‘A Full Life:’ At 90, Jimmy Carter Still Pursues The Dream Of Peace

[Purveyor]

In his new memoir, President Carter reflects on his presidency and tells his story of advocating for world peace, despite believing that violence and destruction have stunted the goal for human rights worldwide.

By Carolyn Kellogg
Los Angeles Times

Book review
‘A Full Life: Reflections at Ninety’
by Jimmy Carter
Simon & Schuster, 272 pp., $28

Jimmy Carter let me down. Not with his book “A Full Life: Reflections at Ninety” — a warm and detailed memoir of his youth followed by a clear-eyed assessment of the issues he tackled as president and afterward — but with his response to the question “Does the arc of history bend toward justice?”

“I’m not sure about that,” said Carter, who has spent the last 35 years advocating for peace. “I think we reached the high point, in the practical aspects of justice for most people on Earth, when we passed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. After World War II, about 1948, every country committed themselves to permanent peace with the establishment of the United Nations and then the Universal Human Rights declaration. I think we’ve gone downhill in many ways since that time.”

I was hoping for some kind of hopeful reassurance. But instead he pointed out that “Violence and destruction and hatred and animosity and discrimination seem to me to be becoming more acceptable in some parts of the world.”

This refusal to sugarcoat matters is quintessential Carter; he has maintained all the acuity and principle of his youth while accruing the wisdom of his 90 years.

One challenge of Carter’s presidency was that he spoke the truth, even though during his years in the White House (1976-80), the truth was often bad news. He faced an energy crisis, a capsizing economy, opposition from Congress and the revolution in Iran than led to American hostages being held captive 444 days.


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http://www.seattletimes.com/entertainment/books/a-full-life-at-90-jimmy-carter-still-pursues-the-dream-of-peace/

[arcane1]

1. He'll be at the bookstore downstairs tomorrow night, but I'll be missing out.

I'll be at a viewing of the Sanders webcast

[appalachiablue]

2. K & R. Wonderful, good man. I met him at a booksigning 5-6 years ago for a work he wrote

dedicated to his mother, Lillian Carter. I also saw him debate Ford. In terms of the world's arc of justice I agree with Pres. Carter that it peaked post War and has greatly deteriorated. Progress isn't linear like we believe, as Chris Hedges said.

Today, President Carter spoke by phone briefly with Thom Hartmann on his program this afternoon.

President Jimmy Carter " The United States is an Oligarchy", Thom Hartmann Radio Program, Tues., July 28, 2015.