Jimmy Carter and Robert Redford

 Thinking about lots of things, but I was recently reminded that the flags were NOT flown at half mast for Jimmy Carter, so I am honoring him here.  And Robert Redford. Both cut from similar cloth in terms of being altruistic, believing in service, and humility.

Jimmy Carter was human, he never claimed to be perfect, and he wasn't.  My beef with him was over nuclear power, he was in favor of it and as President supported the development of nuclear power. Other than that, as US Presidents go, he was a mensch.  He brokered Peace in the Middle East.  That has since been sabotaged and now Israel/Palestine is the site of genocide, but Carter did good work in that regard. He understood that we needed to care for the Earth, and put solar panels on The White House. Reagan subsequently took them down.  He was married to one woman and from all accounts they were very devoted to each other. None of their offspring are sleazy drug addicts. They lived modestly.  The Carter's spent decades building houses for people who otherwise would never have a house. 

Redford, arguably the epitome of the handsome movie star, was so much more, he was a Person.  He had values and stood by them. He was wise enough not to be ruined by his stardom.  He defended the Earth, he encouraged creativity in others. He was not scandalous. He was an artist. I have never heard a bad word said about him.

Both of these men behaved responsibly in that they responded to the challenges they faced, and they both chose to undergo significant challenges on behalf of the greater good. They both endeavored to leave the world better than they found it. Alas, not everyone in such positions has such aspirations.