Jimmy Carter: “These changes pose important choices for our country.”

All of us owe them our gratitude and respect.

All of us must learn to waste less energy.

Our great nation now teeters on the brink of a widening abyss. Without immediate action, we are at genuine risk of civil conflict and losing our precious democracy.

The aircraft carrying the 52 American hostages had cleared Iranian airspace on the first -- first leg of a journey home. And at every one of the 52 hostages was alive, was well and free.