The first person who I can remember being President was Ronald Reagan. I had just turned 4 a few days before he took over in January of 1981. However, there were two other individuals who served in that office prior to what I can remember, Jimmy Carter and Gerald Ford.
Of these two Presidents, Gerald Ford stands out for being the man who was President when I was born. We had already held the November 1976 elections and knew who the new President was going to be. I was born in January of '77 and even though it was only for 15 days, Ford was my President.
Several things strike me as being noteworthy for having had Gerald Ford as my first President. 1) I was able to claim more Presidents during my life than half of my graduating class--superficial rationale, I know! 2) Because this man had extreme character and did what he felt was right no matter how much of the nation supported him or not.
It is this second element that is my focus. Our nation was just concluding a major international event in Vietnam and was still trying to figure things out in the wake of President Nixon's downfall from Watergate. Ford knew that he had to take action to help us heal as a nation and move forward. He knew that we could not move beyond the Watergate scandal if investigations and legal action within the court system progressed. This is the reason why he pardoned Nixon dispite the majority's opinion to not take this action. This action drastically decreased his early popularity and, coupled with a declining economy, most likely led to his loss of the 1976 election. However, most historians today would cite that decision as being very beneficial for this nation. If it had not been for this bold choice our nation might have still been battling Watergate on into the 1980s. Gerald Ford put the interests of the nation above his own.
Now, at the age of 93, President Ford has been removed from the list of "living former Presidents". My prayers are with Mrs. Ford, their children, grandchildren, and extended family. I will miss my President but will always hold on to the knowledge that a man of principle was at the helm when I was born.
~David
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To show my lack of partisanship when it comes to noting men of character I want to remember former Democratic Speaker of the House Carl Albert. The "little giant" from Bugtustle, OK could have facilitated his own elevation to the office of President had he not been a mad of character. When Vice President Agnew resigned, Carl Albert was approached by some other leading Congressional Democrats who let him know that, if he desired, they would stall Ford's confirmation. Nixon was already being investigated and these Democrats knew that if they could get him out with a vacancy in the VP office that their party could gain the Presidency with the promotion of Speaker Albert. Albert declined that offer; I value him as a man of integrity too for choosing principal and constitutional procedures over self interest.
David, thank you for visiting my blog. Please come back again!
Yes, I did enjoy the seminar at Crossings.
As someone who's primary ministry in the church is worship ministry ... I think I would REALLY enjoy a worship conference !!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!! !!!!!!!
How serious is the conference ..what's being planned .... who's being planned (that did not sound right!!! but you know what I mean) what's the agenda. Can I help?
email me at Pearlsofaneagle@aol.com or fridayfellowship@hotmail.com
I've been a part of Southpark's worship team for ...um ...7 years.
I'm not a singer, instrumentalist, sound tech or lighting tech. I'm a ... I have no idea. The closest I've got to a title is "A Peggi".
I do a little bit of everything that's needed, pull music, get it to the musicians and singers, attend rehersals so that if the worship leader needs something or decides on a different or new song, practice doesn't have to stop. Hand out music during practice.
I come on Sunday Mornings so that while they are warming up, they can concentrate on warming up and getting ready for service ...missing peices of music, added songs or little 'errands' that always manage to come up last moment ... I can do those so the worship team can concentrate on the job that God has called them to do.
I LOVE my job.
Ok ... I could write a book on it, so I better stop.
Please ...if I can help, let me know!
Peggikaye
Great work.
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