October-The Dark Side (of Politics)

October 1- Birthdate of James Earl Carter- 1924

"America did not invent human rights. In a very real sense, it ts the other way around. Human rights invented America."

Jimmy Carter, 39th President, 1977-1981-From President Jimmy Carter's Farewell Address, January 14, 1981. As Carter spoke, Americans were held hostage in Iran and Ronald Reagan awaited to be inaugurated as America's next President. "...One of those constructive forces is enhancement of individual human freedoms through the strengthening of democracy, and the fight against deprivation, torture, terrorism and the persecution of people throughout the world. The struggle for human rights overrides all differences of color, nation or language. Those who hunger for freedom, who thirst for human dignity, and who suffer for the sake of justice -- they are the patriots of this cause. I believe with all my heart that America must always stand for these basic human rights -- at home and abroad. That is both our history and our destiny. America did not invent human rights. In a very real sense, it is the other way round. Human rights invented America. Ours was the first nation in the history of the world to be founded explicitly on such an idea. Our social and political progress has been based on one fundamental principle -- the value and importance of the individual...The battle for human rights -- at home and abroad -- is far from over...If we are to serve as a beacon for human rights, we must continue to perfect here at home the rights and values which we espouse around the world: A decent education for our children, adequate medical care for all Americans, an end to discrimination against minorities and women, a job for all those able to work, and freedom from injustice and religious intolerance.