Gerald R. Ford 1913-2006

Urbane Guerrilla · 12-26-2006, 11:09 PM

America's oldest ex-President died lateish today -- Fox just broke the news.

His place in school history exams remains secure -- the single U.S. President who was never elected.

wolf · 12-27-2006, 01:56 AM

Oh thank you for opening that particular can of worms. We just got the darn things back in after 2004, and now they're going to come spilling out again ...

Rest in peace, Mr. President.

zippyt · 12-27-2006, 02:25 AM

the single U.S. President who was never elected.
and beaned a person at a golf tourny !!!

tw · 12-27-2006, 05:37 AM

Richard Nixon so prolonged the Vietnam war long enough that the defeat occurred during Ford's presidency. Vietnam was therefore not lost on Nixon's watch. Ford was the fall guy. Does history repeat itself every 30 years?

Elspode · 12-27-2006, 08:05 AM

Given what he was handed to work with, Gerry did okay. He didn't break anything (either on his person or in the country), and he inspired one of the classic SNL running gags.

When Dubya goes, do you think he'll be remembered as benign?

Trilby · 12-27-2006, 09:49 AM

I recall Dana Carvey anticipated that Ford would die being eaten by wolves...but that he would also be delicious.

footfootfoot · 12-27-2006, 09:56 AM

...alert secret service agents wrestled the wolves to the ground...

yesman065 · 12-27-2006, 09:34 PM

He did a hell of a job given the situation he was in. Much better than he who followed. Liver pills anyone? Rest in Peace Pres

bluesdave · 12-27-2006, 09:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Urbane Guerrilla

His place in school history exams remains secure -- the single U.S. President who was never elected.

Would you mind explaining this to those of us who are not US citizens? Our news last night was full of this quote, but I do not understand. Why do they say he was not elected? What is the difference between Ford and Johnson, or Truman (in 1945 - I realise he won a subsequent election), or any of the other deputies who succeeded a dead/deposed president?

richlevy · 12-27-2006, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluesdave

Would you mind explaining this to those of us who are not US citizens? Our news last night was full of this quote, but I do not understand. Why do they say he was not elected? What is the difference between Ford and Johnson, or Truman (in 1945 - I realise he won a subsequent election), or any of the other deputies who succeeded a dead/deposed president?

The difference is that he was not elected to the vice presidency or the presidency. Ford was selected to replace the elected Vice President, Spiro Agnew, who resigned. He then replaced Richard Nixon. This makes him the only US President not elected to the White House.

After Bush's reign, we will need someone like Ford. He really did help a nation recover from Nixon.

Of course, at this point I'd take Nixon back over Bush. The man was an arrogant snake, but at least he was smart enough to lead.

BTW, after the next president assumes the post, I will be changing my sig line to:

My fellow Americans, our long national nightmare is over.
Gerald R. Ford

bluesdave · 12-27-2006, 10:33 PM

Thanks Rich. It was so long ago, I had forgotten the details.

tw · 12-28-2006, 07:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yesman065

He did a hell of a job given the situation he was in. Much better than he who followed.

Did you forget the Mayaguez and Marines who were abandoned in a totally foolish attack on Kohl Tang Island? Those three Marines and a Navy Medic are reported to have surrendered to the Khmer Rouge a week later - having been completely left without even considering rescue by the Ford administration.

Jerry Ford was a good man who was totally overwhelmed by his job. He could not understand nor properly address massive inflation created by the Nixon administration's uncontrolled spending on everything - especially Vietnam (the dollar would depreciate by a factor of 5). His famous solution was WIN buttons. He had no agenda. Even the military, still used to lying as in Vietnam, would make fools of him (and the next president).

America was a defeated nation under Ford. American products - especially American cars - manufactured in that time were crap. America was selling off its overseas industries just to pay for its massive debts. Even used American construction equipment was being shipped in massive numbers overseas because construction in America stopped and we needed to sell anything possible to pay our debts. Interest rates needed to climb to 20% levels - and the Ford administration just could not be aggressive enough to consider what was necessary.

But Ford provided fun. The press would have a running pool on who could guess how long Jerry Ford could walk without tripping over his feet. Ford had a bad habit of tripping himself.

Ford does not go down in history as a candidate for worst president ever. This because his heart was into working for America - which is not the case with Nixon or George Jr. Many who were so opposed to his Nixon pardon and pardoning of conscientious objectors in Canada have, in hindsight, acknowledged both were necessary. America was that badly mauled by Nam and Nixon.

One final point. Ford did not want this published before his death. Ford was adamantly opposed to George Jr's "Mission Accomplished" fiasco at the same time and for some of the same reasons posted here (in 2002). But then all former US presidents have stated that in various degrees. Ford simply was more opposed to "Mission Accomplished" but did not want his opinions published until now.

yesman065 · 12-28-2006, 08:25 AM

And your perspective on Carter? I never said that he was a great President or that he didn't make mistakes. BTW I think American cars are still crap - relatively speaking..

glatt · 12-28-2006, 08:42 AM

It's bad for Bush that Ford died now. The last thing Bush needs is yet another comparison with a real president.

Hippikos · 12-28-2006, 10:01 AM

Ford did better than several Presidents elected. For instance appointing nominees for the Surpreme Court.

12-26-2006, 11:09 PM	#1
Urbane Guerrilla Person who doesn't update the user title Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Southern California Posts: 6,674	Gerald R. Ford 1913-2006 America's oldest ex-President died lateish today -- Fox just broke the news. His place in school history exams remains secure -- the single U.S. President who was never elected. __________________ Wanna stop school shootings? End Gun-Free Zones, of course.

12-27-2006, 01:56 AM	#2
wolf lobber of scimitars Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Phila Burbs Posts: 20,774	Oh thank you for opening that particular can of worms. We just got the darn things back in after 2004, and now they're going to come spilling out again ... Rest in peace, Mr. President. __________________ wolf eht htiw og "Conspiracies are the norm, not the exception." --G. Edward Griffin The Creature from Jekyll Island High Priestess of the Church of the Whale Penis

12-27-2006, 02:25 AM	#3
zippyt LONG LIVE KING ZIPPY! per Feetz Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Arkansas Posts: 7,661	the single U.S. President who was never elected. and beaned a person at a golf tourny !!! __________________ "Success is getting what you want. Happiness is wanting what you get. " Brother Dave Gardner

12-27-2006, 08:05 AM	#5
Elspode When Do I Get Virtual Unreality? Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Raytown, Missouri Posts: 12,719	Given what he was handed to work with, Gerry did okay. He didn't break anything (either on his person or in the country), and he inspired one of the classic SNL running gags. When Dubya goes, do you think he'll be remembered as benign? __________________ "To those of you who are wearing ties, I think my dad would appreciate it if you took them off." - Robert Moog

12-27-2006, 09:49 AM	#6
Trilby Slattern of the Swail Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 15,654	I recall Dana Carvey anticipated that Ford would die being eaten by wolves...but that he would also be delicious. __________________ In Barrie's play and novel, the roles of fairies are brief: they are allies to the Lost Boys, the source of fairy dust and ...They are portrayed as dangerous, whimsical and extremely clever but quite hedonistic. "Shall I give you a kiss?" Peter asked and, jerking an acorn button off his coat, solemnly presented it to her. —James Barrie Wimminfolk they be tricksy. - ZenGum

12-27-2006, 05:37 AM	#4
tw Read? I only know how to write. Join Date: Jan 2001 Posts: 11,933	Richard Nixon so prolonged the Vietnam war long enough that the defeat occurred during Ford's presidency. Vietnam was therefore not lost on Nixon's watch. Ford was the fall guy. Does history repeat itself every 30 years?

12-27-2006, 09:56 AM	#7
footfootfoot To shreds, you say? Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: in the house and on the street-how many, many feet we meet! Posts: 18,449	...alert secret service agents wrestled the wolves to the ground... __________________ The internet is a hateful stew of vomit you can never take completely seriously. - Her Fobs

12-27-2006, 09:34 PM	#8
yesman065 Banned - Self Imposed Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 1,847	He did a hell of a job given the situation he was in. Much better than he who followed. Liver pills anyone? Rest in Peace Pres

12-27-2006, 10:33 PM	#11
bluesdave Getting older every day Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Australia Posts: 308	Thanks Rich. It was so long ago, I had forgotten the details. __________________ History is a great teacher; it is a shame that people never learn from it.

12-28-2006, 08:25 AM	#13
yesman065 Banned - Self Imposed Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 1,847	And your perspective on Carter? I never said that he was a great President or that he didn't make mistakes. BTW I think American cars are still crap - relatively speaking..

12-28-2006, 08:42 AM	#14
glatt ™ Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Arlington, VA Posts: 27,717	It's bad for Bush that Ford died now. The last thing Bush needs is yet another comparison with a real president.

12-28-2006, 10:01 AM	#15
Hippikos Flocci Non Facio Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: In The Line Of Fire Posts: 571	Ford did better than several Presidents elected. For instance appointing nominees for the Surpreme Court. __________________ Believe those who are seeking the truth. Doubt those who find it.

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