Compare Carter's altruistic post-presidency with Obama's vainglorious and swellheaded post-presidency
The testimonials to former President Jimmy Carter following his death have been heartfelt and praiseful.
And rightly so. He was credited with “setting a new standard” for presidents after leaving office. His Carter Center has helped to advanced peace, human rights and health in more than 80 countries.
His identification with Habitat for Humanity helped the non-profit build or renovate thousands of homes for low-income families. He became an inspiration for many volunteers to give their time and effort to a worthy cause.
Carter’s lengthy post-presidency is testimonial to his munificent character. Be humble and walk with God.
Compare that with Obama’s self-serving post-presidency.
The 20-story Obama Center now under construction in the lakefront Jackson Park on the South Side is a metaphor for Obama’s towering ego. Chicago columnist John Kass called it the “Obama Temple of Adoration and Fealty.”
Toadies looking for favor from the rich and famous Obama have shoveled hundreds of millions of dollars into the Obama Foundation to build what will be Chicago’s ugliest edifice.
Think of what the $700 million-plus center could do if Obama had put this king’s ransom into programs that raise the indigent and hopeless out of their misery. Itis phallic menhir* trashing the historic Jackson Park.
More than 800 trees reportedly were cut down to make way for the phallic menhir*, carelessly violating the open landscape envisioned by the park’s famous architect, Frederick Law Olmsted.
Obama Foundation publicists raved about how the huge center is “nestled” in the parkland, clearly ignoring how the monstrous center, dwarfs the park’s remaining trees. The Foundation has the brass to claim the center reflects the Obama’s “commitment to environmental sustainability.” Laughably, the Foundation pronounces that the center is a “model of sustainable development that through a combination of innovation and ingenuity [preserves the environment].” I suppose it will be “sustainable” because this blot on the landscape will be around for so long that future generations will look at the building and ask, “What the hell were they thinking?”
Carter was an admirable man who was humble in his giving. Obama would rather appease his ego and greed by inflicting this scar on a beloved city treasure.
Maybe the differences are explained this way: Obama didn’t have time to devote as Carter to do charitable work because Obama was too busy running the government. The Biden administration was Obama’s third term as he was busy with his third term. His involvement with the Biden administration has been well-reported. So he was busy tossing the Biden out of his campaign for a second term.
Carter wrote op-eds in which he criticized both Republican and Democratic presidents. But never would he involve himself like the self-absorbed Obama.
*Menhirs are commonly associated with the Neolithic and Bronze Age periods and were the site of ceremonials or rituals.
