The Muses of History Smile Once Again...
Rich Lowry from National Review sums up well, the events surrounding Gerald Ford's death and funeral.
The Light of History Shines on Ford
While we live submerged in a culture of media panic, the events surrounding President Ford's death and funeral stand as a gentle reminder that what is screamed from the coasts as so vital to our daily lives really pales in significance in the long run. Such is the case illustrated in the life and legacy of Gerald Ford, who in the 70's was repudiated for pardoning Richard M. Nixon, for being Nixon's lackie, and was mocked as a clumsy former "jock" who was dangerous to golf with. Thirty years later, his presidency is seen as instrumental for the healing of our nation. Nixon's pardon is now seen a courageous sacrificial act; a selfless political position that ultimately cost him the presidency in 1976.
The way in which he was lauded last week, by all who covered him, shows me how much the push for political power permiates everything we hear. Let's remember this, and dial down the hype our media projects onto us. Let cool and (might I say) reasonable thinking prevail.
posted by Underground Logician @ 9:04 AM
2 comments
2 Comments:
I view his pardon of Nixon as almost the only reasonable thing he could have done. What would have been the point of charging Nixon with criminal charges after he had already lost everything that was dear to him. Even if he had been found guilty of the crimes of which he was accused he would not have done any time. It would have been like flogging a dead horse.
I believe Nixon paid for his crimes by being justly politically executed. Putting him in jail would have been useless.
This would have been a good lesson for the Republicans to have remembered when they impeached Clinton after he admitted his crime, falling on his political sword.
I also think this current administration is getting a pass because no one really wants open up the bloody wounds of the current "troubles."
Well, I think when you and I are having wheel chair races at the group home is where we'll hear how Bush and Clinton fared in history. I think you're right about Nixon; he had the rest of his life to ponder his troubles.
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