Cool News
Rest In Peace Gerald Ford
Hey folks. Quint here. It's funny... I've been going through that SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE Season 1 box set and have, in a weird way, learned more about Gerald Ford as a person than in any history class I've ever attended. Chevy Chase made a career around his Gerald Ford-inspired prat falls, and without them it's quite possible NBC's Saturday Night would never have lasted.
It is quite clear in these DVDs that Ford wasn't a popular President, at least with the youth movement. He lost a lot of faith and respect when he pardoned Richard Nixon and every week Saturday Night took the piss out of him, most directly with Chase's opening impersonations of him and later with the Weekend Update segment.
However, instead of being offended, Gerald Ford sent his press secretary, Ron Nessen, to host the show in April '76 and appeared, via video, himself announcing "Live From New York, It's Saturday Night!" and stealing a little of Chase's thunder with a quick blip during Weekend Update: "I'm Gerald Ford and you're not."
That to me says a lot about the man. He had a thankless task, taking over the reigns after a National disgrace, when the American people felt truly suspicious of and betrayed by their government. He had a tough job to do and he made many controversial choices, some that cost him a re-election bid against Jimmy Carter.
It might have been Mr. Nessen's suggestion to "get in" with the hip young crowd... or Mr. Ford could have been a regular viewer and not minded taking some jabs. I don't know which is the real scenario there, but his appearance, which George Bush Sr. copied some 15 or so years later, was a landmark and truly funny.
I'm sure you'll read more about the man's politics below. Please try to keep it civil. The Ronald Reagan talkbacks went pretty gonzo insane. Hopefully the Holiday spirit will still be with you guys when you deside to give respects to Mr. Ford.
My thoughts are with his friends and family.
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I mean...why?
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The first president in my memory.
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It's because John Ashton posed as him in "Beverly Hills Cop II." That's movie history, man.
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All I could think of (speaking of SNL) was the Dana Carvey skit where he played Tom Brokaw going on vacation... pre-taping "what ifs" if President Ford were to die while he left. I'm insensitive.
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Does AICN need hits this much?
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zzzzzzzz
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the federal govt will give me a day off for the funeral. Is it morbid to want an ex-prez to die so I can lounge around at home playing gears of war?
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It doesn't matter to me if this is a site for movies or for widgits, the death of any President deserves the respect of everyone who calls themselves American. So since this site is based in Texas, which I think is still part of the U.S.A., it deserves a bit of fairness when it comes to the obit of the 38th President of our GREAT country. Like they said in the 60's "Love it or leave it." I refer to AICN the website, not U.S.A. the country. Although if you don't like the country why are you still here?
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My fondest memory of Gerald Ford: When he invited Homer Simpson over to his house for nachos and beer.
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Since when does AICN report every passing of a famous person?
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Betty has a beer, another beer, yet another beer and cheets on Gerald
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that does seem a rather odd explanation to not cover richards. Personally, were I in Drew's shoes (sounds like a collumn title already), I would not have posted it simply because that sort of ET weekly BS needs to stay in the Sun Times and, well, ET. Just my opinion, though, so please dont think I'm coming down on you or anything. And Nomihs, while I do agree that President Ford deserves respect, there is such a thing as context. You wouldnt post collumns about the nuremburg trials on a Bob The Builder website, would you?
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I get why Ronald Reagan got a talkback; he was a movie actor. Gerald Ford, not so much.
Harry needs to be a little more discriminating about who he hires. And Quint needs to go to college. His rhetoric is appalling. -
that comment is a classic. The thing is, by the time Indy 4 actually does come out, Harrison might actually be a bit older.
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as either President or Vice President. At least he finally got our asses out of Vietnam. Your turn W. You piece of shit.
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You can't really call what Chevy did an "impression". He had a full head of black hair when he did those skits and just played him as a dumb guy. Not that it wasn't funny.
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Don't judge too harshly all Americans. The ones with half a brain typically aren't posting anyway (myself excluded, of course).
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Ford was a fascinating President, but it's just sad that the most significant action history will remember him for was his full and unconditional pardon of Richard Nixon.
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AICN is not just a film/comic/TV review site. It has evolved over the years into a site that deals with modern culture and events in general. Didn't Harry put a VOTE TODAY link up earlier in November? The US mid-terms are hardly movie news yet they were an event that most of the world was focused on, thus they are mentioned on AICN. The death of a US president is pretty big news, and as this is an American site it stands to reason that an obit would be posted. Oh and some of the comments on this talkbalk are disgraceful, can we leave the silliness and sarcasm for a living person who actually deserves it (Kathleen McGowan perhaps?). RIP Mr Ford
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.For the 'eyes' post.Good lad.
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... I find some of the comments here nothing short of apalling. I'm not even gonna bother commenting on specifics, except to say that you should be truly ashamed - the man has not even been BURIED yet, and his family is still grieving over him, as have many, many others. I genuinely hope that the majority of the commenters here so far aren't actually American, as this is the kind of behavior I wouldn't expect from citizens of a third world country to their former leaders (and they have a tendancy to be a bad bunch by and large).
It doesn't matter that you don't think its "fitting" that a nod to the passing of a former AMERICAN world leader is placed in a "Entertainment" column run by AMERICANS - In the end, its Harry and co's site, and they could damn well post whatever they wanted here whether you liked it or not. And if reference to a man of Fords scope and stature, which was certainly greater than most of ours - & DEFINITELY greater than you sorry lot disgracing both his name & this site with your filth - is something you have an issue with at all, then frankly, you're not people I ever want to know in person.
Rest In Peace, President Ford, and may your grieving family find peace at heart over your passing. While my belief brings me to hope you have moved on to a better place, given the attitudes presented by many of your own countrymen, I belive thats a probablility, if not a certainty altogether... -
This site is mainly a movie/tv news site, I agree. But we also cover pop culture. AICN is not 100% anything, which is why I enjoy writing here. We get to explore different interests from time to time. You ask why Gerald Ford got an obituary here and I ask why he wouldn't? I wrote an Obituary for an ex-Texas Governor because I personally admired her. No one is forcing you to read, so why are you so offended that I honor an ex-President of the United States?I think you'd agree that us covering the death of a president is a little different than delving into the Michael Richards tabloid shit.
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I should have held off another few minutes with my response. You guys said everything that needed to be said.
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The Duke Rape Case (or lack of) has been in the news quite a bit these past few days. The entire nation was talking about it and many were speculating upon the motives of the DA. Should that be in Aint it cool news: the best in movie, tv, dvd, and comic book news? Its called relevancy, Tom, not respect. When you open up the politics section of the Post, do you want to read about speculation reguarding James Cameron's new film? No, of course you wouldnt. In fact, your first response would be, "what the hell does this have to do with politics in the belt way?" And while I dont condone the disrespect of a man who just died, considering the concept I just laid out to you, is it any wonder most of us don't take this article seriously? Printing out purely non-movie related news for the sake of solemnity and reverence at AICN is like cruising for hot chicks at a NAMBLA meeting--its just not gonna happen.
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Chill the FUCK OUT dude. I agree with what you and others are saying about some comments being showing a lack of respect or tact but that IS their right under the 1st Ammendment. Freedom of Speech is what separates us from third word countries, not a desire to supress any thought you (and jingoistic dipshits like nomihs) find personally abhorent.
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Just for the sake of accuracy, Ford didn't lose "re-election". You have to be elected first in order to be 're-electen;. ;) Of course, that's isn't an attempt to speak ill of the dead. Personally, I think Ford played the best game he could with the cards handed to him by Nixon.
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was just a few days ago. People, mass medias, and talking heads alike have been incessently talking about that case for the past 10 years. Surely that qualifies as pop culture, no? Again, you can postulate about Presidents all you want, but pop culture is pop culture, right? And wldmk, none of us are disputing the ownership rights of this site. Of course they can print any damn thing they want. But so long as they keep their forums open, dont expect the audience of TB'ers here to roll over for every story and not offer critical analysis.
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....just wondering if AICN has anything planned for that bastards obit? Might be a great time for a roast....along with high-res pics of his hanging!
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Are you serious, stooop? Nixon was a thoroughly corrupt president and rather then illustrate the idea to all future administrations that they are NOT above the law, Ford crumpled. Ford owed his boss his job and was sure as heck not going to upset the apple cart.
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that Ford wasn't sacraficing the moral and just course for the road of political expediency, I have a bridge to sell you.
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"You have to be elected first in order to be re-elected." Tell that to George W. Bush.
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As an MSU grad I salute you sir.
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He liked to watch the game, have some nachos and then, some beer.
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Peter Boyle deserves a TB more than Ford
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...my point is that even in dark corners of our world where things are down in $hit -=WAY=- more than for us (and i've been to many, many places you will probably never set foot in, and speak with experience), they show more respect to the living and more so to the dead than so many of us apparently do...
My personal sense of utter loyalty to the constitution aside, I am a staunch supporter of the 1st Amendment and freedom of speech for multiple reasons that relate also to what i do for a living, so i do NOT need to be lectured by you on it. Yes, you are well within your right to write, talk and express yourself. It is not against any law - hust as much as it is also not against any law for someone to be a completely heartless, unthinking idiot bastard, who has no issues spitting on someone's memory when he's dead.
While a different scenario, tell me, Mr. AK-47 (i'm assuming under the 'Mr' title that you are a grown man btw, which given the nature of your reply i'm inclined to dimiss)- were one of your loved ones to die, heaven forbid, would you want someone coming over to the graveside by you and your loved ones and calling him/her names, telling people insulting stuff and obscenities? Because that free speech as well, and it is not illegal either (albeit to a degree)...
I'll protect a persons right to say something offensive until i'm dead and buried, but i'm still within my rights to call him on it, whatever it may be. Thats what my lovely 1st amendment allows just as well... -
...he was, I also always thought Ford was basically a kind-hearted, good-humored, well-intentioned man. I think the episode of The Simpsons that ended with him moving in next door to Homer just sort of solidified my affection for the man. He lived in tough times and took hard knocks and he came out smiling. Hopefully there aren't a lot of stairs in heaven.
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After all, who needs all that trauma where law and justice are both concerned? As many have previously pointed out, what "trauma" is Ford referring to? Who's trauma? Nixon deserved to be indicted, prosecuted, and most probably convicted. And concerning trauma, when has that ever been a factor in our legal system, of which its symbol is blindfolded? No, make no mistake about it, Ford's pardoning of Nixon in effect buffered our nation's most powerful leader from the law of the land, allowing future administrations to act with utter impunity. Trauma indeed...
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Not "reigns".
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James Brown made some very notable film apperances. I can understand why people are complaning about this being on this site, at least Reagan was an actor, but I do not mind. It is very newsworthy and this site, as Quint said, is actually more about pop culture in general so the Ford obit fits right in
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The first amendment has nothing to do with what we're talking about. You do realize that this is a privately owned website, do you not? The man doesnt have to post your criticisms and is free to disreguard your opinions, to say nothing of setting standards. You may see me disagreeing with Quint's decision, but that is where it ends. Furthermore, you see stooop and myself disagreeing on some of President Ford's decisions, but at no time do you see us flaming away at each other or at the former President. You've made your point, or lack thereof, AK, now either stay here and be quiet or flame away on some other thread.
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I'm sorry, Stooop, but I've never been one to subscribe to that sort of reasoning. Believe me, I understand your opinion, but that sort of reasoning is synonymous with the clemency pleas made the heads of enron, worldcom, and a plethora of other powerful men and women that abused said power and trust. The removal from a position of trust and power is just prudence, stooop. The prosecution and punishment for the abuse is law.
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... to be a personal attack on my behalf against AK-47 or anyone else spacific among the commenters, merely a general reference.
Stoopider - I won't go into the details, as it would take me AGES, but of the top, regarding "Most of the african states", well, just trust me when I say I know far too much than I wish I ever did, and its not limited to that particular region of the world that i've been to. You find it difficult, however, to differeciate between crimelords/warlords dominating over populaces than with dictatorships, although if anything the latter tend to be more organized & actually better off in many cases. 'Dictatorship' is a broad term - Franco's Spain was a dictatorship, as was Naizov's Turkmenistan, more relevant to our time, and despite that, like other, they had it far better in comparison to places where bloodbaths of civilians take place as a matter of routine. And i didn't bring up freedom of speech as a issue of difference, it's not an issue related to what i was trying to say, although you DO have it in many of such places - it just aint always a good idea. 'Course, that can be applied to Russia, where critics of the government have a tendancy to vanish or die horribly, and its still supposed to be a democracy, last time i checked...
Either way, I certainly did not have Brazil or South America in mind with my statement earlier, although i know some would argue... -
I meant to say that the removal from the position of power and trust is prudence, stoop. The prosecution for the abuse and crimes committed in that position is law. The prosecution for those abuses and crimes is justice.
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you can praise him all you want for being politically expedient, ie. prudent, but he hardly deserves accolades for avoiding the application of law. Personally, as much as I abhored Carter's administration, I'm glad Ford wasn't brought back in for another term. What can I say? I'm an idealist.
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I would reserve this comment for another time since this doesn't seem the right time or place but you are a complete moron. Ever wonder why in the "dark corners of the world" people show more respect towards their leaders? Because if they don't they probably get their fucking tongues cut out, asshole. And I would hardly equate making a dumb joke in a chat room with being abusive to someone's family at their gravesite. One obvious reason being that the Ford family isn't here. So you can get on your fucking pedestal and scold people for not holding to yuor moral superiority but while your up there go fuck yourself.
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Hell, they can post Obits for fictional characters if they wanted to. Or run nude layouts of Harry! That is what freedom of speech is all about, dudes.
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Cheers for the compliment Quint and Wldmk, i totally agree with you that (to quote a 14th century English bishop) 'manners maketh man' is the epitaph of civilised society. (although i'm sure that thre are people in Third World countries that are capable of showing reverence to their dead leaders) Despite certain steereotypes we Brits are a pretty deferential bunch... most of the time anyway. Ta ta old chaps!
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The ONLY reason this obit was posted was to watch the inevitable 'hilarity' ensue in the TB posted by numb fucks who weren't even born when he was Commander-in-Chief. And those that were born, if all you can remember of Ford is a freakin' SNL skit then there is something wrong with your country. Piss off.
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Dec 27, 2006 4:12:15 PM CST
He was a lame duck President that wasn't even elected..
by sledge hammer
...and truthfully, this isn't "important world shattering news" at all, important to the US, yeah, but truth is, most people in the rest of the world don't give a fuck about Gerald Ford, half of them don't even remember him, even many in the US I'd wager don't care that much, and internationally the best I've seen his death rate on the news is an "also ran", nowhere near the lead story. Reagan's death was significant world news, Nixon's death was significant world news, but with Ford, no one really much cares. He didn't shape our culture, he didn't have any profound lasting impact or influence that kept him in public conciousness, he's a footnote President, not a chapter heading, and certainly not worthy of his own volume. Whether you believe he did a good job or not, and whether you liked him or not, he's one of the least significant presidents the US has ever had historically speaking. I mean when the thing that you are most known for is a result of the fallout from the last President's blatant criminality, that says a lot. And speaking of which, his pardoning of Nixon, who had both shamed and corrupted the highest office in the land, not to mention betraying the people that he is supposed to represent and serve, under the pretext that the pardon was in the country's best interest, is, was and always shall be a cop-out crock.
Outside of the political he might have been a nice guy, he might have been a good guy, a stand up guy, or he might not have been, I honestly don't and won't ever really know, but while I'm not one who believes that any man to hold the presidency should be instantly respected (respect has to be earned in my book) regardless of all of that I wish his friends and family well, and the death of pretty much anyone is it's own tragedy, so may he rest in peace. -
On behalf of America we would like to return the favor and go ass to mouth on you.
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And all the comments. Talk Backers talkin' smack is what talk back is all about. I don't think anybody from the Ford family is going to be reading this Talk Back. And these folks can't take anything away from Gerald Ford. He lived to be 93 frickin' years old! And was doing shit until the very end. How cool is that? Oh, and Ford did something truly unforgivable: he lost an election to Jimmy Carter. That was like losing an election to Castro or Mao. But I did keep the thermostat turned down, and wore a sweater, just like Mr. Carter. Hold on a sec--Carter pretty much handed us Reagan on a silver platter. Which rocked. So, all is forgiven. Bless you, Harold Ford, Jr.! I mean, Gerald Ford. Damn, so hard to keep all these politicians straight.
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but even that may be too insensitive for some
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Someone raped performingmonkey's mom on the way to get the mail or something. Damn.
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Jeez, don't make me embarrassed of my alma mater! Ford was also the first president I remember while he was in office, though apparently my parents took me with them to see Nixon speak when he was running for re-election (I was but a babe.) It's huge news here in West Michigan, especially with the Ford Presidential Museum and Ford International Airport in Grand Rapids. Was pardoning Nixon the right thing to do? Politically, it probably cost him the election, but it helped our country to move on. I think history has been favorable to him. Prayers and thoughts for his family.
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It was me and it was consensual - well as consensual as roofies will make it - speaking of ass to mouth...
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http://youtube.com/watch?v=RTaDk_P91ao James Brown rocks, BTW: Ford rocks too, and where's his biopic?
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That is what ran through my mind when I heard this. I wasn't alive during his administration, so I don't connect well with the man. By all accounts he seems like a nice enough guy that was shoehorned into a shitty situation (as the successor of two disgraced political figures). And, yes, pissing on the president, any president is not only our right, it's our duty. Just ask President "Tons O' Fun" Taft.
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Dana Carvey doing a Tom Brokaw impression, announcing all the various ways Ford could die in 1996. http://tinyurl.com/yezsfo
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you hit the nail right on the head. Like someone said above me, you're probably going to get flamed away for being *gasp* critical of the man in an AICN talkback, but I believe you are right about why we arent nearly so up in arms over his death than other presidents, to say nothin gof the fact that he lived to a very ripe old age. Its not exactly traumatic. Furthermore, I would completely disagree with the notion that Ford is some sort of influence in today's pop culture, unless of course Quint is counting Fox and MSNBC news as pop culture...
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His disregard for the rule of law set the country back and paved the way for Jimmy Carter. It has taken decades to recover from the Carter years. While Ford was by all accounts a decent man (for that matter, so is Carter), his presidency set the stage for the Carter heinosity and allowed Reagan his excesses just to get the country back on track. While Ford deserves our respect as Americans, and no doubt acted sincerely, he was sincerely wrong in pardoning Nixon and we paid a price as Americans.
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Before I respond that "respecting the oldest living former president" post, let me make it very clear that I'm not questioning your patriotism or in any way comparing/contrasting myself to you. I used to be in the army (nothing special, just artillery and gopher boy)and am an intensely patriotic individual. Not to the United States of America, mind you, but the ideals that this country is founded upon. Yes, I do love the US, but were its government to suddenly change those ideals which I dearly love, you had better believe that my feelings towards this country would change. That said, I respect the office of president, but I may not necessarily respect the individuals that preside within that position, or their actions. As a former president, the man has my respect, so far as my respect for this nation allows. Make no mistake about it, however, when I critique certain actions done by Ford or this country. Now, as far as Ford is concerned, I'm sure he's a "nice" guy, but I could honestly care less. And whether or not he had this nation's best intentions at heart is debatable because none of us can ever truly know his heart and soul. He made a monumental mistake, and whether well-intentioned or no, my respect for his abilities as president are drastically diminished as a result. To further drive this point into the ground, let us present President Carter. The man, i believe, was a nice guy--just as nice as Ford, and deserved of the respect that his office provided. However, he was one of the most innept presidents in our nations history, and thusly, I will never respect his abilities. A subtle, but important difference, to my mind.
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No less so than UT winning the BCS. Cmon people, this is Harry's site and he's entitled to post whatever he wants. It's not like we who use it are paying for the service. You could always not click on the article if you don't want to read it.
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I swear, I was typing that while you were posting it.
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"..a little bit of that countries soul goes with it" - stooopider, you've never been to Australia, have you. ;)
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Greatness cannot be quelled.
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I agree that its harry's site, but you have to admit that this obit does stand out a bit. Why, its practically begging for someone to say,"Yeah, but is this AICN news?" Lets go to a star trek fansite and debate about the legitimacy of Julian's actions at the hipodrome in Constantinople. I'm betting we're going to get a few comments similar to the sentiment above.
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My sentiments exactly. Arent you guys famous for the outright boffing of any political official that comes down the pike?
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While this is primarily a film and television site, longtime posters have seen all manner of off topic things posted here. Now the AICN rules prohibit off-topic posting, but that's the benefit of owning the site. You get to break your own rules or else what's the fun? Which could well have been what Ford was thinking when he pardoned Nixon. See the relevance now? God I'm fucking brilliant!
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Here at AICN that elevates a president to demigod status. All they did to Bill Clinton was take him to court. Bitches tried to take Ford out! That pres must've been throwing down some serious dick!
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Good to see we're on the same page guys. Yes, if John Howard or any of our previous "leaders" in any way embody a little of the Australian soul, then I wish to declare my New Zealander citizenship, effective immediately. Australia's a nice place, but ever since we decided to back the team with the bigger guns, it just feels like I'm living in two overlapping countries. The great and friendly place I love, and this other place that's like a shadow of all the things I see in American TV shows. I'm sorry about you guys losing an ex-President - I just wish I could feel some national pride in our leadership.
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Sorry, that was kind of trolly.
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Uh, wait... you said "Gerald", right? Oh, okay. I can't recall him from any movie, but I'm sure he was an okay actor.
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point taken. Though I wasn't referring to decisions made 60 years ago - I wasn't alive then so I wouldn't presume to comment on something I have no first hand knowledge of. I just know what I see now.
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What a weird legacy he'll have. He was a decorated WWII veteran and a guy who seemed to have a good heart. Then again, the Republican Party manipulated Ford into allowing Dick Cheney and Donald Rumsfeld into the Cabinet, letting the two corrupt pricks into the White House. He completed the pull-out of Vietnam, but he pardoned Nixon. He continued the good relations with China that Nixon had started but he lent weapons and money to Indonesia, allowing them to kill 150,000 in the East Timor Massacre. He was an easy target of satire, but no one was a better comedy target than Reagan. TO top it off, his presidential portrait was done with him posing in a sweet 70's pinstripe suit. I don't know. The Nixon pardon was a pretty tough bit to forgive, but I think Ford simply found himself between a rock and a hard place. It wouldn't surprise me if the guy had been threatened into signing the pardon by the seedier members of Nixon's conspiracy bunch. It's not like Ford had much to hide...that was the whole point--keep Ford completely in the fucking dark so that if the hammer fell, he could aid a clean getaway for Tricky Dick. Rough position for any man to be in, especially a guy who was really just a simple average politician like Ford. Seriously, if GW Bush had been caught doing something Nixonian, Dan Quayle taking the reins would have been the exact equivalent. First James Brown, now a former President. What a sad little Christmas it's been. Next you'll tell me that Jeb Bush is running for Pres in '08...
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you should check out the TF board. I'm not sure, but I really think this phartegod guy is Don Murphy
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but isn't anyone else worried we are about to be invaded by Zimbabwe?
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Check the original Kirby art damn it!
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I heard on the radio today that Ford's legendary clumsiness (as well-parodied by Chevy Chase on SNL) was actually due to an old football injury which had damaged one of his knees.
Sure, he won't go down in history as one of our great Presidents, but he was still a President of the United States (and from all accounts a genuinely nice and classy guy), and as such he deserves some respect.
R.I.P., Mr. President. -
It should have been Chevy Chase.
Rest in peace, Mr. President.
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Being President in 1974 was not a fun job. The Nixon Administration made the American government about as trustworthy as a convicted criminal. Some may consider Ford's presidency a lame-duck presidency but I'm pretty sure no American died in combat during his time in office. You can mock me and say 'well it was only 2 1/2 years'. How long did it take for Dubya's/Clinton's/Bush Sr's/Reagan's administration to have to bury someone's son? Ford brought stability back to a very shaky government and the man deserves respect. For all the man has done in his short time in office, it's horrible that so many people show such inhumane tact and blatent disrespect for one of our American leaders. It's not an easy job for anyone, and anyone who tries gets my respect. RIP Mr. President.
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Some TB seriously hated thier parents or something because the hate has come out strong. I mean the guy wasn't Michael Bay oh and ps AICN can have obits for whoever they want. I mean they could have have one for Obi-Wan everyday if they wanted. Calm down and stop owning a dead ex-President he probably had the hardest job ever when he took office.
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the Haughey bashers wasted no time at all even though he was dead for a mere few days. There is no such thing as respect for the dead. Liam Lawlor Died in a Car crash in moscow. Lawlor was as controversial as they came but the Sunday Indos story saying that he died with a prostitute in the back of his car was one of the worst pieces of gutter press ever printed imagine you are the widow of liam Lawlor and you and your family had to read that. They had no proof, they didnt check it out, no one fact checked the story and they went ahead anyway.It turns the woman with him was his translator and that is all she was. He might have been an arrogant man and he was thrown in jail for being contmept of court at the time of the Flood tribunal. But his family did not deserve to go what through what they did. By the way 700 page moriarty report makes for great reading or so I am told. Once the morris has published his findings, you will never look at Ireland the same way again.
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I remember my mother calling me over to the TV as a child to see Ford sworn into office. “You’re about to see history being made.” She said. Wise woman she was. When Carter defeated Ford he thanked his predecessor for healing the country post Watergate. He was right. Come to think of it I also remember a large section of in my classroom embracing their inner barbarism and cheering upon hearing the news that Reagan was shot. Unlike the talkbackers here they had the courage to be ignorant without the convenience of being completely anonymous. My thoughts and prayers for the President’s family & friends at this time – and for our country too.
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who have destroyed the country he claimed to heal. If it wasnt for Ford, bush jnr would never have become president of the United States. Why?
Bush, Cheney and Rumsfeld all got promoted by Ford and when Regan was shot that is how they took over the oval office and grabbed the reigns of power, which they still hold. That is how bush jnr became the president. -
Just announced on comingsoon.net.
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After George Bush Sr. moves out. In comes Ford. Classic Episode.
D'OH!!!!!! -
Dec 28, 2006 9:14:24 AM CST
Chevy Chase is truly an idiot. I don't think there's...
by cotton mcknight
a test that can meaure how big a fool that guy is. I read some of his comments about President Ford yesterday, and though he was very gracious, he said some things that made me realize what a moron he is. But BACK to the lecture at hand- I certainly wasn't aware of anything when he was president (I believe he was in office when I was born), but the country owes him for steering the country through that difficult time. God bless him, and he will be missed.
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is special. Know if only George Senior did that to George Jnr things may have be different. you do have to wonder.
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and love the end where homer says:
Would like to come over and watch the big game and have a beer and well you know the rest. -
That was me. Based on his embrace of socialism and his boot-licking of Communist dictators world wide. But perhaps a more apropos comparison today would be David Duke, or the president of Iran, or Mel Gibson, given how much Carter apparently hates Israel and the Jews. And, yes, Chevy Chase is a moron but, when it comes to politics or anything of substance that hasn't been optioned with a three picture deal, most of the folks in Hollywood are morons. When they bring the funny about politics, they often do good. When they try to be serious, they are usually profoundly insipid and inane. Like me, talking about politics, in a talkback with a bunch of anonymous geeks, loons, and previously-owned bitches.
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Some of the cars they put out in the '40s and '50s were just the bees knees. Yeah, all the crap in the '70s sucked and now they are going to go bankrupt, but come on, America: Do we really want a President Toyota in the Whitehouse? Think about it.
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I sorta met him on Rhode Island in 1977 cant say who i was with though im not allowed to
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and the Warren Comission, Oliver Stone never would have made JFK.
Damn you, Gerald Ford! And rest in peace. -
It's that simple. I see him as an honorable man who honestly thought he was doing the best thing for the country. Whether he cut a deal for the Presidency is irrelevant. The alternative was an ugly trial that had the plus of preventing the "redemption of Nixon" (debatable--if you live long enough then you become more statesmanlike). The minuses of the ugly trial, however, are as long as my arm. ** Preserving the rule of law would seem to be a plus for the trial, but resigning the Presidency was the ultimate punishment for NIxon. He loved power. The executive pardon is part of the rule of law and that simple truth is not changed if you cut a deal with the man who later gives you the pardon. ** Some would say that Ford's actions created the lowering of standards for the Oval Office and that a trial would have prevented that. No, Nixon had already destroyed the presumed respect for the most powerful office on Earth. No trial could have put the genie back in the bottle. ** Ford did the right thing with full knowledge aforehand that he would not be elected in 1976. ** RIP, Mr. President, the worst President in my lifetime (I was born in 1959) is still in office.
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Like John Taggert of the Beverly Hills PD..
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It's that simple. I see him as an honorable man who honestly thought he was doing the best thing for the country. Whether he cut a deal for the Presidency is irrelevant. The alternative was an ugly trial that had the plus of preventing the "redemption of Nixon" (debatable--if you live long enough then you become more statesmanlike). The minuses of the ugly trial, however, are as long as my arm. ** Preserving the rule of law would seem to be a plus for the trial, but resigning the Presidency was the ultimate punishment for NIxon. He loved power. The executive pardon is part of the rule of law and that simple truth is not changed if you cut a deal with the man who later gives you the pardon. ** Some would say that Ford's actions created the lowering of standards for the Oval Office and that a trial would have prevented that. No, Nixon had already destroyed the presumed respect for the most powerful office on Earth. No trial could have put the genie back in the bottle. ** Ford did the right thing with full knowledge aforehand that he would not be elected in 1976. ** RIP, Mr. President, the worst President in my lifetime (I was born in 1959) is still in office.
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I mean, a PG-13 just wouldn't do it justice.
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Ford had nothing to do with promoting anyone during the Regan administration. What the hell are you talking about?
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The exclamtion points in most of the stories here would indicate excitement, not importance.
The write "RIP Gerald Ford!!!1111@ would'nt be apporopriate.
The fact is that Quint etc. can post, to an extent, whatever they damn well please, and tbph when the subject matter is about the passing of a former President i think it quite apporpirate.
And even if ya dont agree with it being posted, you could show some respect for a 93 year old man who just passed away, and the family who are in mourning right now. -
when should we exspect the movie?
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well someone had to say it.
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When HW Bush or Clinton passes eventually.
Partisan cheap shots are just that. I personally dislike Clinton, I think that he, like Nixon, should have gone to jail for what he did, and at least Nixon had the guts to resign rather than paralyze government with an Impeachment trial, unlike Clinton. Ford's decision to pardon was questionable to say the least, but it was a means to an end for the country. HOWEVER, they are *still* both former leaders of this country, and they deserve appropriate respect for their service to this country in spite of their faults. My .02 -
We're talking about what he was charged with during his impeachment, stooop: perjury.
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Lying under oath to a Federal Grand Jury. That's Perjury. Clinton himself said he lied under oath after admitting he did in fact have sexual relations with Lewinisky. That is an indisputibale, on the record statement of fact.
Clinton also admitted he dodged the draft. That is also a federal offense, which was covered under a blanket pardon, ironically, from President Ford. He pardoned all Vietnam era draft dodgers in addition to his pardon of Nixon. Again, this is an indisputible, on the record statement of fact.
You or I could admit or say to someone that we or someone else has done heroin, and that in and of itself does not make us liable to be prosecuted for it. You have to be caught with it or paraphenelia in your system, on your person, or on your personal property either by yourself or in commission of another crime (such as a traffic stop, for example) in order to be arrested or prosecuted for it. My point is that it's not a crime unless you're caught in the act of doing it, caught with it in you or on you, or during the commission of another crime which gives a law enforcement officer probable cause to search you or your property under the clause of reasonable suspicion. Heresay alone does not make one guilty. It's not as bad as say, lying under oath to a Federal Grand Jury.
Ask the 50 million (That's 50,000,000) people we've liberated in Iraq and Afghanistan if they think we invaded the wrong country. Ask the victims and the families of the soon to be late Saddam's rape rooms and torture chambers, the Kurds that he gassed, if they think we invaded the wrong country. Ask the troops in the field if they think we invaded the wrong country. And, ask those soldiers who volunteered (and that would be all of them, since there is no draft) have given their lives willingly and without hesitation that we can live in freedom and allow you to post anti-Bush comments on this website without fear of being shot in the back of the head and thrown in a ditch if they think we invaded the wrong country. And, as John Wayne said in "The Green Berets", "Shout it loud, because Arlington Cemetary is a long way away." Ok, I'm done. -
The wrong Ford died this week. I can't wait for that bastard William Clay Ford Sr. to get his. At least the old son of a bitch lived long enough to see his auto company become Toyota's bitch. Take it whore, you deserve it for what you've done to the Lions. Fire Millen!
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seriously, what an asshole.
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It is just not. sexual relations means sex. Felatio does not equal sex. Sex is something that can get your knocked up, all else is sodomy.
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He had some hard stuff to deal with in his term. Okay, so he is one of 3 presidents not elected by the people (the other 2 are named George) and he pardoned Nixon. But to be fair, he also pardoned the draft dodgers, and if that cost pardoning Nixon, then fair enough. No one trusted him and no one seemed to like him, but he went in with a head held high, and I can seriously respect that. So all my jokes and off color remarks aside, Rest in Peace, sir.
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Despite all the flaming going on in this thread, there really is little doubt that Gerald Ford was a profoundly decent man and the right man in the right place at the right time. However, I can't believe that no one has yet mentioned his hilarious faux film cameo, as played by the late Dick Crockett, in 1976's THE PINK PANTHER STRIKES AGAIN, arguably the funniest film in the Sellers series.
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He resigned because if he was impeached he would have been arrested.
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sexual relations means actions involving the intent of arrousal, eroticism, genetalia, and/or the meeting of gametes. Oral SEX counts as sexual behavior, sonic. It may not be strictly textbook sex, but it is sexual behavior. And for you to even require me to explain this to you tells me you are either no older than 18, a clinton appologist/shill, or just someone who really needs to think more critically of their leaders, or perhaps all three. Let me give you an example, sonic. I am actually a big fan of Reagan's presidency and actions/rhetoric towards the USSR, but even I would have had him impeached for the entire Iran Contra affair, and, assuming the evidence would play out as pretty much everyone has guessed/assumed, I would vote, were it in my power, to kick his behind out. Same way with Clinton, whom I consider to be a roughly mediocre president, save for his nixon-esque penchant for scandal. Likewise, I'm highly skeptical of our current president, due to his subpar leadership skills. Again, sonic, all I'm stressing here is CRITICAL thinking.
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However, I would maintain that the guy wasn't working with the strictest of dictionary definitions. Unless, (and I don't remember this part) they brought out a dictionary and read him what you just typed to me and he agreed to that, I think it is fair to assume that we were all dealing with common meanings, not dictionary specifics. Reagan had the whole Iran Contra bit, Clinton got some head, those 2 crimes are not equivocal. And to say that Clinton deserved as harsh a punishment as Reagan did seems absurd. Yea, dude probably knew what he was saying wasn't entirely accurate. But he was a Rodes scholar. he was getting around it by answering exactly what they asked, and not dealing with the inferences. Which is fair because, "begging the question" is a logical fallacy.
Also, you are right. I am only 18. But to my credit, I did leave high school after 10th grade for the much greener pastures of College. I'm a published author, and have had 2 plays that I wrote produced. I am a staff writer for 3 film websites (rather large ones too, but I won't plug them here out of decency), so I am by no means your average idiot teenager.
I'm also no Clinton apologist. I'm not even a Democrat. If anything, I'm a Libertarian, and not for the drug law reasons. I just think that it’s ridiculous to treat Clinton as some type of bastard child because he was caught cheating on his wife, while at the same time praising Reagan and ignoring his HUGE mistakes.
And as for Bush…well…I’m not even gonna go into that territory.
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