Feeling presidential

G and I were invited to go see Jimmy Carter speak at the JFK Library earlier this week. He's still sharp--Carter, that is, although G definitely is, too--and continues to travel around the world for his Carter Center mediating peace, overseeing elections, and advocating for human rights and mental health. No matter what your political leanings, I think most can agree that Carter has been an exceptional role model for being a force for good, post-presidency. I was especially impressed with his realness and humility.  He talked candidly about his experiences, mistakes and all, during his presidency.

Ray Suarez:  What would you do differently if you were to do it all over again?

Carter:  Well, for starters I would have ordered at least one more helicopter in the rescue of the hostages...

RS:  And apparently, someone took a lesson from you recently on that.

Carter: ...and I would have preferred to start the Carter Center four years later, of course!

By the way, Carter ran an average of 40 miles a week when he was president. Judging from his sharpness at 86, he could be a poster child for the benefits of running.

. . .

Today, as I write this, I realize something. I've been a teensy bit obsessed by presidential things lately.

Maybe it's because, during my inside workouts, I've been rewatching the 2004 series Jack & Bobby , about two brothers growing up in current day, one of whom will be the future US president. Have you seen it?  It takes an interesting approach, flashing back and forward between now, watching the brothers grow up, and the future, when one of them is president. This is the whole pilot; you can get a sense of it just from the first few minutes (I'd say it's a PG-13): 

My netflix queue says it all: next up,  I'll be rewatching The West Wing (oh, I miss that witty banter), then the John Adams series (have you read the book? I'd love to finish that eventually), the movie The American President, then Truman.  Hm. I think, at the heart of it, I just find it interesting to see what humans do when they are under that kind of pressure. It's sometimes inspiring, sometimes overwhelming but always fascinating to see what people rise to and/or sink to in that peculiar position of power.  

What movies/books am I missing? 

What does your netflix queue say about what you're interested in lately?

Comments

[Christie]

Okay, lots to say here.

First: Carter. WOW. That would have been amazing. I still think he got a bad rap and would have done great things if given another term (hello? Look at him now!) I've always liked him.

Second: I am five minutes into that show now and am hooked. It looks awesome. Where was I when it came out? How did I miss it? Thanks for the heads-up. Will definitely be adding it to my que. Especially with the tv season winding up. Need something good to run to!

Third: Confession: I never watched West Wing. Is it too late? Should I start? Have heard such good things about it, but never watched.

Fourth: I think that's it.

Fifth: No, wait. One more thing: I am heading to see Jane Eyre today by myself. Bless you for giving me the courage to go to movies alone (though I would much rather be seeing it with you). Love you, friend. Miss you!

Sixth. Now that's all.

[martha]

People are just interesting. I've been reading Crossfire, about the Kennedy assassination. It's an interesting read, whether fact or fiction, I'm interested in the mystery. When I was 16 and an assistant librarian, I read all sorts of books in the dewys that I found fascinating, including The Chappaquiddick cover-up. Maybe it's just the conspiracy that I like:)