While building 20 new homes in Memphis with Habitat for Humanity, former President Jimmy Carter, 91, stopped for a few minutes to speak with Tanya Rivero of the Wall Street Journal. The interview covered Habitat for Humanity, America’s housing needs, Carter’s health after being diagnosed with cancer, his presidential legacy and peace treaties. He also discussed America’s emerging oligarchy. Not your normal lunch break chatter.
Beginning with Habitat for Humanity, the former president and his wife Rosalynn Carter have been building homes for over 30 years. The homes they build, which have changed people’s lives—are not giveaways.
The 39th President Jimmy Carter working on site for Habitat for Humanity in Memphis, Tennessee where 20 new homes are being built.
The homes are paid for by folks who often also help build them. There is no interest and the monthly payments are low. Those same monthly payments help build new homes for others in need. As for America’s housing dilemma, Carter says the national statics show there is more of a need today than anytime he’s seen in his lifetime—especially in areas of the country like Memphis, Tennessee, where there are “pockets of poverty.”
When the subject turned to his health, former President Carter cheerfully said a year ago, this month, he thought he would have only a few weeks to live. After trying an experimental treatment he is now grateful to be in remission — and holding a hammer.
WSJ journalist Tonya Rivero interviews Jimmy Carter during a Habitat for Humanity break.
Rivero wasn’t shy about going deep with questions. She asked if the 39th U.S president felt like he had any “unfinished business” after leaving the Oval Office. The Nobel Peace Prize laureate was not shy about answering.
The inauguration of President Jimmy Carter with First Lady Rosalynn Carter in 1976
He said one of his greatest disappointments was the fact that almost 40 years after the Camp David Accord when he helped facilitate a peace treaty between Israel and Egypt that exists to day, Israel has yet to fulfill it’s promises to Palestinians. Carter is one of the few American leaders who is not afraid to discuss the subject.
The Camp David Accords facilitated by President Carter brought peace to Israel and Egypt. The peace between the two nations has lasted lasted 40 years. Carter says one of his disappointments is that Israel did not keep its promises to Palestine.
When the topic of elections came up, Carter remarked that due to Citizens United, we live in an “oligarchy” where the rich hold much more power than the average American and it’s often the rich who decide who gets elected to be president, governor, and hold office in Congress. He added legal bribery is taking place when candidates receive great amounts of money from wealthy individuals and/or financial groups. It creates an obligation to wealthy donors when it comes to laws and taxation.
Concluding the interview Carter talked about the rise of racism in America after many thought we were past the worst of it. Black communities are clearly being treated unfairly and Carter talks about what he’s doing to help attenuate the problem.
Well, time’s up—back to work. He doesn’t stop. The man just doesn’t stop. The Honorable Jimmy Carter is an American treasure. Both he and former First Lady Rosalyn Carter are world treasures.
Here is the video and interview between Wall Street Journal’s Tanya Rivero and former President Jimmy Carter while at the building site of Habitat for Humanity in Memphis, TN in August 2016.
America’s Nobel Peace Prize laureate and 39th President Jimmy Carter continues to advocate for human rights, peace and democracy with relentless and veracious fortitude and compassion. To honor him, over 175,000 people have joined the new Facebook page, Honoring Jimmy Carter. There, they share stories and thoughts about this remarkable man while paying tribute. In addition, many are also showing their appreciation by signing the Thank you petition below:
