Barnie Day was a Democratic delegate from Patrick County from his election in 1997 through the 2001 session. A former county administrator and business owner, he is now a banker. What we’re really up against Paging Paul Harris, and a word on stem cell research Mr. President, read this column This marriage thing Medicaid realities, tort absurdities affect all of us; remedies can't wait You margrave! You padishah, you! Older Barnie Day columns Join A Discussion Reprint Email this Article

Monday, August 16, 2004

Dear Jerry:

Sorry I’ve been neglecting you in what is surely your summer of discontent. Did you ever read Steinbeck’s "The Winter of Our Discontent"? It’s a classic. But, hey, he’s got nothing on you.

I need to ‘fess up here. Every time I think I won’t have a compelling topic for this weekly column, all I have to do is turn the dial to the Kilgore Channel and -- boom -- there it is. Thank you for that.

You’ve been busy. Where to start?

Let’s get this one out of the way first. What’s with that squabble with your mama, Willie Mae, and her sister, Betty, and folks back home? (I love that name, Willie Mae. A good Southern name.)

I tell you my thinking on it. It’s a sorry day in public service when somebody like you is not even allowed to run the courthouse gang in you own hometown. What’s public service coming to?

Seems the board of supervisors wanted to trim your mama’s budget. (I love that name, Willie Mae.)

Thank God we had your brother -- and my friend -- Terry to sort that out for us. Took about a week, but Terry finally got to the core of the issue. “Politics was involved,” Terry said. Imagine that.

Of course there’s always some Steinbeckian hero who steps forward in these things. Said supervisor Paul Fields, a Democrat: “Nobody’s ever fought these people before. They’ve done what they wanted.”

Don’t you love it? The "Grapes of Wrath" got nothing on Gate City.

Now what about that drug dealer who’s given you all this money? What’s with that? The Daily Press reports this week on its editorial page that John Gregory, that Tennessee pharmaceutical fat-cat, has given you $325,000 -- directly or through an investment company -- since 2001.

And now, don’t you know it, the Securities and Exchange Commission and the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services, are looking to see if Gregory and his outfit followed the rules on pricing drugs for the Medicaid insurance program.

I hope all your ducks are in a row on that one, Jerry. I wouldn’t worry too much about it. Just keep saying over and over that everything is on the up and up, that there’s nothing wrong and …well Jerry … it just looks … ell … you know how it looks.

And will this eavesdropping case ever go away? Hope it does. I’m getting tired of reading about it. How about you?

I’m with you on this: the Democrats are just being perfect butts about the whole thing. I mean, good grief, the first time in years than anybody was interested in what a bunch of Democrats had to say, and now they’re suing ‘cause folks were listening in?

What’s with that?

Folks get so caught up in this stuff called the ‘law.’ You’re the attorney general, you know how it is.

Good for you for offering that two week squeal window. I know squealing doesn’t come natural to you, but good for you for offering.

Say, how’s the campaign going? You still got time for that with all this other stuff going on? I hope so. I know you don’t feel like it some days, but keep your chin up. Remember: ‘Eyes on the Prize.’

In the end, maybe all of this aggravation will be worth it. Just think of the perks, the glamour! Hey, how ‘bout that afterlife? Look at Doug!

Maybe when this is all over, you can be mayor of Gate City. Surely, that would put the fear of God in that Mr. Fields.

Hate to cut this short, but gotta go. Stay in touch. Say ‘hey’ to Willie Mae.