I was just a kid when Ford was our President, it’s a just gray hazy memory of a time when I would watch reurns of The Honeymooners and Night Gallery on channel 9 late at night.
What Ive learned in the last few days since his death has been very enlightening.
When he was younger although he was offered contracts with at least 2 (I cant remember if there was a 3rd) NFL football teams, he decided it was more sensible to take the “fall-back” route – he went to Yale law school instead.
H
e didnt hail from an affluent wealthy family, so he paid his own way through law school as a boxing coach and asst football coach, which was unprecedented. Yale Law requires 110% of a person’s time in order to make the grades.
He graduated in the TOP 3rd of his class.
After earning 10 battle stars servering in the Navy, he then went into politics.
He was re-elected 12 terms in congress.
He was the only President to serve that wasnt elected by the people, being the successor to Nixon’s departure of office.
He wasnt elected Vice President either, but rather appointed by Nixon to fill in for Spiro Agnew who left his VP seat due to bribery charges.
President Ford was a moderate republican.
Upon assuming the role of President of the United States when Nixon resigned, Ford did 3 things that brought the wrath of critics:
He pardoned Nixon, he pardoned the Vietnam draft dodgers (with the stipulation that they perform community service), and created the Helsinky Accord which forced the Soviets to recognize the human rights of the people who’s nations they occupied.
All three of those things were selfless acts which hurt his chances of being elected a short two years later. In recent times, his critics have recanted their opposition to all 3 of those actions, saying that Ford was right. What he did in his short two years as President are noteworthy.
He was extremely intelligent and clear-spoken, however during his short 2 year stint as President he was attacked and lampooned by the likes of Chevy Chase and journalists as a bafoon and idiot. (This is a dimissive tactic used by people unable to debate issues and dont have salient proposed solutions to problems)
He worked extremely well with democrats and republicans alike, and never used negative remarks to describe a person or group he didnt agree with on an issue.
He was a staunch anti-communist, but took a less confrontational approach, unlike President Regean did later. Ford’s Helsinky Agreement which was criticised at the time, was actually one of the launchpads Reagan used later to confront the Soviets for human rights abuses in nations they occupied.
After leaving the Capitol, he gave his time to domestic violence shelters, his wife’s substance abuse center, gave an estimated 200 speeches a year, authored a book, and even showed up at small community town council meetings. By every account, Ford was always deeply involved with community and helping others.
Even people that gave him bad vibes he treated with respect and dignity and didnt resort to personal attacks which seems prevelent in much of today’s politics.
Case in point, he met once with Hillary Clinton and when asked about his meeting, he simply said she was a formidible politician. People who knew Ford well, take that to mean he came away with …..a bad gut reaction to her.
I like how he treated others, his accomplishments, his character, honesty, and his devotion to family.
As President Bush eloquenty stated today, Ford did embody “the best characterists of the American spirit”. (paraphrased)
I’m sad that I didnt learn more of Gerald Ford prior to his death.
May he rest in peace.
