Great story and advice Bernie! Looking for the good in people has more upside than the opposite. I have been a BG admirer since your days with Bill O'Reilly and just recently became a paid subscriber, not only to learn what I otherwise would not but so I could comment when I think you've been too harsh.
IMO —-Rob Reiner was a highly talented director, and I still enjoy his movies to this day. And of course, I still laugh at “All In The Family” episodes, especially the banter between Archie & Meathead. So I thank Mr. Reiner for all the joy and laughs that he helped provide me over the years.
Politically, I agreed with practically NONE of his positions. Quite frankly, whenever I would see him bantering with Bill Maher and blatantly ignoring inconvenient facts that hurt his narrative, I , (like so many others) often pointed out that Mr.Reiner was STILL a Meathead who spent the rest of his adult life proving that Archie Bunker was right!
All that said, with a few notable exceptions (Osama bin Laden Al-Zaquari, Charles Manson Ted Bundy to name a few), I generally try to avoid celebrating the deaths of those I dislike or disagree with, as opposed to the murderers that I mentioned earlier. Celebrating the passing of personal and political enemies, especially those who died from senseless acts of violence, simply demonstrates a vile inner ugliness that I want no part of. So I’ll sincerely say this—-May the God that Mr.Reiner didn’t believe in have mercy on his soul and the soul of his wife. Amen !
I know it’s none of my business, but I am curious about what Mr. Rabel wrote about you that you specifically found offensive, and did the two of you ever reconcile & make peace with each other ?
I’ll share one personal story—-I have had close friends for many years who, for unknown reasons, eventually cut me off. No explanations. No confrontations. No requests for me to rectify any alleged offenses I may have committed. I had actually been the Best Man at the wedding of one of them. Alas, as we got older he stopped returning my calls. His wife sent me a standard greeting holiday card once and at one point even told me that even though her husband hasn’t been in touch that it didn’t mean that he “doesn’t care.” Uh-huh…
Another guy just started breaking plans to get together whenever I was in his area. Eventually I asked him what would be a good day for him to meet and catch up…to this day he has never responded.
Thankfully as I’ve gotten older I’ve made other friends over the years, and thankfully I still do have many friends from my youth that I do keep in touch with currently.
As Stephen King once wrote: “Friends come in and out of your life like busboys in a restaurant.”
We all got the news yesterday that Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele, were murdered in their home. About 40 years ago, my brother got his start as a Hollywood writer working in Rob's shop. My brother appreciated Rob's advocacy for children's mental health and progressive politics (I'm with him on the first part but not the second). Rob was appreciated by many for championing young writers and film makers. I reached out to my brother and expressed my sympathy, because I knew part of him was grieving. We said nothing about politics. Rob Reiner lived a good life and deserved a better death. In tribute to Rob Reiner, who wrote and directed the cult classic "This Is Spinal Tap", let's turn our grace and sympathy up to 11.
Bernie, this is so true, not just about politics, but about being consumed by ANYTHING in life that "deadens your soul". Just like we cannot ignore politics, since the decisions our leaders make impact our lives, we cannot ignore our jobs, since we rely on them to provide our means to live. But we shouldn't be so consumed with worrying about work, or other things in life, that we forget to live.
Thanks for the thoughts. Before bed I squeeze in some comedy shorts on YouTube, especially Sebastian Maniscalco, Gabriel Iglesias, and John Pinette (RIP) which got me thinking if they had done a tour starting with "An Italian, a Mexican, and an Irishman walk into a bar....."
Thank you for sharing! Well said!
Your'e a good man, Bernie Goldberg!
Thanks, Sharon.
The older I get, I could share the same stories that you have shared. Heartwarming memories of the past.
Condolescences
Great story and advice Bernie! Looking for the good in people has more upside than the opposite. I have been a BG admirer since your days with Bill O'Reilly and just recently became a paid subscriber, not only to learn what I otherwise would not but so I could comment when I think you've been too harsh.
Glad you’re here Al. Thanks!
Re: Tfw Murders of Rob Reiner & his wife.
IMO —-Rob Reiner was a highly talented director, and I still enjoy his movies to this day. And of course, I still laugh at “All In The Family” episodes, especially the banter between Archie & Meathead. So I thank Mr. Reiner for all the joy and laughs that he helped provide me over the years.
Politically, I agreed with practically NONE of his positions. Quite frankly, whenever I would see him bantering with Bill Maher and blatantly ignoring inconvenient facts that hurt his narrative, I , (like so many others) often pointed out that Mr.Reiner was STILL a Meathead who spent the rest of his adult life proving that Archie Bunker was right!
All that said, with a few notable exceptions (Osama bin Laden Al-Zaquari, Charles Manson Ted Bundy to name a few), I generally try to avoid celebrating the deaths of those I dislike or disagree with, as opposed to the murderers that I mentioned earlier. Celebrating the passing of personal and political enemies, especially those who died from senseless acts of violence, simply demonstrates a vile inner ugliness that I want no part of. So I’ll sincerely say this—-May the God that Mr.Reiner didn’t believe in have mercy on his soul and the soul of his wife. Amen !
His Utmost Excellency, The Emperor, has spoken!
Well SAID, Sir Bernie!
I know it’s none of my business, but I am curious about what Mr. Rabel wrote about you that you specifically found offensive, and did the two of you ever reconcile & make peace with each other ?
I’ll share one personal story—-I have had close friends for many years who, for unknown reasons, eventually cut me off. No explanations. No confrontations. No requests for me to rectify any alleged offenses I may have committed. I had actually been the Best Man at the wedding of one of them. Alas, as we got older he stopped returning my calls. His wife sent me a standard greeting holiday card once and at one point even told me that even though her husband hasn’t been in touch that it didn’t mean that he “doesn’t care.” Uh-huh…
Another guy just started breaking plans to get together whenever I was in his area. Eventually I asked him what would be a good day for him to meet and catch up…to this day he has never responded.
Thankfully as I’ve gotten older I’ve made other friends over the years, and thankfully I still do have many friends from my youth that I do keep in touch with currently.
As Stephen King once wrote: “Friends come in and out of your life like busboys in a restaurant.”
It’s complicated Your Highness.
We all got the news yesterday that Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele, were murdered in their home. About 40 years ago, my brother got his start as a Hollywood writer working in Rob's shop. My brother appreciated Rob's advocacy for children's mental health and progressive politics (I'm with him on the first part but not the second). Rob was appreciated by many for championing young writers and film makers. I reached out to my brother and expressed my sympathy, because I knew part of him was grieving. We said nothing about politics. Rob Reiner lived a good life and deserved a better death. In tribute to Rob Reiner, who wrote and directed the cult classic "This Is Spinal Tap", let's turn our grace and sympathy up to 11.
Condolences to your brother
Great advice and sorry for your losses.
Bernie, this is so true, not just about politics, but about being consumed by ANYTHING in life that "deadens your soul". Just like we cannot ignore politics, since the decisions our leaders make impact our lives, we cannot ignore our jobs, since we rely on them to provide our means to live. But we shouldn't be so consumed with worrying about work, or other things in life, that we forget to live.
You’re absolutely right. It’s not only politics — let’s avoid all sorts of things that deaden the soul. Thanks, John.
Thanks for the thoughts. Before bed I squeeze in some comedy shorts on YouTube, especially Sebastian Maniscalco, Gabriel Iglesias, and John Pinette (RIP) which got me thinking if they had done a tour starting with "An Italian, a Mexican, and an Irishman walk into a bar....."