Everlasting values
Since the cataclysmic presidential election in November, I have chosen not to watch the news programs. They are full of stories of so-called American leaders and party loyalists who proudly flaunt their non-qualifications for whatever they are appointed to do. But Sunday, a breath of fresh air blew though the newsrooms of the world from the unlikely location of Plains, Ga., a quintessential American town that just happens to be the hometown of Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter.
That news was the reaction of people of all walks of life from all over the world who were grateful for the very long lives of service by the Carters. Those who live in the Habitat Homes they built; the Egyptians and Israelis who are not fighting each other; the conversations on climate that he started; and the Alaskan federal lands that he saved are all being remembered.
Carter was also famous for the Sunday school lessons he taught in his little Baptist church in Plains. In 2006, I attended one in which he recalled his grade school teacher’s admonition, “Change with the times but hold on to the everlasting values.” He also spoke about Ecclesiastes, which says, “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.”
Now I am again watching the news, because it is largely of Jimmy Carter and his lifetime of adherence to everlasting values. This is the season that we can all remember. It is a time for every matter under heaven.
Nell Anne Hunt, Irving
Servant leadership
In the 2024 documentary God & Country: The Rise of Christian Nationalism, the Rev. William J. Barber II describes many Christians in America as “being very loud on the quiet part and very quiet on the loud part.” Barber meant that many Christians are strident about condemning their fellow citizens for what they perceive as their moral failings, but they are not so active about serving their fellow citizens in need.
James Earl Carter Jr. lived his life dedicated to serving “the least of these.” His role model behavior of servant leadership before, during and after his service as our 39th president provides a standard for all of us to seek to emulate.
When Carter ran for re-election in 1980, it was the first time I was old enough to vote, and like many other voters in 1980, I voted for Ronald Reagan. Whatever your political leanings then or now, there is consensus that Jimmy Carter was a kind, decent man who lived out his faith as an example for us all.
David Alan Jones, Farmers Branch
Giant of humanity
I hope my letter will be one of many that are sent in to pay respect and to honor former President Jimmy Carter. I am truly sad that he has left us, as he was one of the very few remaining true civil servants, patriot and all around good guy.
He was ousted by a changing GOP, but that didn’t make him bitter or mean or out to make money. No, he wisely spent his retirement in good use. I and my family and friends will mourn the passing of a giant of humanity and be glad to have been around during his time. Rest in peace, Mr. Carter.
Irma Myers Donihoo, Plano
Vaccines, science and money
Re: “HHS is wrong post for RFK Jr., by Clarke Pich, Monday Letters.
Responses to my oped in the Dec. 20 Opinion, “Mr. Kennedy deserves a fair hearing,” assert that he is anti-science. Yet, Kennedy’s website, ChildrensHealthDefense.org, provides abundant science. For example, it lays out 89 peer-reviewed articles linking mercury-containing vaccines and autism.
Vaccines save lives, but when did the doctor’s prescription pad become religious text? The history of us Black people and the health care system counsels against such unquestioning deference.
In a 2019 interview by CNBC, Bill Gates was asked about the return on his investment in vaccinations. His response: “We feel there’s been over a 20 to 1 return. So, if you just look at the economic benefits, that’s a pretty strong number compared to anything else.” In all fairness, Gates also included social benefits in explaining those numbers in a related Wall Street Journal article. Nonetheless, Gates, who is not a physician, told CNBC that the large ROI requires “big volume commitments.”
Parents might remember this when asking why their newborn is being vaccinated for Hepatitis B, a mainly sexually transmitted virus. Or, perhaps Kennedy should be labeled anti-capitalist, too?
Marvin H. Lett, Dallas/Oak Cliff
Privatization not a cure-all
Re: “Toll roads come with hidden costs,” Dec. 23 news story.
The Dallas Morning News’ series on the fate of the public at the hands of the toll road operators is enlightening and discouraging. This is another example of the failure of privatization, user fees and deregulation to solve budget and operational issues in state agencies.
Beyond the toll road debacle, we have the deregulation of our electric power generators, which caused the disastrous grid failure in the 2021 freeze. This left Texans with $100 billion in damage, increased homeowners’ insurance and required new bonds that will be paid off over the next 30 years. Any tax reductions from these plans are more than offset by additional costs to Texans.
The Legislature insists that a revenue-neutral privatization of the foster care system will improve the system. Instead, contractors are losing money and canceling contracts while the foster children suffer. These plans for privatization and deregulation should be called the “Republican recipe for regret.”
Now, these geniuses want to apply this recipe to fix our public schools with vouchers. Should we look forward to another series of News articles in 10 years exposing how the state has failed our schoolchildren?
Brian Smith, Colleyville
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