Winner: It is oft said that Jimmy Carter has been much more effective as a former president than as a president. We'll let the historians sort that out. Today we credit Carter for his role in freeing a U.S. citizen who had been sentenced to eight years of hard labor for crossing over the Chinese border into North Korea. Because the United States has no direct diplomatic relations with Pyongyang, Carter traveled to North Korea as a private citizen on humanitarian mission. As a State Department spokesman observed, travel to North Korea is neither routine nor risk-free, which speaks highly of Carter's efforts to obtain the release of 31-year-old Aijalon Mahli Gomes, who is believed to be a Christian activist.
Loser: Three Utah police officers were shot in unrelated incidents on this past week. A manhunt was under way Friday for a man police say shot and killed 41-year-old Kane County sheriff's deputy Brian Harris during a pursuit on Thursday. In Salt Lake County, South Jordan police officer Stevan Gerber was shot in the leg Thursday while serving an arrest warrant on a man previously convicted of negligent homicide. Gerber, who was working with the Joint Criminal Apprehension Team when the incident occurred, is recovering from surgery. Late Friday afternoon, a Salt Lake officer was shot in the leg in a confrontation with a suspect in downtown Salt Lake City. Details were sketchy at press time. Each of these incidents reminds us of the risks officers encounter as they serve and protect their communities. We are, indeed, grateful for their service.
Loser: Suffice it to say an Orem man's purported designs on attending the police academy have been derailed. Upon his arrest for investigation of possession of drug paraphernalia with intent to distribute, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of a stolen firearm, Marcos Antonio Ramirez told police he had been selling marijuana for five months to raise tuition money. It is not known if he actually had applied to the academy.
Loser: Two exotic snakes were dumped in a trash bin in Riverdale this week after pet owners may have no longer been able to care for them, animal advocates speculate. While snakes are a different sort of pet than a cat or dog, they, too, deserve humane treatment. Instead of dumping any animal, Utahns should contact private shelters or animal control agencies for assistance.