What does the Carter Center do? And how is it related to Habitat for Humanity?
Ruth Bennett
Sterling Hights, Mich.
The Carter Center is completely separate. We put in 51 weeks a year on the center and one week on Habitat. The center is designed to meet the needs of the poorest and most forgotten people in the world. We deal with neglected diseases. We mediate disputes. The thing that gets the most publicity is Habitat. Last year we built 100 homes in India in just four days because Brad Pitt showed up and we were inundated with unanticipated volunteers.
Did you ever envision becoming so prolific a builder of latrines?
Ricardo Fernandez
Orland Park, Ill.
[Laughs.] Ethiopia has one of the highest incidences of blindness on earth because of trachoma, which is caused by filthy eyes. To eliminate flies, we taught people how to build very simple latrines. Women have adopted building them as a kind of liberation movement–there had been a rigid taboo against a woman relieving herself in the daytime–so although we thought we’d have about 10,000 latrines, we’ve passed 340,000. Now instead of my being famous for negotiating peace between Israel and Egypt, I’m famous in Ethiopia for being the No. 1 latrine builder.
What are your feelings about the Bush Administration’s claim that negotiating with our enemies weakens America’s power?
Jeff Rogers, Portland, Ore.
It’s a terrible and tragic and counterproductive policy to avoid communicating with people who disagree with us.
What is your opinion of the current Middle East situation?
Antony Mylonas, Perth, Australia
Since President Clinton left office, there hasn’t been a single day of good-faith peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians orchestrated or supported by Washington.
During your presidency, your energy policies were not very popular. Would the country be in better shape if we had adopted the policies you endorsed?
Ronald McGee, Anchorage
Yes, of course. When I was elected, we were importing 9 million bbl. of oil per day. Within just a few years, we reduced that to 7 million bbl. per day. Now we’re back up to 13 million bbl. a day.
What one regret do you have about your presidency?
Nyamisi Muindi, Buffalo, N.Y.
I wish I had known then what I have learned since I left the White House. We could have had a much more effective policy on alleviating the suffering of people from unnecessary diseases and abject poverty.
Will you endorse any presidential candidate in the primaries?
Howard Guralnick, Seaford, N.Y.
My plan is to wait until the choice is made and then enthusiastically support the Democratic nominee.
To what degree did your faith affect your public policy?
Jeffrey Barnes, Massillon, Oohio
Well, I’ve never found any real conflict between my religious faith and my political posture. But I do think the realm of religion and the realm of politics should be completely separated. A President ought not take any action that would promote a certain religion over others, and that unfortunately has been violated in recent years.
What’s next for you?
Randall Ford, Houston
We’re completing our eradication of guinea worm–we’ve reduced that horrible disease from 3.5 million cases to 8,000 cases so far this year–and are looking at additional diseases to undertake. In the meantime, we continue to help with elections in troubled countries.
You had Charles Mingus play when you were in the White House. Are you still a jazz fan?
Gary Robinson
Moreno Valley, Calif.
That was the best jazz concert the White House has ever seen. Whenever we visit New Orleans or St. Louis or Chicago, we go out of our way to attend a jazz concert or nightclub.
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