News – Gerald R. Ford, the 38th president of the United States, has died. Ford became the nation's oldest living former president after the death of Ronald Reagan in 2004.
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Writing for the Associated Press, Laurie Kellman explains how Richard Nixon's misdeeds came to define Ford's presidency: "[Ford] hoped that pardoning Nixon would soothe the wounds of anger and distrust inflicted on the nation by Watergate. He felt, too, that Nixon and his family had suffered enough ... [but] pardoning Nixon did nothing to seal Ford's place in history as, he hoped, a popularly elected president."
Another Associated Press story gives the basics on presidential funerals. "Planners are guided by the wishes of the family and any instructions from the president himself on how elaborate the events will be, how much of it takes place in Washington and more. Ford's collegial character and unassuming style in the White House are expected to be reflected in his presidential funeral arrangements, details of which have yet to be announced." A statement released by Ford's office late last night said there will be a media briefing today at which the final memorial schedule will be announced.
The current president released a statement in response to Ford's death last night. "With his quiet integrity, commonsense and kind instincts, President Ford helped heal our land and restore public confidence in the presidency."
CNN is rounding up further tributes from political figures, including Arnold Schwarzenegger and Nancy Reagan.
Several outlets are running this brief story on the lasting legacy of Ford's wife, Betty Ford, whose very public battles with breast cancer and substance abuse mark her as a uniquely iconic First Lady.
Russell Shaw remembers Ford at the Huffington Post: "[D]espite Ford's mistakes, he was of a pro-environment, pro-choice stripe that we don't get from Republicans today." Other blog writeups: Wonkette, Atlas Shrugs, Red State, Michelle Malkin, Think Progress.
The BBC is collecting comments from its readers on Ford, his presidency and his legacy.
2006-12-27 07:09:23
It's always sad news when someone dies.
oh really? didja cry when zarqawi died? what about saddam's sons? gonna cry when he gets zapped? what about when Fidel goes?
how about the rest of you choked-up fakers?
Everybody dies. Some folks deserve to die. You bet I didn't cry when that sob died. Too bad we didn't get him sooner(but that's another story). But, I'm sure somebody somewhere cries for them. And for Saddam, he deserved to be drug to the center of town and hung like a thug, but it should have been done by the Iraqis, probably back in the eighties(but that too is another story).
It's news, his passing.
I'm sure golf fans everywhere feel a safer. :(
I saw him an Bob Hope on the tour a few times. They were great to follow around. Hope was really funny. Ford play a goood straight man too.
He was also a member of the Warren Commission.
Nixon, the original comeback kid, was an influential politictian, I think he will be remembered more for the trip to China than for being a "Crook"
I could go on but I fear that Nixon will also overshadow Fords' death as well.
I will have to say that President Ford didn't pardon a great president. Mr Nixon was very devisive and harmful to the state of our Nation. While I think President Nixon did some good things for us he also did some bad things. The whole scandle surrounding the Watergate investigation and the related consequences caused the country a lot of distress.
I believe that President Ford did the correct thing with his pardon however. At that time the United States did not to put our former President in jail.
To this day I have a lot of respect for Mr.Nixon. I actually rather liked his intelligence and his dry humor.
My objection to your post is that you hammer other Presidents who also had good qualities. None of these men were either all good or bad. They had faults, just like all of us humans do.
I note that you have a limited reasoning capacity. All Repubs Good, All Dems Bad seems to be your mantra. Try looking at what actually happened it might open your mind just a little bit.
I always thought he got a bad rap. Policies he tried to do were good.
Nixon was gone. Basically convicted. Closure for the country.
A bad rap since most controversy seemed to be over his apparent clumsyness.
I'm a lil' too young to remember Ford. I only remember Nixon because we watched the impeachment on TV at school when I was in 3rd grade.
Ummm,,, bebe?
Nixon came *before* Ford.
And you could never have watched something on TV that did not happen.
Nixon was impeached and Ford was not, hence the reason it was more memorable. You are not in a position to tell me what I am or am not able to remember.
Andrew Johnson and William J. Clinton remain the only two presidents who have been impeached.
Four bills of impeachment against Nixon (representing four different "counts") were introduced into the House of Representatives. Because it seemed obvious that at least three of these would be voted on and passed, Nixon chose to resign before any vote was taken, thereby avoiding impeachment.
This comment should not be misinterpreted as a defense of Nixon, but as a correction to the historical misinformation posted above.
thank you for making my point.
Nixon resigned because he expected to be impeached by the House and found guilty by the senate.
Exactly. Barry Goldwater went to Nixon and told him that there were only 12 votes to acquit in the Senate. He needed 34. He could have stood firm, been removed, and lost his pension, or he could resign, let Ford pardon him (Nixon actually discussed pardoning himself, ala Fletcher of KY), and live out his life.
nah, gotta say I disagree. and I think you would too if you think about it. people need to not just be convited, which he was spared, but actually *pay for their crimes,* and that goes double for the head of the country, if you're going to perpetuate the story that we're all equal before the law.
Ford pardoned Nixon. He shouldn't have. And what got swept under the rug was the Nixon's tacit admission that that was part of the deal that gave Ford the presidency. So Ford in my mind is deserving of no sympathy whatever; he's a criminal and if there's a hell, he joins Reagan there.
Disagree with his policies all you want, but please don't try to politicize a man's death. It's insensitive to say the least.
thank you, sweetie. and your comments remind me of a box of granola that made its way through the digestive tract... (smile)
To Michael, I really don't give a crap about sensitivity when we are talking about unrepentant criminals. are you soft on crime? (grin)
I actually agree with you that Ford should not have pardoned Nixon, but that is beside the point here. We are talking about somebody dying -- somebody who led our country, on top of that. It doesn't matter whether or not I agree with the way he did things. Think of his family and friends before posting such rude and insensitive comments.
What do you mean closure? He pardoned Nixon. There should've been a criminal investigation and a trial. What could've been uncovered would have done the country well and we may have avoided a number of criminal administrations (among both corrupt monopoly parties) that followed.
Nixon was really fearful that the dots would be connected and the Repugnant shadow gov't exposed. Ford made sure that wouldn't happen - just like he made sure the JFK assassination hearings went nowhere. Nixon's CIA Director, George H.W. Bush would've been exposed as the criminal that he is. History would've been very different, indeed.
I feel saddened by former President Ford's passing. As to those who have made negative comments... you have the right to feel however you may about any President living or passed; however, show a little respect for his family. I have tried to teach my children... "You don't have to respect someone , but you do have to be respectful." I doesn't matter what you think of the person, what you say doesn't reflect on (in this case President Ford) the person you are referring to... it reflects on your own character. In this case, it appears you have very little character yourself.
I wonder what your comments would be had it been a person of your own beliefs who had died. You know, although I personally do not respect the man Bill Clinton or his character, I do respect that he was President and I respect that office and position in this Country. If he were standing in front of me, no matter my own political or moral beliefs, I would be very respectful of him and his feelings.
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Sad news - RIP