Gerald Ford: a compelling figure
Compelling is not an adjective that's usually applied to a description of our 38th president, but it seems to fit when one considers a few of the following facets of his life:
1935 Turns down contract offers from the Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers of the National Football League, deciding instead to attend Yale University Law School. Despite Chevy Chase's caricature of him during his term in office, he chose the more cerebral profession of law over the hero-status of football. (Interestingly, in '35 the Lions were NFL champs, and in '36 the Packers were, so he was sought by two of the best in league.)
1948 Elected to the House of Representatives. In that election and his 12 subsequent re-elections, always receives more than 60 percent of the vote. Only 35 years old then, and always a clear favorite.
Nov. 29, 1963 Appointed by President Johnson to the Warren Commission investigating the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. He is the last remaining member of the commission.
Now, I have to admit that this particular item is one that prompted me to post. One wonders what he knows about that fateful day in American history...
Aug 9, 1974 He is the only president not to have been elected either president or vice president.
A singular distinction that assures his place in presidential trivia for generations henceforth.
Sept. 5, 1975 Lynette “Squeaky” Fromme, a follower of imprisoned cult leader Charles Manson, points a gun at Ford as he shakes hands in Sacramento, Calif. No shots are fired.
Sept. 22, 1975 Radical Sara Jane Moore tries unsuccessfully to shoot Ford outside the St. Francis Hotel in San Francisco Again I admit, this item surprised me. I recall "Squeaky" Fromme (frequently, in fact, for some as-yet unexplored reason..) and her attempt on the president's life, but I had forgotten about Sara Jane Moore. This guy had two attempts on his life! (Both by women, interestingly... What's that all about?)
Anyway, I wish him and his family Godspeed and a blessed CHRISTmas to them all.
Be well, Mr. President!
Brad
1935 Turns down contract offers from the Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers of the National Football League, deciding instead to attend Yale University Law School. Despite Chevy Chase's caricature of him during his term in office, he chose the more cerebral profession of law over the hero-status of football. (Interestingly, in '35 the Lions were NFL champs, and in '36 the Packers were, so he was sought by two of the best in league.)
1948 Elected to the House of Representatives. In that election and his 12 subsequent re-elections, always receives more than 60 percent of the vote. Only 35 years old then, and always a clear favorite.
Nov. 29, 1963 Appointed by President Johnson to the Warren Commission investigating the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. He is the last remaining member of the commission.
Now, I have to admit that this particular item is one that prompted me to post. One wonders what he knows about that fateful day in American history...
Aug 9, 1974 He is the only president not to have been elected either president or vice president.
A singular distinction that assures his place in presidential trivia for generations henceforth.
Sept. 5, 1975 Lynette “Squeaky” Fromme, a follower of imprisoned cult leader Charles Manson, points a gun at Ford as he shakes hands in Sacramento, Calif. No shots are fired.
Sept. 22, 1975 Radical Sara Jane Moore tries unsuccessfully to shoot Ford outside the St. Francis Hotel in San Francisco Again I admit, this item surprised me. I recall "Squeaky" Fromme (frequently, in fact, for some as-yet unexplored reason..) and her attempt on the president's life, but I had forgotten about Sara Jane Moore. This guy had two attempts on his life! (Both by women, interestingly... What's that all about?)
Anyway, I wish him and his family Godspeed and a blessed CHRISTmas to them all.
Be well, Mr. President!
Brad
posted by Brad @ 6:30 PM
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