Actually to call Billy Carter “retarded” is a disservice to the truly retarded out there. Billy Carter… weird stupid embarrassing presidential brother or historically significant figure? Billy Carter’s old gas station in Plains, Georgia may get some federal funds as a “historical landmark”.
In the age of the $787 billion stimulus package, it is, perhaps, a modest question:
Should American taxpayers foot the bill to enshrine the gas station run by the late Billy Carter — the beer-swilling, wisecracking, self-professed redneck brother of the 39th president?
Located in tiny Plains, still the world’s most famous peanut town some 28 years after the Carter presidency, the station was transformed into a museum last year by a civic group that owns the property.
Its claim to historical significance came during Jimmy Carter’s 1976 presidential run, when reporters mobbed Plains and transformed the station into an unofficial headquarters.
It became the setting for story after story about Billy Carter and his down-home manners and epigrammatic wit (for example: “Beer is not a good cocktail-party drink — especially in a home where you don’t know where the bathroom is”).
Last month, the House approved a measure that would incorporate the station into the Jimmy Carter National Historic Site, a National Park Service operation that already runs a number of Carter-related buildings in Plains.
A similar bill is under consideration in the Senate’s Energy and Natural Resources Committee.
The legislation calls for the park service to take over the gas station, plus an old farmhouse where Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, lived from 1956 to 1961.
The park service would also take over a state-run welcome center threatened with closing because of state budget problems.
The Congressional Budget Office estimates it would cost $17 million to upgrade and maintain the sites over the next five years. That was enough to elicit an objection from Steve Ellis, vice president of the Washington-based Taxpayers for Common Sense.
As Mr. Ellis states later — it really is a matter of priorities. Nothing against Billy — he was the best (read “embarrassing”) thing about Jimmy Carter’s miserable presidency. Barack Obama has had the good sense to keep his family in squalor in Africa where the press won’t can’t find them. Maybe we can get an Obama qat dispensary into the federal park system from Kenya on 2040. In any case… our tax dollars at work.
My preference would be to erase Carter’s from our memory. Wouldn’t this money be better spent building a time machine to go back and time and keep Carter from ever getting elected? Someone to whisper in Ford’s ear — “Poland is a Soviet satellite you idiot!” If he was never elected we’d never have heard of him. You think that’s stupid? Did you read the article I posted? Where would you rather spend $17 million?
Floyd,as I’ve said before,the election of Carter was a Godsend to the conservative movement.Four years of that thick lipped moron showed the way to Reagan(sure as hell did for me)
It may be a fitting lagacy for the 111th Congress.
My dad still has a can of Billy Beer. Could he apply for federal funds to preserve it as a historical artifact? Or would it qualify for a Superfund cleanup grant from the EPA?
Long ago the NPS became a political organization. Every Congresscritter has to have an NPS site in its district. Not just to bring home the pork, but so he NPS can put its hooks into it. If the critter doesn’t get in line, add that site to the list of closures that magically appears every time Congress even things about not giving the NPS a budget increase.
Sites like this should be created, managed and maintained by the states. Georgia foisted that clown on this country, Georgia can pay for the monument to him.
In that case, they’ll hire migrant workers to burn the sh*t down. I guess Chicago will be next. Better move, T.
I’m fascinated with the photo on the 12 pack of Billy Beer. All of his drinking buddies are downwind which may not be the best thing. I think that’s Bobby Goldsboro to Billy’s left sporting a porn star mustache. The truck in the background is there to add authenticity with a bonus pal perched on the cab. Everyone looks thoroughly amused by Billy – even the dog. I hope everyone brought their own beer because that tub is Billy’s stash.
I agree with Floyd that Billy was the best thing about the Jimmy Carter years. He was great fodder for the venerable Johnny Carson. Billy was my favorite member of the Carter family and certainly the most attractive.
I had forgotten about Billy. Truly the best thing about Carter’s presidency!