Letters to the Editor: 01.15.98
On Character
Wainscott
January 9, 1998
To The Editor,
Memorable phrases from 1997:
"Show me the money," the theme from the movie "Jerry Maguire" and also the Clinton White House.
"There is no controlling legal authority," Al Gore said, referring to highly questionable fund raising in the White House. "Mistakes were made" was Bill Clinton's comment on the same subject at about the time Pol Pot made use of that phrase regarding the two million people slaughtered in Cambodia. The passive tense denial of responsibility is reminiscent of the owners and operators of the Titanic suggesting that it was all the fault of the iceberg.
Memorable phrases from earlier years:
"This is all my fault." Confederate General Robert E. Lee after Gettysburg. Lee was a great leader and a man of character.
"The buck stops here." Harry Truman in accepting responsibility for what went on in the White House.
"We hold people responsible for things that happen during the time of their command." The commander of a naval air squadron on relinquishing his command after an unusual number of accidents. There was no evidence that the commander was negligent but he accepted the responsibility. That's what men of character do.
How is it that our highest elected officials deny all responsibility for the endless scandals and unethical practices in the White House but at the same time impose no punishment or discipline on their aides and appointees who presumably have done all these things? It just happened, or the devil made someone do it, they want us to believe, but we never find out who that someone is.
Some day, hopefully, American voters will put character on their list of qualifications for high office.
HENRY CLIFFORD
Thank You, Peter Boyle
Amagansett
January 8, 1998
Editor,
I am 70, a full-time resident, and am hanging around recovering from my total right knee replacement a few days ago on New Year's Eve.
I have had the pleasure over the past few years to be part of Ms. Tommie Smith's R.S.V.P. gang in Amagansett, calling up a bunch of great people who live alone, need company, and occasionally need some help. It seems funny to me being helped by aides, nurses, housemaids from the marvelous group, the Dominicans, that a few days ago were helping Cleo and Bertha and the rest of "my girls." Gets you to wonder.
One of the few pleasant parts of this week was the sensation of listening to music (Ms. Tebaldi and Mr. Brubeck), reading a book, or the delicious experience of pouring yourself into a movie with a clear, uncommitted, thirsty mind.
Well the other night, Tuesday, I think, after my wife (who I have been driving a little crazy) went upstairs to bed, I looked outside to a gloomy, foggy, black night and randomly turned on TV.
There it was - "Young Frankenstein" - that masterpiece of Mel Brooks and Gene Wilder from the mid-'70s starring my heroes Wilder, Garr, Leachman, "Igor," Kahn, and of course the man - Peter Boyle.
Remember, this is the movie where young Dr. F., grandson of the original, is returning to his grandpa's ancestral home. As the train stops, Dr. F. slowly rolls down his window and asks a young man, "Pardon me, boy, is this the Transylvania station?"
When I was young and a mite forward, I would occasionally encounter one of my heroes (Miles Davis - Blackhawk, San Francisco; Pancho Gonzalez - a plane to Dallas), go up to them, tell them of my admiration and receive, quite properly, zero response.
However, with Peter Boyle, it's different, we live in the same small town, use the same Post Office, so I remained silent.
Silent, that is, up to the other night where Peter and Gene, all decked out in their top hats and tails, strutted before a cynical Transylvanian audience.
I could no longer resist the need to say, "Thank you, Peter Boyle, for all past and future pleasures." But how?
With luck and the help of the letters to the editor column, I wish you and yours a happy new year.
IRVING HIRSCHBERG
Loving Son
O loving son, did swoop by
Ate fridge, piled laundry high
TV on, click click click
Strobe sports, suds, does the trick
Hark! Boom and belch, peck on cheek
Mom, Dad, see ya next week
Prodigal split, casting goo goo eyes
Was it for us, or the remaining fries.
JOSEPH TOTO