Live Thread - President Ford's Body Leaving Capitol for Final Time

FNC ^ | January 02, 2007 | AP

[Mo1]

WASHINGTON — Gerald R. Ford leaves his beloved U.S. Capitol for the last time Tuesday as the period set aside for ordinary Americans to say goodbye gives way to an elaborate invitation-only funeral at the awe-inspiring Washington National Cathedral.

As the first order of business Tuesday, Ford's remains were being removed from the Rotunda to lie in repose briefly outside the Senate before leaving the Capitol where Ford served as a congressman for 25 years. As vice president, Ford also had the constitutional title of president of the Senate.

Watch streaming live video at 9:15 a.m. ET on FOXNews.com.

[Mo1]

FNC has it on now

[defconw]

I hate this stuff, makes you wonder who will be next? Bush, Carter or Clinton. RIP President Ford, you were a class act.

[Miss Marple]

I know what you mean. For me, this is the president of my young adult years...the first election I voted in. I am ashamed to say that in my ignorance and youth I voted for Carter because of the pardon, even though I thought Ford had done a good job. That is the LAST time I voted single issue, and the last time I ever voted for a democrat.

[Mo1]

Betty Ford, wife of former President Gerald Ford, is surrounded by her children as she places her hands on her husband's casket as his body lies in state in the rotunda of the U.S. Capitol, January 1, 2007. (Jonathan Ernst/Reuters)

[defconw]

We all must be forgiven for the hubris of our youth. My grandmother was a HUGE Jerry Ford fan. She never really forgave Reagan for his hand in defeating him. I however was a child at the time and barely remember Nixon, but I do remember President Ford. I was going on 11 when Nixon left town. :)

[Mo1]

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,240602,00.html

President Ford Funeral Schedule: January 2, 2007
(SNIP)
WASHINGTON — -9:15 a.m.: Lying in State ends.

-9:30 a.m.: The remains will depart the Rotunda and rest at the closed Senate doors in honor of Ford's service as vice president of the United States and president of the Senate. The motorcade will then proceed to the Washington National Cathedral, passing the White House.

-10 a.m.: The remains will be received with ceremony at the Washington National Cathedral.

-10:30 a.m.: National funeral service begins.

-11:30 a.m.: The remains will depart with ceremony from Washington National Cathedral. A motorcade will transport the casket from the cathedral to Andrews Air Force Base, Md.

[bray]

We were brainwashed into thinking that Nixon did something that every other candidate wasn't doing at the time. Look into the Kennedy election and see how much spying and corruption was going on there. That was the birth of today's PravdABDNC power and its ability to sway an election.

President Ford was a good man.

Pray for W and Our Troops

[David Isaac]

I remember, in watching the funeral proceedings, Ford being extolled for having signed a presidential order, allowing women into the military acadamies. Great achievement. Wonder if anyone thought to ask him what he thought was the overall purpose of America's military. Seems like his views were not too far from Carter's and Clinton's.

[RDTF]

thanks for that schedule

[Mo1]

The video link is on FNC's front page

http://www.foxnews.com/index.html

[Mo1]

Yes, the funerals are very sad
God Bless you President Ford



The motorcade is pulling up to the Capital Building now

[defconw]

As a history minor in college, I was constantly reminded that to understand a leaders views, one must get into their time frame and points of reference. To do otherwise is to project onto them things that they simply could not have known or thought at the time. It's called revisionism. President Ford was a good man in the sense that he served his country, took care of his family and loved his wife.

Political views that may vary with the current norm in the Republican party have no place as we honor a veteran, a good man and an American President that served with honor and destination, no matter what we think of certain views of his.

[defconw]

It's a beautiful day there in Washington, truly a blessing for his family and friends.

[Mo1]

The Ford children are now walking up the steps

[Miss Marple]

Let it rest, would you? You are watching the funeral of a mamn who did a LOT for this nation. I was old enough to remember what this nation was like when Ford became President, and his pardon, which I didn't like at the time, did a whole lot to save this country. The democrats, including Hillary Rodham and Richard Ben Veniste, were gearing up for a show trial that would have made Stalin envious. Imagine how out country would be if THAT had happened.

Look at the good things in those who went before us. Have some respect.

[spectre]

I don't know if anyone has mentioned that yesterday, Susan and her brother, Michael, stood for hours to shake the hand and "thank" each mourner who came by to pay respects to their father.

This was profound.

sw

[EDINVA]

same here .. but that one mistake of our wanton youth ultimately brought us Reagan, eventually a Republican Majority (which they managed to bungle) and a far more right-leaning nation. With 'moderates' like Ford, the country would have stayed with the democrats. (that's my silver lining rationale).

At the end of the day, Ford's legacy is that remarkable family.

[Mo1]

You're welcome

[Miss Marple]

Mo1, why don't you have the mods label this the live thread? No one else has posted one, so it looks like this is it.

[defconw]

I can't decide which is more poignant, the 4 Ford children walking up the steps, the old men gathered at the bottom or his grandchildren and great grandchildren waiting for him in the wind.

[Mo1]

don't know if anyone has mentioned that yesterday, Susan and her brother, Michael, stood for hours to shake the hand and "thank" each mourner who came by to pay respects to their father.

Jack and his wife did the same thing on Sunday

I thought that was very nice of them to do that .. The Ford's are good and decent folks

[Miss Marple]

I am so glad that Brit Hume is anchoring Fox's coverage.

[1rudeboy]

I think our Republic is surviving.

[GreenLanternCorps]

That's a good idea!

[defconw]

Yes he is the one to do it. I always liked the Ford's good solid Americans. The kids have always been classy. The knowledge gathered at the bottom of those steps.......... Cheney, Rumsfeld, Baker, Dole. Wow!

[Right_in_Virginia]

The knowledge gathered at the bottom of those steps.......... Cheney, Rumsfeld, Baker, Dole. Wow!

I think they're all honorary pallbearers.

[Rte66]

Glad you posted that - I wanted to mention it, too. Such a remarkable and outstanding gesture.

[David Isaac]

Ford was indeed a cut above the character of many past presidents. But he was a moderate and was antagonistic toward the conservative side of the GOP, where my sympathies lie.

I, too was a History minor, as well as Political Science. I have found zero revisionism that would favor the conservatives, who do not seem to be in charge of that department.

Congratulations on your upcoming marriage. My next anniversery will be 30. May you have as many and more.

[defconw]

I believe you are right. What history those men can tell us. I love history. I hate seeing Ford buried, but time Marches on.

[jospehm20]

That is because he was the "acceptable" choice for the Democrats in Congress who had to confirm him after they got rid of Agnew. I believe the Rats controlled both houses at that time and wanted to be sure they had an acceptable to them guy in as VP before they got rid of Nixon. I am sure he was a nice guy and all, but if he was acceptable to the Rats he was probably not good for the country and his beliefs were not conservative.

[Mo1]

Thanks for the idea

Michael Ford looks wiped

I heard he was with this father when he died and administer last rites to his father (he's a Minister)

[Right_in_Virginia]

I was just thinking that Susan looked pretty wiped.

[Right_in_Virginia]

I pray Betty makes it through this long day.

[Miss Marple]

I think Susan was always close to her father. As the only daughter, I think that is quite likely.

[Txsleuth]

Thanks for the thread and the ping...

[Mo1]

Close up of Steve holding back tears

[Right_in_Virginia]

Seeing the kids react so emotionally is really touching my heart.

[Miss Marple]

Oh my, a shot of one of the Ford sons holding back tears while "Hail to the Chief" played and the guns fired.

True grief for a beloved man.

[Mo1]

They sure loved their father

[defconw]

I had the hugest crush on Steve when I was a girl. Now where are my tissues?

[Miss Marple]

"Abide With Me" now being played.

"Hold Thou Thy cross before my closing eyes,
Guide through the darkness and point me to the skies....In life, in death oh Lord, abide with me."

[defconw]

OMG, the kids arm and arm! Tears.

[Miss Marple]

In some ways, this is more poignant to me than President Reagan's funeral.

[Mo1]

tears here too :0(

[Miss Marple]

This is reminding me of my dad's funeral..sniff.

[Right_in_Virginia]

I feel like in many ways we're watching a very private, very personal funeral.

[defconw]

Thank You, David. Many more for you. :)

[defconw]

In some ways yes. The kids really have been involved and their love is unabashed.

[Miss Marple]

Yes. I agree.

One thing President Ford could justifiable take pride in is that lovely family. Look at how close they are, how well-behaved the great-grandchildren are. I even noticed one of the granddaughters, who must be in her late 30's, weeping silently as the casket was brought down.