January 5, 2025 3 a.m. Pacific Time
To the Editor: About 24 years ago, a dear friend of mine celebrated his 80th birthday. This friend, Don Richardson, was instrumental in founding the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). I wrote a letter to former President Jimmy Carter because a friend of mine worked closely with First Lady Rosalynn Carter, who was deeply involved in mental health issues. I asked Carter if I could send my friend a happy 80th birthday greeting, not expecting a response. (“Jimmy Carter deserved a second term, he just wasn’t in the White House,” Opinion, Dec. 29)
Within a few days, the most beautiful tribute arrived. The fact that the former president took the time to write a letter to my friend always touches my heart for his kindness and compassion. He recognized only one man and brought him great happiness.
The work the Carters have done since leaving the White House has been a remarkable tribute to this humble couple. They made a difference in so many lives, both personally and globally. May we all be inspired to follow their path.
Alice Lin, Pacific Palisades
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To the editor: All positive reviews of Carter either ignore or casually ignore important points.
By global agreement, a country’s embassy is located on that country’s sovereign land. An attack on an embassy is an attack on the territory of that country.
Forty-five years ago, when Iran stormed and seized the U.S. embassy in Tehran, Mr. Carter cringed. Instead, they told Iran, “You attacked the American mainland, and this is an act of war. Get out quickly, within 24 hours, or we will retaliate by attacking Iran.”
Carter’s weakness, however masked by his peace-loving rhetoric, was inexcusable. Apparently the American people didn’t forgive him either.
Has Iran relented? Would it have killed the hostages? We’ll never know, but what Mr. Carter did was reprehensible and unpresidential.
However, to his credit, he accomplished many valuable things after taking office. It is important to remember all the good things, but also his failures.
Jack Salem, Los Angeles
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Mr. Carter put common sense over politics, and he demonstrated this not only in his years after leaving the White House, but also during his four years as commander in chief.
Mr. Carter showed great restraint during the Iran hostage crisis. A more belligerent president could have decided to invade Iran, become very popular, and easily win re-election.
Although Carter chose to be cautious and appeared weak, he still managed to bring all 52 hostages home safely.
Of course, we must not forget his success in bringing about a historic peace agreement between Egypt and Israel.
His work as a former president is an example and may serve as a model, but unfortunately no other living former president has attempted to emulate it.
Domenico Maseri, San Luis Obispo
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To the Editor: For all of the recent writing about Carter and his “failed bid for a second term,” I’m confused by Carter’s defeat in 1980 and President-elect Donald Trump’s second victory in 2024. I feel the connection between them.
I believed that those who rejected Carter and supported Ronald Reagan were voting for show, not substance. Our voters were and are increasingly impatient and unable to see long-term value.
During his victory four years ago, President Biden was a little boy who stuck his finger in the levee and held back the flood of anger and willfulness for just a moment. Is the successor’s “promise” nothing but confusion? What comes next?
Lynn Culp, Van Nuys
