I honor the late President Jimmy Carter for the important way he honored me | Opinion

President Carter

The loss of former President Jimmy Carter is a loss for all of our nation though so many don’t know his greatness. Much worse, they don’t know the wrong with criminal intent done by political forces in this country, particularly using and abusing the Americans held as hostages in Iran.

My appreciation of Carter lies in his act shortly after being sworn in as President — Carter pardoned men who refused the war in Vietnam. That action brought out the hatred and anger of veterans who still support the nation’s mistake of taking over the French occupation of South Vietnam with the damage done to the Vietnamese and their land.

I am one of them. I spent almost two years in prison for refusing to fight in Vietnam and was on parole when he pardoned us and restored my citizenship rights.

Thank you, President Jimmy Carter.

Don B. Pratt, Lexington

Carter honor

President Jimmy Carter was someone who paid close attention to the needs of his nation. That was evidenced by his attention to the needs of the newspaper community. In 1978, I was privileged to be on Carter’s guest list for a day-long meeting with the President, along with approximately 30 editors from newspapers around the nation. Carter was outgoing and welcoming to those who were privileged to spend the day in the White House with the him. For sure, that visit to the White House and the meeting with President Carter was one of the most meaningful opportunities I had during my newspaper career.

David M. Smith (current Lexington resident), retired journalist, former editor, Palladium-Item newspaper, Richmond, Indiana

“President Musk”

Recently, I stated in an opinion that Elon Musk was going to run over President-Elect Donald Trump like a steam roller. I used the term “President Musk” before the November election, because Musk was campaigning like he was the one running for president. Musk was following Trump like a shadow. Everywhere Trump went, Elon Musk was right by his side. Look at all of the post-election photos taken by the press since November. Musk is in practically every photo!

Now Musk feels so emboldened by Trump that he got on X and threatened Congressional Republicans with primaries if they didn’t vote the way Musk wanted them to. I’m hearing Trump never gave Musk permission to threaten Congressional Republicans in that manner. This tells us that Musk feels he paid Trump for the ability to do that. Musk obviously wants a say in America’s political decision making and he’s found a way to do it through Trump.

Trump and Musk are going to bump heads, I guarantee. But Musk is telling Trump, “YOU ARE PRESIDENT BECAUSE OF ME AND MY MONEY! I WILL BE HEARD!”

What a disaster. America, you voted for this awful mess!

Yolanda Averette, Lexington

Trump’s threats

I am deeply ashamed of my country at this moment. For President-elect Donald Trump to threaten a takeover of Greenland, the Panama Canal, and Canada is way beyond offensive, reckless, and irresponsible. It is an inexcusable demonstration of a deranged and dangerous tyrant.

These threats are in themselves tyrannical causing great offense, fear, chaos, anger, and alienation. Threats to usurp sovereign territory and unseat governing leaders are violent threats that have no place in our republic. For someone in the U. S. to threaten the safety of other countries is supposed to be against the law — US Code, Title 18, Section 878.

No governing leader, especially a president, who makes such vile threats should remain in a position of leadership. Where is the outrage and the outcry? Why is Congress standing by and doing nothing?

Beverly C. Johnson-Miller, Lexington

Paul and Putin

I guess U.S. Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) is thrilled. Russia has followed his logic on Ukraine that since it was once part of Russia, Russia should take it back, and is now suggesting we give Alaska back.

Since President-Elect Donald Trump is also leaning toward returning Ukraine to Russia, I guess he’ll get Paul to write up the documents ceding Alaska to Mother Russia. I hope Paul doesn’t forget to ask for a refund of the purchase price.

After all, if Trump wants to take lands currently belonging to other countries for “security” reasons, why shouldn’t Russia take back Alaska for “security” reasons?

Maybe, Trump will make a deal with Putin: give him Ukraine in exchange for leaving Alaska alone. More, likely, Trump will give Putin Alaska in exchange for a guarantee that Trump will be kept safe. I’m sure Trump can count on his idol, Putin, to honor such an agreement.

Remember Aesop’s fable: Trump thinks he’s the scorpion, but he’s really the frog and Putin’s the scorpion.

Glenna Brouse, Lexington

Edited by Liz Carey