10 Plus 1: Finally, A Chance To Find Out What's On Andy Rooney's Mind

By: Brian Montopoli
Topics: 10 Plus 1

(CBS)

This week we talk to Andy Rooney, who is now in his 27th season doing "A Few Minutes With Andy Rooney" on "60 Minutes." Rooney, who considers himself a writer who appears on television, has a list of accomplishments too long to do service to here, but a few of the highlights are the national newspaper column he's written for Tribune Media Services since 1979, the 13 books he's written, his three Emmy Awards for his essays in addition to a Lifetime Achievement Emmy, and his Ernie Pyle Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Society of Newspaper Columnists.

Rooney joined CBS in 1949 as a writer for "Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts," which became the number one show in 1952, and eventually went on to closely collaborate on "60 Minutes" with the late Harry Reasoner. You may think you know Andy from his essays – which now number more than 800 – but we think there are still a few stones left unturned. So send in your questions, and we'll pick one and get his thoughts. Just stay away from the topic of bottled water – he's already got that one pretty well covered.

Brian Montopoli
Brian Montopoli is the senior political reporter at CBSNews.com.
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by O_Suileabhain May 5, 2009 1:13 PM EDT: From: Jack O'Sullivan---> ojack23@hotmail.com <---

HONEST QUERY: ?USAF~'Whitey'>AWOL~in~VEGAS-1950~autumn?

FOR: Andy Rooney, Respectfully------->this enquiry is sincere and NOT a
spoof. . .

I need a personal bit of info in regards to Jimmy Bulger.
My interest stems from the fact that upon a recent move to Massachussetts I
was virtually driven out of the state due to the unfortunate fact that I am
apparently 'Whitey' Bulger's doppelganger-twin.
I was blind-sided since for most of my life I hail from the American
Southwest & have been mostly ignorant of the family history of the Bulgers
from Southie.
But since my curiosity was subsequently piqued due to the extreme reaction
to my presence folks in Mass. more & more exhibited; I got on the 'net,'
and I noticed the fact that the young 'Whitey' as a USAF-Airman went AWOL
in 1950 from Kansas.
And I also know that catching of military-hop-flights from here to there by
servicemen is not that unusual. I did it myself during the late 60's as a
serviceman; even once to Vegas. It left me wondering if 'Whitey' indeed
had caught a 'hop' from Kansas to Nellis/Las Vegas in 1950. To matter to
me, 'Whitey' would have to have been partying in a 'much smaller Las Vegas'
in the autumn of 1950.
That is precisely the time that I was conceived by an 'unknown' young
USAF-Airman in Las Vegas as my Mom was a young & green Local Vegas-girl out
on the town partying resulting in 'myself.'
In Boston recently I was told at the point of a gun by law enforcement that
I was 'Whitey' or they weren't 'Irish.' They still weren't sure even when
my ID checked out. They were already counting the reward!~;-) I left the
state to avoid repeats.
Even though I'm about 20-years or so younger than 'Whitey' the very-many
people extremely unsettled by my near proximity in Mass. continued to grow
until I left; for obvious 'health' purposes.
That's too bad because I feel almost a 'spooky' affinity for Boston &
Massachussetts in general.
But if you have any idea where that piece of information about where
Airman-USAF James Joseph Bulger went AWOL to in 1950 could be confirmed; I
could lay that mystery to rest. And I would be very grateful.

I read that James Joseph Bulger Sr.& Jane McCarthy were a hard working and
honorable Irish folks. I have conducted myself likewise as have my sons
and daughters who are all talented, hard-working and accomplished. Knowing
my ancestory from Ireland for certain is very important to me and mine. We
recently participated in an International DNA survey and were identified
specifically as IRISH from our Paternal Line. Thanks much! Jack
O'Sullivan; Reply to this comment


by mailpro56 October 31, 2005 4:30 PM EST: Aks him if he was in the men\'s room when Wallace and Rather had this shouting match http://www.radaronline.com/fresh-intelligence/2005/10/31/index.php; Reply to this comment