"His Life Was Filled With Love of God,
His Family and His Country"
Nation Bids Farewell
To President Gerald Ford
RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. — Former President Gerald R. Ford, who is remembered for the pardon of Richard Nixon and disagreeing with his party over abortion has died. He was 93.
Ford was the nation's 38th president, and the only one elected to neither the office of president nor vice president, died at his desert home at 6:45 p.m. Tuesday, December 26, 2006.
"His life was filled with love of God, his family and his country," his wife, Betty, said in a statement.
Ford was the longest living former president, surpassing Ronald Reagan, who died in June 2004, by more than a month.
As the nation prepares for his funeral, some San Diego Christians are saddened by the memory of his pro-choice decisions, and support of homosexuality.
"Former President Ford is responsible for placing Supreme Court Justice Stevens on the bench, one of the most wicked judges in United States history," pointed out one reader. "Stevens has been responsible for the recent ruling allowing the government to seize any properties for eminent domain purposes under the Kelo Decision. Judge Stevens was also a key vote on the legalization of sodomy in the Lawrence v. Kansas case. Stevens also ruled to throw out the partial birth abortion restriction laws. And on top of this, Ford pardoned Nixon. Ford also had a notorious recent history of promoting homosexuality in the Republican Party behind the scenes by being part of group called the Republican Unity Coalition."
Ford took office moments after Nixon resigned in disgrace over Watergate.
"My fellow Americans," Ford said, "our long national nightmare is over. Our Constitution works. Our great republic is a government of laws and not of men. Here the people rule."
And, true to his reputation as unassuming Jerry, he added: "I am acutely aware that you have not elected me as your president by your ballots. So I ask you to confirm me with your prayers."
Quotes From Gerald Ford:
* "I think we've got to have, in the Republican Party, a big umbrella, so that people on the right, people on the left and people in the middle can work together. Now, that doesn't mean they agree on every issue, and abortion is one where there is significant difference. Betty and I are pro-choice, but we can work with people who are pro-life on the broader issues involving Republican philosophy."
*I do believe that right makes might and that if I am wrong, 10 angels swearing I was right would make no difference.
I do believe, with all my heart and mind and spirit, that I, not as President but as a humble servant of God, will receive justice without mercy if I fail to show mercy.
Finally, I feel that Richard Nixon and his loved ones have suffered enough and will continue to suffer, no matter what I do, no matter what we, as a great and good nation, can do together to make his goal of peace come true.”
- Announcing he was pardoning Nixon, September 1974.
*In the beginning, I asked you to pray for me. Before closing, I ask again your prayers, for Richard Nixon and for his family. May our former President, who brought peace to millions, find it for himself. May God bless and comfort his wonderful wife and daughters, whose love and loyalty will forever be a shining legacy to all who bear the lonely burdens of the White House.
I can only guess at those burdens, although I have witnessed at close hand the tragedies that befell three Presidents and the lesser trials of others.
With all the strength and all the good sense I have gained from life, with all the confidence my family, my friends, and my dedicated staff impart to me, and with the good will of countless Americans I have encountered in recent visits to 40 States, I now solemnly reaffirm my promise I made to you last December 6: to uphold the Constitution, to do what is right as God gives me to see the right, and to do the very best I can f or America.
God helping me, I will not let you down.
Thank you.
--Inauguration Speech
