# Rest in Peace, Jimmy Carter who turned 100 on October 1st. Amazing (has died, Dec. 29, 2024) **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [July 27, 2024, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rest-in-peace-jimmy-carter-who-turned-100-on-october-1st-amazing-has-died-dec-29-2024/1004838 "2024-07-27T00:47:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 13
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2025, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rest-in-peace-jimmy-carter-who-turned-100-on-october-1st-amazing-has-died-dec-29-2024/1004838/242 "2025-01-03T14:00:04Z")
A powerful story. Thank you for sharing that. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2025, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rest-in-peace-jimmy-carter-who-turned-100-on-october-1st-amazing-has-died-dec-29-2024/1004838/243 "2025-01-03T15:31:29Z")
With help from @Boycott , here is former Secret Service agent Jerry Parr reading this account from his own book. Video, approx 5 minutes; Parr reading from his book ➜ [https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=5Rmt09CN83g&t=13m41s](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=5Rmt09CN83g&t=13m41s) ■ Rest in Peace, Mr. President, and thank you for your many blessings. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2025, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rest-in-peace-jimmy-carter-who-turned-100-on-october-1st-amazing-has-died-dec-29-2024/1004838/244 "2025-01-03T16:48:32Z")
I knew Carter served on a nuclear sub. I never knew he was part of a clean-up crew inside a reactor! I want to read his book _Why Not the Best_. It’s available on Prime in audiobook form. No wonder he was so prepared to manage the Three Mile Island accident. It must of been quite surreal for Carter to walk into another damaged power plant 25 years after his clean-up mission in the Navy. Link [President Carter | American Experience | Official Site | PBS](https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/three-president-carter/) > [@](#): > > The damaged reactor at Three Mile Island was not the first President Jimmy Carter had viewed up close. While in the Navy, Carter was part of a team that helped dismantle the damaged nuclear reactor at the Chalk River plant in Ontario, Canada. A trained nuclear engineer, Carter worked under famed Admiral Hyman Rickover, the father of the Navy’s nuclear program, on the “Sea Wolf,” an atomic submarine. He also studied nuclear physics at Union College in New York. Given his background, Carter had a firm grasp of the potential disaster that would ensue should a nuclear meltdown occur. As a seasoned politician, he was also aware of the possible panic that would ensue should people come to believe a meltdown was imminent. > **[Before he was president, Jimmy Carter saved nuclear reactor after meltdown](https://www.fox5atlanta.com/news/jimmy-carter-nuclear-meltdown-clean-up-canada-navy-history)** > > In 1952, when a Canadian nuclear reactor suffered a partial meltdown, officials turned to a young Navy sailor who could deal with the situation: 28-year-old future president Jimmy Carter. > [@](#): > > [Speaking to journalist Arthur Milnes,](https://www.cnn.com/2011/OPINION/04/05/milnes.carter.nuclear/index.html) Carter described the preparation before he and 22 other men under his command prepared to deal with the situation. > > “It was a very exciting time for me when the Chalk River plant melted down,” he continued in the same interview. “I was one of the few people in the world who had clearance to go into a nuclear power plant.” > > Carter himself was physically lowered into the damaged reactor, exposing himself to dangerous levels of radiation. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2025, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rest-in-peace-jimmy-carter-who-turned-100-on-october-1st-amazing-has-died-dec-29-2024/1004838/245 "2025-01-03T18:43:55Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > > [@](#): > > > > Carter himself was physically lowered into the damaged reactor, exposing himself to dangerous levels of radiation. And he lived to 100. Hmmm… ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2025, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rest-in-peace-jimmy-carter-who-turned-100-on-october-1st-amazing-has-died-dec-29-2024/1004838/246 "2025-01-03T18:50:04Z")
How do you think he gained the superpowers he displayed as a member of [the X-Presidents](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_X-Presidents)? ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2025, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rest-in-peace-jimmy-carter-who-turned-100-on-october-1st-amazing-has-died-dec-29-2024/1004838/247 "2025-01-03T19:02:08Z")
Jimmy’s glow made it easy for the Secret Service agents to track him in the dark. 😉 I plan to read Carter’s book and get full details. The training and protective gear given to the team. Carter was only a lieutenant. Would he be the officer in command? His role will be explained in the book. Carter was known for being calm in a crisis. His mission with General Powell in Haiti deserves a movie. I can’t imagine being in a conference room with a Haitian strong man like Cédras with US forces in the air preparing to invade. Link [Operation Uphold Democracy - Wikipedia](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Uphold_Democracy) > [@](#): > > On 16 September 1994, as these forces prepared to invade, with the lead elements of Bravo Co., [2nd Ranger Battalion](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/2nd_Ranger_Battalion) already in the air after being staged in Guantanamo Bay, a diplomatic element led by former President [Jimmy Carter](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jimmy_Carter), U.S. Senator [Sam Nunn](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sam_Nunn) and retired Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General [Colin Powell](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colin_Powell) persuaded the leaders of Haiti to step down and allow the elected officials to return to power. The main leader holding power, General Cédras, was the key focus of the delegation. General Powell’s personal relationship with Cédras, from when Cédras was a student in the [School of the Americas](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_Hemisphere_Institute_for_Security_Cooperation) as a young officer, played a significant role in the American delegation gaining an audience with Cédras and enabling the conduct of negotiations for approximately two weeks.[ ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2025, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rest-in-peace-jimmy-carter-who-turned-100-on-october-1st-amazing-has-died-dec-29-2024/1004838/248 "2025-01-03T21:03:20Z")
Radiologists, exposed to low level radiation, have been said to live longer than other specialties. I’ve read that, as an example of hormesis. I don’t know if it is actually true though. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2025, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rest-in-peace-jimmy-carter-who-turned-100-on-october-1st-amazing-has-died-dec-29-2024/1004838/249 "2025-01-03T21:16:29Z")
Didn’t know about his visit to the soldier injured in the Desert One disaster. Great story. Makes me think even better of him. ---
**Author:** ![Sherrerd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sherrerd/32/8_2.png) [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2025, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rest-in-peace-jimmy-carter-who-turned-100-on-october-1st-amazing-has-died-dec-29-2024/1004838/250 "2025-01-03T23:30:29Z")
Without mentioning the details: apparently an insult to Jimmy Carter is planned. He won’t get the full 30 days of respect represented by having US flags at half-staff, which would last until January 28. Instead the flags will be returned to normal at noon on January 20 by order of the person who will be in charge at that time. (This, from a post by the person in question made today.) (Personally, I’m hoping there will be so massive an outcry that this individual’s plans will be thwarted.) [https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/5065982-trump-democrats-carter-flags-half-staff/](https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/5065982-trump-democrats-carter-flags-half-staff/) ---
**Author:** ![ekedolphin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ekedolphin/32/10003_2.png) [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2025, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rest-in-peace-jimmy-carter-who-turned-100-on-october-1st-amazing-has-died-dec-29-2024/1004838/251 "2025-01-04T02:42:18Z")
> [@Sherrerd](#): > > Without mentioning the details: apparently an insult to Jimmy Carter is planned. He won’t get the full 30 days of respect represented by having US flags at half-staff, which would last until January 28. Instead the flags will be returned to normal at noon on January 20 by order of the person who will be in charge at that time. (This, from a post by the person in question made today.) Um, the article does not say that. ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2025, 4:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rest-in-peace-jimmy-carter-who-turned-100-on-october-1st-amazing-has-died-dec-29-2024/1004838/252 "2025-01-04T04:01:00Z")
I have tears in my eyes from reading that. ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2025, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rest-in-peace-jimmy-carter-who-turned-100-on-october-1st-amazing-has-died-dec-29-2024/1004838/253 "2025-01-04T04:04:44Z")
> [@Sherrerd](#): > > Without mentioning the details: apparently an insult to Jimmy Carter is planned. He won’t get the full 30 days of respect represented by having US flags at half-staff, which would last until January 28. Instead the flags will be returned to normal at noon on January 20 by order of the person who will be in charge at that time. (This, from a post by the person in question made today.) I live in an apartment building across the street from another that is it’s mirror image. One woman in that building goes out each day to raise the flag on a pole, on days when it’s not raining. She takes it down at sundown. It’s at half staff now. I’m going to get a print of this and see her, maybe she will keep it at half until the 28th. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2025, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rest-in-peace-jimmy-carter-who-turned-100-on-october-1st-amazing-has-died-dec-29-2024/1004838/254 "2025-01-04T04:43:49Z")
We should be clear. That article claims that Trump is unhappy that the flag will be at half staff during his inauguration. It doesn’t indicate in any way that he’s going to end it before the 30 days are up. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2025, 6:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rest-in-peace-jimmy-carter-who-turned-100-on-october-1st-amazing-has-died-dec-29-2024/1004838/255 "2025-01-04T06:15:58Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > Didn’t know about his visit to the soldier injured in the Desert One disaster. Great story. Makes me think even better of him. Thinking of that soldier in that hospital bed, in excruciating pain, rendering a salute to the President… wow, just wow… my eyes watered a bit. Must be getting soft in my 60s. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2025, 6:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rest-in-peace-jimmy-carter-who-turned-100-on-october-1st-amazing-has-died-dec-29-2024/1004838/256 "2025-01-04T06:16:53Z")
We’ve been reminded to leave Trump comments out of this thread. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2025, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rest-in-peace-jimmy-carter-who-turned-100-on-october-1st-amazing-has-died-dec-29-2024/1004838/257 "2025-01-04T16:07:06Z")
CNN just showed the funeral procession driving to his boyhood home, where someone rang a bell 39 times. (The funeral procession is quite large.) ---
**Author:** ![Sherrerd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sherrerd/32/8_2.png) [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2025, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rest-in-peace-jimmy-carter-who-turned-100-on-october-1st-amazing-has-died-dec-29-2024/1004838/258 "2025-01-04T22:36:27Z")
> [@Bullitt](#): > > We’ve been reminded to leave Trump comments out of this thread. That’s right, and anyone interested in the topic of this particular disrespect toward Jimmy Carter can look at the “Truth” post made by the person who does apparently intend to commit the disrespect (see the second-to-last sentence). ---
**Author:** ![Lsura](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7993a0/32.png) [@Lsura](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lsura)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2025, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rest-in-peace-jimmy-carter-who-turned-100-on-october-1st-amazing-has-died-dec-29-2024/1004838/259 "2025-01-05T15:41:35Z")
I went to the Carter Center this morning, around 7:30, for the lying in repose. They did a great job of routing things through the museum, which is nice for folks who don’t live locally. I found going to it surprisingly moving - I didn’t expect to be. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2025, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rest-in-peace-jimmy-carter-who-turned-100-on-october-1st-amazing-has-died-dec-29-2024/1004838/260 "2025-01-05T17:48:51Z")
It can be good to feel moved. Any idea why they have him lying in state there in Norcross and not at his Presidential Library in Atlanta? ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2025, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rest-in-peace-jimmy-carter-who-turned-100-on-october-1st-amazing-has-died-dec-29-2024/1004838/261 "2025-01-05T17:51:56Z")
> [@Bullitt](#): > > Any idea why they have him lying in state there in Norcross and not at his Presidential Library in Atlanta? He’s been lying in state at the Carter Center, which, as far as I know, _is_ in Atlanta. Am I mistaken? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rest-in-peace-jimmy-carter-who-turned-100-on-october-1st-amazing-has-died-dec-29-2024/1004838.md?page=12) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rest-in-peace-jimmy-carter-who-turned-100-on-october-1st-amazing-has-died-dec-29-2024/1004838.md?page=14)