President Carter has melanoma and it has spread to his brain from his colon . In a word, here is my tribute: An unsuccessful president who spent the past 30 years as one of the most accomplished humanitarians in American history . . . . . . period.

His statement in this morning's presser included this:  "Everything has been a blessing to me."  He did not mention this,  but he has expressed disappointment that H Obama has never called him nor asked for advice,  despite similar ideological.  While I am a conservative Independent,  I was a JFK Democrat going into college,  and worked enthusiastically for Governor Carter's first election.  He ran as a Washington outsider,  and said all the right things.  

The economy went into the tank in ways far worse that the most recent recession,  contrary to Obama's popular belief  (interest rates rose to 20% and unemployment hit 13%, and influenced the end of Carter's term and the first two years of Reagan's.    

The housing industry completely shut down along with businesses that feed off that industry such as my first cabinet shop.  More than this,  there was that 444 day hostage crisis.  By the time that was over,  the nation was so turned off by Carter's indecision on the matter,  the GOP could have run my mother-in-law (at the time) and won the election.     

Since his time as president,  there has not been a more involved post-service president.  His humanitarian work has touched the lives of the world's poor and disadvantage to the tune of well over 550 million people.  I am not so partisan that I cannot give him his honor  . . . . .   a truly great man.