Gerald Ford, R.I.P.

[Seahawk]

Originally posted by speeder
Chevy's imitation of Ford taking the stage was some of the best physical comedy ever committed by man, and it was all in good fun and President Ford took it as such.

I think you are right...All American center at Michigan for two years. Can you imagine the swacks he took with no facemask?

My guess...a man with those stones can take a little ribbing.

[gaijindabe]

Did some boxing as well apparently - but nobody has too much on that.

[Dan in Pasadena]

Jerry Ford - All American

Second best athlete/politician of that era? If not Bill Bradley then Byron "Whizzer" White - also a football All American? Don't know my football history; was he a pro player, Hall of Famer too I seem to think?

[bt1211]

Here's an odd piece of trivia. Ford played in the college All-Stars game against the Chicago Bears in 1935 (lost 5-0). The quarterback for the All-stars was the late columnist Irv Kupcinet.

[the]

A good man who lead a good life. RIP.

(BTW, I remember seeing the SNL skits and other things portraying Ford as clumsy, but how did that originate? I remember at one time there were some pics of him falling while skiing, but who doesn't fall while skiing?? Did he have some other famous falls that gave rise to the joke? It just seems odd, given he was one of the most athletic people elected president)

[Dan in Pasadena]

He had a famous fall (or two) stepping off the staircase from Airforce One. He always jhoked about himself and was a good sport. Never struck me as thin skinned in the least. Good man, honorable life, he deserved and received a fine end in the company of his family. RIP.

[Flatbutt1]

Originally posted by Dan in Pasadena
. He always jhoked about himself and was a good sport.

He was quoted once as saying " I'm a Ford...not a Lincoln"

[VaSteve]

Was downtown tonight and wasn't planning on attending the procession, but got caught up in the foot traffic. I was at the Reagan funeral procession as well. Very different. Much lower attendance this time.

A lousy photo of the motorcade.

[URY914]

I have a question...

I watched the service tonight and there were 8 honor guards carrying the casket. Who were they?

1 Navy
2 Army
3 Air Force
4 Marines
5 Coast Guard
6 US Merchant Marines (please someone confirm)

Who else or were there two of a couple of them???

[Dottore]

Originally posted by URY914
I have a question...

I watched the service tonight and there were 8 honor guards carrying the casket. Who were they?

1 Navy
2 Army
3 Air Force
4 Marines
5 Coast Guard
6 US Merchant Marines (please someone confirm)

Who else or were there two of a couple of them???

On contract from Halliburton? Just a guess.

[David]

I heard an interesting comment after his death. A writer said Ford lost his reelection bid not because of pardoning Nixon, but because many of the new Christian right stayed home on election day because their man Reagan was not on the ballot.

[bt1211]

that would be an example of revisionist history.

[stevepaa]

Originally posted by bt1211
that would be an example of revisionist history.

+1

The feeling of betrayal by Nixon lasted a long time and marred any chance for Ford. I respect him now as I look back, but felt it was all a cheap trick by Republicans back then.

[URY914]

Originally posted by Dottore
On contract from Halliburton? Just a guess.

Stupid comment, a-hole. What does Ford and his death have to do with H?

[Tobra]

Originally posted by URY914
Stupid comment, a-hole. What does Ford and his death have to do with H?

+1

He was a strong leader, humble in his demeanor, impressive in accomplishment. Rare president, made decisions based on good of the country, rather than for himself or his party. He always wanted to be Speaker of the House, I think he would say he regretted never being Speaker.

Yes, pardoning Nixon cost him the '76 election, but he almost won anyway. Who is the revisionist historian again?

I often wonder how much better the world would have been if he were re-elected. Iran hostage crisis likely would almost certainly have never happened. Situation in Israel would be much more peaceful.

It seems like all the Great Americans are gone, no one to replace them, too bad

[kach22i]

Ford was a good guy, he did what he felt was best for the nation, putting his own interest a distant second.

Look long and hard to find that kind of character today.

[Racerbvd]

Originally posted by Tobra
+1

He was a strong leader, humble in his demeanor, impressive in accomplishment. Rare president, made decisions based on good of the country, rather than for himself or his party. He always wanted to be Speaker of the House, I think he would say he regretted never being Speaker.

Yes, pardoning Nixon cost him the '76 election, but he almost won anyway. Who is the revisionist historian again?

I often wonder how much better the world would have been if he were re-elected. Iran hostage crisis likely would almost certainly have never happened. Situation in Israel would be much more peaceful.

It seems like all the Great Americans are gone, no one to replace them, too bad

+2