Jimmy Carter and Donald Trump

In recent days, we watched our nation honor a former Democratic American president who left office over forty years ago after four years that, although not void of accomplishment, can mostly be described as nothing short of a real-life nightmare.

Jimmy Carter lived to be 100 years old, and his impact went far beyond his long-shot presidential bid that took him from Georgia peanut farmer and former governor to the White House. President Carter will never be regarded highly by historians for his presidency.

Of course, Carter had a marvelous run as a former President, creating the Carter Center, serving as a diplomat (sometimes irritating the presidential administration serving at the time), monitoring elections around the world, fighting terrible diseases in third world countries, and volunteering for Habitat for Humanity. He won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002.

There is no way that President Carter's accomplishments can be listed completely in an article such as this.

As you may (or may not) know, presidential funerals bring together former presidents and other past high-profile political figures. Men and women who vigorously sparred in past decades suddenly and briefly view each other in a different light.

From my observation, the media covered the interactions among former president Obama; President-elect Trump; President Biden; Vice President Harris; and former vice president Pence in scrutiny that made it seem that the state funeral was centered on these individuals and not on Jimmy Carter.

Carter stayed true to his Democratic roots in the closing days of his life. The Carter Center reported that he voted via mail ballot for Kamala Harris in the 2024 vote for presidential electors.

In recent decades, Carter came to be viewed highly by all Americans, regardless of political party or viewpoint.

For a brief moment, we could all agree on something. President-elect Trump greeted the vice president who opposed him in the most recent election. Trump and Obama had a lengthy conversation that seemed surprisingly pleasant.

The moment was strong, even though it was brief. The incoming president is a polarizing figure. Many Democrats dread the January 20 inauguration day. Many Republicans are counting down to the day, eager for Joe Biden's term to expire.

I've heard it from people I know, and I've heard it on the radio stream on my smartphone, too.

We mourn the death of Jimmy Carter, but the timing of his death was, in a sense, his final gift to us.

The upcoming inauguration of Donald Trump as the 47th president will divide us, but the state funeral for Jimmy Carter, our 39th president, united us at a crucial moment.

William Shakespeare once wrote, "Strive mightily, but eat and drink as friends." This phrase has often been directed to attorneys like me.

It could also apply to our leaders and lawmakers. Not to mention us as American citizens.

Be firm in your political views, folks. But state your views in such a way that those who disagree with you will respect you.

James A. Rose, Publisher