So beautifully written Dan. I actually teared up. You have obviously been blessed since the beginning of your career. Jimmy Carter was a real man, wise, patient, and kind. He permeated his goodness. Thank you for honoring him.
In a time when the words “Christian values” are often wielded as weapons by those who seem unfamiliar with their essence, your life remains a testament to what they truly mean: love, humility, service, and unyielding moral courage.
As the 39th President of the United States, you brought a quiet dignity to the Oval Office, pursuing peace where others stoked conflict. Your leadership in brokering the Camp David Accords showed the world that diplomacy, grounded in faith and principle, could triumph over cynicism and division. And while history has recognized your presidency more kindly with each passing year, it is your post-presidency that stands as the gold standard of what an ex-president can and should be.
From eradicating diseases to building homes for those in need, your work with the Carter Center and Habitat for Humanity has been an unparalleled legacy of compassion. You didn’t retreat to a gilded life of grift and spectacle but chose instead to labor humbly, embodying your spiritual call to serve “the least of these.”
In an era defined by loud self-aggrandizement and moral bankruptcy—where some falsely claim your faith while trampling its core tenets—you are proof that decency is not weakness and that true greatness lies in the quiet, steadfast work of lifting others up.
Thank you, President Carter, for showing us what goodness looks like.
Extremely interesting editorial of your (Dan Perry) experience with President Carter, and recounting the history during the 70s was very informative. Thank you so much!
President Carter, during his time in office, prioritized diplomacy over threats and bluster, achieving numerous milestones, including the historic Camp David Accords between Israel and Egypt. This agreement secured lasting peace and security for Israel—a monumental achievement for which Carter should be celebrated by all who support the nation’s well-being.
Yet, despite the peace he helped secure, Carter is vilified by segments of the Jewish community. This stems largely from his criticism of Prime Minister Begin and his warnings that Israel's antagonistic policies toward the Palestinians would likely undermine any chance for lasting peace. These criticisms led to accusations of antisemitism, a label used by the Israel Can Do No Wrong groups to shutdown debate about anything critical of Israel rather than engage with the substance of his arguments. Since Camp David, Carter’s warnings over the years regarding Israel’s policies—that failing to pursue a negotiated solution with the Palestinians would lead to dire consequences—has been proven prescient given the terrible price of the Gaza War.
Thus, Carter’s legacy is a peace deal achieved with Egypt through diplomacy and the warning that a lasting peace for Israel will remain elusive without a negotiated settlement with the Palestinians, who—despite any wish to the contrary—are not going anywhere.
My understanding is that the reason Sadat went to Israel to negotiate a peace treaty was because Carter wanted to hold an international conference which would include the Soviet Union. Sadat had severed ties with the USSR and the last thing he wanted was to have the Soviet Union return as a player in the negotiations.
Carter’s national security adviser,
Zbigniew Brzezinski , a Polish refugee,
was openly hostile to Israel and its then Prime Minister, Begin, another Polish refugee because no one could be the smartest man in the room other than Brzezinski, and unfortunately for him he was not when Begin was in the same room.
Finally, calling out Israel as an apartheid state was not very nice.
So beautifully written Dan. I actually teared up. You have obviously been blessed since the beginning of your career. Jimmy Carter was a real man, wise, patient, and kind. He permeated his goodness. Thank you for honoring him.
An Open Letter to President Jimmy Carter
Dear President Carter,
In a time when the words “Christian values” are often wielded as weapons by those who seem unfamiliar with their essence, your life remains a testament to what they truly mean: love, humility, service, and unyielding moral courage.
As the 39th President of the United States, you brought a quiet dignity to the Oval Office, pursuing peace where others stoked conflict. Your leadership in brokering the Camp David Accords showed the world that diplomacy, grounded in faith and principle, could triumph over cynicism and division. And while history has recognized your presidency more kindly with each passing year, it is your post-presidency that stands as the gold standard of what an ex-president can and should be.
From eradicating diseases to building homes for those in need, your work with the Carter Center and Habitat for Humanity has been an unparalleled legacy of compassion. You didn’t retreat to a gilded life of grift and spectacle but chose instead to labor humbly, embodying your spiritual call to serve “the least of these.”
In an era defined by loud self-aggrandizement and moral bankruptcy—where some falsely claim your faith while trampling its core tenets—you are proof that decency is not weakness and that true greatness lies in the quiet, steadfast work of lifting others up.
Thank you, President Carter, for showing us what goodness looks like.
Rest in Peace.
Sincerely, A Grateful Admirer
https://substack.com/@patricemersault
Well said
Extremely interesting editorial of your (Dan Perry) experience with President Carter, and recounting the history during the 70s was very informative. Thank you so much!
President Carter, during his time in office, prioritized diplomacy over threats and bluster, achieving numerous milestones, including the historic Camp David Accords between Israel and Egypt. This agreement secured lasting peace and security for Israel—a monumental achievement for which Carter should be celebrated by all who support the nation’s well-being.
Yet, despite the peace he helped secure, Carter is vilified by segments of the Jewish community. This stems largely from his criticism of Prime Minister Begin and his warnings that Israel's antagonistic policies toward the Palestinians would likely undermine any chance for lasting peace. These criticisms led to accusations of antisemitism, a label used by the Israel Can Do No Wrong groups to shutdown debate about anything critical of Israel rather than engage with the substance of his arguments. Since Camp David, Carter’s warnings over the years regarding Israel’s policies—that failing to pursue a negotiated solution with the Palestinians would lead to dire consequences—has been proven prescient given the terrible price of the Gaza War.
Thus, Carter’s legacy is a peace deal achieved with Egypt through diplomacy and the warning that a lasting peace for Israel will remain elusive without a negotiated settlement with the Palestinians, who—despite any wish to the contrary—are not going anywhere.
What beautiful effing writing. What great scenes you allow us into…. Thank you
Thank you Samuel! Very much appreciate.
💀 THE OBITUARY OF DONALD J. TRUMP
In Stark Contrast to Jimmy Carter, a Life of Corruption, Cruelty, and Chaos
https://open.substack.com/pub/patricemersault/p/the-obituary-of-donald-j-trump?r=4d7sow&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false
My understanding is that the reason Sadat went to Israel to negotiate a peace treaty was because Carter wanted to hold an international conference which would include the Soviet Union. Sadat had severed ties with the USSR and the last thing he wanted was to have the Soviet Union return as a player in the negotiations.
Carter’s national security adviser,
Zbigniew Brzezinski , a Polish refugee,
was openly hostile to Israel and its then Prime Minister, Begin, another Polish refugee because no one could be the smartest man in the room other than Brzezinski, and unfortunately for him he was not when Begin was in the same room.
Finally, calling out Israel as an apartheid state was not very nice.
The Middle East is always full of complications.
Who funded the Carter center? I am thinking not Israel.