Anyone wacthing Ford's Ceremony?

[nanandjim]

I am watching on and off on the Fox network. I know that dying is a part of life, but it just makes me sad. Mrs. Ford and children should be so very proud of her husband/their father. He not only reached a position that is the highest in our country, he was a good husband and father. Who could ask for anything more?

 

[ljwf22]

I am watching on and off on the Fox network. I know that dying is a part of life, but it just makes me sad. Mrs. Ford and family should be so very proud of her husband. He not only reached a position that is the highest in our country, he was a good husband and father. Who could ask for anything more?

You can't, nanandjim. And to me, there is no better tribute.
BTW, the plane just touched down in Grand Rapids. It flew over U of M Stadium on the way, an awesome view from the air. Just heard Bo Shembechler was to have been an honorary pallbearer and that the U of M band (one of the best, imo) will play at the service tomorrow.

 

[ljwf22]

I misspoke: the U of M band is at the airport to play "Ruffles and Flourishes"...it must've taken the redeye last night from Pasadena.

 

[Marthatex]

Well, he was certainly a healer but hardly great---he's seen basically as a nice honest guy who didn't do too much, sort of like Carter

I hardly think he had a long enough time in office to really be judged as either a great President or a poor one. (lucky for him, maybe)

But I think most agree he had a good value system, he took on a responsibility he didn't really want at a difficult time, sat down and did the job to the best of his abilities, with respect for all members of the political process and regard for what might be best for the American people.

I think his wife is also an outstanding figure, made tremendous gains toward educating, making public and funding help for those with substance abuse problems.

 

[Nore]

I have watched almost all today.I guess it is a matter of opinion but I liked President Ford very much.I feel he pulled things together very well after Nixon.He was a man with feelings for people,dont find that too often anymore.My prayers are with Betty Ford and their family.

 

[ljwf22]

In an odd twist the rector of the Grace Episcopal Church where the funeral will take place is Rev. Dr. Nixon McMillan. One paper had the headline "A Nixon to bury Ford"

"The Rev. Dr. Nixon McMillan, interim rector of Grace Episcopal Church. Ordained in 2003 at St. Paul’s Cathedral in Detroit, Nixon, 45, received his Master of Divinity degree from Yale Divinity School, his Master of Arts in Organ Performance and Doctor of Philosophy in Music from the University of Iowa. Prior to entering seminary, he enjoyed a long and successful musical career, serving as director of music and principal organist at a number of large churches in the United States and Canada. Prior to being named interim director, Fr. Nixon’s previous assignments included assistant to the rector at All Saints Church in Pontiac and associate chaplain at the Yale-New Haven Hospital. A native of Sault St. Marie, Ont., he became a U.S. citizen in 2001."

 

[AlwaysShocked]

Watched most of it today. I am not a Republican, but had respect for Gerald Ford. Even though I was NOT happy at the time of his decision to pardon Richard Nixon! I mellowed over the years, as did many.

As a note: Katie Couric was woefully inadequate today on the CBS coverage!
Didn't have her facts straight enough times that it irked! Bob Sheffler (sp?) and others rescued her time and time again.

Okay, let her read the news, but for in depth coverage as today required, she just did not seem up to it.

Perhaps I am being too harsh??

In any case, lovely Episcopalian ceremony and may Mr. Ford R.I.P.

 

[ljwf22]

Watched most of it today. I am not a Republican, but had respect for Gerald Ford. Even though I was NOT happy at the time of his decision to pardon Richard Nixon! I mellowed over the years, as did many.

As a note: Katie Couric was woefully inadequate today on the CBS coverage!
Didn't have her facts straight enough times that it irked! Bob Sheffler (sp?) and others rescued her time and time again.

Okay, let her read the news, but for in depth coverage as today required, she just did not seem up to it.

Perhaps I am being too harsh??

In any case, lovely Episcopalian ceremony and may Mr. Ford R.I.P.

Not too harsh, but talking heads have been getting facts wrong all across the board. I loved the video montage CBS had at the end of its newscast.
Grand Rapids is a crazy place right now. There are so many people waiting in line, they can't tell where the line actually ends.

 

[Camper]

The entire family was pretty tired and weary today. Felt so sorry for them all.

He is home, and quickly becoming a loved memory. History past, present and some for the rest of everyones tomorrows.

Rumsfield was so eloquent.

Whatta historical week, whew.

.

 

[JDB]

I wish I could have watched the last few days but I was at work.I just read the Navy next ship will be named after him.He is now in Heaven and God will give his family the strenght *SP* they need.

RIP Pres. Ford

 

[IndyLaw]

Not too harsh, but talking heads have been getting facts wrong all across the board.

It's times like this I really miss Peter Jennings. Sigh.

 

[ljwf22]

It's times like this I really miss Peter Jennings. Sigh.

Me too. Wish Bob Woodruff was still on every night too. Wasn't Tom Brokow's eulogy great?

 

[Marthatex]

OHhhhh, Peter Jennings.

And poor Bob W - is he getting any better? It's been about a year now.

 

[ljwf22]

OHhhhh, Peter Jennings.

And poor Bob W - is he getting any better? It's been about a year now.

I've read where he goes into the office each day and is still getting a little rehab. His languages have come back (he speaks fluent Mandarin Chinese and French). He was very thin in the pictures I saw. The piece said he'd probably never get the anchor seat back or do foreign correspondence, at least in danger zones.

 

[ljwf22]

I found this:
"Hope for the Holidays: Bob Woodruff at ABC
I’d been sitting in David Westin’s office yesterday for about 10 minutes – I’d been invited by for an informal chat – when I saw a familiar face at the ABC News president’s door. “How you doing?” asked Bob Woodruff. “You going back to Michigan for the holidays? I’m staying put.”
Momentarily speechless--in part from choking up-- yet grinning like a kid on Christmas morning, I managed to say hello. Almost a year since Woodruff and his cameraman Doug Vogt nearly lost their lives covering the Iraq War and there was the ABC newsman, who grew up near me in Detroit, looking and sounding great. "
Link:
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/blog/1380000138/post/590006059.html

 

[Marthatex]

I found this:
"Hope for the Holidays: Bob Woodruff at ABC
I’d been sitting in David Westin’s office yesterday for about 10 minutes – I’d been invited by for an informal chat – when I saw a familiar face at the ABC News president’s door. “How you doing?” asked Bob Woodruff. “You going back to Michigan for the holidays? I’m staying put.”
Momentarily speechless--in part from choking up-- yet grinning like a kid on Christmas morning, I managed to say hello. Almost a year since Woodruff and his cameraman Doug Vogt nearly lost their lives covering the Iraq War and there was the ABC newsman, who grew up near me in Detroit, looking and sounding great. "
Link:
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/blog/1380000138/post/590006059.html

Oh good, I'm glad to hear he's so much better. Good idea to write memoir. Sounds like his speech is a bit hesitant - maybe that's all. HE was lucky to come out so well.

 

[kato]

I wish I could have watched the last few days but I was at work.I just read the Navy next ship will be named after him.He is now in Heaven and God will give his family the strenght *SP* they need.

RIP Pres. Ford

I had to work also so I forked over $2.95/mo. for the CNN Pipeline (live streaming video)and watched it at my desk. At my old office I had a TV in my room. They moved our dept. to a different location and now I don't get any reception. Really peeves me at times like this.

 

[kato]

It's times like this I really miss Peter Jennings. Sigh.

Oh man, he's my all time fave.

 

[eve]

Am I watching it? No not at all--Ford has always been ranked by the American people as near the lowest with respect to his presidency--Only Lyndon Johnson and Nixon are held with less respect

Wow! What a post! I guess I wish you would not have weighed in since you weren't watching.

Bob Schieffer (and others) repeatedly said Ford was the nicest, most decent man he had ever met in public life. I am orginally from Michigan and know Ford was highly respected by many (IMO).

Ford didn't ask for the job, made an unpopular decision (Nixon pardon) that probably cost him the election, and you know what? That speaks volumes for his priorities. If more politicians did what they believed was right for the American people we wouldn't be led by power-mad hypocrites whose only priority is to get re-elected.

He was a great guy. With an awesome wife. He was honest, faithful and honorable.

History will probably show the rightness of his decisions but regardless, why would you speak ill of a dead president? Especially this one.

Eve

 

[ljwf22]

There's a new billboard in Grand Rapids that the procession passed. It's navy blue with white lettering: Gerald "Our" Ford.
His family revisited the burial place today before leaving Michigan. Betty looks so frail but what a trouper for 88 years.