PASSINGS: PAUL HARVEY

Sam Smith - I belong to a small subset of people who didn't agree with Paul Harvey most of the time but still loved to hear him say it anyway. It was like having a living Music Man doing his thing on your car radio.

I also suspect that he played a far greater role in bringing the Vietnam War to a close then most realize. He had been a strong advocate of the war until 1970, when his son became a conscientious objector, at which point he even wrote Richard Nixon in opposition. Harvey at that time had more listeners than just about anyone in the country.

My favorite Paul Harvey report went something like this (be sure to pause at the dots):

Up in Bingingham NY last night, little ten year old John Roberts playing Little League baseball. . .

Came up to bat. . .

Hit a ball straight into center field. . . .

Made it to first. . . .

Rounded second. . . .

Spun around third. . . .

Slid home. . . .

He was safe. . .

(long pause)

And dead. No, don't ask me, there'll be an autopsy tomorrow.

Now page 3. . .