20070313 Another loony moment from Andy Rooney

Another loony moment from Andy Rooney

Andy Rooney doesn’t write – he types.

March 13^th, 2007 – March 22, 2007

As indicated by the March 13 Frederick News-Post editorial; the paper is taking some heat for printing Andy Rooney's March 5 column, “I feel a draft.”

Justifiably so. The editorial wrote: “In our opinion, Rooney made some thoughtless and downright untrue statements in that column…” I could not agree more… But the column by Mr. Rooney was unworthy of a response. That only draws more attention to his mindless mumblings.

I cannot find the column by Mr. Rooney on the Frederick News-Post web site, however, you may find here on Mr. Rooney’s web site… The column appeared on the CBS web site on March 11, 2007…

The Frederick News-Post editorial wrote:

Andy Rooney's March 5 column, "I feel a draft," addressed the current and pre-World War II composition of the U.S. armed forces. That column has drawn several indignant letters and other communications, and we understand why.

Rooney, a World War II veteran, complained that when, as a college student, he was drafted in August 1941, the Army was already full of soldiers who had joined up as a last resort because they couldn't make a go of it in the wider world. Rooney and thousands like him were called up by the draft intended to fill the ranks for the coming war.

[…]

Several letter writers have suggested that we should not have run Rooney's column. We believe the discussion that it generated has justified the decision to publish it.

The editorial is right – and then again, in a roundabout way, this last paragraph missing a more subtle point.

When I scanned the column, my thoughts were that it was a waste of my time and then I wondered that considering all the talented columnists available these days – Why in the world is the Frederick News-Post running Andy Rooney?

At the time I felt no overwhelming need to respond. I just put the column in the “Ann Coulter” category. I have arrived at a point where I simply ignore her See here: “20070303 Ann Coulter comment on Edwards is reprehensible and here and here: “20070305 Time to Give Coulter the Cold Shoulder.”

The editorial said, “We believe the discussion that it generated has justified the decision to publish it.”

Well, in order to elicit intelligent discussion, run an intelligent column. And it is not a matter as to whether or not I agree with the particular worldview of a particular columnist. Heckfire, I often do not agree with Joe Voltz – but I will actually read his column.

Andy Rooney is a washed-up has-been nebbish. Perhaps the Frederick News-Post may want to consider running a cogent column which folks are actually going to read and gain value.

Run a column which folks are actually going to read and gain value.

To utilize a Truman Capote quote to succinctly critique Mr. Rooney’s columns, ‘That's not writing, it's typing.”

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