Meeting President Ford

My evening with President Ford

It was a warm night in Medford. The temperatures in southern Oregon remained moderate well into the autumn. It was political season and the National Republican Party had targeted this congressional district.

Earlier in the year, the Republican Party provided the local congressional candidate with a television endorsement by then-California governor Ronald Reagan. Unfortunately for the candidate, Reagan mispronounced the local candidates name several times. The campaign decided to run the TV ads anyway. It became quite the laughing stock. Eventually they were pulled.

Now the Republican Party recruited former President Gerald Ford to help with the local candidate.

The former president's plane was late. About a half dozen reporters were waiting at the Jackson County airport. It was late. Most of us radio reporters also did the "morning drive time" news. That meant getting out of bed at 4 a.m. in order to broadcast the 6 a.m. newscast. For me, it meant going to bed before 9 p.m. This media event was cutting into my beauty sleep.

Finally the private aircraft landed. President Ford was the first one out and into the airport. He was wearing an open collared shirt with a nicely woven plaid jacket over it. I remembered how he was famous for smoking a pipe -- there were several small burn holes on the jacket.

It was as if he had just gotten up from a nap. He was blinking into the news cameras. Somehow it seemed as if he didn’t expect media to greet him. As a pro, he adjusted quickly -- though his speech was even slower than his normal slow pace.

He was introduced to the local candidate. My guess is that Ford was flying around the country as a good Republican and lending his name to candidates he had never heard of.

In those days, I took special pride in crafting questions for those folks of notable status. I would try to mold my question around a concept that would require a qualitative response -- as well as lend itself to a general conclusion in the answer's premise.

In this case, I figured the Ford hadn't a clue who he was endorsing this evening -- doubtful he even knew what town he had just flown into.

So I asked, "Mr. President, just how much do you have to know about a candidate before you endorse him?"

Ford looked at me. His eyes not initially focused -- sort of an away look. Then the eyes come back into focus.

His years of public speaking made him know that a qualitative answer was required.

So he said, "I have to know that the candidates I endorse are going to do a good job in their elected office. In this case I know that Mr. Lausman here is a Republican -- and that alone means he will be a better candidate than the current incumbent Democrat."

Well, it was an answer somewhat based on the truth.

We chatted some more about what he had been doing since being defeated by Jimmy Carter. He said he was enjoying his time with his wife Betty and got in a lot more golf.

Finally, he wandered away with only a few bored Secret Service agents to an awaiting car. Off he went to spend the night in Medford.

Off I went to bed.
In those early reporting years in Medford, I met several notable folks. Medford was the only major population center south of Eugene. Therefore – even though it was a small town -- politicians routinely stopped there.

During my five years there, I had the chance to interview Presidents Reagan and Bush, Vice President Mondale, actor Vincent Price, and activists Gloria Steinem and Angela Davis.

More stories on those later.

Hood

Today I have been looking out my fourth floor window in Oregon City.
There stands Hood.
For a moment, I am angry.
I look at it as a killer.
But then, I realize, it’s not a person. Not even a thing.
Just rocks and ice.
With kids and swimming pool deaths – I think it’s called an attractive nuisance.

Put a rock in a school play yard – what happens? Kids crawl on it.
Is it not primordial?Icarous trying to reach the sun.

I remember working for the City of Gresham and talking about our fire fighters. We talked about the danger.
One old-timer scoffed and said, of course it’s dangerous. Why do you think they love it? Otherwise it would just be big boys playing with water.

I look back at Hood.
So many feelings.
Knowing that two perished there.
That I am looking at someone’s…grave.
But also, I am looking at someone’s self-selected demise, to the extent one voluntarily and recreationally puts themselves in harms way.
Rather than say, in a convoy around the world.
Hood is also a choice.
Hood is freedom.
The freedom to choose.

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Have a safe Christmas

Santa slimmed down for his visit to the Wild Hare

The tradition continues -- Ricky places an ornament

We took each ornament out and talked about its history. Those that were given to us. Those we picked up a long the way. It is a tradition we used to do in my family.

The Food Network's latest star

Catie is not one to be kept from a vision. She made the cookies by herself when everyone else was tied up. Here she is mixing colors and frosting. I love her focus and determination.

Catie gives Mom some pretty piggies

Christmas cookie making on 9th street

Best comments to date on Iraq

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15821138/

Bri becomes a teenager

Celebrating Greg S and Bri's bday @ Olive Garden

My old pal Mark turns 50

At his age...he needs help blowing out candles

Christmas 2006 --

One of the things I've learned about taking photos with my phone is to take advantage of the low resolution.

Here is a case where the low rez camera can't process with precision the lights at the Woodburn Outlet Mall. It results in an artistic blurring.

Ah for a better camera at this moment.

Here is a shot that would have benefited from something other than a phone cam. Moonrise over Woodburn.

Amigos de quatro

Just another quiet evening in Canby

Portrait of the artist in waiting

So what does a performer do while waiting to go onstage? As a dad, it was really neat to see my son using something I taught him for social engagement.

Ricky is at the Canby Fine Arts Building waiting for his part in The Best Christmas Ever

Starlight starbright

Our fondness grows for our new little angel with fur.

A limo drive to a birthday party

Ricky and friends head off in a stretch Hummer for a birthday party.

When I was a kid, we pinned a tail on a donkey and watched Viewmaster slides.