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KPtoys
I'm getting old
Member since 5/05 8688 total posts
Name:
Karen
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Former President Gerald Ford Died
LOS ANGELES, California (AP) -- Gerald R. Ford, who picked up the pieces of Richard Nixon's scandal-shattered White House as the 38th and only unelected president in America's history, has died, his wife, Betty, said Tuesday. He was 93.
Ford had battled pneumonia in January 2006 and underwent two heart treatments -- including an angioplasty -- in August at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.
He was the longest living president, followed by Ronald Reagan, who also died at 93. Ford had been living at his desert home in Rancho Mirage, California, about 130 miles east of Los Angeles.
Ford was an accidental president, Nixon's hand-picked successor, a man of much political experience who had never run on a national ticket. He was as open and straightforward as Nixon was tightly controlled and conspiratorial.
He took office minutes after Nixon flew off into exile and declared "our long national nightmare is over." But he revived the debate a month later by granting Nixon a pardon for all crimes he committed as president. That single act, it was widely believed, cost Ford election to a term of his own in 1976, but it won praise in later years as a courageous act that allowed the nation to move on.
The Vietnam War ended in defeat for the U.S. during his presidency with the fall of Saigon in April 1975. In a speech as the end neared, Ford said: "Today, America can regain the sense of pride that existed before Vietnam. But it cannot be achieved by refighting a war that is finished as far as America is concerned." Evoking Abraham Lincoln, he said it was time to "look forward to an agenda for the future, to unify, to bind up the nation's wounds."
Ford also earned a place in the history books as the first unelected vice president, chosen by Nixon to replace Spiro Agnew who also was forced from office by scandal.
He was in the White House only 895 days, but changed it more than it changed him.
Even after two women tried separately to kill him, the presidency of Ford remained open and plain.
Not imperial. Not reclusive. And, of greatest satisfaction to a nation numbed by Watergate, not dishonest.
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Posted 12/27/06 12:23 AM  |
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Long Island Weddings
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DaniJude
You're My Home <3
Member since 11/06 14815 total posts
Name:
Danielle
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Re: Former President Gerald Ford Died
So sad... he was a good President.
He was elderly though and very ill so perhaps it is better this way- he will always be remembered for all the good he did.  
I feel bad for his family.
I cried so much when Former President Reagan passed away... my Goodness! Every time they showed him and Nancy together  So I have a feeling I'll be the same way with Former President Ford.
Message edited 12/27/2006 12:26:12 AM.
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| Posted 12/27/06 12:24 AM |
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Re: Former President Gerald Ford Died
I just saw this
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| Posted 12/27/06 12:25 AM |
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neenie
Member since 5/05 22351 total posts
Name:
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Re: Former President Gerald Ford Died
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| Posted 12/27/06 12:26 AM |
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alisonggg
Cutie
Member since 3/06 4749 total posts
Name:
a
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Re: Former President Gerald Ford Died
for his family....
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| Posted 12/27/06 7:06 AM |
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VirginiaDeb
Don't eat me, hippo!
Member since 5/05 9252 total posts
Name:
Deb
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Re: Former President Gerald Ford Died
Just saw this on the news. so sad
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| Posted 12/27/06 7:51 AM |
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nrthshgrl
It goes fast. Pay attention.
Member since 7/05 57538 total posts
Name:
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Re: Former President Gerald Ford Died
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| Posted 12/27/06 8:07 AM |
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IrishTracy
Believe!!
Member since 5/05 15167 total posts
Name:
Tracy
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Re: Former President Gerald Ford Died
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| Posted 12/27/06 8:13 AM |
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Phyl
R.I.P. Sweet Mia ♥
Member since 5/06 28918 total posts
Name:
The Mystical Azzhorse! ™
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Re: Former President Gerald Ford Died
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| Posted 12/27/06 8:14 AM |
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jerrysgirl
I love my hot dog!!
Member since 6/06 5357 total posts
Name:
E & J
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Re: Former President Gerald Ford Died
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| Posted 12/27/06 8:15 AM |
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Porrruss
Nya nya nya
Member since 5/05 11618 total posts
Name:
Amy
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Re: Former President Gerald Ford Died
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| Posted 12/27/06 8:36 AM |
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Lisa
I'm a PANK!!!
Member since 5/05 22334 total posts
Name:
Professional Aunts No Kids
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Re: Former President Gerald Ford Died
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| Posted 12/27/06 8:52 AM |
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Dolcezza
LIF Adolescent
Member since 5/06 768 total posts
Name:
Nina
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Re: Former President Gerald Ford Died
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| Posted 12/27/06 1:40 PM |
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Lanabean
Yoginis
Member since 11/05 9202 total posts
Name:
Lana
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Re: Former President Gerald Ford Died
Yep....I knew this at midnight because someone DH works with on the floor sent a text message about "getting the day off for the wake" and the freaking phone was on vibrate. NYSE closes for dead presidents, and they bet about who will go next. sad....
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| Posted 12/27/06 1:58 PM |
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JenBenMen
party of five
Member since 9/06 11343 total posts
Name:
Jen
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Re: Former President Gerald Ford Died
Posted by LRusso
Yep....I knew this at midnight because someone DH works with on the floor sent a text message about "getting the day off for the wake" and the freaking phone was on vibrate. NYSE closes for dead presidents, and they bet about who will go next. sad....
hey lana....your DH works on the Floor? I work at the NYSE too
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| Posted 12/27/06 2:02 PM |
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Lanabean
Yoginis
Member since 11/05 9202 total posts
Name:
Lana
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Re: Former President Gerald Ford Died
Posted by JenBenMen
Posted by LRusso
Yep....I knew this at midnight because someone DH works with on the floor sent a text message about "getting the day off for the wake" and the freaking phone was on vibrate. NYSE closes for dead presidents, and they bet about who will go next. sad....
hey lana....your DH works on the Floor? I work at the NYSE too
yep....a real bloodbath down there now in some companies! 
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| Posted 12/27/06 2:03 PM |
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JenBenMen
party of five
Member since 9/06 11343 total posts
Name:
Jen
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Re: Former President Gerald Ford Died
Posted by LRusso
Posted by JenBenMen
Posted by LRusso
Yep....I knew this at midnight because someone DH works with on the floor sent a text message about "getting the day off for the wake" and the freaking phone was on vibrate. NYSE closes for dead presidents, and they bet about who will go next. sad....
hey lana....your DH works on the Floor? I work at the NYSE too
yep....a real bloodbath down there now in some companies!
I agree
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| Posted 12/27/06 2:04 PM |
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PotofLuck06
Our Baby Boy Is Here!!!
Member since 11/06 13241 total posts
Name:
Betsy
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Re: Former President Gerald Ford Died
Such sad news..... The nation mourns another loss before the end of the year.
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| Posted 12/27/06 2:05 PM |
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Lanabean
Yoginis
Member since 11/05 9202 total posts
Name:
Lana
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Re: Former President Gerald Ford Died
Posted by JenBenMen
Posted by LRusso
Posted by JenBenMen
Posted by LRusso
Yep....I knew this at midnight because someone DH works with on the floor sent a text message about "getting the day off for the wake" and the freaking phone was on vibrate. NYSE closes for dead presidents, and they bet about who will go next. sad....
hey lana....your DH works on the Floor? I work at the NYSE too
yep....a real bloodbath down there now in some companies!
I agree
are you a specialist, too?
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| Posted 12/27/06 2:06 PM |
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