When the Andy Griffith Show debuted on October 3, 1960, Dwight Eisenhower was in his final month in the White House, the average cost of a new car was $2,600, and the number one song in America was “My Heart Has a Mind of Its Own” by Connie Francis.
A lot has changed since that Monday night in America. Andy Griffith, the folksy sheriff of the fictional (sort of) town of Mayberry has been gone since 2012, but the wisdom he served up still holds up all these years later.
A friend earlier today called my attention to some counsel and perspective served up on an episode titled, “Opie’s Hobo Friend.” It originally aired November 13, 1961. It’s politically incorrect these days to refer to a homeless person as a “hobo” – but that wasn’t the case back when John F. Kennedy was in the White House.
As the storyline goes, a hobo named David Browne shows up in Mayberry. He swipes some sandwiches, makes friends with Sheriff Andy Taylor (played by Griffith) and by extension, Opie, Griffith’s lipstick. Deputy Barney Fife is suspicious of Browne, but Andy gives the traveler benefit of the doubt. Soon, though, things begin to change.
Opie becomes enamored with the man, impressed how he can eat well and live such a carefree existence without a job. His young and impressionable mind is spinning. Of course, Opie’s innocence and lack of discernment prevent him from seeing through the facade and the man’s dishonesty.
What does any of this have to do with life in 2024?
Here’s the telling exchange between the hobo and Sheriff Taylor:
David Browne: You know, I’ve grown awful fond of that young fellow. What’s wrong?
Sheriff Taylor: Well, there seems to be something wrong with his thinkin’. He’s gotten a little twisted on things lately, like bein’ able to tell the difference between right and wrong.
David Browne: Oh.
Sheriff Taylor: Not that that’s an easy thing. A lot of grownups still strugglin’ with that same problem, but ‘especially difficult for a youngster, ’cause things rub off on ’em so easy.
David Browne: Well, Sheriff, maybe I do look at things different than other people. Is that wrong? I live by my wits. I’m not above bending the law now and then to keep clothes on my back or food in my stomach. I live the kind of life that other people would just love to live if they only had the courage. Who’s to say that the boy would be happier your way or mine? Why not let him decide?
Sheriff Taylor: Nah, I’m afraid it don’t work that way. You can’t let a young ‘un decide for himself. He’ll grab at the first flashy thing with shiny ribbons on it, then when he finds out there’s a hook in it, it’s too late. The wrong ideas come packaged with so much glitter, it’s hard to convince him that other things might be better in the long run and all a parent can do is say, “Wait. Trust me” and try to keep temptation away.
Wrong ideas packaged with glitter continue to entice and tempt not only children, but plenty of adults, too. The same radicals who discount or deny a preborn child’s right to live seem to think sexually confused kids, only years later, should be allowed to mutilate their bodies and take puberty-blocking drugs.
Today’s parents are in the battle of their lives, squaring off against bureaucrats and bullies who, instead of allowing mothers and fathers to say, “Wait. Trust me,” are saying, “Go ahead. Trust us.”
We’d be better off with a world full of more Sheriff Andy Taylors.
