I find it interesting that the President who dealt with the aftermath of Vietnam, Gerald R. Ford, felt that the Bush invasion of Iraq was a “big mistake.” That he would not let Bob Woodward use the remarks or publish them except posthumously is a testament to the character of Ford, the man who considered George Bush and Dick Cheney to be friends.

The eulogies delivered by Dennis Hastert, and Dick Cheney after President Ford arrived at the capitol Rotunda last evening were fine testaments to this “common” man who had achieved such greatness without “guile” and calculation. Never the less, all was calculated in the ceremony to accentuate the common touch, even the music selected, “The Fanfare for the Common Man” by Aaron Copland played by brass and echoing through the Rotunda at the end of the ceremony. However, I couldn’t help but think that there are strong similarities between the position the nation finds itself in today and the one we give ex-President Ford credit for diffusing when he took office. First, the nation finds itself in a destructive war that has killed and wounded tens of thousands, both foreign and American. Second, scandals in high political places rock the nation, including the fact that the Bush administration purposefully misled us into believing that it was necessary to invade Iraq, and I believe there is more yet to be discovered in that area.

Putting that aside, I do believe that then President Ford showed remarkable strength of character when he pardoned Richard Nixon, knowing full well that it would probably lose him the next presidential election. I am reminded of Nelson Mandela in South Africa, proclaiming that retribution must not be sought against those who had jailed him for so many years. I place in tandem the achievement of these two marvelous leaders in stark relief, two images of greatness highlighted and contrasted to the horrific video released yesterday of Saddam Hussain’s hanging in Iraq. What a lesson that contrast provides for all of mankind. In actuality, I see Gerald R. Ford as an uncommon man, because there are so few of us in possession of such intelligence, common sense, talent for leadership, and strength of character.