Opie, you bastard!

Stupid Opie

At the end of a recently watched Andy Griffith "Biography," it was disclosed that Opie (Ron Howard) had prevailed on Andy to do an "Obama for President" commercial with him.  "Andy, a life  long Democrat was happy to oblige, " intoned the announcer.  That video, "A Call to Action," traded on America's fond memories of  life in Mayberry and Happy Days to help transform a Chicago hoodlum into something wholesome.   At the time a blogger named Mary wrote: “ "I have absolutely no problem with Howard, Griffith, and Winkler campaigning for Obama. I do have a problem with Opie Taylor, Andy Taylor, Richie Cunningham, and the Fonz campaigning for Obama." ” As far as Griffith being a "lifelong Democrat," so too were most Southern raised boys (me included); but that political party bears no resemblance to today's collection of socialists, communists and social misfits.  We detest parents who use their children as props to advance an  agenda, but the corollary is when kids manipulate old folks who're sliding into senility for the same reason.  Which is what Ron Howard has done, IMO. Ron Howard is a fine director, but now he seems bent on replacing Oliver Stone as filmdom's preeminent anti-American jerk-ass. I was actually startled some years ago when he aligned himself with the Barbra Streisand Hollywood left. Opie! WTF?  This isn't how you were raised.  One episode came to mind, and I went searching for it.  This was the show where Opie is taken in by a traveling hobo.  Sheriff Taylor recognizes that the guy is a no-account,  but gives Opie his head.  Here's the surprising part.  While trying to find that episode I discovered someone else for whom  Opie's Hobo Friend was transforming.  Harvey Bullock, who wrote the script. “ ” In the end,  Andy sits with Opie on a river bank (as I remember) and explains that there's a difference between people down on their luck, in need of a helping hand, and societal leeches.  I learned from that; how come Opie didn't?  And look what the little s*it has  done to his dad now! Andy Griffith Stars in Obamacare Propaganda Video