Betty Ford -- first among first ladies
Defines as "a woman of refinement and gentle manners." A lady is polite. A lady is well-groomed. Whatever her real or perceived power, a lady does not rock the boat.But to be a first lady? That's something else entirely: both a privilege and a requirement that a woman's conduct be at its most public and polished.
As the tributes and outpourings of admiration during the past week have emphasized, Betty Ford, who died at age 93 on July 8 in Rancho Mirage, Calif., was one of the United States' most beloved -- and progressive -- political wives. A lot of this was thanks to Ford's unique ability to act like a lady while subverting the expectations for female subservience that the role demanded. (As the Rev. Lane Hensley said at a memorial service Tuesday in Palm Desert, Calif., Betty Ford showed the world that "there are new and better ways to be a first lady.")
A former dancer, fashion buyer and stay-at-home mom, Ford had June Cleaver looks and an all-American biography that belied a ferocity and willingness to embrace provocative politics (Roe vs. Wade, the Equal Rights Amendment) that -- coming on the heels of the stilted, seemingly staid households overseen by Mamie Eisenhower, Lady Bird Johnson and Pat Nixon -- seemed truly revolutionary. She was, as her fights with breast cancer and substance abuse made abundantly clear, the embodiment of the political made personal.
"She liked the idea that a woman could express herself rather than the views of her husband," says Donna Lehman, an archivist at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.
This "take me as I am, warts-and-all" approach was, in its way, a feminist act, but it was also an expression of her Midwestern upbringing. In a 1997 interview with Lesley Stahl on 60 Minutes , Ford visited the studio of artist Ray Kinstler, who was finishing a portrait of the first lady that would hang in the entrance of the Ford Museum.
"It's lovely," Ford, then 79, told Kinstler as a camera rolled. "I just expected something... more mature." (Kinstler later agreed to add wrinkles.)
At Tuesday's memorial service, Rosalynn Carter, who followed Ford into the White House after Jimmy Carter defeated Gerald Ford in 1976, extolled her friend's honesty and graciousness, saying that she "was never afraid to speak the truth even about the most sensitive of subjects."
Unfortunately, the trails that Ford blazed, particularly her belief in radical honesty and personal transparency, have been somewhat lost in the maze of modern partisan politics. Now, almost 40 years after her departure from 1600 Pennsylvania Ave., it's difficult, if not impossible, to think of a contemporary first lady, particularly a Republican one, who has been so consistently and unapologetically outspoken in her activism.
Astrology 2008 Cancer - News
Nancy Reagan is best known for adoring astrology. Barbara Bush for being a dowdy, white-haired matriarch. Laura Bush for her love of books. Whether by failure or by design, all of our latest first ladies, with the exception of Hillary Rodham Clinton,
Berdasarkan perhitungan Astrology, siklus bullish besar ini akan terus berlanjut hingga awal 2013. Namun, market akan mulai melambat pada 2 bulan terakhir sebelum penutupan 2012. “Investor jangka panjang tidak perlu khawatir akan terjadinya crash
Aquarius Papers - Global Astrology: Mercury Retrograde in Virgo ...
By Robert Wilkinson
In part 2 we explore more about this phenomenon that usually occurs 3 weeks at a time 3 times a year. At the end there's a table so you can find which house(s) this August 2011 Mercury RX period falls in relative to your Sun sign. Then you can find out how this transit affects you personally by consulting my article How Does Mercury Retrograde Affect Us In The Different Houses?
Like all Mercury retrograde periods, these three weeks offer a chance to reorganize in the areas of our life ruled by Mercury. These are the houses of your chart ruled by Gemini or Virgo, any planets in these signs in your chart, and the house occupied by your natal, progressed, or solar return Mercury.
All retrogrades show us that sometimes it is more important to be inwardly oriented than outer-directed. These are times when our previous activities "echo back" information about what we've already experienced during a planetary direct motion phase.
When the inner planets are retrograde, our personal life is most subject to review, reflection, re-doing or getting a new angle on those affairs. When the outer planets are retrograde, we get the same process of review but it impacts our place in the larger scheme of things, whether social, cultural, or transpersonal-global.
When retrograde, Mercury, the "Guide of Souls," challenges us to cultivate our personal understanding of our "fellowship with the Eternal," explore our deeper issues and useful but overlooked details in what's being discussed or asserted, take an unusual view, and allow ourselves to be led by the future implications of what's happening. It’s a time when we truly get a new look at many things and come to a different understanding of how the various affairs of our inner and outer life are coordinated, or need to be.
We can get different perspectives and insights into prior events, messages, and signals, and can fill in important gaps in our understanding. Sometimes it may seem like it's one step forward, two to the side, one step back, one to the other side, then two steps forward, but often we find that we are offered entirely new and crucial perspectives and knowledge that can help us when it's time to move forward again after the retrograde is past.
In yesterday's article we explored specific qualities of the present Mercury retrograde period. The period before Mercury goes retrograde is important in getting your paperwork and other life areas in shape, so take note of late July and see what hit a threshold and now requires a delay, research, or renewal.
Astrology 2008 Cancer - Bookshelf
Your Personal Astrology Planner 2010: Cancer
... outer planets will be in initiating cardinal signs, challenging your cautious Cancer Sun. ... in 2008, altering the very basics of your relationships . ...Sydney Omarr's Day-By-Day Astrological Guide for Cancer: June 21-July 22
She also called the presidential race in 2008. We've been following her closely ever since. www.astro-yoga.com: This site combines astrology and yoga. ...Astrology
Ideal Countries Scotland, Holland and New Zealand Zodiac Information Constellation: Cancer Zodiac Element: Water Zodiac Quality: Cardinal Planet: Moon ...Your Astrology Guide 2008, Discover Your Future with the World's Most Accurate Astrology Team
MARCH PRESSURE TO CHANGE Active Mars reenters protective Cancer on March 4 where it ... Shortly after Mars enters security-conscious Cancer, it opposes ...Your Personal Astrology Planner 2008: Aquarius
On the other hand, your Cancer lover needs close emotional contact and reassurance. ... Your Cancer mate can easily give emotional support to others, ...Day-to-day Info Directory
2008 Cancer Year Ahead Horoscope 2008: Astrology on the Web
Astrology on the Web peeks at Cancer's horoscope for the year ahead in 2008. Your Love and Relationships in 2008, Career and Finances in 2008, Health ...
2008 Horoscope Cancer
Cancer Horoscope: Free Astrology forecast. Predictions for 2008. ... Relationships are moving to a completely new level for you in 2008, dear Cancer. ...
Cancer-Yearly Horoscope 2008 according to Indian Astrology.
Cancer Yearly Horoscope 2008 according to Indian Astrology,Kark Yearly Horoscope for 2008 according to Indian astrology and remedial measures
Cancer 2008 Horoscopes: Free 2008 Horoscopes, 2008 Astrology ...
Free 2008 horoscopes Cancer: astrological forecast for Cancer in 2008
Cancer, Astrology, Horoscope, Astro | August 2011 Horoscope ...
Cancer, Astrology, Horoscope, Astro ... August 2008 Horoscope : Toaday's Horoscope : love and Friendship Astrology : Friendship Day " flirtsvilla - August 3rd, 2008 at 8:31 am ...