CHENEY:"Ford was almost alone in understanding that there can be no healing without pardon."

[kpete]

Cheney hails Ford's pardon of Nixon
By CALVIN WOODWARD and JEFF WILSON, Associated Press Writers

WASHINGTON - The nation honored Gerald R. Ford in funeral ceremonies Saturday that recalled the touchstones of his life, from combat in the Pacific to a career he cherished in Congress to a presidency he did not seek. He was remembered as the man called to heal the country from the trauma of Watergate.

Ford's decision to pardon Richard Nixon, so divisive at the time that it probably cost him the 1976 election, was dealt with squarely in his funeral services by his old chief of staff, Vice President Dick Cheney.

"It was this man, Gerald R. Ford, who led our republic safely though a crisis that could have turned to catastrophe," said Cheney, speaking in the Capitol Rotunda where Ford's body rested. "Gerald Ford was almost alone in understanding that there can be no healing without pardon."

Hundreds of ordinary Americans lined up for a chance to view the closed, flag-draped casket of the 38th president late into the night and through the weekend. From teenagers in sweat shirts to mothers pushing infants in strollers, they flowed into the night in two steady streams along velvet ropes encircling the casket, pausing only for the periodic changing of the military guard standing watch.

more at:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061231/ap_on_re_us/gerald_ford

[jgraz]

1. I dunno, I think we could manage to heal with Cheney in prison

whaddya think?

[liberaldemocrat7]

5. Just any excuse to justify letting Nixon go without accountability.

Of course Cheney would say just about anything to justify allowing Nixon to go unaccountable for the alleged crimes he committed. Nixon needed to go on public trial after he resigned the Presidency.

In my view, Nixon and Ford made a deal to pardon Nixon in exchange for Ford attaining the Presidency.

[wundermaus]

2. Well, Dickie...

Too bad for you that mistake won't be repeated again...

Americans know what to do with Fascists...

[derby378]

3. If this is "healing," what does REAL PAIN look like?

:shrug:

[madeline_con]

4. "... dealt with squarely ..."

:puke:

[Deb]

6. thanks kpete

I have to see this for myself, the repeat just started on cspan. I think we all know exactly what he was getting at.

[Old and In the Way]

7. Accountability is for everyone but war profiteers and war mongers.

Really, what is it with Republicans and crime? Do they think they get a special law breaking privilage because they happen to occupy the White House? I don't recall Dick being too concerned with Clinton's impeachment on a BS trumped out non-illegal personal act.

As far as I am concerned, this country will never heal as long as we have criminals pardoning criminals.

[housewolf]

8. Cheney has it all wrong...

There is no healing without owning up to and apologizing for betraying the nation.

[Independent_Liberal]

9. Just Cheney being Cheney.

Why does this not surprise me?

:)

[Fridays Child]

10. There can be no healing without pardon? Interesting that he used the present tense...

...as if to suggest that the same understanding will be necessary to produce a similar pardon, in this era.

[malaise]

18. BIngo

No more deferrals you sick Dick!! The time for accountability is coming.

[Torn_Scorned_Ignored]

11. Mercy for Cheney?

:spray:

[Javaman]

12. and the next words uttered by dick, "can't we all just get along?"

Tiny drops of sweat formed on his brow as his his beady eyes shifted nervously back and forth as the Democratic side of the isle scowled at him.

[Nite Owl]

13. Amazing how their accountability

chants never include them, just like military service is patriotic as long as it isn't them.

[rocktivity]

14. Cheney is DEFINITELY alone in his understanding

if he believes the pardon was Ford's idea alone!

:rofl:
rocknation

[charlie]

15. Them law 'n order types

are dependably squishy when the long arm of the law reaches out for them. Tell it to Oprah, Dick, you wimp. Since when has a movement conservative ever cared about healing? That's sissy talk.

[moondust]

16. Dear Mr. Headhunter.

So you think that Nuremberg should have been a pardon party? So that Germany could heal?

Or perhaps you are already trying to lay the groundwork for your own pardon? The nation simply cannot heal unless you are pardoned, right? A little nervous about the upcoming Scooter trial?

The Nixon pardon, like your party's subsequent Iran-Contra pardons, COVERED UP CRIMES. I suspect this is what you are shooting for now, Mr. Headhunter.

[SheWhoMustBeObeyed]

17. It could have been a catastrophe for Cheney and his ilk

Deadeye leaves spaces between the lines so big you could drive a truck through them.

[deutsey]

19. There's no healing without justice

So, thanks to Ford, there was never any national healing, just saving the skins of his political/class buddies.