[Illbay]

Dear Gov.* Carter:

I and many other Americans are curious. Why are you so desperate to ensure the perpetuation of this monster's regime? Why is it necessary for us to ask the U.N.'s permission to defend our nation's interests? You ARE aware, aren't you, that the U.N. charter itself allows for this?

Also, why do you, a former president, follow the despicable example of Bill Clinton and openly criticize a sitting president? Did Pres. Ford ever, at any time, open his mouth and criticize YOUR foreign policy? Did Pres. Nixon? With the debacle of the Iranian Hostage Crisis they certainly could have done so but they did not.

In short, Gov.* Carter, I suggest you shut your mouth. We don't need your whimpy Euro-style view of "diplomacy," nor do we need your opinion.

Thank you for shutting up.

* - Former Presidents are NOT called "Ex-President," or "Former President." There is only ONE President of the United States at any time. When a President leaves office he assumes the title he held before taking office. In this case, it is proper to call either Jimmy Carter OR Bill Clinton "Governor." This is a bit of protocol that the media ignores, yet it is nonetheless true.

[Arthur McGowan]

Thank you for pointing this out--that once a man leaves the White House, he should be addressed by the highest title he had earned before his term as President. The same is true of Vice Presidents, btw. Miss Manners once did a column on this, bemoaning the loss of this traditional bit of protocol, which was adopted early on--by Jefferson, I think--as a sign of humility and as a tribute to the concept of the citizen politician. Thus, I hope that all on FR adopt the following usages for our former Presidents: Governor Carter, Governor Reagan, Ambassador Bush, The Rapist.

[Toidylop]

Those are leaders earning popular respect without saying a thing. Those are leaders devoid any respect no matter how loud they shout.

Jimmuh Carter IS the leader in the latter group.