This Takes The Cake Re: Gerald Ford

[liberalmuse]

Really, this man was one of the most mediocre presidents in recent history and I have to say I'm a bit stunned at this article: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16365342/site/newsweek/?GT1=8816. This man did nothing of consequence (please let me know if I'm wrong in my recollection-I was quite young at the time), except to pardon Nixon and therefore make it okay for right wing thugs to subvert The Constitution in the future.

[Red Zelda]

1. He also...

...said Eastern Europe was not under Soviet domination.
And he bumped his head alot. A typical Repuke - an empty suit.

[liberalmuse]

7. Because he didn't completely destroy America,...

(Like Bush is doing right now)he is considered a great man. Our standards for "greatness" and "genius" in this country seem to be in the gutter, and it's no surprise that human beings in this point in time are much dumber than they were 100 years ago. I currently have access to cable, and let me tell you, I was better off when I wasn't watching tv. Without the idiot box, I would have had no idea that Gerald Ford was such a great, brave man for "moving America forward in his pardoning of Nixon" (I swear to dog, if I hear that BULLSHIT phrase again from the right wing propoganda machine I'm going to blow). We only move backwards when we allow the subversion of justice. Nixon should have been sentenced to life in prison. The Bushies should be at the Hague awaiting their executions. Instead, the gutless yes men are called 'great' and the evil are admired for, 'staying the course'. In the meantime, it makes news if some has-been skank is photographed without any underwear. I've...had...it!

[stansnark]

10. nixon should not have gone to jail

nixon should have been indicted,and then, facing certain conviction, been granted immunity and turned states evidence. with all the inside knowledge he had that vindictive little bastard could've brought down half the crooked,greedy,lying,murderous power structure in this country.

[TX-RAT]

2. There was this little thing.

President Gerald R. Ford's Remarks Announcing a Program for the Return of Vietnam Era Draft Evaders and Military Deserters





http://www.fordlibrarymuseum.gov/library/speeches/740077.htm

[Critters2]

13. I do think that was a great thing to do.

Others here may be feeling malicious toward him, but I really think he just wanted to move the nation through the crises of the mid-70's and into peace and unity. He wasn't perfect, but I think he was a kind man in a position where people neither want nor appreciate kindness.

[Tom Joad]

3. giving Suharto the go-ahead to attack East Timor was of lasting consequence

200,000 died as a result. No one we know, however.

[DemoTex]

9. That was a Ford/Kissinger tag-team deal.

I haven't forgotten that, either.

[TankLV]

4. But that might be the whole point - a repuke who does essentially NOTHING.

Doesn't lye, cheat or steal.

Doesn't start any wars.

Doesn't do any additional damage to our country.

Those are rare qualities IMO for any repuke.

He's a GOD by comparison, don't you think?

[evlbstrd]

5. More stuff he did:

Had us wear WIN buttons (Whip Inflation Now!), cuz that was gonna help.
Encouraged Swine Flu vaccinations. I was in the military, so they were required. Made me sick as hell.

[baldguy]

6. Vetos... WIN buttons ... The most evil WH staff in history (at least until Reagan came along)...

[WI_DEM]

8. when any president dies they tend to overlook flaws

look at the orgie that Reagan experienced. Things tend to come back to perspective within a few years. Ford was neither the best or the worst president. He was, well, average.

[mtnsnake]

11. It's not like the article said he was a great president. He's just getting his due respect

for being a past US President who happened to die yesterday. Like you say, he was mediocre at best. At the same token, he was no Nixon, nor was he a Geroge W Bush.

[MichiganVote]

12. I seem to recall that when New York State allowed itself

to lose all its money through mismanagement and wanted a bail out from Ford, he told them no dice without a plan. Something I don't think they expected to hear, esp. with a Rockefeller as VP. If my memory is correct, NY somehow found time to cook up a plan and the debt was repaid to the Federal gov't.

[raysr]

14. He helped make it possible

for Suharto (sic) to completely destroy East Timor. Also set precident to pardon a president. POS, doesn't deserve any respect.