The Right Way in Iraq
By John Edwards
It was a mistake to vote for this war in 2002. I take responsibility for that mistake. The war's victims now deserve honesty from their leaders and a clear plan for a way out.
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The writer, a former senator from North Carolina, was the Democratic nominee for vice president in 2004.
� 2004 The Washington Post Company
Berkshires native, a 4-time All-Star, arrested in Florida
By Benning W. De La Mater, Berkshire Eagle Staff
Berkshire Eagle
Reardon, a relief pitcher who is sixth on baseball's career saves list and had an American Legion field named after him in Dalton in 1990, was arrested Monday after police say he walked into a mall jewelry store and handed an employee a note with demands. Police said the note stated he had a gun and the store was being robbed. He allegedly walked out with $170 and was later apprehended by police on a curb in front of a mall restaurant. Reardon, 50, who was born in Pittsfield, graduated from Dalton's Wahconah Regional High School, and has lived in Palm Beach Gardens for nearly 20 years, blamed the incident on medication he was taking for depression, which was brought on by the February 2004 death of his 20-year-old son, Shane. Palm Beach Gardens Police Sgt. Jack Schnur, in a telephone call last night, said Reardon was never found to be in possession of a gun and was "very gentlemanly, very polite." "We've been getting dozens of calls today from people all over the country," Schnur said. "People are very concerned. He seems like a good guy." Berkshires residents backed that up yesterday, speaking in a heartfelt tone about a man they called honest and humble. "He was a hard-nosed ballplayer who's quiet and shy," said family friend Pat West of Dalton. "He's very troubled right now, but he's not trouble himself. It just doesn't make sense." Reardon, who posted 367 saves in a 16-year major-league career that ended in 1994, was held overnight at Palm Beach County Jail and appeared in court yesterday morning. He was released on $5,000 bail and placed under house arrest. Schnur read from an affidavit that said Reardon, when confronted by police at 11:56 a.m., admitted: "I just robbed Hamilton Jewelers. I am taking medication and am sorry for what happened. I lost my mind ... I flipped on my medications and didn't realize what I was doing." Schnur said the charge of armed robbery can be administered even though Reardon did not possess a gun because it was implied from the note that he did. Reardon's sister, Carol Vella of Dalton, said he was discharged from a mental hospital three weeks ago. According to The Associated Press, Reardon's lawyer, Mitchell Beers, said in court yesterday that Shane's death was a result of a drug overdose. Beers did not return phone calls to The Eagle last night. "All summer, Jeff was depressed," Vella said. "He's in bed for 20 hours a day. Thursday would have been Shane's birthday, and now, he just hates the holidays." Vella said Reardon's family, which consists of two children, five brothers and sisters, and his mother, Marion Cavanaugh, has been concerned for Reardon's health for some time, fearing that he may commit suicide. Vella said he was on medications for depression and a recent heart procedure he had last week. The family learned about the robbery incident Monday night. "His son (Jay) told me that he said he was going to get a coffee pot, and then he never came back," Vella said. "I really believe it was a plea for help. It wasn't like he was trying to be a (jewel thief). It certainly wasn't because of money problems." According to www.baseball-reference.com, Reardon made more than $11.5 million in his major-league career, which included stints with the New York Mets, Montreal Expos, Minnesota Twins, Boston Red Sox, Atlanta Braves, Cincinnati Reds and New York Yankees. Vella said her brother is in the final stages of selling his Onota Lake home in Pittsfield, has lived in Florida for nearly 20 years, and has a clean record. As news of the arrest spread throughout Dalton, locals who know him couldn't believe Reardon would be capable of robbery. "It's a sad day," said Greg Keen, the American Legion's bar manager. "Everyone is sympathetic. He's always been good to this town." Dan Duquette, the former Boston Red Sox general manager and a childhood teammate of Reardon's, said he last saw the fellow Wahconah graduate this past summer. "I do know that Jeff and his entire family have had a tough time coming to terms with his son's death," Duquette said. "This is totally out of character. I'm concerned for Jeff and his family." Jim Rivers, 71, Reardon's baseball coach at Wahconah during the early 1970s, called the robbery "an anomaly" for the bearded right-hander. "When the facts are in, we'll see this was a mistake," Rivers said. "It doesn't resemble anything that Jeff was about. He's a straight arrow. I don't think anyone of us can understand what happens when you lose a child like that." Rivers said the people he's talked with about the incident are "extremely distraught." "Everyone's thoughts and prayers go out to Jeff and his entire family," he said. Sgt. Schnur said that once police gather all their information, the case will be transferred to the state attorney general's office. It might be weeks before Reardon has to reappear in court. Vella said Reardon's family members in the Berkshires had not spoken with him as of last night. She said she hopes people consider the events that preceded Reardon walking into the jewelry store. "I just hope he gets the help he needs," she said. "He needs help." This e-mail was initiated by machine [10.148.8.5] at IP [10.148.8.5].Wednesday, December 28DALTON — Family and friends reacted with concern yesterday after Jeff Reardon, a four-time major-league baseball All-Star and one of this town's favorite sons, was charged with armed robbery in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.In front of the American Legion Post No. 155 on North Street, a painted sign honoring Jeff Reardon Athletic Field blew back and forth in the wind. On the other side of the painting are some of Reardon's accomplishments: 1985, led majors with 41 saves; 1985 Sporting News N.L. Relief Pitcher of the Year; 1987, saved Game 7 of the World Series; Rolaids Relief Pitcher of the Decade for the 1980s.» Reardon timeline Oct. 1, 1955: Born in Pittsfield.
Sources: www.baseballlibrary.com, www.baseball-reference.com
June 14, 1977: Signed by New York Mets as an amateur free agent.
Aug. 25, 1979: Made major-league debut as a member of the Mets.
May 29, 1981: Traded by Mets to the Montreal Expos.
1985: Ended season with 41 saves, the most in baseball.
Feb. 3, 1987: Traded by Expos to the Minnesota Twins.
Oct. 25, 1987: Throws the final pitch in Game 7 of the World Series. The Twins beat St. Louis 4-2.
Dec. 6, 1989: Signed as a free agent with the Boston Red Sox.
June 15, 1992: Takes over first place on the career saves list with No. 342, passing Rollie Fingers. He was later passed by Lee Smith.
Feb. 15, 1994: Signed as a free agent with the New York Yankees.
May 4, 1994: Played in final game of his career.
May 6, 1994: Released by Yankees.
April 20, 1995: Announced his retirement after 16 years in the majors, finishing with 367 saves. He currently ranks sixth all-time.
Feb. 21, 2004: His 20-year-old son, Shane, dies from a drug overdose in Orlando.
Dec. 26, 2005: Charged with robbing a jewelry store.
A sign marking Jeff Reardon Athletic Field is on display on North Street in Dalton.
Keen said Albany, N.Y., television news crews were swarming the town yesterday in hopes of getting local reaction. The Legion bar opened at noon, and most of the talk over beers was centered on Reardon.
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"Dogs come when they are called; cats take a message and get back" I'm angry at the apathy of the American people...it's time that the whole nation rise up and get rid of this man and his administration that live in a bubble. They kill our children for their personal and monetary reasons... We are constantly lied to about not only the Iraq war...we are lied to about EVERYTHING!!! NOW, they actually have the audacity to spy on peace activists, and control us with something called "The Patriot Act" that is just another way for big brother to entrap us what is beginning to become a police state.
I used to be an activist when no one listened in 1990 when everyone thought bleeding heart liberals were freaks...maybe we were? But, at least we had a clue and didn't follow the propaganda that we are constantly bombarded with. Actually, come to think of it I've been political since my first protest when I was about 9...I'm 43 til 3/26. I remember wishing, hoping, & praying that people would understand our logic....believing that what we said and did would matter someday.
Fifteen years later most of us are going through really hard times because of this "President", and his advisors...they seem to love to work us peons into emotional, and financial hardship. Then, when we are so beaten down, and decide to say something we have our civil rights violated. Then BushCo (the president and friends) knows it's time for them to turn on the propaganda machine once again...lol...
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