Jimmy Carter from Left to Right

To the Editors:

The American people can begin to see the real Jimmy Carter [March 8]. Those of us privileged to benefit from his efficiency and concern for the rights of all citizens know that the man about whom we have read in other publications is not the Jimmy Carter we know.

His appeal to people from the far left to the far right makes him the only individual, free-thinking politician in the '76 race.

Michael Shinall Marietta, Ga.

Nuts to the peanut farmer.

Carol J. Lastrucci San Francisco

We unwooed and unwon liberal Republicans just may have a candidate after all.

Chet and Jackie Gavryck Castleton-on-Hudson, N. Y.

Carter's "not just peanuts" for sure.

A net worth of 666 grand is beastly for a Christian aspiring to office.

Paul Owczarzak Corvallis, Ore.

He seems to be an example of the saying: "The things in life that are too good to be true generally are."

Richard J. Prendergast Mundelein, Ill.

If Jimmy Carter is the "down to earth country boy" he's made out to be, why in the heck is he in politics?

Charles Morgan Ocala, Fla.

You quote one of our former gubernatorial colleagues as saying "I don't know of any Governors or former Governors whom Carter has contacted for support. That might indicate how much support he has among his former colleagues."

As Governor [1971-75] of his neighboring state of South Carolina, I had an unusual opportunity during our four years together to work with Governor Carter on matters of mutual interest and concern common to our states. He is a person of ability, dedication and integrity.

It is true that he did not contact me and solicit my support--I volunteered my help soon after his announcement.

Perhaps his broad solicitation of support from people rather than politicians accounts for his success with the former and disfavor with the latter.

It may also indicate what kind of President he will make.

John C. West Camden, S.C.

Kicking Dick Nixon Around

The Chinese are telling us something: Are you listening?

It sounds to me as though you still have Richard Nixon [March 8] to kick around.

James H. Booth York, Pa.

What a biased, vindictive, small-minded rag you are!

Charles R. Kolb Vicksburg, Miss.

TIME is so funny. Don't you realize that in the real world (everywhere except New York City and Washington) we could not care less if Richard Nixon wants to take a trip to China?

Don D. Martin, M.D. Fort Worth

Nixon's trip seems to indicate that Peking has approved of his machinations in office, insinuating that if he had not had to contend with a democratic system he would still be in the White House.

Clement L. Salvadori San Miguel de Allende, Mexico

The fact that the leaders of the most populous nation on earth wish to discuss the future of this planet with Richard Nixon has an inescapable meaning tome.

That is, they consider him to be head and shoulders above the nitwits who are our leaders.

Neil J. Morgan Jr. Albany, Ga.

Nixon's trip roused all your old "lynch Nixon" prejudices. You didn't react the same way to McGovern's cavorting with Castro and the Viet Cong.

David Bolender Long Beach, Calif.

Enough is enough. We have had your Nixon slander up to here.

John F. Mason St. Michaels, Md.

Our Bonaparte, Ex-Presidente Fled Elba, his own San Clemente, And hinted Helsinki Was stupid and stinky, Which did not do a lot for detente.

Catherine Sang Menlo Park, Calif.

Feed and Fight the Soviets

Let the Soviets build up [March 8].

Wait until they face the National Organization of Women, the Gay Liberation Front and the offspring of some of the executives of the 500 largest American corporations!

Samuel A. Nigro, M.D. Cleveland Heights, Ohio

Perhaps if the Soviets had to devote more of their national resources to increasing their agricultural productivity they would be less free to invest them in arms. Our grain shipments relieve them of the necessity of choosing between bread and bombs.

It doesn't make sense to feed them in Siberia and fight them in Angola.

Sherman Beck Huntington, N. Y.

Was Patty Brainwashed?

I have no trouble believing that Patty Hearst was brainwashed [March 8]; the question is whether this relieves her of responsibility for her actions.

If it does, should we not, in fairness, reconsider the situations of those inmates of prisons who were no less indoctrinated--by poverty, prejudice and hopelessness?

Katherine J. Elliott Pittsfield, Mass.

The ease with which both defense and prosecution attorneys in the Patty Hearst trial can hire psychiatrists to testify according to a script recalls the story of the Mafia interviewing applicants for accountant.

To the question "How much are two and two?" the applicant who finally said "How much do you want it to equal?" got the job.

Sam Pisicchio Napa, Calif.

Canadian Farewell

The absence of a Canadian section [March 8] for the first time in so many years leaves this faithful avid TIME reader for more than a quarter of a century a little saddened. It is not unlike bidding farewell to a good neighbor who has been able to provide us with a periodic fresh and candid look at ourselves.

The Canadian government's decision smacks strongly of economic nationalism and spells the beginning of the end to freedom and fairness in the press.

Louis Carignan Saint-Jean, Quebec

To twist the issue into one of press freedom is ludicrous. TIME Canada has not been forbidden to publish, nor have its contents been in any way censored. Parliament has simply seen fit, as has our own Congress on many occasions, to structure its tax laws to protect home industry and thereby preserve national economic vigor. I say bully for Canadian identity.

Harry J. Willis Concord, N.H.

No Laughing Matter

It is one thing for the Supreme Court to state that Polish jokes constitute an insufficient "public controversy" to apply the "fairness doctrine."

It is quite another to conclude, as TIME apparently has, that the matter is frivolous and involves no more than the right to laugh. The issue raised is not a laughing matter.

Douglas W. Kmiec Los Angeles

Three cheers and an olive for the martinis of the Supreme Court for its decision in favor of humor in America.

Bob Hezzelwood Cambridge, Mass.

Laughter may be legal, but is cultural genocide?

Charles J. Di Mascola Palmer, Mass.

I Protest

In a number of U.S. magazines there appears a full-page ad for TIME that carries the picture of the former chief of state of Ecuador, General Guillermo Rodriguez Lara, with a caption, cutline and legend that I consider distasteful, humorless and derogatory.

This ad is offensive to a nation that has shown determination in upholding its principles of national sovereignty. An unfortunate political circumstance cannot be used to promote sales and make mockery of a sovereign nation. I strongly protest.

Jose C. Cardenas

Ambassador of Ecuador

Washington, D.C.

TIME'S ad, which is no longer being published, intended no disrespect to Ecuador.

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