Home » Archives » January 2007 » Farewell To A Good Man
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01/03/2007: "Farewell To A Good Man"
Today, the body of Gerald R. Ford, 38th President of the United States, reached its final resting place in Grand Rapids, Michigan. This marks the end of a week-long state funeral that began in Palm Springs and had a stop in Washington, DC. It was a simple yet dignified process that was much like the man it honored.
I was fifteen when Ford became president, and I can vividly recall the uncertainty of the times. The twin disgraces of Nixon and Agnew were replaced by Ford and Rockefeller, and no one really knew what would happen next. Saigon fell, and we all watched the parade of desparate refugees climbing to the rool of the US Embassy, hoping to catch a ride on one of the final evacuation helicopters. The Cold War was still going strong, and no one knew how this sense of American weakness might be perceived in the Kremlin - a first attack? Unemployment was high, and inflation higher. It was a difficult time.
Into this crucible came Gerald Ford. Never elected to office higher than the House of Representatives, he suddenly was the most powerful man in the world. He surrounded himself with good, young assistants, rolled up his sleeves, and got to work rebuilding the nation. The fruits of many of his labors wouldn't be born until long after he left office, but it was his efforts that laid the foundation for much of the success found by Ronald Reagan four years later. But that was fine with Gerry - he sought no recognition for his efforts.
Very early in his tenure as president, he made the decision that ultimately defined his administration and sealed his political fate. Correctly recognizing the distraction that would be caused by a Democratic congress demanding detailed hearings over the Watergate scandal, and understanding that no worse punishment could possibly be done to Richard Nixon than he had already received in his disgraceful resignation, Ford chose to pardon Nixon for all crimes he may have committed. Rather than have the Congress bog itself down at a time when its full attention was needed to rebuild the country, Ford took the personal abuse that came with the pardon. In many ways, his decision to pardon Nixon - a decision that history has shown to be correct - was much like the Marine who dives on the grenade to save his fellow soldiers. Ford, the WWII sailor, fell on this political grenade to save his country and start the essential healing process.
In many ways, the political climate today is similar to the one that met Ford when he first moved into th White House. Never in my life has there been so clear, so large a divide between the political parties. The partisianship and personal attacks are so great that the business of governing this country has ground to a halt. With a new Democratic-led Congress set to begin later this week, we may see a level of animosity and bickering unmatched in our history.
I think we could use a man like Gerry Ford right about now ...
