Just for fun 2011

Just for fun 2011 Originally published December 23, 2011 The Frederick News-Post By Steven R. Berryman

Forgetting the fear and loathing that is our political landscape for a time, on the eve of Christmas Eve, here's an offbeat offering to change up from the normal diatribes. First a reader quiz to see who's been paying attention -- an autobiographical "believe-it-or-not" segue -- and maybe some Q and A. These are true or false. You may leave answers in comments, email me, or simply make note on your paper: The author once advised Ronald Reagan on which stereo system to put in the White House. The author once spent two days under the right wing of the Enola Gay bomber. The author once had dinner with Saddam Hussein. The author was at Three Mile Island during the 1979 partial core meltdown. His dad's law firm represented the Democratic National Committee during the Nixon administration, and had offices in the Watergate Complex. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer was created at a past employer of the author. Hugo Award-winning author Larry Niven has given the author political advice. This author was once a crossing guard, a softball ump, a basketball coach and a YMCA camp counselor. Clue: Only one of the above is false! Here are some frequently asked questions I get concerning this column, and the answers: Why don't you look happy in your profile picture on this column? Answer: The FNP photographer took some great happy shots, too, but I knew that the serious side of the Great Recession would have to be a recurring topic. The sour picture was my choice. Why do you list your middle initial in your column name, as some think it pretentious? Answer: Because it makes Web searching by name more accurate when I check to see what gets cross-posted to the Internet. It's been my method to see what folks are interested in. Why do you get so many negative comments in the online edition? Answer: I've learned that the positive feedback most often comes directly by email and over Facebook reposts. Also, opposition views, by their very nature, evoke a stronger response, and are more likely to crush enough apathy to make somebody actually leave a comment! Plus, yes, Virginia, on occasion I have stooped intentionally to the controversial! Why do you hate liberals? Answer: Because they routinely eschew personal responsibility in favor of socialism, and actually propagate a drain on our society and the traits that have made America a great nation and beacon for the world. Sorry for all the "ands." What's your favorite punctuation sign, and why? Answer: Easy; the semicolon. 'Nuff said. How did you get 5,000-plus Facebook "friends"? Answer: By systematically searching the groups of people that have embraced the same causes as I've had. Friends of friends have proved to be pretty reliable as additions. What do you think of the new Facebook "wall" format? Answer: Hate it. They must have hired the geeks from MySpace. Next week will be my last column of the year: "What's in/what's out 2012." Your ideas are welcome. -- Steven R. Berryman writes from Frederick. srbmgr@comcast.net

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