Edwards Statement on the passing of President Ford

[Catchawave]

EDWARDS STATEMENT ON THE PASSING OF PRESIDENT FORD
Thread Opener in News
12/27/2006 at 3:57 EST

**From Senator and Mrs. Edwards***
Elizabeth and I are deeply saddened by the news of President Ford's death.

Our thoughts and prayers are with President Ford's family during this difficult time. He helped heal a wounded nation and allowed the American people to move past a difficult period in our history.

President Ford was a true leader; he made decisions based on what he believed was right, not what was politically expedient. He called on us to never lose faith that we can change America. President Ford once said, "At times it feels as if American politics consists largely of candidates without ideas, hiring consultants without convictions, to stage campaigns without content. It doesn't have to be this way."

He was right. Today we honor his memory by following his example of leadership and lifting ourselves above partisan politics and acting with the courage and conviction of our ideals.

From: http://blog.oneamericacommittee.com/story/2006/12/27/155711/86

[xultar]

1. So, are people here going to hate Edwards cuz he didn't blast Ford?

[Tom Joad]

2. It's not about blasting Ford, its about remembering real US history, not the Disney version.

US complicity in the crimes against the people of East Timor must be remembered.

[iamthebandfanman]

4. hes dead.

enough said.

[Tom Joad]

12. Today we are remembering Ford's legacy, and East Timor is part of that legacy.

I don't knock Edwards for not saying anything about that. If i were to speak to Betty Ford, i would not say anything other than wishing her the best.

In the news and in DU, we are remembering the history of the Ford administration. Things like East Timor are part of that. Some people here at DU are hearing about East Timor for the first time.

When W Bush goes, are people going to remember the real history of his administration? Or it will just be remembered for funny "Bushisms"? Are people going to say... well he was a swell guy, but he sometimes had problems with the English language...ha ha.

[Catchawave]

5. Can't we put politics aside ?

My personal credo is "Ok, so I'm a bleeding heart liberal, at least I have a heart"

[xultar]

7. So, you'd stand up @ a relatives funeral and say all the bad things

they've done? You'd let someone stand up @ your mother's funeral and say bad stuff about her?

Come on please.

[Tom Joad]

13. When Saddam dies, will you let people say bad things about him?

we are not at anyone's funeral.

Is this a funeral? Do you see any flowers? Does Betty Ford post here? Do any of Ford's family post here?

[Catchawave]

17. You're equating Saddam with Gerald Ford ?

Scary.

[Tom Joad]

22. No. Maybe George W. Bush would have been better. Who Gerry voted for twice.

Will you let anyone say anything bad about the history of George W after he has had his last pretzel?

I wouldn't in the physican presence of Laura or the twins.

But please, DU is not where the Ford family is gathering to pay final respects. We are discussing real history. And the good and not so good from Ford's administration.

[xultar]

24. Other than reading charges no. Executing or killing someone is not the time

for a lot of hating. Death is some serious shit. Silent reflection is all that is needed in Uncle Saddy's situation.

We all know the bad things Saddam did. We should talk about them now but when he dies it is a sad occasion that we let someone like that go on for so long and kill so many. I think silent reflection is probably the most respectful thing.

You don't have to like someone to be respectful of their death.

[Tom Joad]

27. That's true. But the media is whitewashing Ford's history, not into

silent reflection. People here are equating dissent against Ford's policies on a internet forum to chatting at a funeral. this is NOT the funeral service. This is a internet forum regarding politics and issues.

[Catchawave]

29. Well, yuh :)

Write a diary for Dkos or MyDD....'splain to all the Lucys out there...what they don't get :)

Better yet, write a Bob or Nance quality diary for DU.

For starters....

[Catchawave]

3. Probably :(

I guess some people just don't separate their politics from real life. Whether one agrees or disagrees with President Ford's politics, he was a good man.

[xultar]

6. And - he just died. I don't know about the rest of the people but where

I come from you don't talk ill of the dead so soon after the death. I'd think people would be polite enough and at least wait until he's buried.

[Catchawave]

9. Yes, it's called "compassion"

Every liberal should understand that word :toast:

Otherwise, DU just becomes Freeperville, and I know WE are better than this.

[MrCoffee]

10. No he wasn't.

Whether this is an appropriate time to delve into exactly why Gerald Ford was not a good man is an open-ended question, but he was not a good man.

[Generator]

8. Well this is disappointing coming from Edwards

YES, he could have said something nice about the man, Ford. But he could have kept the very debatable and most definitely cliched and meaningless statement (George W. Bush said the exact same thing-look for it in LBN right this minute) "he healed the nation". Maybe he did nothing of the sort. Maybe it was pure horror from there like some think-or maybe it was nothing. This country is living in a myth.

[Catchawave]

14. Just showing respect, and yes,

Ford went to his grave believing pardoning Nixon was the right thing to do. "Healed the Nation" is Ford's legacy, whether you agree with it or not, it's the only thing anybody can say nice about him right now.

But Edwards said a little more than that....right?

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

11. Good For Edwards! Yet Another Respectful Statement.

God, all these Dem statements of appropriate respect must be driving some of the zealots here nuts! LOL

[Catchawave]

15. If you weren't snarking me.....

..thanks :hi:

[The Straight Story]

16. I am wondering what folks will say when saddam is dead :)

Going to be interesting. Heh Heh ;)

Spot on as usual OMC.

[Catchawave]

18. Oh Boy !

DU's really starting to creep me out.

Gerald Ford = Saddam ?

[The Straight Story]

20. No No No :)

I meant that I am wondering if people will say nice things about saddam vs ford :)

[xultar]

25. I know. Ain't it funny!

[NoPasaran]

19. .

[The Straight Story]

21. It's never good when someone edits out their whole post :)

See my #20 for an explanation ;)

[NoPasaran]

26. Well, I was going to say

Saddam probably wouldn't get much credit for healing the nation.

But I don't want it to seem like I am equating Ford and Saddam.

[SaveElmer]

23. Figures...

You know Edwards is a well known neocon enabler...

And a former DLC member to boot...

He cannot be trusted!!!

:sarcasm:

[Bake]

28. Well that does it! Edwards lost all progressive cred with that!

I can't believe he actually said something nice about a REPUBLICAN -- even a DEAD one! Holy crap, Ford was worse than Reagan and both Bushes put together! Geez! Boy, this really steams me!


Oh, and lest I forget:

:sarcasm:

Bake