Grace.
November 19, 2023 3:41 PM Subscribe
Rosalynn Carter, mental health activist, humanitarian and former first lady, dies at 96. Before her passing, "At the (Carter) Center, she leads a program to diminish stigma against mental illness and to promote greater access to mental health care. She also is a partner with the ex-president in projects to resolve conflict, promote human rights, improve global health, and build democracy in some 65 countries.
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posted by whatevernot at 3:46 PM on November 19, 2023
posted by whatevernot at 3:46 PM on November 19, 2023
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posted by Barbara Spitzer at 3:47 PM on November 19, 2023
posted by Barbara Spitzer at 3:47 PM on November 19, 2023
The Carters seem to been the only President and First Lady in my lifetime, perhaps in any lifetimes, who have lived nearly entirely in service of the Country, and never for themselves first. If they could be beatified, I'd nominate them both tomorrow.
posted by hippybear at 3:49 PM on November 19, 2023 [87 favorites]
posted by hippybear at 3:49 PM on November 19, 2023 [87 favorites]
Pres. Carter was unusually fond of and connected to his wife; this must be a terrible blow to him. She was likely stronger and smarter than she was given credit for; she has my respect; he has my sympathy. I suspect him being not terribly skilled at the machinations of politics has a lot to do with him being great at being a person of faith and service. He put solar panels on the White House; that's amazingly forward-thinking. Reagan, predictably, had them removed.
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posted by theora55 at 3:58 PM on November 19, 2023 [30 favorites]
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posted by theora55 at 3:58 PM on November 19, 2023 [30 favorites]
I have always had such great admiration for Mrs. Carter. She was such a force for good in the world. A true "Steel Magnolia" and an inspiration to so many of my generation. I remember how she fought for the Equal Rights Amendment and how that upset so many people in Washington. I think as a soft-spoken, genteel, christian, Southern Lady, she shocked many people with her progressive views and radical empathy.
A quote from CNN sums it up for me: In 1999, then-President Bill Clinton presented both Carters with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the country’s highest civilian honor. He said they had “done more good things for more people in more places than any other couple on Earth.”
May her memory be a blessing.
posted by pjsky at 4:05 PM on November 19, 2023 [32 favorites]
A quote from CNN sums it up for me: In 1999, then-President Bill Clinton presented both Carters with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the country’s highest civilian honor. He said they had “done more good things for more people in more places than any other couple on Earth.”
May her memory be a blessing.
posted by pjsky at 4:05 PM on November 19, 2023 [32 favorites]
Imagine meeting your soulmate and getting to spend an entire lifetime -- 77 years -- by their side.
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posted by Two unicycles and some duct tape at 4:05 PM on November 19, 2023 [51 favorites]
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posted by Two unicycles and some duct tape at 4:05 PM on November 19, 2023 [51 favorites]
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posted by supermedusa at 4:09 PM on November 19, 2023
posted by supermedusa at 4:09 PM on November 19, 2023
Two unicycles, that nearly made me cry
posted by supermedusa at 4:10 PM on November 19, 2023 [4 favorites]
posted by supermedusa at 4:10 PM on November 19, 2023 [4 favorites]
This was really sad news to read.
The Carters seem to been the only President and First Lady in my lifetime, perhaps in any lifetimes, who have lived nearly entirely in service of the Country, and never for themselves first.
I'm probably a similar-ish age, and I feel exactly the same way.
posted by Dip Flash at 4:13 PM on November 19, 2023 [7 favorites]
The Carters seem to been the only President and First Lady in my lifetime, perhaps in any lifetimes, who have lived nearly entirely in service of the Country, and never for themselves first.
I'm probably a similar-ish age, and I feel exactly the same way.
posted by Dip Flash at 4:13 PM on November 19, 2023 [7 favorites]
The rarest of rarities, both of them: people in politics you can actually admire, who live by their stated values.
posted by Sing Or Swim at 4:23 PM on November 19, 2023 [10 favorites]
posted by Sing Or Swim at 4:23 PM on November 19, 2023 [10 favorites]
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posted by bunnysquirrel at 4:26 PM on November 19, 2023
posted by bunnysquirrel at 4:26 PM on November 19, 2023
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posted by GenjiandProust at 4:29 PM on November 19, 2023
posted by GenjiandProust at 4:29 PM on November 19, 2023
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posted by mcdoublewide at 4:32 PM on November 19, 2023
posted by mcdoublewide at 4:32 PM on November 19, 2023
May her memory be a blessing.
Indeed, indeed.
posted by y2karl at 4:44 PM on November 19, 2023 [4 favorites]
Indeed, indeed.
posted by y2karl at 4:44 PM on November 19, 2023 [4 favorites]
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posted by Silvery Fish at 4:46 PM on November 19, 2023
posted by Silvery Fish at 4:46 PM on November 19, 2023
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posted by MonsieurPEB at 4:47 PM on November 19, 2023
posted by MonsieurPEB at 4:47 PM on November 19, 2023
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posted by cooker girl at 4:52 PM on November 19, 2023
posted by cooker girl at 4:52 PM on November 19, 2023
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posted by Mutant Lobsters from Riverhead at 5:01 PM on November 19, 2023
posted by Mutant Lobsters from Riverhead at 5:01 PM on November 19, 2023
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posted by AlonzoMosleyFBI at 5:06 PM on November 19, 2023
posted by AlonzoMosleyFBI at 5:06 PM on November 19, 2023
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posted by lalochezia at 5:07 PM on November 19, 2023
posted by lalochezia at 5:07 PM on November 19, 2023
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posted by qxntpqbbbqxl at 5:17 PM on November 19, 2023
posted by qxntpqbbbqxl at 5:17 PM on November 19, 2023
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Her husband was the first president I ever voted for. I have always admired them both, and I’m terribly sad to see her go. Let us be glad that she lived a long, fruitful, meaningful life.
posted by Devils Rancher at 5:20 PM on November 19, 2023 [5 favorites]
Her husband was the first president I ever voted for. I have always admired them both, and I’m terribly sad to see her go. Let us be glad that she lived a long, fruitful, meaningful life.
posted by Devils Rancher at 5:20 PM on November 19, 2023 [5 favorites]
The Carters seem to been the only President and First Lady in my lifetime, perhaps in any lifetimes, who have lived nearly entirely in service of the Country, and never for themselves first.
Also, shockingly, American political figures who managed to be both deeply invested in their religion and proponents of the sort of policies I their god seemed to have supported, like feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, and so on.
posted by GenjiandProust at 5:21 PM on November 19, 2023 [30 favorites]
Also, shockingly, American political figures who managed to be both deeply invested in their religion and proponents of the sort of policies I their god seemed to have supported, like feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, and so on.
posted by GenjiandProust at 5:21 PM on November 19, 2023 [30 favorites]
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posted by hydropsyche at 5:24 PM on November 19, 2023
posted by hydropsyche at 5:24 PM on November 19, 2023
Her longevity is the more amazing for her being too good for this Earth.
posted by Capt. Renault at 5:37 PM on November 19, 2023 [11 favorites]
posted by Capt. Renault at 5:37 PM on November 19, 2023 [11 favorites]
Even when people are very old, you may feel their death is too soon
posted by mumimor at 5:40 PM on November 19, 2023 [17 favorites]
posted by mumimor at 5:40 PM on November 19, 2023 [17 favorites]
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posted by dannyboybell at 5:46 PM on November 19, 2023
posted by dannyboybell at 5:46 PM on November 19, 2023
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posted by gentlyepigrams at 5:58 PM on November 19, 2023
posted by gentlyepigrams at 5:58 PM on November 19, 2023
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posted by blue shadows at 6:08 PM on November 19, 2023
posted by blue shadows at 6:08 PM on November 19, 2023
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posted by Windopaene at 6:10 PM on November 19, 2023
posted by Windopaene at 6:10 PM on November 19, 2023
“As long as Rosalynn was in the world, I always knew somebody loved and supported me.” 🥹
posted by johnxlibris at 6:10 PM on November 19, 2023 [19 favorites]
posted by johnxlibris at 6:10 PM on November 19, 2023 [19 favorites]
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posted by jim in austin at 6:13 PM on November 19, 2023
posted by jim in austin at 6:13 PM on November 19, 2023
Jimmy Carter was the first president I voted for. I wasn't old enough to vote in 1976 but I voted for him in 1980. We would have been so much better off if he had been re-elected.
posted by mike3k at 6:19 PM on November 19, 2023 [18 favorites]
posted by mike3k at 6:19 PM on November 19, 2023 [18 favorites]
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posted by Navelgazer at 6:30 PM on November 19, 2023
posted by Navelgazer at 6:30 PM on November 19, 2023
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posted by Token Meme at 6:35 PM on November 19, 2023
posted by Token Meme at 6:35 PM on November 19, 2023
Jimmy Carter was the first president I voted for. I wasn't old enough to vote in 1976 but I voted for him in 1980.
He was the first president I voted for also, even though I was way under voting age in 1980. But my mother brought me into the voting booth (probably because of no childcare) and let me pull the lever. I remember how unhappy my parents were with the results of that election.
posted by Dip Flash at 6:35 PM on November 19, 2023 [6 favorites]
He was the first president I voted for also, even though I was way under voting age in 1980. But my mother brought me into the voting booth (probably because of no childcare) and let me pull the lever. I remember how unhappy my parents were with the results of that election.
posted by Dip Flash at 6:35 PM on November 19, 2023 [6 favorites]
We have her to thank for the fact that health insurers have to treat mental health and substance abuse benefits no differently than physical health services.
She lobbied vigorously for this in 1980 and it passed just a month before President Carter’s term was up. Of course, President Reagan dropped it, and it didn’t become law until 2008.
Bless you, Ms. Rosalynn. Rest in power.
https://www.politico.com/story/2013/12/rosalynn-carter-mental-health-insurance-100798
posted by zooropa at 6:40 PM on November 19, 2023 [23 favorites]
She lobbied vigorously for this in 1980 and it passed just a month before President Carter’s term was up. Of course, President Reagan dropped it, and it didn’t become law until 2008.
Bless you, Ms. Rosalynn. Rest in power.
https://www.politico.com/story/2013/12/rosalynn-carter-mental-health-insurance-100798
posted by zooropa at 6:40 PM on November 19, 2023 [23 favorites]
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posted by paper scissors sock at 6:47 PM on November 19, 2023
posted by paper scissors sock at 6:47 PM on November 19, 2023
In my grade school mock election that year, I was John Anderson. I forget who played Jimmy Carter or Reagan, but they both beat me (much like real life).
President and First Lady Carter have always exemplified service and sacrifice and class and rectitude. They should be secular saints in this country, with statues in every city center.
Bless the both of them; I can't imagine who he turns to for comfort tonight.
posted by wenestvedt at 7:06 PM on November 19, 2023
President and First Lady Carter have always exemplified service and sacrifice and class and rectitude. They should be secular saints in this country, with statues in every city center.
Bless the both of them; I can't imagine who he turns to for comfort tonight.
posted by wenestvedt at 7:06 PM on November 19, 2023
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posted by retypepassword at 7:09 PM on November 19, 2023
posted by retypepassword at 7:09 PM on November 19, 2023
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posted by socialjusticeworrier at 7:17 PM on November 19, 2023
posted by socialjusticeworrier at 7:17 PM on November 19, 2023
They both were such exemplars of devotion to their fellow humans and dedication to service of their country, like hippybear so aptly said. Her efforts for mental health really opened my eyes to what that meant. She was truly an amazing woman.
posted by kitten kaboodle at 7:19 PM on November 19, 2023 [2 favorites]
posted by kitten kaboodle at 7:19 PM on November 19, 2023 [2 favorites]
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posted by May Kasahara at 7:54 PM on November 19, 2023
posted by May Kasahara at 7:54 PM on November 19, 2023
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posted by JoeXIII007 at 8:26 PM on November 19, 2023
posted by JoeXIII007 at 8:26 PM on November 19, 2023
As a non-American learning more about the Carters, I feel sad that Jimmy Carter wasn’t president for longer. Both he and Rosalynn seem like wonderful people who actively tried to use their influence and position to make life better for other people. I don’t know of that many world leaders who have taken the same philosophy to the extent that they did.
Sometimes I feel the unfairness of really awful people living for far too long. But with the Carters it is a nice case of the opposite being true. Married for 77 years, my goodness. How lovely that they found each other when they did.
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posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 8:35 PM on November 19, 2023 [16 favorites]
Sometimes I feel the unfairness of really awful people living for far too long. But with the Carters it is a nice case of the opposite being true. Married for 77 years, my goodness. How lovely that they found each other when they did.
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posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 8:35 PM on November 19, 2023 [16 favorites]
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posted by The Great Big Mulp at 8:36 PM on November 19, 2023
posted by The Great Big Mulp at 8:36 PM on November 19, 2023
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posted by gudrun at 8:40 PM on November 19, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by gudrun at 8:40 PM on November 19, 2023 [1 favorite]
She surely was a light in the darkness.
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posted by virago at 10:27 PM on November 19, 2023 [1 favorite]
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posted by virago at 10:27 PM on November 19, 2023 [1 favorite]
PS zooropa: I didn't know of Rosalynn Carter's 1980 advocacy for mental health and substance use disorder insurance parity.
Rest in power, indeed.
posted by virago at 11:19 PM on November 19, 2023 [4 favorites]
Rest in power, indeed.
posted by virago at 11:19 PM on November 19, 2023 [4 favorites]
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posted by vespertine at 11:28 PM on November 19, 2023
posted by vespertine at 11:28 PM on November 19, 2023
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A great lady, first or otherwise.
posted by brundlefly at 12:20 AM on November 20, 2023 [1 favorite]
A great lady, first or otherwise.
posted by brundlefly at 12:20 AM on November 20, 2023 [1 favorite]
There's a throw-away mention of the guinea-worm project in the CNN article. In 1986, along with election watching, the abolition of the death penalty and conflict resolution, the Carter Centre decided that they would take on the dreaded Guinea-worm Dracunculus medinensis which at the time infected 3.5 million people, mainly in sub-Saharan Africa. At one point, President Carter bluffed his opposite number in Ghana that with his clout he could persuade science to start calling Dracunculus the Ghana-worm. “There isn’t a Guinea worm left in Ghana now, Carter told journalists with a grin . . . ". Carter Centre reports there were six (6) cases of Dracunculiasis in the world (although stats in war-ravaged chaotic countries are iffy) in 2023. You can bet it was a RosalynnJimmy decision to devote time and treasure to helping the dispossessed a very long way from Plains, Georgia. In this case politics is the art of the impossible.
posted by BobTheScientist at 1:40 AM on November 20, 2023 [16 favorites]
posted by BobTheScientist at 1:40 AM on November 20, 2023 [16 favorites]
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posted by inflatablekiwi at 3:09 AM on November 20, 2023
posted by inflatablekiwi at 3:09 AM on November 20, 2023
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posted by miles per flower at 3:34 AM on November 20, 2023
posted by miles per flower at 3:34 AM on November 20, 2023
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posted by EvaDestruction at 5:30 AM on November 20, 2023
posted by EvaDestruction at 5:30 AM on November 20, 2023
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posted by oozy rat in a sanitary zoo at 5:35 AM on November 20, 2023
posted by oozy rat in a sanitary zoo at 5:35 AM on November 20, 2023
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posted by Miss Cellania at 6:01 AM on November 20, 2023
posted by Miss Cellania at 6:01 AM on November 20, 2023
when Jimmy spoke of them as a couple it was ALWAYS "Rosalynn and I"
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posted by brujita at 6:09 AM on November 20, 2023 [7 favorites]
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posted by brujita at 6:09 AM on November 20, 2023 [7 favorites]
I'm from Georgia. It's a mixed bag of a state, where people can be judgmental and closed-minded, but also creative and kind. I always saw the Carters as some of the best of us and I hope many find inspiration from them.
Plus, look at how happy they were on their wedding day! I hope everyone here gets to feel that kind of joy in someone else at least once in life.
posted by Alison at 6:39 AM on November 20, 2023 [11 favorites]
Plus, look at how happy they were on their wedding day! I hope everyone here gets to feel that kind of joy in someone else at least once in life.
posted by Alison at 6:39 AM on November 20, 2023 [11 favorites]
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posted by cmfletcher at 7:04 AM on November 20, 2023
posted by cmfletcher at 7:04 AM on November 20, 2023
I respected and continue to respect the hell out of Jimmy Carter as president. One of the finest men to serve in that office. And he and Rosalynn are also the finest First Couple in my lifetime. Their spirit of service was absolutely unmatched by any other. The Carters have always served, for me, as the paradigm of how a president and first spouse should lead by example, with humility.
How fortunate for the former president and for us all that he had such a partner.
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posted by the sobsister at 8:00 AM on November 20, 2023 [6 favorites]
How fortunate for the former president and for us all that he had such a partner.
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posted by the sobsister at 8:00 AM on November 20, 2023 [6 favorites]
My first and second Presidential votes were for Jimmy Carter. I never once felt that he was an ineffective President as much of the press portrayed at the time. His religious beliefs were backed up by he and Rosalyn's life long commitment to helping others. It shows me that good people can be chosen to lead.
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posted by jabo at 8:12 AM on November 20, 2023 [1 favorite]
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posted by jabo at 8:12 AM on November 20, 2023 [1 favorite]
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posted by Joey Michaels at 10:24 AM on November 20, 2023
posted by Joey Michaels at 10:24 AM on November 20, 2023
Something else to bear in mind.
As we remember them for their life of faith and service, let’s be careful not to forget that they both were tough people in their own right.
As it’s been pointed out in several remembrances I’ve listened to and read, Ms. Rosalynn wasn’t called “Steel Magnolia” for nothing.
Also, Mr. Jimmy also has (by his own admission) a stubborn streak. And in 1950, he was sent back to New London to help with the development of the Navy's first new ships since World War II ended, a submarine called K-1. He qualified to command one of his own, but never did.
This is not besmirch either of their reputations. This fuller picture of who they are makes them even greater, IMO.
posted by zooropa at 10:37 AM on November 20, 2023 [2 favorites]
As we remember them for their life of faith and service, let’s be careful not to forget that they both were tough people in their own right.
As it’s been pointed out in several remembrances I’ve listened to and read, Ms. Rosalynn wasn’t called “Steel Magnolia” for nothing.
Also, Mr. Jimmy also has (by his own admission) a stubborn streak. And in 1950, he was sent back to New London to help with the development of the Navy's first new ships since World War II ended, a submarine called K-1. He qualified to command one of his own, but never did.
This is not besmirch either of their reputations. This fuller picture of who they are makes them even greater, IMO.
posted by zooropa at 10:37 AM on November 20, 2023 [2 favorites]
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Alison, their wedding photo is so beautiful. Such joy and love.
I'm not a believer, but if she's right, I'm sure she won't be resting on her laurels in heaven, however well deserved it would be.
posted by BlueHorse at 10:44 AM on November 20, 2023 [1 favorite]
Alison, their wedding photo is so beautiful. Such joy and love.
I'm not a believer, but if she's right, I'm sure she won't be resting on her laurels in heaven, however well deserved it would be.
posted by BlueHorse at 10:44 AM on November 20, 2023 [1 favorite]
Here’s an article from the NYTimes about how Ms. Rosalynn modernized the Office of the First Lady, sat in on Cabinet meetings, and was in many ways, more of a co-President than Walter Mondale was as VP.
I’ve gifted the article, so y’all can view it from behind the paywall.
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/20/us/politics/rosalynn-carter-first-lady.html?unlocked_article_code=1._0w.briN.mfjModqbEBRP&smid=url-share
posted by zooropa at 10:59 AM on November 20, 2023 [1 favorite]
I’ve gifted the article, so y’all can view it from behind the paywall.
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/20/us/politics/rosalynn-carter-first-lady.html?unlocked_article_code=1._0w.briN.mfjModqbEBRP&smid=url-share
posted by zooropa at 10:59 AM on November 20, 2023 [1 favorite]
What a life. What a love.
posted by senor biggles at 11:07 AM on November 20, 2023
posted by senor biggles at 11:07 AM on November 20, 2023
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posted by The Vice Admiral of the Narrow Seas at 11:45 AM on November 20, 2023
posted by The Vice Admiral of the Narrow Seas at 11:45 AM on November 20, 2023
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posted by but no cigar at 1:49 PM on November 20, 2023
posted by but no cigar at 1:49 PM on November 20, 2023
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posted by northtwilight at 5:03 PM on November 22, 2023
posted by northtwilight at 5:03 PM on November 22, 2023
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posted by Schmucko at 3:45 PM on November 19, 2023