Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Hot on Facebook
Guy Buys $123 Safe on eBay, Finds $26,000 Inside Seller tries to get half the cash back, fails »

Admit It: Carter Was 100% Right

Energy conservation sounds like a pretty good idea about now

By Jonas Oransky,  Newser Staff

Posted Jul 15, 2008 4:41 PM CDT

(Newser) – “Misunderstood, mocked and maligned” though he was, Jimmy Carter was exactly right about our energy problems and their solutions, Joseph Wheelan writes in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Way back in 1979, "Carter outlined a program for achieving energy independence." In 2008, "It turns out that Carter was right after all."

“Beginning this moment, this nation will never use more foreign oil than we did in 1977—never,” Carter declared in the “crisis of confidence” speech that cemented his negative reputation. He sought to raise auto mileage standards to 48 miles per gallon by 1995.  All these years later, Wheelan laments, our energy policy seems to be “clinging ever tighter to our oil-based economy and its lucrative profits for the scions of the status quo.”

In this July 31, 2001 file photo, former President Jimmy Carter is seen in a Rose Garden of the White House in Washington.
In this July 31, 2001 file photo, former President Jimmy Carter is seen in a Rose Garden of the White House in Washington.   (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)
Former President Jimmy Carter sings Take Me Out to the Ball Game during the seventh inning stretch during a baseball game.
Former President Jimmy Carter sings "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" during the seventh inning stretch during a baseball game.   (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
Carter's 'crisis of confidence' speech   (SkipW)
Carter/Reagan debate   (CamdenNJ28)

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next »
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Be the first to comment on this story.

More Newser Stories

Gas From Garbage Finally Gets Momentum


NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne