I spent many years in the technical side of the entertainment business, after more years as a Naval Cinematographer, and some time as chief of a private security agency. It never occurred to me that anyone would take Barney Fife seriously. On the other hand, Frank Sutton, the man who played Sgt. Carter on the Gomer Pyle show was an erudite, educated and very kind person. While attending the Cinema School at the University of Southern California, I had the opportunity to spend time on the set of this show and had wonderful conversations with Mr. Sutton during breaks in filming, while Jim Neighbors, Gomer, spent all his time in his dressing room, speaking to no one.

My family watched the Andy Griffith Show, and assumed his upbringing as a Southerner would have made his politics similar to ours. To find he was a supporter of President Obama was quite a shock. So, with a nod to Sherriff Taylor, we'll not fly any flags for Mr. Griffeth, at half staff or otherwise. Stan