Mr. Nixon was a great disappointment to me. He, in essence, turned his back on the people of Taiwan when he made his overture to Mao Tse Tung and Red China. That and he was far less aggressive in Viet Nam than he lead the voters to believe he would be. From the day he made his "You won't have Dick Nixon to kick around anymore!" statement, he was dead meat as far as the US press was concerned. The press hunted, stalked, baited and relentlessly harrassed the man. No wonder he was paranoid. And he was paranoid!

That group of genius operatives known as the "Plumbers" were a reflection of his paranoia. By all accounts Nixon was not a stupid man and I would like to believe that about him but the Plumbers were still using lead to make their joints water tight. Nixon's great sin was trying to be loyal to this loyal but misdirected crew and he ended up obstructing justice. Exit Mr. Nixon and good riddance. Exit the Plumbers and good riddance.

I took a wait-and-see attitude toward China. I still have a wait-and-see attitude toward China. If our infussion of capital and American Debt into their economy can corrupt and hopelessly ensnare their version of Communism, so be it. It beats ICBMs at 30,000 paces. What about Taiwan? Wait and see. It may all work out yet.

Well, did affable, Good Ol' Gerry heal or hurt our nation? Like I said before. He was OK. He was average. A relatively smart fellow, a jock, a nice guy. I'd rather have him for me than against me. Do we want average? Is Mc Donald's successful? Is that what you want? Hugh Grant and Julie Roberts? Yeah, why not?

Let's just ignore the termites gnawing away at the foundation of our nation. Whatever happens, will happen. Life is so much easier when you have no firm convictions, no real "right" or "wrong". Just what the majority believes. Hey, that's what democracy is, isn't it? Just give me a lobotomy and sink me into the middle of that great Bell-Shaped Curve!

Does anyone remember that issue of National Lampoon Magazine that had the centerfold of Gerald Ford with the ice cream cone stuck into the middle of his forehead and that great big old grin on his face? Or is that before your time?

Yeah, I really miss those days. Good ol' Jimmy swattin' them rabbits, Gerry trippin' down the gantries, the smell of tear gass.

What was I doing when all those brave kids were headed off to Canada?
I was in Tech School at Shepard AFB. My lottery number came up #8. Too late! I was already in and serving my country.