Friends remember 'Goober Pyle' actor Lindsey

By JOE EDWARDS

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Actor George Lindsey was remembered Friday as the grinning Goober who made television viewers laugh for three decades on "The Andy Griffith Show" and "Hee Haw."

A public memorial service drew an estimated 400 people who paid last respects to Lindsey, 83, who died Sunday.

He was the beanie-wearing Goober on "The Andy Griffith Show" from 1964 to 1968 and its successor, "Mayberry RFD," from 1968 to 1971. He played the same jovial character, a mechanic, on "Hee Haw" from 1971 until it went out of production in 1993. Reruns of those shows are still seen on TV.

Actor Ernest Borgnine, Lindsey's close friend, sent a video tribute which was played at an informal gathering before the memorial. In it, Borgnine recalled the pranks they enjoyed playing down through the years. "We loved to outdo each other," Borgnine said. "It was like therapy."

Also shown at the casual gathering in the church's fellowship hall were clips from Lindsey on "Hee Haw."
One of them: "Where was Solomon's temple?" Minnie Pearl asked him.
"Right on the side of his head," Lindsey responded.

Seattle Weather in Ohio

Forty-six degrees and Cloudy in Ohio today, reminds me of when I lived in Seattle, Washington. I was in the Navy, aboard the USS William T. Mitchell TAP114. I think I went aboard her in the Fall of '54. She was only in port a week or so and then we would ship out to Yokohama and Korea, a week or so over there, and then back to Seattle for a week or so.

I think it was well after Christmas when I was finally able, because of rain, to get out on the golf course. The people out there just get used to a lot of rain. Many things are under a roof. I remember a driving range that was under a roof, two decker as I recall. It was unusual to me in those days.

But, with all the trees and "greenery" around there was a fantastic, fresh aroma in the air, a lot of cedar and pine trees. I was actually "based" in Seattle for two years but only spent a few days there. We often pulled into San Francisco a "yard" period there, and some time in San Diego.

So, I am sitting here, looking out the front window, reminiscing about my time in the Navy, a good four years. In some respects I wish I had done my "20" or so in the Navy, would have missed out on a lot though, so will just sit and reminisce.

More about the PEP RALLY

These were some replies on a blog in regards to the fact that Speaker Boehner chose not to ride on AFONE and attend the political rally, sorry, memorial service in Arizona. Damned if you DO and damned if you DON'T.

"It was a political rally with mention of the victims. Not very classy or respectful."


"I am sure that the Giffords family was more appreciative of the presence of her good friends, Pelosi, Gillibrand, and Wasserman Schultz."

"Thank you, Speaker Boehner for not attending the farcial memorial turned rally."

"Boehner did well to forego appearing at the typical Democrat hootenanny/memorial service. These people do not do “propriety.”

"Thank God for John Boehner, who is looking out for the decency of the office he holds. Presidential “perks” did not dissuade him from his own priorities. How rare is that?"

"A memorial with applause lines and extended applause in Obama’s speech? I’m glad Boehner had the decency not to go."

"Why? From what I saw it was a Pep Rally at a PAAARTA School. Has to be one of the most disturbing displays of inappropriate behaviour I have EVER seen."

"Why should Republican Boehner attend a Democrat political rally? It makes NO sense."

Let's call it what it was - A PEP RALLY FOR OBAMA

I watched some of the Obama Political Pep Rally last night, it was well orchestrated, got some bible quotes to show that Obama is aware that there is, in fact, a bible, there was cheering, at the memorial service, there was apparently some booing, at opposition forces, and to show that Obama is, perhaps, the Messiah, in a Christ-like moment, he announced that Gabby had opened her eyes, probably due to his close proximity to the hospital. All they needed was to put  a bright spot on him and some angelic music

Perhaps in response to the lingering falsehoods about his religious beliefs, he twice quoted the Bible, and was preceded to the microphones by two Cabinet Secretaries who also read from Christian scripture. Obama also offered a pointed brush back to those in the liberal and conservative press who have tried to gain advantage from the shootings. "It's important for us to pause for a moment and make sure that we're talking with each other in a way that - that heals, not in a way that wounds," he said. (Is that the pot calling the kettle black, or what?)

Michelle Malkin nails the analysis by saying, right speech, too late and strange setting.

Civil political discourse … some one forgot to tell those at the memorial service. During the service there was inappropriate cheering during parts that were far from, well appropriate. There was also booing of AZ Gov. Jan Brewer, that’s appropriate.  The hooting and hollering from the crowd was bizarre.  This was not a pep rally for Barack Obama, it was a memorial service for the dead, a get well for the injured and a thank you for the heroes. At least it was not supposed to be; however, it really did seem like a pep rally, complete with a slogan and t-shirts, “Together We Thrive“. How many memorial services are branded with their own slogan?

Some of the comments contained herein were taken from some other sources, and conveyed my feelings better than I.

Other presidents have taken such opportunities for an imprompteu pep rally under the guise of a memorial service, so this was nothing new, but was by far, the most blatent. Shades of things to come...