Katie Couric's Notebook: Jimmy Carter's Legacy

By: Katie Couric
Topics: Katie Couric's Notebook

Video:
Notebook: Jimmy Carter

Jimmy Carter is about to receive an honorary degree from Oxford University.

It is a reminder of the remarkable - and controversial - legacy of this unusually active former President.

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by electa2 June 21, 2007 11:03 AM EDT: FARTKNOCKER2 It is unfair to critize any one else. We all have a right to express our opinions. However, I think you are the last person to critize anyone. You do not know or apparently do not read about the history of this county, which is hated by many because of the administratrions we have been under for the last six years. This country has gone down hill during the last six years. I would also like to know what school you graduated from. That way I can make sure my children do not attend that school.; Reply to this comment


by electa2 June 21, 2007 10:53 AM EDT: Jimmy Carter is a man who has done this country proud. More of our presidents should follow his lead. He served as President and was manipulated by others with the release of our political prisoners in the middle east. No President has done for the PEOPLE of this country what he has and not asked for something back. Miss Lillie, his Mother was also the same type of person as she volunteered in the Peace Corps. It is amazing that this man who so many malign had children who were not in the headlines for being in trouble or using drugs and alcohol. Hmmmmmmm; Reply to this comment


by jcorbin1958 June 20, 2007 11:54 PM EDT: Jimmy Carter is a jerk! A total jerk!!!! Why honor him????; Reply to this comment


by beleze12 June 20, 2007 10:23 PM EDT: Fartknocker2
Wake up. The worlds worst administration is now in office. Have you been on another planet the last six years??? Deceit, death, debt, war,lies, war profiteering and corruption are the hallmark of this administration. Because of this group of "my way or the highway" clowns we are the most hated country on the planet. Wake up.
One more thing. Go back to third grade and learn how to spell, use sentence structure and punctuation.; Reply to this comment


by RitaZee June 20, 2007 7:44 PM EDT: It seems to me that Jimmy Carter's humanitarian work has been an effort to make up for his lack-luster presidency. I was young during his presidency and don't really remember the specifics. I give him credit for his work with Habitat for Humanity, but do have to question some of his foreign relations.

Also, in response to some negative comments on this post: I remember Katie reporting from the Pentagon on NBC 4 in Washington, DC. I have watched here go from DC to the Today Show and now to CBS. Katie made it cool to have a colonoscopy and her work as a result of her husband's death from colon cancer has undoubtably saved many lives. I give her giant credit for being the first woman to solo anchor major network news. I know she has been taking a heap of criticism, and while I don't always agree with her, she does not deserve the downright meanspirited comments shown on this post.; Reply to this comment


by kenhamlett June 20, 2007 9:52 AM EDT: He is an honest man who tried to make improvements in the world. Unfortunately the public did not find that his goals were worth their support. I admire the gentleman and hope his ideals can be embraced by our nation even if we can not realize his specific goals.; Reply to this comment


by one_american June 20, 2007 5:10 AM EDT: Someone once said:

"The road to hell is paved with good intentions."

No doubt that Jimmy Carter is a living example of this - as most of the problems with the Middle East are a DIRECT RESULT of his inept meddling and pandering to terrorists.

He should be flogged, rather than honored; but ignorant liberal elitists are experts at awarding meaningless "honors" to charlatans.; Reply to this comment


by petersemkiw June 20, 2007 2:10 AM EDT: Dear Katie,
It's interesting to reminisce about the Presidency of Jimmy Carter, but also to acknowledge the active and meaningful role he has played on the national and international political stage, since leaving the Office of the Presidency. I agree that in both his role as President, and now as an active ex President, President Jimmy Carter has proven to be a good man.

Although there is various criticism about his Presidency,and some of his remarks and policies during and after his Presidency, he did many good things during his Presidency,too, including establishing an energy policy for the country, establishing a cabinet post for an energy secretary as well, and participating in the SALT(Strategic Arms Limitation Talks) with Leonid Brezhnev, and thus helping to keep us out of nuclear war, just to name a few.

Especially since his Presidency, his work of intervening in civil wars,, monitoring elections, confronting dictators,and working with Habitat for Humanity, has continued to make a great impact, as you have mentioned, Katie. He also recently wrote the book, "Our Endangered Values: America's Moral Crisis", a timely and relevant work for our times. And he has won many national and international awards, including the Nobel Peace Prize Award in 2002. I am pleased that he will be receiving an honorary degree from Oxford as well. Congratulations, President Carter!

And remember, Katie,and everybody, a peanut a day keeps the doctor away, Peter; Reply to this comment


by frb01 June 19, 2007 11:48 PM EDT: His Presidency was a disaster and since that outside of some of the controversial things he has done, I think he has also done a lot of good and seems willing to help. I think this is basically a good man. And he has to walk with a lot of personal tragedy, he lost his father in the 1950's to cancer, and most of the rest of his family to the same disease, including his brother Billy at a young age and his sister.; Reply to this comment


by one_american June 19, 2007 8:33 PM EDT: History will judge Jimmy Carter's legacy as follows:

1. An unabashed anti-American supporter of terrorism, and an enemy of Israel.

2. A pathetically weak leader, if you could even call him one.

3. A moron for attempting to run a 10K in 1979, and not finishing (he jumped into his motorcade half way through the race).

4. Afraid of rabbits, and especially freaked-out by those that swim towards his boat.; Reply to this comment