Thursday, December 28, 2006

The Deaths of Presidents, Friends and Musicians


Photo from the Huffington Post, blog by Richard Valeriani on Chevy Chase's role in Ford's 1986 defeat.

I was nineteenth years old in 1976, our nation’s bi-centennial, completing my first year of college. Gerald Ford was in the White House, trying hard to clean up the mess he’d inherited from Nixon. The nation was still smarting from Vietnam, the economy was in shambles, interest rates were going through the roof and there was a presidential election. Saturday Night Live, with Chevy Chase playing the part of Ford, was the one bright spot. I laughed as Chevy, impersonating the president, continually hit his head on airplane doors and terrorized golf-links.

Despite Chevy’s attempts to make Ford, probably our most athletic president, to look like a klutz, I liked Ford. When he came to speak to the North Carolina State Fair, I made sure I was there to see him. It wasn’t that I had anything against Carter (I heard him speak too, and was impressed). But for some reason I can’t understand completely, unless it was a weird attempt at youth revolt, I was a registered Republican. Along with Tom, a friend of mine, we volunteered to help his campaign. We spent afternoons manning phone banks. We sat in on strategy meetings, lead by some big-wig doctor in town, who kept thinking Tom, who was seated on the floor, had a question. Tom had a nervous system problem and would often twitch his neck. I wondered what kind of doctor he was not to pick up on this.

I meet Tom in the Student Union for lunch on Election Day. We talked about the campaign. We talked our first experience at voting, we’d both headed to the polls early in the morning, as if we might miss the opportunity. And we both talked about our feelings that our man was going to lose. Tom then complained about headaches and told me about going to the eye doc and they’d recommended him to see another doctor. I didn’t pay much attention to it. Then we parted for afternoon classes. That night, with interest, I watched the election results. I can’t say I was devastated when Ford lost. There was something nice about having a Southerner in the White House.

I never saw Tom again. I got a call a few days later. Tom was in the hospital. I called a few of our friends and we went up. They wouldn’t let us in. He had a tumor and they’d operated. He never regained conscience. We’d been friends for over three years, ever since we’d started working together at Wilson’s Supermarket. Although I no longer worked there, having moved over to the bakery that summer, Tom and I stayed in touch.

I also stayed interested in politics and as the 1980 election rolled around joined the John Anderson campaign. When Anderson switched from a Republican to an independent, I followed, switching my registration so that I could be his “elector” from the 7th Congressional District (if he’d won North Carolina, which was a real long shot, I’d gotten to go to the Electoral College). Of course, as a third party candidate, he didn’t stand a chance. After the ’80 election, having realized that the Republican Party wasn’t where I belonged, I registered as a Democrat. I’m not sure that’s where I belong either, but I’ve mostly voted Democratic, except for when I can’t stand either choice. Then I vote for some off the wall third party candidate with the hope that my protest vote will make both traditional candidates sleep a little uneasy at night.

Looking back on it all, I have to credit Ford encouraging my interest in politics. I still like the man. I admire his pardons (both Nixon and the Vietnam Draft Dodgers) which helped heal a hurting nation. I have to think that both Ford and Carter brought dignity back to the White House. It’s a shame he can’t be resurrected or reincarnated, for after this president on the heels of the one before him, we could use someone like him. As for Tom, I'll have to recall our adventures at another time. He was a good kid, who never had an opportunity to grow up.


Speaking of death, it’s also time to say good-bye to James Brown. It’s probably politically correct to say that you’re not a big James Brown fan, but I named my first Teddy Bear after him. The bear was given to me by a girlfriend twenty-some years ago. “James Brown Bear” sounded like a good name back in ’85—a bad bear that felt good! That was before it become well known that James Brown like to beat up women. It may have even been before he had one of attempts of out running the police. As far as music goes, we’ve lost a great one. "I feel good," I'm telling myself as I head down to the gym...

14 comments:

  1. I never really knew much about Ford except for his pardons and the skits on SNL. Carter is the first president I can really remember (and I liked him -- and still like him -- a lot). Everything I've heard lately, though, tells me that he was a good man. There aren't many of those around in politics anymore.

    I'm sorry about the loss of your friend. That must have been difficult.

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  2. I love this post, and am glad about your registered status. Interesting for both Ford and Carter, they are both men to admire. Perhaps they would have been great together in office.

    The good die both old and young, seems.

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  3. "I have to think that both Ford and Carter brought dignity back to the White House. It’s a shame he can’t be resurrected or reincarnated, for after this president on the heels of the one before him, we could use someone like him."

    My sentiments exactly!

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  4. What a cool and thoughtful post. I was still young when Ford was in the whitehouse, but I still am saddened by his loss.

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  5. I, too, know very little about Ford. But I truly enjoy reading about your personal experience with him and his campaign. Maybe in a future post you can describe what those strategy meetings were like.

    I'm sad to hear about your young friend, Tom, and the unfairness of life cut short. But his friendship seems to have had some impact with you, and that's as fine a measure of a person as I can think of.

    I hope your Xmas went well Sage. Have a wonderful New Year's, as well!

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  6. I can't help it, but hearing Bush talk about Ford helping to heal a divided nation was funnier than any SNL skit

    I think Ford was a good president for the time but it was more than that. Viet Nam had ended. People were tired of hating each other for reasons they really couldn't remember. Long haired men really couldn't cut it as it wss the era of too long sideburns and hair on most men.

    James Brown Bear is a wonderful name. It's good to feel good, and his influence is felt in music today. More than then even

    Have a wonderful wonderful New Year, Sage, It was great meeting you

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  7. This bear thing of yours still perplexes me.

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  8. Thanks Dawn, I still remember a lot of those SNL skits. The ones they did on Carter were just as funny as the ones they did on Ford. SNL--an equal opportunity offender, at least back then.

    Anon, as you know, the state of politics today really gets me upset

    Kenju, and I don't see any Fords or Carters on the horizon

    Chris, thanks for stopping bye

    V, good to see you back, Christmas was nice

    Pia, You're right about Bush!

    Murf, all my bears are gifts.

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  9. Ford and Carter were two of the nicest guys who ran against each other, maybe in history. How things have changed! I'd say you were a true independent thinker. It's so refreshing not to have a charge on either side for sides sake. Did you hear that they have released Ford's statements about what a mistake the Iraq war is?

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  10. Do you still have pictures of old girlfriends too? ;)

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  11. I too admired Ford's dignity, and also always felt that anyone married to the amazing Betty Ford had to have some stellar qualities.

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  12. Colleen, I heard about Woodward's revelation and ain't quite sure what to make of it.

    Murf, Probably, but they're packed away in boxes that haven't been open in years--or since I weeded through stuff and created a book per decade of stuff to save... So if you think I'll be posting pictures of girlfriends on the web, I'm sorry to disappoint you.


    Diane, I forgot about Betty... Our nation got a first class alcohol treatment center out of his presidency, didn't we!

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  13. Colleen, I heard about Woodward's revelation and ain't quite sure what to make of it.

    Murf, Probably, but they're packed away in boxes that haven't been open in years--or since I weeded through stuff and created a book per decade of stuff to save... So if you think I'll be posting pictures of girlfriends on the web, I'm sorry to disappoint you.


    Diane, I forgot about Betty... Our nation got a first class alcohol treatment center out of his presidency, didn't we!

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  14. I knew better than to hope for that.

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