The day I met Jimmy Carter
Jim Thompson
By Jim Thompson
HCP columnist
I was flying out of the Atlanta Airport, but I can’t remember where I was going, it must have been New York or Washington, D.C. This was between five and 10 years ago. I noticed it was odd how they loaded the plane. General passengers were loaded first, and the first-class section was left empty.
Sitting next to another road warrior (we must have been in row 14 or somewhere near there), I remarked at the strange loading protocol. As we sat there, I noticed a limousine had pulled up on the left side of the plane. Out pops three burley looking guys in suits and Jimmy Carter!
They came up the stairs and got on the plane. It became obvious, three Secret Service agents and Jimmy Carter. Good that he had three Secret Service agents. I still want to strangle him for giving away the Panama Canal (more on this later).
The next thing you know, old Jimmy starts down through the plane, shaking everyone’s hand. I remarked to my seat mate, “I don’t want to shake his hand, but I guess I must.”
He didn’t like him anymore than I did and said, “I have a plan.”
Now, I didn’t know this guy; and I was starting to get nervous about what he might do. Suddenly, I wanted to be sitting somewhere else.
Carter got to our row, and I shook his hand. My seat mate took his hand to shake and said, “Mr. President, you must be confused, there is a bathroom up front for first-class passengers.”
All of us in the vicinity laughed and so did President Carter.
Afterward, I thought, how arrogant of him to think that everyone on that plane would want to shake his hand.
I have been to the Panama Canal and across the Isthmus of Panama twice. First time, there was just the old canal and locks, by the second time, the new locks had been built. We put a lot of work into building the canal and creating the country of Panama (read “The Path Between the Seas: The Creation of the Panama Canal, 1870-1914” by David McCullough).
This was not a trivial activity. First, the French failed at it, then Teddy Roosevelt decided it was an imperative that we build it. Thousands of workers died building it, until our doctors figured out how to conquer the diseases in the jungle. The cement used to build it was made in Northampton, Pa., put in wooden barrels, and shipped by the trainload to Panama to make concrete. It was a gargantuan project for its time.
It has been a vital strategic element of our defense at times. During World War II, after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, we were moving some large ships to the Pacific Ocean. As they entered the locks on the Atlantic side, their overhang hit the light poles along the locks. The first captain radioed the Pentagon for instructions as to what to do. The answer came back, “Knock 'em down, keep moving.” And that is what they did.
Tolls to pass through the Panama Canal are based on the displacement of a ship. The first time I went through, the captain on our ship announced our toll was over a quarter million dollars.
And Jimmy Carter just gave it away. We should at least be getting a share of the tolls until our costs are reimbursed and have the ability to take control in times of war.
Jim Thompson, formerly of Marshall, is a graduate of Hillsboro High School and the University of Cincinnati. He resides in Duluth, Ga. and is a columnist for The Highland County Press.
Comment
"Panama haw haw!" - Van Halen
It would be nice to have a modest US Navy and Marine Corps presence at the Canal Zone. Something called the Monroe Doctrine comes to mind. And it'd be nice to still have Subic Bay and the Air Force base in The Philippines too, now that China is beating the cold war drums...
I agree
From all indications, Jimmy Carter was a good Christian man, but judging that in anyone is beyond my pay grade. But being a good Christian man is not necessarily the only requirement to be a national leader.
My earliest memories
In 1980, before I turned four, I can barely remember Jimmy Carter as President. More importantly, I do remember my brother's 10th birthday party and then going to the drive-in to watch Empire Strikes Back with my family. I'm not totally sure how and when I heard about a volcano eruption called Mt. St. Helens... Then I turned 4 during the summer. I got Fisher Price adventure toys, a big wheel, and an ERTL toys Ford tractor and wagon.
Jimmy Carter
Greenfield George, I couldn't agree with you more. A former president dies two days prior and all JT can do is disparage him in his cute little story. Jim, I am surprised you can't remember if it was 5 or 10 years ago. Hasn't been that long in either case so looks like you could remember a bit better than that. Mr. Carter certainly was a good Christian man, a very kind person and he did a lot of things for humanity in his lifetime. those are the things I want to remember versus your purported plane ride. I have said many times that while Mr. Carter may have not been the best president ever, he certainly was the best person to ever serve.
FOX News
I saw where Jimma Carter supposedly always walked the handshake line on an airplane after he was dropped off in a black Limo on the tarmac with secret service in tow. Apparently, he was too good to clear the TSA checkpoint and spend time with the masses at the gate. I guess he automatically had priority seating by influence and net income after he and Biden spiked interest rates and inflation on the common man and woman.
At Phoenix airport this spring, I very casually talked with the Cincinnati Reds announcer and #2 starting pitcher. Just small talk about the delayed flight, teasing the "Crafty Left-hander" and "Creeper" Chris Welsh. Sometime early in the morning at the CVG luggage claim just hours before Opening Day, I wished the active pitcher good luck on the season and waved at the long-time announcer on my way to the shuttle bus pick-up to long-term parking. I was wearing bib-overalls and tennis shoes during that cross-country travel day. Hopefully, they weren't on edge at my appearance during the few minutes I interacted with them.... Comfort and stowing areas are vital for those of us who sit in the back of the aircraft. But if the worse should happen, everyone on board would want the nurse, EMT, Firefighter, law enforcement/correction officer, or Veteran to calmly pitch in and deal with whatever crisis the rest of society freaks out about.... I admit. I don't fully understand more than average turbulence. When my stomach gets queasy, I watch for how the flight attendants are acting... The most I have prayed is right before takeoffs and right before landings. I should have gone to jump school, and I should've packed a chute.
Airplane lapses?
Up until just recently, my work required 25 - 50 airplane trips per year. I believe not exactly remembering when one took place is understandable. But writing another note here gives me the opportunity to recall what an anti-Semite, anti-Zionist Carter was. Had he not been elderly and weakened, he would likely have been out protesting with the college students this past year. Carter was definitively the worst president in modern history until we get to Biden, Christian or not.
Don't give in!
I love it! Jim doubles down on a national politician after someone tried to confront him on not being in mourning. Yes, it's a respectful courtesy to offer condolences for the passing of a 100-year-old American Veteran. I have faith that James Earl Carter is in Heaven now. But that same man also made awful decisions as a lackluster CinC. A great responsibility where he did not perform well at all. The people spoke in November of 1980.
There was also one of the final Pearl Harbor Veterans who just passed. Where is the National fanfare for him? The time is now, as all the World War II are all around 100-years-old. I'm sure there was a 15-year-old, or two, that said they were 17 and enlisted in the winter of '44. And they landed on Okinawa. And they'll turn 96 this year...
Just a thought
I wonder how many liberals, back in the 1940's and 50's, lied about their age to enlist into the military.
I'm pretty sure I read…
I'm pretty sure I read somewhere that all the Liberals came down with bonespurs in 1940.
Asthma
Poor Joey Biden had asthma in the 1960's while playing football for the U. of Delaware and confronting Corn Pop, as a "life guard" at the all-black public pool, while the underage kids were rubbing his leg hair... Check Biden's statements before you spur any accusations.
???
When and where did you serve?
Bone spurs
Funny JohnT, I was thinking the same thing But I guess old Trumpy was a Democrat when he did that so it doesn't count with the righties. Hopefully most sensible people know that it isn't just Republicans that volunteer to serve their country. Appears that "some" do think that way though. Now which foot did I have that bone spur in???
Ashma, drug use, "loathe the military"
Biden had "asthma" deferments while playing football for the Univ. of Delaware. Where was Obama during Lebanon, Grenada, Panama, Desert Storm, and Somalia? Hillary... never mind. Bill Clinton wrote to the ROTC Commander that he loathed the military. John F-ing Kerry threw someone else's Medal over the White House fence during a protest. Algore was a segregationist Senator's son with a journalist MOS in the Army. Now, Dems don't give credit to VP USMC Cpl. J.D. Vance for being a combat correspondent in Iraq.
You guys can go sit on your "bone spurs." Relax, and enjoy the next four years. It's time for America to be successful again.
AND...
Obama wore a tan suit!
also
barak hussein obama wore a turban at a madrasah in Indonesia when he was younger.
Scary! Man wears hat!
J.D. went to a party dressed as a woman. He looks like a chubby Corporal Klinger
Don't know you from Adam
JohnT I don't know you from Adam but from one old Sceaming Eagle to another I think I would enjoy a beer with you. You are a funny man.
A good Christian man
Wow. Apparently, Mr. Carter had no redeeming qualities or accomplishments. Even Donald Trump had nice things to say about Jimmy upon his passing.