Gerald Ford was portrayed as a bumbling, stumbling fool for much of his Presidency. But as time passed, he was seen as American's "everyman" President. From a classic Simpsons episode where he asks Homer to join him for the football game and nachos and beer to a recent article in the Wisconsin State Journal, Ford, like many an ex-President before him, is seen in a more positive light.

Where does this affection for ex-Presidents come from? I understand the outpouring of love for Ronald Reagan, he was a great man. But Ford? Even Nixon was praised by the likes of then-President Clinton at his funeral.

I guess time not only heals the wounds no one can see, it also gives us the perspective we need to see the whole person. With very few exceptions, no leader is all good or all evil. It's hard for me to imagine, but I'm sure that someday conservatives will recognize Jimmy Carter for his work with Habitat for Humanity and Bill Clinton for his williness to let the states take the lead on issues like welfare reform.

And someday, maybe even the Bush=Hitler crowd will be able to take a moment and admit that our current President isn't, in fact, a Nazi. Maybe they'll praise him for not busting out the nukes right after 9/11 or for just being a good family man or something, anything. Hell, even Hillary Clinton's critics will find something nice to say about her when the time comes!

Now if only we could figure out how to be this rational & understanding with people who are still alive.