THE GIRL WHO ALMOST KILLED FORD

Time Magazine ^ | 9/15/1975 | Time

[Snerfling]

I was reading an FR thread on Squeaky Fromme and out of curiosity did a Google search. Way down around the 7th level, there was this old Time magazine article.

The reason I posted it is to show an example of how the press used to look before it was competely taken over by the left. It's striking in its basic matter of fact approach, which is how I remember Time when I read it as a pre-teen in the 70s. I'm not even sure when it changed, but one can ony imagine how such an event would be covered today.

[Snerfling]

the fact that such a liberal and free society should somehow generate a sprinkling of warped souls who for dark reasons of their own seek to work out their frustrations by destroying political leaders. The free society has discovered no effective way of identifying and controlling its demons.

Note that it's the person and not the gun that is responsible.

[admiralsn]

Was she the first or second? I remember reading that Ford had two different women (oddly enough) try to kill him within about a 2 week period. Both were from pointblank range and both missed, thankfully.

[Lyford]

Was she the first or second?

1st. Squeaky Fromme on Sept. 5, Sara Jane Moore on Sept. 22...

[Martin Tell]

You're right, but I can't remember the order. Other shooter was a "Rockefeller Republican" (Sarah Jane Moore?), believe it or not. Other trivia: former military guy stopped one of the shooters (pushed her arm down) and became "Queer of the Year" when it turned out he was gay (later died of AIDS, making him a double martyr).

Whatever happened to Squeeky? I seem to remember her coming up for parole. Is she still alive?

[ConservativeDude]

i totally agree...this was a fine journalistic piece...shocking, really, isn't it?

[admiralsn]

The amazing thing is that she is still in prison (as far as I know- or she died there) and Hinckley who actually SHOT Reagan, wounded Brady, and killed a police officer is walking the streets. Not that Fromme should be free, but Hinckley sure as hell shouldn't.

[Fudd]

Note that it's the person and not the gun that is responsible.

Note too this was written in 1975.

[PaulJ]

You can find out more about Squeeky (and the other Manson girls) at this web site.

[Always Right]

Don't kid yourself, the media was very leftist even in 1975. Ford was is a leftist for a Republican. Of course Time had not yet been completely corrupted by Ted Turner, but the three main networks and the NY Times were still solidly leftist. But leftists weren't as unpatriotic/ American-hating back then as they are today.

[elbucko]

It's striking in its basic matter of fact approach, which is how I remember Time when I read it as a pre-teen in the 70s.

I understand that reporters, besides using stealth editorializing in their reports, are encouraged to write them in a more story-like manner to appeal to the female reader. I noticed the change too and now "start" reading a print article at the last two or three paragraphs to find out the; What, When, Where, Who and Why. (sigh)

[Blood of Tyrants]

Good claimed that she and Fromme were members of an "international people's court" consisting of several thousand members throughout the world, who were prepared to ''kill" the polluters of the air and water. Said she: "We're going to start assassinating Presidents, Vice Presidents and major executives of companies. I'm warning these people they better stop polluting or they're going to die."

assassinations are eruptions of bitter class hatred. "By killing a member of a more powerful group," he says. "the assassin not only exercises class hatred but builds up egotism and self-confidence."

Sounds like she would be your typical Rat party supporter today.

[alancarp]

Well, killing Ford would have staved off a spate of golf course abuse in the years afterward. But then again, Bob Hope would not have had any material whatsoever since 1977.

[Pukin Dog]

But leftists weren't as unpatriotic/ American-hating back then as they are today.

Sure they were.

The only difference is that they controlled Congress and the Supreme Court, so their anger was not always public.

Today, being outside of every center of power, the Liberals are only being their true selves, because they have nothing left to lose.

[Always Right]

Sure they were.

Maybe I should have said the leftists did not show their unpatriotic/America-hating side as much back then.

[elbucko]

Hinckley who actually SHOT Reagan, wounded Brady, and killed a police officer is walking the streets.

Ya know, it didn't surprise me that an "all minority" jury found Hinkley; "Guilty by reason of insanity". If Reagan had been a Democrat, Hinkley would have gotten life in prison.

[PaulJ]

I noticed the change too and now "start" reading a print article at the last two or three paragraphs to find out the; What, When, Where, Who and Why.

This is so true. I am sick of a headline catching my attention and then reading: "The dark streets of Main & Elm seem to shiver as the old car approached...." or some such gibberish. Give me the news and leave the prose to others.

[newgeezer]

Good point.

[Freedom4US]

No! They didn't let Hinckley out, did they? No way!

[elbucko]

"The dark streets of Main & Elm seem to shiver as the old car approached...." or some such gibberish.

Really. Most first paragraphs in print reporting are good candidates as entries in the; "It Was a Dark and Stormy Night" contest.