I am with JazzBill.
Pardon me, Shemps#1, your nuts! Do you really think the country would be better off with Nixon in jail with his cohorts, because the Democrats wanted more blood? Not only did Ford pardon Nixon, but also the Vietnam draft-dodgers. He also allowed Kissinger to continue "Peace Accords", or whatever they were called. Ending the Vietnam War for the U.S., and eventually S. Vietnam.
There were bigger "fish to fry" than Nixon, for our political "leaders" at the time. How about inflation and avoiding OPEC embargoes? He did that too.
And Bangsmith:
Fuck him! I barely remember Ford, but he and Nixon were the two who created a permanent mistrust of the Presidency. Carter is the only one from then who is still alive, and he happened to be a decent president. Coincidence?
You must have learned about John F. Kennedy. Before your time but not mine.
The Kennedy Center recently gave Ford a "Profiles in Courage" award for pardoning Nixon. His approval rating dropped by 50% after, at the time. Explain that.
Carter was decent? Are you smoking crack? Or are you easily fooled by the media? I won't go into Carter's international faux pas' since leaving the presidency (N. Korean nuclear deals; Hugo Chavez' Venezualan (1st) election; Selling-out Israel consistantly, etc.). Let's delve into my memory of his presidency...
1. No ability to handle the economy. Home mortgage rates hovered at 20%. National unemployment at 8-9% Stagflation (Stagnant economic growth + inflation).
2. 1978(?) OPEC oil embargo #2. "Let's all wear sweaters and think positively" was a televised address he gave. Gas lines (if you could find it) a 1/4 mile long! No Bullshit!
3. No support for the Shah of Iran (Reza Pehlovi?). Yeah, he was a bastard with the SAVAT in his country. But he was our bastard. And what did we get in return? Ayatollah Khomeini and almost 30 years of Muslim extremism. Including the hostages (thanks JazzBill), that the day of Ronald Wilson Reagan's Inauguration... were released. BECAUSE THEY FEARED HIM!
Break that crack pipe! Right now! Betty Ford will help you with your addiction.
But falsealarms asked about Ford. What do I remember?
1. WIN lapel buttons. Although not as bad as under Carter, inflation was a problem. WIN meant "Whip Inflation Now". Useless, unless you owned a lapel pin factory.
2. The first few seasons of Saturday Night Live. Chevy Chase would imitate Ford falling down steps, etc. Funny stuff that should be available on DVD. Get it now before the price spikes this week on Amazon. (As a footnote, it is said he had bad knees from being the MVP center on the U. of Mich. football team. Offered a contract by Green Bay and the Lions, he went to Yale Law school instead.)
3. The only President from Michigan... but he was from the other side of the state from me.
When Fox News cut off Michele Malkin last night filling in on the O'Reilly Factor at 11:5?, to tell the news of Ford's death, I was like "Damn, couldn't they show the end? Michele is a MILF!"
"Too bad about Ford... but at 93... and failing health..."
"Jimmy Carter should be next "up to the plate"" :^D
James