rigged primary system in this country.
Damn straight.
I appreciate your work, Bill. You're one of my favorite writers.
But there's an elephant in the room, and it's called propaganda.
It's everywhere, even if you don't watch cable TV or read mainstream news. There's still writers on Substack who *think* they're leftists while dissing Republicans and ?ing Democrats. Not sure what word to use- these people glide over the fact that Democrats haven't helped workers in decades.
I call it the Lola test, after my friend Lola, who quit Dunkin Donuts for the Publix deli here in Georgia. I used to believe, 10 years ago, that I could convince Lola to vote Democrat. Because Democrats help the less fortunate, so the indoctrination goes.
What has Biden done for Lola? Or has he only *said* how much he *wanted* to help Lola, but for that doggone civil servant parliamentarian, or Manchin, or whatever? Note GA minimum wage is $7.25/hour and YES people are actually paid that and NO the southern cost of living is not that cheap.
As for a 2nd coming of Trump. I don't see how that is more dangerous than a 2nd coming of Biden. I'm so sick of Democrats saying the economy is great. Unemployment is low. Yeah, unemployment is low because people work more than 2 jobs, and they still can't pay their bills. Democrats distort the current situation of HELL the majority of Americans live in. It makes me angry, because this is the same stuff they mock Republicans for. When Trump was president, mainstream media told us how awful everything was. They talked about normal people suffering.
Now they say peoole are doing great and get indignant if contradicted. Literally NOTHING changed, except now normal working people think they're the only ones struggling because NOBODY TALKS ABOUT US!
Caitlin Johnstone has been my sanity during this past year. I'm sure you're familiar with her. But for those who aren't- she has a very perceptive take on US politics- that Dems and Republicans are the same and propaganda prevents us from seeing this clearly.
Thanks again for your work, I don't mean to hijack your thesis and go on a rant, I'm just so angry with Democrats lately and their fake, do-nothing concern for the people. It's hard not to jump at the chance to challenge the narrative.
Thanks, Rachel. Yes, I read Caitlin Johnstone. Love her stuff.
Yes, I'm angry too. As Ukraine gets more money for war, as the Pentagon gets a blank check, American workers suffer.
I see no meaningful changes coming from the corporate Dems or Repubs. They simply don't care.
Morning Bill, this lifelong lefty, until recently, thinks that calling Donald Trump a "malignant and sociopathic exploiter" is the type of hyperbole that drives Americans to voting for him.
In some quarters, the ones Trump inhabits, it might be considered a compliment, Dennis.
He didn't get where he is by playing nice. He is relentlessly focused on himself and his own desires. It's a common trait in people who rise high in "society."
As was Field Marshal Bernard Law Montgomery - 1st Viscount Montgomery of Alamein; Winston Churchill was born into a life of privilege, and an unapologetic elitist; Henry Ford the recipient of the Grand Cross of the German Eagle, ( the highest medal Nazi Germany could bestow on a foreigner), and an antisemite; Lee Iacocca, and William E Boeing.
You don't get to be a great leader by not focused on yourself. Some of the biggest narcissists were people that really did make America great -whether you want to believe that or not Bill.
Between 1935 and 1944, William Boeing set aside a large tract of land north of the Seattle for subdivision. He placed racially restrictive covenants on their land to enforce segregation, forbidding properties from being "sold, conveyed, rented, or leased in whole or in part to any person not of the White or Caucasian race." Non-whites could occupy a property on the land only if they were employed as a domestic servant "by a person of the White or Caucasian race."
Many of Americas most influential leaders where relentlessly focused on themselves and their own desires. And despite of it, or because of it, they hugely benefited millions of average workers who were not high in society.
Howard Hughes. Steve Jobs. Jeff Bezos. Elon Musk.
Did they make "America" great, Dennis, or themselves?
Consider Bezos. Has all the money in the world yet refuses to pay most of his workers a living wage. Is this "greatness"?
Or consider the family that owns Walmart. "Greed is good."
In 1998, Bezos invested $0.25 million in a little company at the time, now a trillion-dollar business, known as Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOG).
Since then he has invested in more than 95 companies and startups, ranging from healthcare to aerospace.
Bezos invests in early-stage startups that have potential for growth.
Bezos has invested in several healthcare startups, and has invested in several space exploration companies, including Blue Origin, paying big bucks salaries for Engineers and scientists.
Bezos’ investments span many different industries, with a focus on technology and healthcare.
invested in 98 companies and start-ups providing high paying jobs for millions.
Jeff Bezos announced plans for $1-billion in conservation spending in places like the Congo Basin, the Andes and tropical parts of the Pacific Ocean. The announcement was the latest step in his largest philanthropic effort, the Bezos Earth Fund, to which he pledged $10-billion last year. “By coming together with the right focus and ingenuity, we can have both the benefits of our modern lives and a thriving natural world,” Mr. Bezos said.
The initiative is intended to support an international push to safeguard at least 30 percent of Earth’s lands and waters by 2030, known as 30x30. The plan, led by Britain, Costa Rica and France, is intended to help tackle a global biodiversity crisis that puts a million species of plants and animals at risk of extinction. While climate change is part of the problem, activities like farming and fishing have been even bigger drivers of biodiversity loss. The 30x30 plan would try to slow that by protecting intact natural areas like old-growth forests and wetlands, which not only nurture biodiversity but also store carbon and filter water.
In November 2022, during an interview with CNN, Jeff Bezos said that he plans to give away most of his wealth to charity during his lifetime. The billionaire wants to give his money to solve the climate change problem and to end social and political divisions.
I'll leave the debate as to whether Jeff has been "great" to other Bracing Views posters. It's a hot potatoe with strong arguments from both sides of the debate. Ask the little used bookstore owner in Sumner WA, who is now getting rich selling books on Amazon, or the warehouse worker in Tennessee.
Walmart - no comparison. Greedy barstads.
What a great article and retrospective, President Carter was not perfect, none are, but he was honest and trustworthy which is so unusual. I am afraid that younger people, who do not remember Carter and Kennedy, have no idea what a president could be. I am afraid that younger people do not remember Senators like Sam Irvin and Howard Baker who put country before party, even if they were from the south. I hope lots of people read this after I share it.
Thanks, Jim!
As Fireman 1110 said: “President Carter will be remembered mostly I think for what he became to "Be" after leaving office...”
In my words, Carter may not have been the greatest president, but it is indisputable that he is the greatest ex-president in his retirement, words and deeds. And to have the record for the greatest foresight and honesty while in office… He can be proud, whatever voters thought or think now. Ultimately History will be the judge.
Yup 50 years from now we'll get a truer perspective of him-- even Lincoln it took 50 years before his popularity ignited...
President Carter and Rosalyn were 2 country folk that resonated with s lot of folk till interest rates and inflation went through the roof. The hostage situation didn't help his bid for a second term either. Bit I agree he was honest, uncoruptable, sincere and empathetic. Not a psychopath like the others. I liked John and Robert Kennedy as well. Both exuded sincere empathy for the down trodden. Look where that got em.
Cheers
Some didn't like him ceding control over the Panama Canal as well...
I didn't have a problem with that. But thanks....completely forgot about that.
I became politically aware during the Carter administration. I remember running around the house turning off all the lights after listening to him on the TV. I became a Democrat and voted for Walter Mondale. By the end of the Clinton Administration I left the party and became an independent. Carter's Cold War mentality was disappointing and he began the road to deregulating, by deregulating the trucking industry.
Thinking about it a bit, i would argue that the last “honest speech” given by an American President was in March 1991 ~ just after his victory in OPERATION DESERT STORM and the “liberation” of Kuwait from our Errand Boy in the area, Saddam ~ when a bubbling President George H.W. Bush told a group of state legislators, "The specter of Vietnam has been buried forever in the desert sands of the Arabian Peninsula.... By God, we've kicked the Vietnam syndrome once and for all." [Note: You can read the Washington Post’s gushing account of the most important speech Daddy Bush ever gave at https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1991/03/04/kicking-the-vietnam-syndrome/b6180288-4b9e-4d5f-b303-befa2275524d/ .]
And he was absolutely, totally, and completely correct. After ODS, the US has never again hesitated to start another War anyplace on the Planet. And has lost every one of them.
Among other things that this nation needs right now and most of all is a serious case of ~ for lack of a better term ~ “The Forever War Syndrome.”
In the summer of 1980, i was in the Army and had the opportunity ~ and privilege ~ to meet and informally chat with several individuals who either personally and directly participated [as in on-the-ground]~ or were officially and indirectly involved someplace at higher HQ ~ in OPERATION EAGLE CLAW, the failed Iranian Hostage Rescue mission on April 24 and 25.
And a number of them were completely and totally convinced in their mind, heart, gut, and balls that the entire thing was what they termed “A Planned Abortion” from its very start. [Note: An unclassified version of the Report of the Holloway Special Operations Review Group on the Iran Hostage Rescue Mission ~ published in August, 1980 ~ is available at https://www.history.navy.mil/research/library/online-reading-room/title-list-alphabetically/i/iran-hostage-rescue-mission-report.html .]
And a number of those Army and Air Force folks involved in EAGLE CLAW also noted what else happened in 1979 in that part of the world besides the overthrow of The Shah and the subsequent “Embassy Hostage Crisis”: the seizure of total power by Saddam Hussein in Iraq and the distinct possibility of an Iraq-Iran War; the occupation of Islam’s Holiest Site in Mecca by a brand new “Bad Guy” on the scene, radical, fundamentalist Islamicists; and most significantly, the USSR’s invasion of and “special military operation” in Afghanistan against US-sponsored and -supported “insurgents” in late December.
And those same folks then concluded that all of these things were definitely and directly somehow related, and were merely setting the stage for something much, much bigger and badder [and thus better for the folks in the Pentagon] in the future.
Charlie Beckwith commanded the ground team on Eagle Claw. He wrote in his book that after briefing Jimmy Carter and the WH on the operation, Carter took him aside and told him that if the operation was successful Beckwith and his team would get all the credit; but if the operation was a failure, Carter would take all the blame. Beckwith said he had never been impressed by Carter before, but he came away with a lot of respect for him for his willingness to take the blame and not pass the buck (as every other President would do).
Hi Tom. First of all; Thank You for the link. i did not know that Colonel Beckwith had written a book. Looking at Amazon, it looks like he's written several. Which particular book of his are You referring to?
In any event, that is a neat, neat story. My guess is that Carter's time in the Navy may have had a lot to do with it happening that way.
And passing the buck is not something every other President WOULD do. It is what every President since Carter did, has done, and is doing.
It was in his history of Delta Force. And you're right, passing the buck is what every other President has done and is doing - along with starting and continuing wars for political gain; using the Fed to juice the economy in election years; selling out voters whenever the donors demand; and...so on (it's an endless list).
Thanks, Tom. Just Kindled Beckwith's book and saw that statement by Carter, and am looking forward to reading the rest of it.
Count the number of gas guzzling SUVs that have been sold since Cater gave that speech and the number of wars that this country has fought and financed. Such is the path to failure.
Oil prices were about $72 dollars a barrel when Carter took office in 1977. About $133 after Carter's 4 years when Reagan took office in 1981. During his eight years in office oil prices were driven down to about $43 when Reagan left office in 1989. In other words, Carter was good for the oil sheiks, bad for American consumers. Reagan was bad for the oil sheiks, good for American consumers. But Carter evokes more wistful memories, as if that solves anything.
Where are You getting Your 1977, 1981, and 1989 oil prices from, Alex? Particularly the part that says they were about $72 when Carter took office? That makes them very close to what they are today, 46 years later.
And if Reagan was "bad for the oil sheiks," he was definitely Very good for the MICC. Which is totally to be understood, given that Bush the Elder was running Bozo's White House, and all our movie and tv ad star had to do was to read his scripts and follow instructions from his handlers.
https://www.macrotrends.net/1369/crude-oil-price-history-chart
The chart You linked gives Prices as "Inflation-Adjusted." What were the Prices paid by those buying Oil at that time without being adjusted for inflation?
I don't know.
Look on the linked chart, and un-click the box labeled "Inflation-Adjusted."
Thanks. It looks like Reagan reduced oil prices to the pre-Carter years. Perhaps we could call skyrocketing oil prices the "Carter Effect". Have you found a chart that shows MICC spending over those years?
I recently read a historian's take that Nixon was inevitable. He represented mainstream America's backlash against the rabble-rousing and hippy-dom of RFK and MLK. I hadn’t really considered that through-line before, but it makes sense to me.
I wouldn't say "inevitable." But given America's inherent conservatism and penchant for violence, a Nixon victory was certainly likely in 1968. So it proved.
I dunno. Seen in the light of the reaction against MLK's advocacy for Black rights, and RFK's espousal of equality for all, and given the conservatism you cite, Bill, maybe another outcome wasn't in the cards. Humphrey just didn't come across as "strong" as Nixon did. Nixon promised to put an end to the race riots and other chaos, all those hippies burning draft cards and staging sit-ins. I think that's what most voters wanted. That is, the percentage of people who made the effort to vote, which probably didn't include many under-30s, I'd guess.
As much as I respected Ronald Wilson Reagan esp. after getting shot I respected Jimmy more-- too bad he got stuck with the "Wimp" characterization. Plus the Iranian Hostages I think caved in whatever chances he had for a Second Term. Just my opinion of course.
In a way, Carter and Reagan were opposites. Carter was strong on details; Reagan was strong as a symbol. Carter was more like a prime minister; Reagan more like a figurehead king.
I can't recall the "wimp" label being applied to Carter; I know it was to George H.W. Bush. Carter was dismissed not so much as a wimp but as naive, as inexperienced, especially vis-a-vis the Soviet old guard like Leonid Brezhnev.
I am neither Political, nor for that matter deeply religious so I don't talk neither-- mostly, but Carter yes was stuck with the "Wimp" label and it stuck to him unfortunately! Crazy times back then as well, not too many were aware of Carters heroic Service on Subs. even helping to avert a Nuclear "broken arrow" like incident on one of his deployments when a young Lt. even exposing himself to Radiation! I will always respect Reagan as well for that matter.
I remember a political cartoon back then that compared Carter to Teddy Rosevelt. It had TR saying: "Speak softly and carry a big stick," followed by Carter simply with "Speak softly."
How typical that Carter was attacked for not wielding eagerly the "big stick" of U.S. military power!
But recall that Carter "lusted in his heart" during that infamous Playboy interview. No wimp he! :-)
lol Yup rem. his PB Interview and also Carter's Sister trying to Convert Hustler Publisher Larry Flynt, but I beg to differ Carter was a Wimp in not handling the Iranian Hostage situation well as in taking home briefcase upon briefcases of papers working 20 plus hr. days when decisive bold, gritty moves were needed instead!
I don't think Larry Flynt wished to be redeemed.
If only the rescue attempt had worked. Carter would probably have been reelected.
In the same way that Cornell West deserves the label of as "naive, as inexperienced"
If he is elected, which we all know will never happen, he will achieve even less than Obama, which is pretty sad.
Wasn't it an old meme in the Air Force Bill...."Who do you want to be flying your jet fighters? An aggressive, bullying, despicable barstad, or a meek politically correct wimp?"
Sending a Cornell West type into the swamp to fight the alligators will be ugly.
At least the arsehole Trump has a slim chance, eh?
Everything needs to start anew--- if only with honesty, the truth, a fresh start would be enough. The one requirement! You never know what you've lost till its gone forever. President Carter will be remembered mostly I think for what he became to "Be" after leaving office...
Agreed. Helping to build houses was his calling. Being President not so much.
Didn't the intelligence services time the release of those hostages, so that Reagan would get credit? Or maybe it wasn't intelligence, but I'm pretty sure there's an argument for their release being politically manipulated.
Yes, the hostages were finally released when Reagan became president. That way, Carter got no credit for negotiating their release.
Rumor has it that Reagan's advisors actually made an agreement with the Iranians about releasing the hostages after he was elected. Some quid pro quo was offered.