At first I wanted to write about the Wall Street protesters, 700-of-whom were arrested the other day for blocking the Brooklyn Bridge (now that’s an American revolution I can really get behind!) – but then, I learned that another American patriot was getting set to retire from “60 Minutes” – and I was torn about which topic to deal with…well, with any-bit-of-luck, and/or skill – perhaps I can blend the two…
I have already written about some of my prose influences like PJ O’Rourke and Jonathan Swift, while completely neglecting to mention Addison, Steele and Pope. Though I have never approximated their bayonet prose, I forgot, until tonight, that there has been another sharp-witted fellow sitting on my shoulder – and that Andy Rooney probably influenced me tremendously as well.
I remember when “60 Minutes” was all the rage – and when Andy Rooney started doing his schtick at the end of the show. I never realized that he was reading his own essays!? I just figured that he was an old fart who had been given air time to grind his axe because he “knew somebody.” But listening to his farewell address this evening (real time finally!) – I was pleasantly surprised at how similarly we look at writing, and, how we even share some of the esoteric struggles the writer undergoes.
But when Andy candidly stated that he has been very lucky to have been paid so well over-the-years to read his essays, I knew that I was listening to a kindred spirit. Not from the money stanpoint of course, but rather, from his admission that so many people do exceedingly well (economically speaking) out of sheer luck, rather than from just being good. Andy is good, however, and the way he delivered his written word in his narratives was definitely top notch!
So I wonder how this left leaning (but apparently anti-gay) fellow has contributed to the American psyche? Has he, as an essayist, “stirred the pot” that is the national consciousness? Did Andy Rooney contribute to the dialog about the reckless abandon with which Wall Street hastens the demise of Middle America?? Has Andy Rooney contributed to the impending American Revolution??? Or, did his topics just crest the mundane and banal – like a nice dessert to finish the meal?
I was pleased to see that the Wall Street protesters are mostly young folk who are probably out-of-jobs; can’t get a job; and, probably can’t afford college. And I hear the movement is swelling – even here in L.A.! May the weather stay warm and may the movement grow to Viet Nam protest-like proportion!!
I, sadly, am in that padded, middle-aged stage where I am no longer lean enough, nor hungry enough to join the Wall Street protesters: but I am behind them one hundred percent!
I’ve become like those corporate rock stars who are so padded by money and possessions (though I don’t have much of either – but enough to insulate me from the travails of our disenfranchised youth, who hopefully haven’t all been hypnotized by cyber space).
Let youth not be wasted on these young!
I’d really rather just-sit-back-and-watch them perform – making sure that my teeth don’t rot; that I don’t grow hair in my ears; and, that my eyebrows don’t get bushy.