squandering my potential

A letter from Jimmy Carter to his sister-in-law, dated May 13, 1990.

Photo: Mat Honan

5/13/90

To Sybil,

Lamentably, I killed your cat while trying just to sting it. It was crouched, as usual, under one of our bird feeders & I fired from some distance with bird shot. It may ease your grief somewhat to know that the cat was buried properly with a prayer & that I’ll be glad to get you another of your choice.

I called & came by your house several times. We will be in the Dominican Republic until Thursday. I’ll see you then.

Love, Jimmy

This picture reminded me of an episode of "The Simpsons" from years ago. When the town of Springfield is unable to afford a statute of Abraham Lincoln, they're forced to settle for a statute of Jimmy Carter instead. When it's unveiled, someone shouts, "Jimmy Carter? He's history's greatest monster!" and a riot ensues.

As for the letter itself - who in their right mind shoots at a cat? Even if Carter's intention was "only to sting it," there have to be literally thousands of quicker and less lethal ways to chase a cat away from bird feeder. Seriously. Carter could have just as easily thrown a rock, or a shoe for that matter. (Though honestly, who throws a shoe? Really?)

Instead, Carter presumably had to take the time to retrieve his shotgun, load it with bird shot, and then fire at his sister-in-law's cat.

The fact that this country survived the late '70s is amazing.