June 10, 2007
Andy On 'Interesting Junk'
Andy Rooney On The Stuff People Send Him
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Andy Rooney Receives Presents
In Full: Andy Rooney gets a lot of "interesting junk" from fans of his show.
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Andy Rooney (CBS)
The following is a weekly 60 Minutes commentary by CBS News correspondent Andy Rooney.
I don't mean to be unfriendly but, I don't know what possesses people to send me things but I get a ton of stuff in the mail. Most of it is junk but some of it is interesting junk.
I made the mistake of saying that about the only medicine I take is an occasional Tum and someone sent me a lifetime supply of Tums. I've estimated that there are about 2,200 Tums. If I take two a week, these would last me 1,100 weeks which is about 21 years.
I also got a "professional quality kazoo." I wouldn't want an amateur-quality kazoo.
I had one when I was a kid but a kazoo must be near the bottom of the list of musical instruments, below the harmonica certainly and just above the Jew's harp.
I get a lot of books from people looking for a plug. I've never plugged a book yet but that doesn't seem to discourage anyone.
A man named Bruce Bowman sent me a book he wrote called "Exposed." I guess it's a good book but he actually sent me a box with 20 copies of it. What am I supposed to do with 20 copies of a book like this that I don't want one of?
He probably chose the best-looking picture of himself for the cover - he isn't really this good-looking.
People are always painting pictures of me. If I thought I looked like most of them, I'd get into some other line of work where my face didn't show.
This was sort of a surprise: an irreligious T-shirt. Sent by an atheist I suppose. I don't know how many atheists there are in this country.
I also got a piece of gold sent to me by a man in Ft. Walton Beach, Fla. It's one ounce of 14 karat gold. I'm not sure what a karat is but whatever it is I have to send this back or I'd get fired.
I think I know what I'm going to do with all these things people have sent me. I'm going to get them all together - put them in a big box, tie a ribbon around it - and throw the box away.
Written by Andy Rooney
©MMVII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Please dont throw the things people send to you, I am a single mom of three, I could find a use for what you feel is junk to you, especially the 14kt gold piece. My name and address is Ms. Jamal Stennett P.O. Box 8822, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20898.
Thank you very much in advance,
Ms. Jamal Stennett
Michael N.
3342 S.Sandhill Drive
Las Vegas NV 89121
My sister, Donna... suggested that you sell your unsolicited donations on eBay, and donate the money to a charity.
Sounds like a wonderful idea to me.
Doris Henson~SC
You could donate all that stuff to charity. There are many organizations that would take that stuff and turn it into dollars to help children, New Orleans survivors, etc. It would be such a shame to just throw it away. If you don't want to be bothered with donating it to charity, give it to your office staff or janitorial services. Someone could make good use of it. Public libraries would probably love to have the books! I love you but sometimes you say things that tick me off. You need to think outside the box more.
%u201CI think I know what I'm going to do with all these things people have sent me. I'm going to get them all together - put them in a big box, tie a ribbon around it - and throw the box away.%u201D
I just will not believe it, so no more comments on my part. Mr. Rooney please review what your underwriters are publishing in your name.
Still a loyal fan.
Steve
If all the fat cats on t.v. could just manage to say "BRING IT TO THE SALVATION ARMY!!" when their thoughtless compulsions to say "Throw it away" bubbles out of their mouths, how many thousands of people could be helped?
And these hideous "redecorating" shows where you see tons of stuff in the dumpsters as though "throw it away" gives them such a airhead sence of power.One of the worst was some t.v. airhead woman talking about fashion and actually demonstrating HOW to throw clothes into the GARBAGE CAN. That woman showed up out in our state for a t.v. interview wearing the UGLIEST dress I've seen on television! The SALVATION ARMY still might have been able to get some use out of it for dust rags!
WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU? HAVE YOU BEEN TO A DOCTOR LATELY? I THINK YOU MUST HAVE HAD A STROKE AND YOU ARE THE ONLY ONE WHO DOES NOT KNOW IT. THE STOKE HAS DAMAGED THE RIGHT SIDE OF YOUR BRAIN THAT GIVES YOU THE ABILITY TO BE CIVILIZED. IT IS ALSO THE SIDE OF THE BRAIN WHERE COMPASSION, KINDNESS, AND CARING FOR YOUR FELLOW MAN IS KEPT.
MY SECOND GUESS IF A STROKE IS RULED OUT IS THAT YOU ARE JUST A GRUMPY OLD MAN WITH RETIREMENT WRITTEN ALL OVER YOUR FACE, AND YOU DO NOT MIND HURTING THE FEELINGS OF OTHERS.
SO ACT RIGHT FOR ONCE AND DO THE RIGHT THING. NO I DON'T MEAN SHAVE YOUR EYEBROWS, I MEAN GIVE THOSE ITEMS THAT PEOPLE THOUGHT ENOUGH OF YOU TO SEND AND GIVE THEM TO CHARITY!
ARMCHAIR DOCTOR IN GA.
MARK HOWELL
Gary Hamm
I must agree that you nor anyone else at CBS reads these comments. However, shame on you! I would imagine that you were not raised to be ungrateful. You could simply say thankyou and then donate the items. You do not have to plug any of them. You truely made a fool of yourself. Maybe it's time for you to move on sir.
I work for the Maryland National Guard. My maid of honor's husband was with this MP unit. My father was a Vietnam Vet and my grandfather a POW of WWII, so I feel like I have a good solid platform to speak on this. Please do not downgrade my town or Mr Englebach. He and his associates have done a great deal for our vets around here. Just recently they completed a Korean War memorial to remember the fallen of that forgotten war. There are good people here and Cumberland is the 18th safest place to live in the US. I only regret that our yesterday way of thinking made it unsafe for Mr Darby and his family. I know what he did was morally right. I What he did was courageous and I applaud him for that. The media is the real villan. This scandal should have stayed in miliary hands. Instead, it was plastered everywhere for all to see. Those extremist loyals retaliated for the embarrassment of their people(yes embarrassment, not hardly torture) by loping off Nic Berg's head. He was completely innocent. Not hardly an eye for eye...but this is the beast we dealing with over there. AND why the patriotic people of Cumberland were angry with Joe....they felt he put our troops in more danger. I can see both sides. However, the only thing I have to say about all of this is I'm thankful to Joe Darby, Collin Englebach, and every other American soldier who ever served for, the freedom to sit here and pass judgement. God bless America and all of you!
BTW, I love Andy!
OK....off to post on the right thread.....
I am so thankful to have a job, that whenever a compliment is thrown my way, I am doubly thankful!! I hardly ever get anything free, or have an audience to gripe about life's uncaring or unforgiving thoughtless nature.
Andy, I would have felt offended had I sent a book, a chunk of gold, or a portrait. But maybe somebody would share what you truly a deserve, a lump of coal.................just my thoughts.
Yours Truly,
Carsen B
Is there a way that CBS could sell the gifts that have been sent to you. Then the proceeds could be donated to a charity? Thank you Love the show. Kimberly
Maybe it's time to learn about gratitude, Mr. Rooney,
don't expect any gifts in the future, unless like a previous poster stated, it's a lump of coal, because that is all you deserve.
Dear CBS News,
Put Andy in a big box, tie a ribbon around it and throw it away!
Signed,
Thoroughly discussed with Andy Rooney... WHAT A JERK!!!
In these hard times of war, protest, high gas prices and overworked, underpaid masses, a gesture of kindness is something to be treasure and appreciated. You are looked upon by many of your viewers as a man to admire. Viewers from all walks of life stop for a few minutes to listen to your words of wisdom. These viewers insure your job and the opportunity for to express your opinion publicly. You should say "Thank you".
Your viewers insure your livelihood and additionally show their admiration for you by sending you gifts from Tums to books to paintings among many other items. You are loved and respected in a time when so many are angry, frustrated or simply live on the "It's all about me" factor. Instead of insulting everyone by stating that their gifts are a nuisance to you and your plans are to throw them in the trash, you should publicly thank your viewers for their generosity in showing that they care about you.
As to the gifts that annoy you so much... well, graciously donate them to libraries, schools, charities and to rest homes , to name a few places. You most likely lost many admires over your last telecast as you heartlessly bashed the gifts you received in such a appalling manner. Shame on you for being so cold-hearted and down right mean. I think you should apologize to the public for your crude insults.
Where would you be without your audience?
In my opinion this was not one of Andy's best columns but remember that much of our world's best humor is often written -between- the lines. You may have to read/listen/watch it a bit more carefully to find the funny but it will reward you by keeping you laughing later longer.
Andy your too funny and always make my day!
But his disparaging comment about harmonicas is a disgraceful insult to millions of harmonica players worldwide and a cheap shot at an inexpensive but highly complex and versatile musical instrument that is anything but a toy. It takes the same amount of skill and dedication to play professional quality harmonica as it does any other musical instrument.
But Mr. Rooney wouldn't know that. He's been toodling his own kazoo for so long now it all sounds the same to him. If he could report news as well as I play harmonica, this post wouldn't be necessary.
Cheers,
Gorfalamu
But his disparaging comment about harmonicas is a disgraceful insult to millions of harmonica players worldwide and a cheap shot at an inexpensive but highly complex and versatile musical instrument that is anything but a toy. It takes the same amount of skill and dedication to play professional quality harmonica as it does any other musical instrument.
But Mr. Rooney wouldn't know that. He's been toodling his own kazoo for so long now it all sounds the same to him. If he could report news as well as I play harmonica, this post wouldn't be necessary.
Cheers,
Gorfalamu
I am s hillbilly. Yer Mum forgot to teach yer manners. So yer can't use it then quietly give it those who could.
I am leally blind and I think yer need to thank yer viewers there kindness. So I feel yer ungrateful. Thibk of others. Good nite. hOPE A BETTER STORY NEXT WK.
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by zeppikc
June 12, 2007 7:20 PM PDT
- Dear Andy,
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Reply to this comment
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See all 41 CommentsI see ur point alot of that stuff you just didnt need and if realy want it then you would of bout it right? So in that case if you dont like the stuff people send you can you send me something, like a new Jimmy Page Signature Les Paul Guitar Please!!!! send to 829 California Sett. California Sett. NB, Canada