American Dignity

God help me (begged the Agnostic) but some days I really want to be a porcupine or even a gnat. Some days the lack of humanity in our human race is so much more than I can bear to live with that I want to just fore go my own claim to it and be anything other than human. I just got a notification from Twitter that President Carter made an announcement regarding his cancer diagnosis and I logged in to read about it. Cancer is a very personal issue with me (here and here) and I don't think people can ever understand the fear and anxiety of a level IV diagnosis until they witness a loved one slowly and painfully succumb to its power. I should've known better than to go to Twitter to read about it. I've learned this lesson before. But who would think the world would find a single piece of shit who could speak ill of President Carter? Or celebrate the suffering of he and his family?

Something inside of me is always going to be defensive, almost protective, of Vice President Biden. No matter how many interpreted gaffs he can amass, their deliveries are wrapped in sincerity from a man whose good natured, loving heart is unquestionable, leaving his intentions to be the same. I have always had the same respect and defensive care for President Carter. He may not go down in history as having been our greatest President with the longest list of certifiable accomplishments, but I can't imagine our ever having another who enters the office with more genuine and open minded aspirations for America and all of her citizens.

If we were to measure Presidential accomplished goals versus Presidential aspirations, GW Bush would be one of our most successful Presidents in history. If we measured their aspirations, President Carter would rank at the top. The profound chasm between those two variables alone should give us all pause to reflect on the country we have and the future we want for her. For me, I'll beg one hundred President Carters before a single Bush return.

Whenever I think of people we've lost or will lose I ask myself how they would want to be remembered; not just their legacy but at what point in their lives. Where did they most clearly identify themselves when they reflected on their lives? I figure most people would want any of their remembrances to include an image of themselves at a younger, more vibrant age. I don't think President Carter has much vanity at all, if any. I imagine it would only be the legacy and the unfinished works that he would want us to hold on to. I will certainly do that. And this is the image my heart will embrace.

I remember when Jimmy Carter was our President and what he looked like at that time but he was not done then. He has continued his tireless journey and made the most of every opportunity he has found to make this world better for every human being. The undeniable beauty of his legacy will be that it never rested. He never quieted his voice or slowed his momentum while trying to bring peace and equality to the world. Once he is lost to us, I will surely remember him at the end still focused on his mission while projecting humility, grace and love.

What a wonderful world we would live in if we continued to elect selfless human beings who intend to work for our own progress until the day they leave us. His still growing legacy is presently being assessed by those who want the same responsibility while mocking his work and ambitions. I hope everyone can pause on that in genuine reflection while reading opinions one of their most ardent supporters:

This is what grace and dignity in leadership are meant to be. This defines the understandings of one whose intentions are honest and thoughtful. This is what America needs to remember while determining its future leadership. Especially now.

Thank you President Carter. Godspeed to you and your family during this next leg of your journey.