Another Unfinished Post

I made the following as a comment elsewhere, then saved a copy to post here and perhaps expand or comment upon further.  I no longer recall what I meant to say, be it more on alternate timelines, or my memories of Ford and of the times, or elicit discussion about the pardon, or what.  Thus I present just what I commented elsewhere in reference to an opinion wishing Ford had not done the pardon that is actually a transposed wish not to have had Carter win in 1976:

And yet… Carter ensured we got Reagan.

While at the same time Carter gave us Volcker and set us on the path of deregulation, showing even he could have a silver lining (besides ensuring we got Reagan).

I don’t know if anyone has ever addressed it in fiction, but surely Ford’s loss in 1976, and therefore presumably the pardon that tipped the scales, was one of the most pivotal points in American history.  It would be fascinating to know where the road not followed would have led, but how can we be so sure it would have been to a better end?

Any extrapolation is just that, with the butterflies increasing in ferocity by the day.

1. There was a collection of stories called ‘Alternate Presidents’ but I can’t remember if there was a Ford story.  I believe the only major premise was that the opponent of the actual winner, won, so there must have been one. 

   Posted by  on  01/02  at  10:41 AM  from 
Page 1 of 1 pages

<< Back to main