[Geysers] Ford at Old Faithful

[TSBryan at aol.com]

During the 1976 presidential campaign, Gerald Ford was at Old Faithful to  
give a nationally televised speech. Yes, talk about changes in attitudes,  
changes in security. 
 
Ford's speech was advertised well in advance. Bleachers were built for the  
crowd, as was a platform and podium for the president. All the news media 
was  there (which I guess in 1976 means NBC, CBS, ABC and maybe nothing else) 
with  their big vans and antennas. Sure there was security -- it included 
such things  as National Capitol Police on horseback, ranger-naturalists 
(me!) handing out  program brochures (yes, the presidential program, not the NPS 
program). Somebody  was talking about a helicopter moving up and down every 
time Old Faithful had  preplay. Well, I was one of those uniformed sorts 
and I don't recall that. I do  recall Ford timing his speech along with 
coaching so that when the thing finally  erupted (only a minute or two "late"), 
the speech got to [paraphrase] "great  wonders such as this."
 
Hundreds if not thousands of people. No real access restrictions that I  
recall, certainly people all over the place. Yes, there were "observers" atop  
the Inn and such, but...
 
Well, I guess I'm getting old. I feel the restrictions that resulted from  
Obama's visit were ridiculous. I sure am glad I wasn't part of a family on 
my  once-in-a-lifetime visit, one day in paradise. Closing a place such as 
Old  Faithful on a free-entry weekend was absolutely stupid.
 
And if Obama hears that -- good.
 
Scott Bryan
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