Two famous men died last week. Both were well-known world leaders, but they couldn’t have been more different. By all accounts, Gerald R. Ford was an honest politician, a down-to-earth man, loving and beloved husband, and a good Christian. Saddam Hussein was a tyrant who acted like he was God (or above God), kept mistresses and killed off family members, and he did not keep the tenets of his Muslim faith. Ford sacrificed his own well-being in order to do the right thing. Hussein’s utmost concern was saving himself; he is responsible for the deaths of perhaps 2 million of his own people. Hussein raised family members to high positions of government, and he rewarded them for being cruel butchers like him. Ford was a loyal friend. Hussein thought nothing of executing (sometimes personally) friends or family members whom he felt failed him. His widow, Betty Ford, issued a statement after his death: “His was a life filled with love of God, his family, and his country.” In everything Ford did, these three loves were clearly evident. Hussein loved only himself. He defied God, betrayed his family, terrorized and murdered his people, and turned his country into a murderous and poverty-stricken land of terror. Ford only sought to serve America. He never sought the spotlight, and never ran for President. He epitomizes the term “mild-mannered”. Hussein was a tyrant who demanded full power, even the power of life or death for his victim-subjects. He built glorious palaces for himself, and billboards and statues throughout Iraq were erected to glorify and even deify him. He was merciless in terrorizing his people. Ford was a straightforward, wholesome, Midwestern-nice man. What you saw is just what you got. He had a reputation for being somewhat boring. He never seemed to waiver from his political and religious ideologies. Hussein was an expert at deceit and camouflage. When it suited him, he could be pro-western modernizer, a super-Islamic fighter of a holy war, a war hero (when he was never in the military), Hussein was raised by a pro-Nazi uncle, and he admired Stalin’s terror methods, but he never really found an ideology that he stuck with. After Ford’s death, no one had a bad word to say about him. Journalists and politicians sang his praises on nearly every TV channel and in every newspaper. Common words used to describe Ford are “good”, “kind”, “nicest man I ever knew”, “unifier”, etc. After Hussein was hung, wild celebrations broke out around the world. Only a small group – those who profited by Hussein’s tyranny – mourn his death. Common words used to describe Hussein are “evil”, “cruel”, “terror”, “vicious”, and “ruthless”. Ford died at age 93, after living a long, full and rich life. He was surrounded by his loving and caring family. Hussein was executed at age 69, hung to death after an Iraqi court found him guilty of murdering 148 people. He was cursed and abused by his executioners, who danced around his dead body after the execution. Hussein’s first wife (and cousin) and his two daughters have had nothing to do with him since Hussein murdered his daughter’s husbands. His second wife (and long-time mistress) has vanished. His two murderous sons were killed by American troops. His other family members are either dead, in prison, or wanted for terroristic crimes. He died without any comfort from family. American media rushed to show photos and video clips of Ford’s career, family life, and eulogistic comments by his peers. World media rushed to show photos and video of Hussein’s execution. They showed still photos of a defiant Hussein, or a desheveled, cowering Hussein (when captured by American troops). Ford received a state funeral, with the country officially mourning his death for a full month. His body has lain “in state” as thousands of well-wishers pass by (after waiting 6 hours or more in line). Ford has had several funerals and memorial services. Hussein’s body was wrapped in a sheet, then whisked away and buried in the dead of night, with not much more dignity than road kill. I don’t necessarily agree with capital punishment, in most cases anyway. Taking a life doesn’t compensate for or adequately punish the taking of another life. But I doubt there is much outrage for Hussein’s execution. The extent of his crimes, and his outrageous arrogance, tip the balance of sentiment too far against him. I have to confess, too, that I’ve watched the execution video on-line; to see for myself that his “reign of terror” is absolutely ended. Each of these men reaped in death what they had sown in life: one peace, praise and reverence; the other violence, hatred and humiliation. Ford only sought to quietly serve in life, yet he was greatly honored in death. Hussein only sought fame, security and wealth for himself, at the expense of his people. He even complained, before his execution, that hanging was too undignified for him. He died cursing and mocking his executioners who danced around his lifeless, bloodied corpse. We can only hope – perhaps desperately but vainly hope – that Hussein’s death marks the end of despotic tyrants in the world. Let us hope that Ford’s death does not mark the end of good men and decent politicians. TIDBIT: According to CNN, 2006 was the deadliest year for journalists. 177 journalists and staff were killed around the world last year.
