Reply With QuoteAt the time, I figured no politician would fall on his sword for the good of the country.
My count was off by one.
As someone who was just beginning his history teaching when the events took place, I find the articles today about Gerald Ford to be instructive in light of some of the current things being said in many places (including here) about our current President.
http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/story?id=2753670&page=1
This official ABC article praises him as a man of honesty and integrity.
They mention, just in passing, his pardon of Richard Nixon and how some "felt there had been a deal."
That hardly touches what was said at the time, and even well after he failed to win re-election. Reporters at the time wrote that there was obviously a deal, and that Ford was too stupid to know he was being offered up on a silver platter to Nixon's enemies.
Through his time as President, Ford was ridiculed as the dullest and stupidest of Presidents. Late night TV comedians had a field day imitating his speeches. His "WIN" buttons (Whip Inflation Now) were the laughingstock of Washington.
Somehow, that just doesn't sound like the same man ABC is writing about today. Funny how 30 years can change your perspective.
At the time, I figured no politician would fall on his sword for the good of the country.
My count was off by one.
"man of deep character consumed only with doing what is right."
You have raised a very good point with respect to how things are viewed after several decades. Same can be said of Ronald Reagan.
But the youth seem to think they have the corner on the market of knowledge and their perspective is the only one that is the truth. But we all grow up (hopefully) and realize that the "beginning of wisdom is to know that we know nothing"
ABC radio noon news admitted that the treatment of Gerald Ford by Chevy Chase on Saturday Night Live is the root of the treatment of the President and other politicians by the "comedy news shows" today.
What about Rich Little's Nixon?Originally Posted by mrblanche
The comedians and the news media had a field day when he tripped going up to the helicopter. As if no one else had ever tripped before. Disgraceful how they treated that man, and lost of dignity for the future presidents.
I always preferred Vaughn Meader's JFK.What about Rich Little's Nixon?
A man's greatest mistake is to think he is working for somebody else.
That, too!
It's a pity that his second record, came out just about the time Kennedy was assassinated, and was pulled from the market. I've heard some pieces from it, and it was funny.That, too!
You know he was a career presidential candidate, something like Pat Paulson?
Aww comeon'. Ford was a dofus. Remember the WIN buttons? He even lost to Jimmy Carter, who turned out to be one of the US's least effective president.
Thank you for making my case!
Jimmy Carter, who turned out to be one of the US's least effective president.
That's a lot better than the Bushshit we have now.
-Don-
Asbolutely.
I'll take naive and a bit inept over delusional, ignorant and belligerent anytime!
I'll take naive and a bit inept over delusional, ignorant and belligerent anytime
It must be all that inbreeding that keeps expections low!!
"It must be all that inbreeding that keeps expections low!!"
I'm not sure what you mean by that. In any case, what I meant by my statement is that I prefer a hapless but bright and well-meaning man (Carter) to a belligerent ignoramus like The Chimp.
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