Looking back on Ford as president

Re “Praise for ‘a legacy of honor,’ ” Dec. 28

President Ford is the only U.S. president from my lifetime whose death I will mourn. He was a man of unshakable honesty and loyalty.

As a Canadian, I have a special affection for him. It’s a little-known fact that Ford (against the advice of world leaders and his aides) insisted in 1976 that Canada become a member of what is now the G-8. This may not seem like much to Americans, but this act put Canada on the world stage. Canadians will always be thankful to their friend, President Ford.

GARY BETTS

London, Canada

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What a wonderful country this is! Ford became president during a time of great turmoil through a process enshrined in the Constitution. A junta did not seize power, nor was there any armed rebellion or guerrilla fighting in the streets; just a constitutional transfer of responsibility from the resigning president to the new one.

Ford served this country well and, at the end of his term, Americans voted and a new president was elected.

The stability we have through our Constitution has enabled us to thrive as a nation. If we are dissatisfied with our government leaders, we need only wait for a few years and we can vote them out. Our founders were geniuses.

JUDITH FENTON

Costa Mesa

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Enough adulation about Ford. He was a mediocre representative from a safe district in Michigan, and the president who taught us that there are two laws -- one for the rich and politically powerful, another for the common folk. President Nixon should have served time in jail, as should have President Clinton.

The excuse for pardoning Nixon was to heal the nation. Ha! Heal the nation with what? A slap in the face to the average man who raises a family without the advantages of a Nixon or Ford? It is said that Ford was a good man. There are many good men in our nation, but they are insulted by politicians such as Ford.

EDWARD T. GRANEY

Dana Point

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After reading Ford’s quote, “Our long national nightmare is over,” I can’t help but think how the Watergate scandal pales in comparison to the last five years of fabricated excuses for war, death, destruction and the dismantling of our Bill of Rights. Watergate was a parking ticket compared to President Bush’s behavior.

DOUG HAYES

Sierra Madre

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Although I am sad for Ford’s family, I am a bit baffled by The Times’ glorification of his legacy. This is the man who gave us former Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld and Vice President Dick Cheney. What’s so great about that?

SHARI EPSTEIN

Santa Monica