Jimmy Carter: “It would have been better for me and for our country, for my reputation as a leader and for our Nation's reputation as a…”

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.

There's only one chance and one life to count for something. And my faith tells me, or my faith demands, that I use whatever I have whenever I can, to make a difference in people's lives.

Without immediate action, we are at genuine risk of civil conflict and losing our precious democracy.

We look on human rights as an ability to live in peace. And to believe that your future will be better than your past might be.