"For President Jimmy Carter, it had been nearly three years of tough fighting for clean energy. After a long rollout of green tax credits, the creation of a nascent Energy Department, and a pledge to conduct the “moral equivalent of war” (at the time, spoofed by critics as “MEOW”) against an energy crisis, Carter had built up scars. And there would be more to come. He had had battles with Congress and with his political enemies over green issues. But he had some victories, too, and this day brought one more, a small moment of symbolism."
According to President Carter, the solar energy had, “the power of the sun to enrich our lives as we move away from our crippling dependence on foreign oil.” And then into the Oval Office rolls Ronald Reagan. Wihbey continues:
"The panels became objects of increasing indifference. And so did the tax credits and research funds that had provided the real meat of Carter’s energy initiatives. President Reagan had declared government the problem, not the solution. That meant no energy credits. That also meant no solar panels. Reagan press secretary Dale Petroskey told the Associated Press: 'Putting them back up would be very unwise, based on cost.' "
Based on cost? The original cost to install solar panels onto the White House roof was only $28,000 - mere pocket change for government spending - even then. Ironically, President Obama reinstalled solar panels into the White House in 2013. Happy ending? Well, it's a start. As for President Carter's panels,
"...in 2006, one panel made it down to the Carter Library in Atlanta, delivered there, fittingly, by two students in a vegetable oil-powered vehicle. The Carter library gladly took them, perhaps sensing the deepening 'I-told-you-so' irony of our moment."
Jimmy Carter, the 39th President has been unjustly criticized and labeled 'the worst president' (until George W. Bush), when in fact, he was/is one of America's greatest presidents. Even labeling him the 'best ex-president' is somewhat of an insult. He is the only president since World War II to keep this country out of war. Under Carter's administration, no bombs were dropped and no bullets were fired under the American banner. Imagine the thousands, possibly millions, of lives that were spared from this warless president, as well as the Camp David Accords which Carter facilitated. The 1978 peace treaty between Israel and Egypt has kept the two middle eastern countries at peace with each other for over three decades.
The negative myths about President Carter were perpetuated and spoon-fed to Americans by the Reagan administration, the GOP, and the corporate mainstream media of the day. Thanks to the social media platform, a Facebook page called “Honoring Jimmy Carter” has been created to perpetuate the truth. President Carter was, and is, a remarkable Democrat, humanitarian, world peacemaker, and national treasure. To can visit/like the tribute page on Facebook click on this link: Honoring Jimmy Carter
Read more about Jimmy Carter:
