01/03/2007
Minister Makes Note of Gerald Ford Views on Gays
Thanks to Episcopalian minister Robert G. Certain, the late President Gerald Ford weighed in posthumously on the debate between gays and the Episcopal Church, and gays and Christianity in general. In his homily, Certain made note of a conversation he had with Ford at this church in Palm Desert, California:
"He asked me if we would face schism after we discussed the various issues we would consider, particularly concerns about human sexuality and the leadership of women. He said that he did not think they should be divisive for anyone who lived by the great commandments and the great commission to love God and to love neighbor."
Deb Price of the Detroit News, who spoke with Ford over the years about his views on gays, has written him a thank you column. It's worth a read.
Incidentally, whether it was intentional or not, blogger Lane Hudson notes that while the children of the late President spent every hour of the public viewing in the Capitol rotunda greeting the American public, they were notably absent when the current president arrived:
"According to a Capitol Hill source, Bush is the only person to have the Rotunda cleared for his visit, bringing a screeching halt to the public's visit to the casket. Other former Presidents and political VIP's went to the front of the line, but nonetheless greeted fellow mourners while paying their condolences. Further, Bush reportedly spent only seven seconds at the casket and promptly left the building."
Not a Ford Republican, perhaps.
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Posted 1:00 PM EST by Andy Towle in Episcopal Church, Gay Rights, Gene Robinson, George W. Bush, Gerald Ford, News, Religion, Republican Party | Permalink
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Andy, You beat me to the bell (blog). I was just about to send you a tip on this remembrance. Once again, you show your work to be a "must read". Well played, Sir.
Posted by: rudy | Jan 3, 2007 1:56:06 PM
This is all about Steve Ford, isn't it?
Bush was quick because Ford criticized his Iraq policy I imagine. The real rift is between the Bushies and the Reagans.
Posted by: Anon | Jan 3, 2007 2:22:54 PM
I still remember being in the back seat of the family Impala on our way out to the Hamptons (before it became "THE" Hamptons) when Ford was sworn in as President. Didn't understand it. Just remember my folks saying it was an important milestone. With that, Ford continues to be remembered by me as an "important milestone" in our nations history.
Nice all around coverage on this.
Posted by: Ogden | Jan 3, 2007 2:37:02 PM
Given the degree of current political nonsense, I have become increasingly apolitical. However, I still hope for a little bit of objectivity in reporting. I guess I should give that up too.
It is highly unlikely that Laura and George hatched a diabolical and snitty plan on the way back from Texas, and decided to snub President Ford ("Yeah, let's show them. We'll just stand by the coffin for 7 seconds!").
I have heard many past president comment about their concern regarding how the president's comings and goings disrupts everything, and whenever possible, they try to minimize that disruption. The Secret Service manages those comings and goings and is not going to think that it's okay to keep the public line going while the President of the United States lingers in the rotunda. Could Bush have done it differently? I suppose. Clinton demonstrated that it is possible to take all the time one wants at a given destination and valued the personal contacts. However, it is also well known that the tendency created a great deal of stress for agents.
I'm not a party hack nor a fervent Bush supporter. Love or hate a given politician, but for the love of God, kids, think! Think! It really makes the real world much more interesting and dynamic.
Posted by: KJ | Jan 3, 2007 3:23:41 PM
So KJ, we're to feel sorry for Bush because the Secret Service gets stressed when he's in front of or near crowds?
Please. if Bush wanted to express any acknowledgement of the many people who waited on line to pay their respects to Ford, he could have done so in any way he wanted. Remember, he's "The Decider" afterall.
Posted by: hoya86 | Jan 3, 2007 4:08:33 PM
Former president Caretr spoke today at the ceremony in Grand Rapids, and he repeated what the minister said yesterday in Washington. I've come to believe that Ford, whom I was quite ignorant of until he died, was possibly the last really decent occupant of the oval office. I've been inspired by the remeberances of him this week.
Posted by: kimmer | Jan 3, 2007 4:38:49 PM
The line was stopped and moved back to the door by the Secret Service because none of the mourners were being checked for weapons. All you have to do is look at any of the photos taken and you will see that the rotunda is hardly empty. The Ford family had gathered at Blair House because the President was going directly there after leaving the rotunda, to meet with them.
Oh, and the Bush'es were in silent prayer for over a minute at the casket.
Once again, a plea....stop getting all your info from fringe sites.
Bush is a sorry President and has been a disaster for this country and others....but making stuff up is stupid, when the man provides the world with daily examples of really serious policy screw up's.
Posted by: Joshua Haught | Jan 3, 2007 8:34:56 PM
Hats off to The Late President Ford on his open views towards gays & women & a hats off to the Epis. Priest who took the golden moment to pick-up the torch & hold it high over the Nation & its Leaders. I am sure there were more then a few "Oh My G-D!" said under lowered forheads. Something that needed to be said to the nation & said well too. From the dead speaks the truth!
Posted by: ter | Jan 3, 2007 9:01:40 PM
Of course Gerald Ford had no problem with gays...Just like Reagan had no problems with aids...ONCE THEY WERE OUT OF OFFICE!!!
Posted by: alan brickman | Jan 4, 2007 1:38:02 AM
Hoya,
How you get a plea for sympathy for Bush from my comments is beyond me. For further information on the topic, see Joshua's comments. One can disapprove of a President and still understand the complexities of his comings and goings. This is pretty common knowledge.
Alan, give Ford (and Carter) a break. GLBT issues as "mainstream" political discussion and action were only but a dream in the mid-70s. The times, they are achanging.
Posted by: KJ | Jan 4, 2007 8:26:23 AM
Ford is a man who represented a very different kind of Republican than we have today and instead of remembering his life and his openness on gay issues, we're bickering about how many seconds that @sshole spent at his coffin.
Just for once can we ignore the idiot and focus on the one who actually DIED?
Posted by: mark m | Jan 4, 2007 9:24:16 AM
Rest in Peace President Ford.
Posted by: Zeke | Jan 4, 2007 9:52:52 AM
I want to stand up and yell - Right On! Thanks for this, I really needed it today.
Posted by: Rachel | Jan 4, 2007 10:23:59 AM
Like many others I remember the Fords with fondness, if for nothing else than returning the country to a sense of normalcy aafter the turmoil of the Vietnam war and Nixon era.
What I haven't seen in any of the commmentary on President Ford's death is any reference to his son Steven being gay, a rumor widely prevalent, and never denied, when Ford was in office. This may have a good deal to do with his attitude about us.
I seem to remember mention of a marriage several years ago, but any idea what Steve is up to now, and whether or not he has come out?
Posted by: Nick Engler | Jan 6, 2007 4:10:03 PM
Why would Steve Ford want to come out, assuming he's gay? He makes his living giving inspirational speeches to groups, presumably many of which are conservative, who might be turned off if he outs himself.
What amazes me is that if he is gay, how he, a hunky actor and presidential son, has been able to keep it out of the mainstream media - not to mention the tabloids and teen mags - for 30 years.
Posted by: ALEX | Feb 1, 2007 9:58:32 PM