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Todd De Ryck's avatar

As a Canadian and nuclear energy supporter, I thought I would share this. Jimmy Carter went to assist in the repair of a nuclear reactor in Chalk River Labs, near Ottawa, ON, Canada in early 1953. He didn't "save Ottawa" as legend would have it, but all Canadians who are familiar with this story (which I believe isn't very many, especially this version by "The Society for the Preservation of Canada’s Nuclear Heritage") appreciate that he came to Chalk River, ON, Canada to help repair a nuclear reactor (this type of reactor was very important for the US Navy at the time). https://nuclearheritage.com/jimmy-carter-and-the-nrx-accident-how-legends-grow/

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Peter Hodges's avatar

A lovely tribute to a very rare human being: a true humanitarian who really cared about the lives of his people, especially those less fortunate. He will be greatly missed. Thanks Carolyn.

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Kimberly martin's avatar

If anyone deserves a place in heaven it is James Earl Carter. A truly honorable man. Thank Mr Carter.

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Leon M. Green's avatar

Thanks, Carolyn. Posted to my FB page.

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John and Marian Parsons's avatar

Thank you for your beautiful thoughts about Jimmy Carter, and especially for the Voyager disc! We need to be reminded of what is possible when our country's leadership is in the hands of people of wisdom and character. Our best wishes to you!

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Carolyn Porco's avatar

Thank you. Wisdom and character, guided by kindess and compassion. Someone needs to write a How To manual for the office of POTUS, detailing how to use that formula while avoiding being knocked out of position by those who are guided by greed and 'might makes right'. Are you subscribed to my Substack publication?

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Marc Perry's avatar

Did you know he once came to Washington? That's Washington, England; where George Washington's ancestors came from: https://perryeyes.substack.com/p/when-carter-came-to-washington-village?r=of97v

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Kellogg's avatar

I met President Carter very briefly at the Commissioning Ceremony of the USS Jimmy Carter.

My father had been invited to the Commissioning as he and President Carter had been Classmates in the US Naval Academy class of 1947.

One Jimmy Carter story that will never get any reporting:

As a US Naval Academy Midshipman, during WW2, he was aboard the USS New York during a summer cruise when it was fired upon by a German U-Boat with acoustic homing torpedoes.

The torpedoes were decoyed by "Foxer Gear" which was essentually pipes towed on chains aft of the ship to make noise. The noise diverted the torpedoes and they crossed back and forth through the ship's wake until they ran out of fuel.

Since the torpedoes missed, you're not going to find this in any of the history books.

My parents received Christmas cards from the Carter family for many years.

Rest In Peace, President Carter.

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Carolyn Porco's avatar

Wow! What a story!! Are you saying he was the one who made the decision to use the decoy? Or simply that he almost died during WW2?

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Kellogg's avatar

No, I'm afraid they were only Midshipmen at the time, not even commissioned officers yet.

(Think of a Military Cadet)

On board the Battleship USS New York BB-34, it would've been some of their first sea duty in the Navy.

Funny thing: Just after I hit "Post" on the message above, my wife called me out front to see a Triple Rainbow. It was faint, but it was there.

I'd like to think that it was some kind of sign.

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Erudite's avatar

I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. - 2 Timothy 4:7

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Andrew Zolnai's avatar

Bob Dylan tribute right on the money:

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DELWM9TuweP/

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Open Letters by Mersault's avatar

Jimmy Carter Dies at 100

••••

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?utm_source=user-menu

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Matt Baron's avatar

An extraordinary life....such a humble champion of democracy across the globe, among myriad other achievements.

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Pat Rossiter's avatar

4 years of serving the country as president and 10 times that serving as a citizen.

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Andrew Zolnai's avatar

BTW I'm not equating both gents in question 😂

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Carolyn Porco's avatar

I was wondering .... ;-)

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Peter Porco's avatar

In Alaska he is both devil & angel. To this Alaskan, easily, an angel. He and his administration knew what we’d get w/ the Reagan folk coming in and so he signed ANILCA, one of the greatest environment/ecological preservation acts anywhere, anytime. Today in this state you can still find environmental hoodlums who despise his resources “lock-up” law. Who knows how long that legacy will last? Hope forever.

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Peter Porco's avatar

"Jimmy Carter shaped modern Alaska in profound, lasting ways" —

https://www.adn.com/politics/2024/12/29/jimmy-carter-shaped-modern-alaska-in-profound-lasting-ways/

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Carolyn Porco's avatar

I have this impression -- maybe from the last time around? -- that Trump and his oil friends are salivating, waiting for ANWR to open to drilling. I'm bracing myself for the time when Trump begins to put into motion the means to sell off all of our National Parks. That, and the refusal to fast-track effective vaccines when the next pandemic (bird flu?) comes around, might just push me to leave the country.

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Peter Porco's avatar

The major oil companies have recently shown little interest in drilling in ANWR. That may change, but Drill Baby Drill is currently more political slogan than an industry mantra.

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Carolyn Porco's avatar

Ah ... good to know. Is that because drilling in tundra is expensive? Or because there isn't enough oil up there to make it worth it?

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Peter Porco's avatar

It is indeed expensive. A difficult environment, although they have more than 50 years of experience up there and know how to make it work. As for the amount of oil in the ground, I'm not sure. The hope is that it's close to being another Prudhoe Bay, but I don't know if it is or if they believe it is. I think they have do the exploratory work. People have sworn there's a tremendous amount of oil up there. ... The oil industry also knows that continued drilling for oil, even under a Trump regime, does not sit well with many people. In Alaska, of course, once so dependent on oil revenues, there's always a lust to drill.

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Andrew Zolnai's avatar

Purchase of Alaska from Russian Tsar? Pah! "Annex Canada" sez 47... just don't emigrate North, Carolyn 😂

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Carolyn Porco's avatar

You laugh! But did I admit somewhere on social media, that perhaps you saw, that I stayed an extra week in Vancouver to check it out as a place to go in case all hell broke loose in the lower 48. I don't think I want to do that. But England might be a good bet.

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Guy's avatar

One of the best Presidents we had.......And one of the best human being that has lived along with his wife Rosalynn ......What a contrast to what is coming our way on Jan 20th

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