Jimmy Carter and the partisan divide

Re “This isn’t the real America,” Opinion, Nov. 14

Does anyone actually listen to what Jimmy Carter has to say? The 39th president rambles on and on and fails to use one supporting piece of evidence in his attack on President Bush and his administration. Carter yearns for the old days?

Here’s my suggestion: Let’s go back to the times when former presidents actually retired from politics and kept their personal feelings to themselves.

KEITH G. MILLER

Sherman Oaks

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Like Carter, I too am ashamed, alarmed and even frightened by what has happened in the last five years in this country. The changes have occurred in at least two arenas.

The fundamentalist movement has begun to erode the wall between church and state. Paraphrasing Thomas Jefferson, tyranny of the state begins when the wall between church and state falls. The separation between church and state was purposeful and has provided this country the “room” for all points of view to flourish.

President Bush’s arrogance in the international sphere has changed America from a peace-seeking to a war-mongering country. Hubris cannot encourage humanity. And unprovoked war does not bring about peace.

History is replete with imperial eras. All of them have brought about sadness, destruction and yet too few lessons for those who aspire to it.

For me, this is not the America I knew.

BOB BOYDSTON

Garden Grove

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Thank you, President Carter, for illustrating so eloquently what has gone wrong in this country, while reminding us what America once was.

To mix presidential messages, America must return to the days of standing as the shining beacon of light on top of the hill for all to see and admire.

Sometimes it takes a Nobel Peace Prize-winning statesman to remind us of our legacy and our responsibility.

DAVID KATZNER

Woodland Hills

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Jimmy Carter for president!

TAMARA LIPSON

Long Beach