Virtue

[billisonboard]

I found this analysis  powerful and timely: Jimmy Carter set a virtuous example as president. To today’s voters, that may not matter

Some teasers:

"What if virtue is overrated in politics?“

"Only a virtuous people are capable of freedom,” Benjamin Franklin once said. “As nations become more corrupt and vicious, they have more need of masters.”

“To establish trust is hard; wrecking it is simpler, and we seem to be doing that in the United States,” Brooks wrote.

[Tennesseer]

A little off-topic.  May Carter soon rest in peace.

President Jimmy Carter, 99, No Longer Wakes up Every Day — Funeral Plans Unveiled in His Final Days

In the small town of Plains, Georgia, former President Jimmy Carter faces his toughest battle yet, his enduring spirit and legacy shining brightly against the backdrop of his declining health. As the Carter family comes together to support him, the world watches, reflecting on his profound impact on American history and beyond.



Former President Jimmy Carter, once a robust figure, now faces a challenging battle for his health. After 16 months in hospice care, his condition remains dire. The death of his wife, Rosalynn Carter, a few months ago has only worsened his struggles.

Despite this, he continues to be surrounded by the love and support of his family. In a recent interview, Jimmy's grandson, Jason Carter, provided an update on the former president's health. According to Jason, his 99-year-old grandfather has not shown any signs of improvement.

Jason, the eldest of Jimmy and Rosalynn's grandchildren, stated that there has "really been no change" in his grandfather's condition. He emphasized that Jimmy is experiencing the world as best as he can, navigating life without his beloved wife of 77 years.

Jason reflected on the deep void left by Rosalynn's passing. He remarked, "After 77 years of marriage… I just think none of us really understand what it's like for him right now." He highlighted the profound and often incomprehensible nature of such a long-lasting bond.



Jason also noted that Jimmy isn't awake every day. The situation has made it difficult for his children, who visit frequently, to predict what kind of day their father will have.



This challenging time has highlighted the family's need to embrace the uncertainties as they continue to support Jimmy. Plans to honor and preserve his legacy have been thoughtfully prepared for a long time.



The Nobel Peace Prize winner will be honored with a grand state funeral in Washington, D.C. The pomp will be complete with a ceremony befitting a former president. Additionally, there will be a heartfelt memorial in his beloved hometown of Plains, Georgia.

Rest of article here:  President Jimmy Carter, 99, No Longer Wakes up Every Day — Funeral Plans Unveiled in His Final Days

[haapai]

Maybe this story was run to talk about virtue in politicians.  Maybe that's something that we should talk about more. 

But I'm calling this story a pre-obit. 

[billisonboard]

Jun 12, 2024 13:32:02 GMT -5 haapai said:

Maybe this story was run to talk about virtue in politicians.  Maybe that's something that we should talk about more. 

But I'm calling this story a pre-obit. 

For democracy

[haapai]

Jun 12, 2024 14:10:32 GMT -5 billisonboard said:

Jun 12, 2024 13:32:02 GMT -5 haapai said:

Maybe this story was run to talk about virtue in politicians.  Maybe that's something that we should talk about more. 

But I'm calling this story a pre-obit. 

For democracy

Possibly. 

I was thinking more of the disturbing mental tic that I have recently developed.  Bluntly put, whenever someone famous who has been out of the spotlight for a while starts getting attention, particularly attention to their legacy, I assume that I'll be hearing about their death soon. 

But yeah, possibly for democracy.  A certain level of decency (not even virtue) and logic seems to have been lost.  Maybe it is fitting to honor that lost code of conduct before someone dies instead of being accused of politicizing the mourning of a life pretty well lived. 

[djAdvocate]

he is the model of post-presidential service.

nobody will ever live up to it.

but they can all try.

and we can measure them by their failure.

[billisonboard]

So what was different in earlier eras? It was the concept of shame, scholars say. Political leaders back then at least tried to shield their lack of virtue from the public, says Ryan Barilleaux, a political scientist at Miami University in Ohio.

“There used to be this attitude among Americans that presidents were to be held to a standard and that presidents and presidential candidates certainly tried to publicly live up to that standard, even if in private life they didn’t,” Barilleaux says.

...

The result is that we routinely get politicians acting in ways they never would have before, Waller says.

“There’s an old saying — you get the politicians you deserve,” he says.

I think this is what bothers me most about our current political climate.

[djAdvocate]

i heard a rumor that Noam Chomsky is also sick.
he is another guy pushing three figures in age.

edit: i read that he had a massive stroke a year ago, and fell into an unresponsive state earlier this month.

so, he and Jimmy are kind of in the same boat.  except Noam has his second wife by his side.

2nd edit (i am not sure how accurate this is, but it is recent):


His condition has improved significantly,” the paper added. “He left the ICU and is now in a regular room.”

time.com/6987747/noam-chomsky-stroke-brazil/

[billisonboard]

On topic:

QUESTION: Are you suggesting everyone agrees about the nature of vice and virtue?

CHOMSKY: In fact I think they probably have a very high measure of agreement. One strong bit of evidence for this is that everyone — a Genghis Khan, Himmler, Bill Gates — creates stories of themselves where they interpret their actions as working for the benefit of human beings. Even at the extreme levels of depravity, the Nazis did not boast that they wanted to kill Jews, but gave crazed justifications — even that they were acting in ‘self-defence’. It is very rare for people to justify their actions by saying ‘I’m doing this to maximise my own benefit and I don’t care what happens to anybody else’. That would be pathological.

[teen persuasion]

Jun 13, 2024 11:52:17 GMT -5 billisonboard said:

On topic:

QUESTION: Are you suggesting everyone agrees about the nature of vice and virtue?

CHOMSKY: In fact I think they probably have a very high measure of agreement. One strong bit of evidence for this is that everyone — a Genghis Khan, Himmler, Bill Gates — creates stories of themselves where they interpret their actions as working for the benefit of human beings. Even at the extreme levels of depravity, the Nazis did not boast that they wanted to kill Jews, but gave crazed justifications — even that they were acting in ‘self-defence’. It is very rare for people to justify their actions by saying ‘I’m doing this to maximise my own benefit and I don’t care what happens to anybody else’. That would be pathological.

What was Trump saying at a recent rally in extreme heat? Something about I don't care how many of you die, but I need your votes ...

ETA: found this 

But it was one moment wherein Trump remarked in jest that he only cared about his fans’ votes, not his supporters as people.

“I don't want anybody going on me. We need every voter,” he said. “I don't care about you. I just want your vote.”

link