It was another great time with our friend, Tony, who at the age of 88 still has a remarkable pep to his step and loves to talk. And what does Tony bring to the table every time—outside of his energy and his recall? Simplicity. Tony, like so many of his generation, carry a simplicity to them; a stripped down, no frills approach to living life that is being crushed by social media dopamine addiction and creeping socialism.
I found it particularly interesting when Tony pointed out that the same man from the Candy Store who gave him the nickname "Blackie" was the one who was walking in the parade dressed as a Native American. When I pointed out that this kind of a display today would be very controversial, Tony simply explained that it was important to have the country's history represented, going back to the Native Americans themselves. There would be no conceivable way of expressing that sentiment to a 21st Century social justice fanatic.
Tony spoke about the togetherness of his neighborhood, the end of World War II, and racial integration back during a time when New York was a truly diverse, bubbling, industrious, patriotic city, with a thriving culture of independence. Yes, even in a densely-populated urban area, no one was expecting breaks, but if you needed help, there were places to turn and it usually came in the form of a helping hand from a family next door. You actually spoke to your cousins and aunts and uncles as they weren't driven away by a political stance you took a Facebook two weeks before Thanksgiving.
So when Autumn arrives I'll have Tony back in so we can talk about Holidays, and whatever else comes out, because I really don't see a need to have a lot on the agenda with guests like this. I just want to pour some coffee and see what comes out.
In either case, I am attaching all of the pictures I scanned for the segment last night. I hope you enjoy them. - Frank
