Now I don't want to open up a big can of worms or make a mollage out of something, but after reading an article in one of our area newspapers I feel compelled to ask a question and open it up to debate. An area deputy was recently relieved of his duties in a neighboring town because of his not carrying out his duties in a proper way. One complaint was that he discharged his firearm in an unsafe manner. I immediately thought about Barney when I read the story.
Now as much as I admire and understand Andy's devotion to his best friend Barney, I have sometimes wondered if Andy was putting the good people of Mayberry in danger by having Barney as a deputy. When one thinks of all the times he fired his gun because of his greasy trigger finger, including the time he was showing Tray how to handle a gun. he was very fortunate that he didn't injure someone. Then if we add up all the prisoners who escaped while under his watch , I wonder was Andy really being wise in overlooking all these events. Andy covered up for all Barney's mistakes all the while he was his deputy, and he continued to do so even when Barney moved to Raleigh. Was Andy really helping Barney by allowing him to continue in a position that he was obviously not capable of handling? I think Andy put Barney in some rather dangerous situations when he knew that he was up to the challenge. To put a loaded gun into the hands of Barney when he was shaking and scared was really taking a chance. So there you have it folks. I know the writers had to make Barney the character he was or they wouldn't have had a great story line. We all know what happened when Barney did leave. But I thought it would be fun to have a discussion about this. So I would be happy to hear any thoughts. I should add, that one time when I was principal of a school our local police officer was called about a possible break in at the school. I was at his house at the time discussing a problem we were having at school. He asked if I would go along to the school being I was the principal. As we left the house he handed me a handgun and told me I should carry it. Like an idiot I put it in my pocket and while we were searching the school, I kept thinking about that gun in my pocket. Needless to say I never took it out and we did not find anyone in the school. But I have thought for years how irresponsible he was in giving me a gun. I was probably just like Otis and Gomer when they were given guns. Ken Anderson 2906 May Street Eau Claire, WI 54701 (Home) 715-839-8470 ( Cell ) 715-210-1556 [EMAIL PROTECTED] www.mayberryreflections.com _______________________________________________ WBMUTBB mailing list [email protected] http://www.mayberry.com/tagsrwc/wbmutbb/
