theguardian.com
Carter's State Funeral Highlights Political Divisions
Jimmy Carter, the 39th US president, died at age 98 on December 2022, receiving a state funeral in Washington, D.C., followed by a private burial in Plains, Georgia, alongside his wife Rosalynn; his presidency, marked by both significant achievements and political challenges, is now viewed through the lens of current political divisions.
- What were the immediate impacts of Jimmy Carter's death on the American political landscape?
- Jimmy Carter, the 39th US president, passed away at the end of December and received a state funeral on Thursday, attended by all living US presidents. His remains were later interred in Plains, Georgia, alongside his wife. This juxtaposition highlights his deep connection to Georgia despite his four years in Washington as president.
- How did Carter's personal characteristics and leadership style contribute to his political successes and failures?
- Carter's funeral served as a requiem for a perceived better era in US politics, contrasting his personal decency with the current political climate. President Biden's eulogy implicitly criticized Donald Trump, highlighting Carter's generosity versus ego. The bipartisan atmosphere at the National Cathedral further emphasized this contrast.
- What are the long-term implications of Carter's legacy, particularly concerning his emphasis on human rights and his relatively early focus on climate change?
- Carter's legacy extends beyond his presidency. The Carter Center, founded in 1982, remains a significant human rights and anti-poverty organization. His achievements, including normalizing US-China relations, returning the Panama Canal, and brokering the Camp David Accords, counter the perception of a less successful presidency. His focus on climate change decades ago also stands out.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The framing is largely positive, focusing on Carter's post-presidential achievements and humanitarian work. The headline and opening sentences emphasize the pomp and circumstance of the state funeral, contrasting it with the private burial in Plains, Georgia. This juxtaposition subtly frames Carter as a man of the people despite his prominent role in Washington. The article repeatedly highlights Carter's virtues and downplays his political shortcomings. The comparison to Trump, while not explicitly stated as a framing device, serves to further elevate Carter's image by contrast.
Language Bias
The language used is largely respectful and laudatory, with words like "solemn," "crystalline," "manifest personal decency," and "requiem" creating a positive tone. While acknowledging Carter's failures, the phrasing often minimizes their impact. For instance, "spiralling oil prices and the Iran hostage debacle" is presented as a relatively brief setback in the larger narrative of his life. More neutral alternatives might include "challenges of his presidency" or simply listing the events without emotionally charged adjectives.
Bias by Omission
The analysis focuses heavily on Carter's post-presidency achievements and downplays some aspects of his presidency, potentially omitting criticisms or controversies that would offer a more balanced perspective. While acknowledging his failures, the piece doesn't delve deeply into specific policy shortcomings or their consequences. The impact of the Iran hostage crisis, for example, is mentioned briefly but not explored in detail. Omitting these details creates a potentially incomplete picture of his presidency.
False Dichotomy
The article presents a somewhat false dichotomy by contrasting Carter's perceived decency and 'better era' of politics with the current political climate under Trump. While highlighting a decline in political civility, it oversimplifies the complexities of both eras, neglecting the nuances within each period and the continuities between them.
Sustainable Development Goals
Jimmy Carter, throughout his life and especially through the Carter Center, actively worked to reduce inequality. The article highlights his concern about the growing chasm between rich and poor, contrasting his values with the current political climate that celebrates this divide. His work through the Carter Center directly addresses poverty reduction, a key aspect of reducing inequality.