Tonight I will pay respect to Gerald Ford in Palm Desert.

[David Zephyr]

Through the prism of today's current Republican leadership and that of its potential Presidential candidates, former President Ford seems like a giant to me now. His wife, Betty, is a hero of mine, too. Together, they stood unwaveringly for the Equal Rights Amendment to the Constitution, had low regard for the religious nuts that eventually took over the Republican Party, courageously showed that chemical and alcohol addiction is a disease not a "moral" problem, and well, this couple did far too much for me to begin to mention here.

Am I aware of Ford's participation in the Warren Commission? Yes. Do I believe he knew the deception that Allen Dulles fostered upon the nation at that time? No. I do not.

Was I upset when President Ford pardoned Richard Nixon, Prescott Bush's puppet? Yes, I was really angry at the time and I believe that it was part of a pre-arranged deal before he ever became Vice President. But, because I lived during that period, I know how terribly divided the country was and how he did, in his quiet way, begin to steer the nation back from the very brink. He also walked into an administration still filled with vipers like Henry Kissinger (who we now know he demoted and who we now learn that he disliked).

A few here have unfairly faulted Gerald Ford for outing the kind man that saved his life. Nothing could be further from the truth. And the truth is that the Fords a sent letter of sympathy for Oliver Sipple when he died. Gerald Ford publicly stated that the federal government should treat gay couples the same as married couples, including providing equal Social Security and tax benefits. How many Republicans in the House or Senate would say that even today? Indeed, how many of our very own Democrats in Congress would dare say that today?

I believe, like President Carter, that Gerald Ford was a good man and tried his best to uphold and defend the Constitution, heal the nation, and that he loved the American people and our country.

For that, my partner and I will pay respect to him this evening in Palm Desert. May the current resident of the White House ponder the obvious: Gerald Ford was a far better man than he or his father ever were.

[cali]

1. Hey, David

Thanks for the injection of sanity and humanity. I feel much the same way.

[David Zephyr]

5. Thank you, cali.

I'm about to take off now, but I'm glad to know that I can take some of your well wishes with me tonight. :)

[Midlodemocrat]

2. This cartoon was in our paper today. I liked it.

I like to think that most of us might feel this way.

[David Zephyr]

6. What a wonderful 'toon.

Thank you for sharing that here.

[greenbriar]

3. exactly what I think

the fords are/were humble and did the best they could and stayed true to theirselves!!!


Betty Ford kicks ASS

[David Zephyr]

9. I saw your thread here at the DU and kudos to you.

Thanks.

[Midlodemocrat]

4. Sorry, dupe. Durn laptop.

[jaysunb]

7. Good for you David

I may go myself....since my wife wants to go to the Cabazon this afternoon. :evilgrin:

BTW,happy holidays :hi:

[David Zephyr]

8. Thanks.

Happy New Year to you and your wife. Let's hook up sometime here in L.A.

[Nikki Stone1]

10. Where are you paying your respects? At the church?

I was just curious. I've only been out to Palm Desert once, but it's a great area.

[David Zephyr]

11. The public is allowed after 4PM PST.

I don't know all of the particulars. We will sort of wind our way over there. (We have a home in Palm Springs so this is easy for us.)

[Nikki Stone1]

12. Oh nice.

Light a candle for him if you can. I'm glad the public is getting a chance to go in.

Deaths of presidents bring back our own political past, and I remember the Fords very clearly.

[dsc]

13. In fairness, no one that I have seen blames Ford for outing Sipple

that was Harvey Milk and the Chronicle, what they do blame him for, IMO rightfully, is not honoring him with a medal or whitehouse ceremony. He also is faulted for not going to the funeral. I do hope you are able to pay your respects and I surely agree about Betty.