December
2006
Let’s not canonize Gerald Ford
By all accounts, Gerald R. Ford was a decent man. But I can't join in what seems to be the general MSM agreement that his pardon of Richard Nixon was the right thing to do, because it allowed the country to "move on." Whether or not there was a quid pro quo when Nixon appointed Ford — and I take no position on that — the pardon was historically disastrous. It prevented a full public accounting of Nixon's crimes and has permitted the rehabilitation of his reputation, not to mention the revisionist move afoot in right-wing circles to redefine his forced resignation as unjustified persecution by left-wing enemies.
What makes the last allegation more amusing is that Nixon's domestic policies would place him in the left wing of the current Democratic party. His foreign policy wouldn't have pleased the likes of Ann Coulter or Michelle Malkin either.
But his crimes needed to be laid out for the nation to see. Ford did the country an enormous disservice by pardoning Nixon.
Janice M. Eisen
Janice M. Eisen, Uncategorized
Borders and Rich–these names sound familiar? They are some of the real criminals pardoned by Clinton. I think the nation is well aware of Nixon’s corrupt nature, just as they are of Clinton’s. Dirty Bill weakened America when he lied and twisted the Lewinski affair. I understand that the left has never been able to recover from Ken Star and the death of Camelot, but why use Ford’s death as a chance to smear Nixon?
“To smear Nixon”? I’m not sure that’s possible.
It’s the right that’s never been able to get over Clinton — 6 years he’s out of office, and you guys are constantly bringing him up. Did he lie about the Lewinsky matter? Absolutely. Did this even begin to approach the crimes of Nixon? Only someone blinded by partisan rage could think so.
Do yourself a favor: Read the articles of impeachment against Nixon approved by the House Judiciary Committee, the ones he resigned to avoid. Read the grand jury indictments that named him an “unindicted co-conspirator.” Then we can talk.
(By the way, I thought the death of “Camelot” was when Bobby Kennedy was killed. I was almost 5. It didn’t make a big impression.)