You Were Always On My Mind

No Jokes. Just Mad Respect.

Jimmy and Rosalyn Carter are my new best friends. They don't know it yet, and neither do the Secret Service--I would be much obliged if you didn't tell the Secret Service...

If you don't know anything about Jimmy and Rosalyn Carter, all I can say is that they are the most successful couple in the United States. In fact, they are the only couple to surpass Ke$ha and Glitter in my esteem.

Mrs. Carter has devoted over 30 years of her life to research on Mental Health and the destigmatization of mental health around the world. Her, and her Carter Center Team of 100 journalists work tirelessly to ensure accurate and educated writing on the topic of mental illness and her many books on the topic are written with such a poignant combination of knowledge and care for her fellow humans that I will freely admit to tearing up while reading them. In short, she is the most brilliant, human individual I can imagine who is not named Jimmy Carter, and even then we have a tie.

Jimmy Carter has been, beyond the shadow of a doubt, the most successful former leader of a country.  His Carter Center fights treatable disease, oversees elections, and work's to bring to the world's attention human rights abuses committed by any and all nations.

In short, they are super cool and, as a couple, accomplished more last Thursday afternoon than I will in my entire life.

Why my obsession? Because I went down to Georgia and had the honor to meet them. It was cool

My Favorite U.S. State

I'm not going to drag on forever like I usually do. This isn't funny. I just wanted a chance to briefly share the Carter's story. I have a real interest in politics, and was generally aware of Carter's story. What I didn't know however, was the close connection between the Carters and Canada, and the Carter's work and issues that have taken center stage.

Carter shed tears at lunch while discussing Canada's contributions to protecting Iranian prisoners during his Presidency, and spoke passionately about his work as one of the leaders of the team that worked on the Chalk River Reactor. My Father was an American Citizen until 3 years ago, both of my parents were members of the American Military, when he spoke about the relationship between Canada and the United States as being not one of neighbors, or even friends, but in many ways a familial one. 

When we finally live in a world where mental illness is treated in a way not so dissimilar from physical illness. Where we offer support, acceptance, and encouragement rather than publish articles using pejorative and inaccurate language for highly prevalent disorders it will be the work of Rosalyn Carter that brought us there.

Finally, if we ever have a class of politicians that speak bravely on the topic of human decency, contemplate their action and devote themselves sincerely to public service they will be following in the footsteps of Jimmy Carter. To borrow from my friend Arthur Milnes, we'll be standing in his bright shadow.