The picture shown above has made a big impression on me. It accompanied an article published by Bloomberg on January 9, 2025. On that date, memorial services were held in the National Cathedral, to honor former president Jimmy Carter.
Apparently, some consternation occurred, after the memorial ceremonies were over. Country stars Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood performed what has been reported to be Carter's favorite song, John Lennon's "Imagine." Well, Lennon's song does contain lyrics that encourage people to "imagine there's no heaven." What a song for the National Cathedral, right?
I choose not to enter into the recriminations that were apparently made by some. I just want to look at that picture, selected by Bloomberg to accompny its article on the memorial to Carter.
The picture shows President Carter shaking the hand of Deng Xiaoping, who served as the paramount leader of the People's Republic of China from 1978 to 1989. Isn't that a great picture?
While we are talking about imagining things, can we imagine a president who wouldn't threaten other nations with military force or economic sanctions, but who would just talk to their leaders, instead? I am thinking about a president who would be working with one of those leaders to find ways for the United States to cooperate with that leader's country, to address all the incredible challenges that face the world today. Wouldn't that actually be amazing? I'd like to imagine that! A few steps short of heaven, to be sure, but that is the direction we need to go!
I bet a president like Jimmy Carter could work with those leaders of other nations (even China), and find some common ground and agreement on some positive things for the two nations to do cooperatively, things that would help both nations deal with the mutual problems and possibilities that are challenges for all of us. I can envision just what it would look like, too, when the president and one of those foreign leaders started working out some of the possibilities. Just like that picture of Jimmy Carter and Deng Xiaoping!
Here's what I imagine our president might say: "Hey, that's wonderful. That's a great idea. Let's shake on it."
No comments:
Post a Comment
Thanks for your comment!