Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

cab67

(3,886 posts)
29. This is why I lay part of the blame for our current political mess at the feet....
Wed Jun 17, 2026, 12:45 PM
1 hr ago

....of Gerald Ford.

His decision to pardon Nixon didn't heal America. It let the wound fester, and it taught future wrongdoers how to avoid accountability. We saw "let's heal" and "let's look forward" after Iran-Contra and the Iraq War, both of which I think were worse than Watergate. (As much as I respect Barack Obama, I still haven't forgiven him for that last one.) The rationale was the same in both cases - Ford "healed" America by looking forward, so later presidents would, too.

Had Nixon been truly held accountable, in my opinion, some subsequent scandals might have been avoided.

Recommendations

0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

Ha! My guess was Trump would make a hapless no_hypocrisy 21 hrs ago #1
TACO yardwork 21 hrs ago #2
He's doing a lot of that recently underpants 21 hrs ago #3
He's stolen more since he took office than he ever stole from her, so he can afford to just settle with her ToxMarz 21 hrs ago #4
Yes - absolutely. And will the US taxpayers have the right of discovery and recompense? erronis 20 hrs ago #5
If the next administration is Democratic, and they decide to move on, I'm done. dem4decades 20 hrs ago #6
Agreed! Dan 20 hrs ago #7
I nominate Kamala Harris for AG if she's not running for president. OMGWTF 18 hrs ago #16
Concur. There has to be PUNISHMENT DinahMoeHum 19 hrs ago #8
Accept NO substitutes!!! calimary 19 hrs ago #9
A pike in its eye dave99 15 hrs ago #19
Trump will NEVER be punished. Get used to it. But to HIM he may be. Callie1979 7 hrs ago #22
I disagree. Trueblue Texan 5 hrs ago #24
I call it "steely-eyed accountability." n/t ariadne0614 3 hrs ago #26
This is why I lay part of the blame for our current political mess at the feet.... cab67 1 hr ago #29
I suspect he will be dead within the next year. 3Hotdogs 19 hrs ago #10
That's a very good question. Talitha 19 hrs ago #11
You can sue the estate or make a creditor claim against the assets. littlemissmartypants 18 hrs ago #12
Vlad has implanted a kill switch atop his brain stem. No longer useful - off. erronis 18 hrs ago #14
As a general rule, a decedent's estate is subject to suit for any cause of action that existed on the date of death. TomSlick 18 hrs ago #15
That would be nice, but don't hold your breath. Maru Kitteh 33 min ago #30
He is afraid of the publicity this would bring malaise 6 hrs ago #23
He likely had to give her boatloads of $$$ to keep from being exposed in court. Raftergirl 18 hrs ago #13
Yup- The discovery would open doors he'd rather keep closed. NBachers 16 hrs ago #18
TOFU COL Mustard 17 hrs ago #17
TOFU, TACO, ETTD not fooled 9 hrs ago #21
Loser Trump at it again Ray Bruns 13 hrs ago #20
Go, Mary! Joinfortmill 4 hrs ago #25
A LOT of people are gonna be disappointed awesomerwb1 2 hrs ago #27
Good for her! They really screwed her back then... liberalla 2 hrs ago #28
Latest Discussions»Latest Breaking News»Donald Trump appears read...»Reply #29