To the editor: Some 24 years in the past, an expensive good friend had an upcoming eightieth birthday. This good friend, Don Richardson, was instrumental in establishing the Nationwide Alliance on Psychological Sickness, or NAMI. I wrote to former President Jimmy Carter, as my good friend had labored carefully with First Woman Rosalynn Carter, who was so concerned in psychological well being points. I requested Carter if he would possibly ship an eightieth birthday greeting to my good friend, by no means anticipating a reply. (“Jimmy Carter had a second term. It just wasn’t in the White House,” Opinion, Dec. 29)
Inside days, essentially the most stunning tribute arrived. That the previous president discovered time and despatched the letter to my good friend will at all times resonate with me for his kindness and caring. He merely acknowledged one man and introduced nice happiness to him.
The work that the Carters did since leaving the White Home was a outstanding tribute to this humble couple. They made a distinction in so many lives, individually and globally. Could all of us be so impressed to comply with their path.
Alice Lynn, Pacific Palisades
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To the editor: All of the constructive assessments of Carter bypass or casually dismiss a essential level.
By worldwide settlement, a rustic’s embassy is on the sovereign land of that nation. Any assault on an embassy is an assault on that nation’s land.
When the Iranians attacked and took over the U.S. embassy in Tehran 45 years in the past, Carter cowered. He ought to have as a substitute informed Iran: “You will have attacked American soil, an act of conflict. Get the hell out in 24 hours or we’ll retaliate by attacking Iran.”
Carter’s weak point was an unforgivable act, regardless of the way it was papered over by his peace-loving statements. Apparently, the American individuals didn’t forgive him both.
Would Iran have relented? Wouldn’t it have killed the hostages? We’ll by no means know, however what Carter did was reprehensible and un-presidential.
However in his post-presidency, a lot to his credit score, he achieved many worthwhile issues. It’s vital to recollect all of that great things, however we should additionally not overlook his failures.
Jack Salem, Los Angeles
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Carter put decency forward of politics, which he confirmed not solely within the years after he left the White Home, but additionally throughout his four-year tenure as commander in chief.
In the course of the Iranian hostage disaster, Carter confirmed appreciable restraint. A extra bellicose president may need determined to invade Iran, turn into extraordinarily common and simply win reelection.
Carter selected warning, giving the impression of being weak, and but he safely introduced dwelling all 52 hostages.
To not be forgotten after all is his success in bringing concerning the historic peace settlement between Egypt and Israel.
His actions as a former president are an instance and will function a mannequin which, sadly, different residing former presidents make no try to emulate.
Domenico Maceri, San Luis Obispo
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To the editor: In all the current writings about Carter and his “failed bid for a second time period,” I sense a connection, the by way of line between Carter’s loss in 1980 and President-elect Donald Trump’s second win in 2024.
I assumed those that rejected Carter and went for Ronald Reagan voted for present, not substance. Our voters was then and is now more and more impatient and unable to see worth taking the lengthy view.
In profitable 4 years in the past, President Biden was the boy along with his finger within the dyke, holding again a flood of anger and willfulness solely briefly. Is there something however chaos within the “promise” of his successor? What comes subsequent?
Lynne Culp, Van Nuys
