"So long as books are kept open we tell ourselves minds can never be closed. But doors, too, must be kept open. Tolerance, breadth of mind and appreciation for the world beyond our neighborhoods: these can be learned on the football field and in the science lab as well as in the lecture hall — but only if students are exposed to America in all her variety." -Gerald Ford
I felt this was a very interesting quote from the Real Republican Party, one that died a rough death with the Gingrich revolution. I know days have passed since his death. I personally havent taken much time to evaluate the man. He was the first President I ever saw in person and he was a part of the first election I ever remember. But as I now have a few of his ideals casually cross my computer screen, such as the one above, I cannot help but mourn not his death, for he lived a full and happy life, but mourn the end of basic decency, openness, tolerance and inclusion on the right side of the political spectrum of this country. I dont view Gerald Ford as the ideological leader of his era. His views represented by and large the center of thought of the GOP in the late 60's and early 70's. He was a political weathervane. My how times have changed!! Lets hope that when the dust clears of the current Wacko Bush-Cheney Neo-con administration, there is a re-evaluation of those of GOP persuasion to look back to thier roots. They will find that they are indeed, the party of Lincoln. And the Virgil Goode type paranoia will hopefully begin to fade from our political discourse, weeded out by those good and decent people on the right who hopefully will find sanity and reclaim thier party. Mr. Goode got a lesson on decency today with the gracious handshake he recieved from Mn. Rep. Ellison.
As we all have heard about Ford's short and thin record again and again over the last week, I need not repeat it. I think however that his obvious tolerance of not only race but differences of political thought should be considered and praised. Under normal circumstances, it would not be much of a compliment to say someone was a "good and decent man" as so many have said over the last week. But when compared to the many GOP pols who are obviously not "good and decent men (and women)" it is a shocking commentary on the disaster that is the Republican Party.