Where
does one start when contemplating how to say thank you for over six years of
support and friendship? This is my
last Thanksgiving in captivity. I
will be home for Christmas. I know
these six plus years would have killed me if not for the support of so
many. Perhaps even more
extraordinary is the fact that so many people who wrote and encouraged and
supported me are literally strangers, or people I have never met, and yet I
feel close to many of you. I think
this may be the most difficult piece to write of all those submitted for your
appraisal.
I came to prison a broken man...physically and spiritually. It was that brokenness, and a refusal
to recognize it, which created an environment where poor choices...stupid
choices...bad judgment...runaway ego...criminal behavior...were allowed to
grow, fester and flourish. Over
these years, I have worked to fix the brokenness and to restore my humility and
humanity. I have used this time to
emerge better than when I surrendered.
I had to admit to myself that I was capable of immoral behavior and then
figure out how to re-build...to re-boot...to apologize and to ask for
forgiveness from all those I hurt.
During this entire process, you were there to encourage and support and
react and offer your comments and observations. You, who only knew me as a disembodied voice on the
radio, stepped up to become friends and caregivers and together we created a
community. When I missed so many
important events in the lives of my wife and children, you allowed me to write
and express my sorrow and pain.
When important people...dear people...friends...colleagues...passed
away, this community was there for me and watched while I wrote about Fr. Floyd
Lotito, Susan Prather, Gene Burns, Lee Rodgers, Tina Henry and others. We addressed politics, war and cynicism
along with calls to arms about rebuilding this nation...saving the middle
class...caring for the poor and calling out the hypocrisy of the 1%.
How was all this possible?
In the eyes of society, and maybe even some of my family members, I
committed a crime worse than all others.
(save for maybe Michael Vick)
I was labeled deviant and perverted and the natural response to my crime
was supposed to be to shun and condemn.
If many had had their way, I would become a pariah who slinks away in
the night never to be heard from again.
It was not to be. I admit
to a terrible mistake and accept the consequences which separated me from those
I love and care about the most. I
acknowledge all the pain and suffering I caused them and the embarrassment and
humiliation the public nature of my crime caused them, friends and other family
members. I did the crime and did
the time. You refused to let that
be the final act. You were angry
at me...puzzled at how I could put my career and family into such
jeopardy...outraged that I gave aid and comfort to those who want our republic
to morph into an oligarchy...sad I showed such horrible judgment and for the
hurt I caused by exploring a world of pictures which should not exist and which
causes a great deal of pain for those depicted.
However, you refused to write me off. You refused to let one mistake define what you thought of
me. You hoped I would learn from
this and you wanted to know what I learned and how this all affected me. You wanted a dialogue, a give and
take...a chance to explore all of this and so off we went. No one would have believed this was
possible to sustain over years and years.
Thank you...thank you...thank you.
I have to thank two people who made this all possible. Little did they think, when they wrote
to me in Texas and offered to help me in any way they could, they would spend
almost 6 years posting pieces and setting up and maintaining this blog. These lovely people, both with very
busy lives, took on this project.
In the early days it took so much time just to get one piece
posted. I would type it...have it
edited by an inmate in Texas...snail-mail it to them...hope they could read my
writing over the edits...they would then have to re-type it and, finally, post
it. Despite this immense amount of
time, and the effort this consumed, they never complained and always offered
encouragement. They know who they
are and I hope they know I owe them a debt which cannot be estimated.
I want to thank James Howell.
He wrote to me so frequently...offered to teach me chess by
mail...encouraged me to try to meditate and I did not write back to him
frequently enough and yet he continued to correspond. James, thank you.
A woman, Linda Hadaad, wrote and was so supportive of me. Her one-woman campaign, after the
government turned down my pleas to be transferred out of the hellhole which is
Texas, is why I was finally transferred.
She beat the federal government and I benefitted. (one day I will be able to tell the
story about Texas and how horrible it was and how traumatic for it to be the
first "joint" I was sent to and how if I had not gotten out of there
I would not have survived this experience. I will need some help to work through all that fear and
tension and isolation.)
There are so many others I could thank here, but I am deathly afraid of
leaving someone out. Every person
who wrote to me...sent cards...magazines...commented on the blog...sent me
encouraging articles and more, to all of you, on this special Thanksgiving, I
thank you from the bottom of my heart.
( I have no idea how to meet you all, but I so want to shake your hands
and hug you, and probably cry, and personally thank you for all you have done
to help me get home)
On Thanksgiving, I will sit in a room with hundreds of other men sharing
some turkey and stuffing and they will have no idea how special this day it to
me and no idea of the hundreds of you who will be right there sharing the meal
with me. I will recall 18 years of
Thanksgiving days that were spent at St Anthony's Dining Room and the joy I
experienced sharing with all the folks benefitting from that amazing
place. I will smile knowing you,
and so many others, donated over $5 million, through the KGO Thanksgiving
Charity Drive, to help those who were in desperate need at that time. I will tear up knowing I will be home
for Christmas and that this is my last Thanksgiving as a prisoner. I will spend some quiet moments thanking
God for allowing me to see my sins and shortcomings, and knowing that in spite
of them She loves and forgives me.
I will be expressing gratitude I made this journey from start to finish
and I am a better person because of it.
THANK YOU....THANK YOU...THANK YOU...THANK ALL OF YOU VERY MUCH. HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO YOU ALL.
Read The Lion of the Left's Thanksgiving Prayer next...
Read The Lion of the Left's Thanksgiving Prayer next...
Bernie, you are most welcomed, and loved and appreciated by so many of us. These are dark times in America--validating Yeats when he wrote the "best lack all conviction, while the worst are full of passionate intensity." Your essays and steadfast promotion of the best of human ideals has been good for all of us, and no doubt good for you too.
ReplyDeleteAs we turn into the headwind of the new year and are buffeted by the forces now in power that are anti-life, anti-compassion, anti-reason, we celebrate your return, and hope your voice will be there to hold us up--if even just a little--just like it did on that Mighty Wurlitzer for so many years.
Find a way back to our ears, Bernie. And know we will support you on your way back.
Godspeed,
Chuck
Everything Chuck said! Welcome home, Bernie...we'll be looking for you to surface soon! :)
ReplyDeleteBernie, I remember you for your generous radio charities and formidable wit. You always showed courage and wisdom; you were a guiding voice in the night when there was economic and political turmoil.
ReplyDeleteWhy are people only remember for their one error in spite of all the good they did? It must be our human nature to emphasize the bad more than the good in others.
I do not remember you for your errors, because everyone makes mistakes.
"Let he who is without sin cast the first stone..."
I eagerly await to hear your voice and wisdom again. You audience is still loyal.
A happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!
As I read your blog, the song "At Last" flooded my mind. It's been about 30 minutes now and it continues........
ReplyDeleteAt last, Bernie.
It is so right and beautiful that you will be sharing Thanksgiving supper at St. Anthony's, a place where your words, love, support and most singularly your presence have been so sorely missed.
ReplyDeleteYour exhortations to us to comfort "the least of us" resonate now more loudly and clearly than ever before! Happy Thanksgiving and homecoming, Bernie!
I second all of the above, Bernie, and will continue writing and waiting for your resumed comments on life.
ReplyDeleteIs there a way we can still stay in email contact after your release? I'm hoping for a Bernie Ward blog or, better yet, a forum.I know you'll have a lot to say and look forward to hearing your wisdom again. ---Jim Daley
It is so good to hear the optimistic & positive tone in your message. For that I am grateful. I personally think your sentence was ridiculously harsh, heavily applied as your strong opposition to the Bush Administration has been, and fueled by the lurid allegations the charges entailed. Endurance has truly been your strong suit!
ReplyDeleteI look forward to your return, hopefully to the Bay Area. God Speed!
Love you, Bernie. I've had this date - Nov 21 - on all my calendars for six years - 'Bernie's out, 2014'. So happy you made it through, and also have grown from it. Can't wait to hear from you when you're out!
ReplyDeleteBernie, I have been by your side through all this, though you don;t know me, hoping, just hoping that you were OK and that you would come out of this a better man. I listened to you and learned from you for YEARS on KGO 10 pm every night. I was so sad when you left. Something was missing every night it felt like. I was so happy to find this blog this morning as I have never, ever, given up on you. Stay well Bernie and hope to "hear" you soon again, Bonnie in Oregon
ReplyDeleteAnd the countdown begins... :)
ReplyDeleteSee ya. Don't let the door hit ya too hard. (but hard enough.)
ReplyDeleteBernie - I enjoyed hearing you on the radio. I truly hope that someday, you can return. God knows we need your voice. Stay strong and stay on the right path. You still have fans in radio land.
ReplyDeleteBernie, there are probably countless others like myself, that have read your blog, and simply not posted much. So I write this so you know that your support extends farther than you probably think. Be well and I hope you have an amazing Christmas with your family.
ReplyDeleteGreat to hear that you're getting out in a matter of DAYS!
ReplyDeleteEverything Bonnie from Oregon said is true for me, too. I would like to add that losing you on the radio was a terrible shock those six years ago. (I remember exactly where I was on the night the cab driver couldn't get you on his radio.) The challenges you have faced in prison and those that you will continue to experience on the outside are unimaginable. This morning, ironically, we learned that, after these last six years of Godtalk we are now going to lose Brent Walters, as well. It seems that listening to KGO on a regular basis is risky business for those of us who build a dependency on meaningful conversation and the pursuit of truth. But the good news is that Brent will offer podcasts on his own website, and you, Bernie will soon be free! Yay!
ReplyDeleteThat our mistakes can enlighten us, allow us to be more, help us to better serve...
ReplyDeleteBlessings. To you and your family, loyal friends... blessings.
KGO, now facing competition from both KCBS & Bloomberg (on the old Green 960), seems to be converting somewhat more back to talk. It would be wonderful if they would bring you back! If not however, I hope you find a way to do a daily podcast. Merry Christmas. We still love you Bernie!
ReplyDeleteIt was the second night that I expected to hear your voice on KGO radio at 10:07 p.m. You were not on Monday evening, and I had not learned of what KGO did in firinv you, at that point. All iI know was that you were clearly serving truth up to George W Bush ' junior ' and his 9/1@ WAR ATROCITY regime like no other !!! :-) I called the radio station, KGO, to let them know I was goinv through Bernie Ward 'withdrawals', And was told you were on a leave of absence, or something like that. I expressed my dissatisfaction with hearing this!!! And, if my suspicion s are right it was George W Bush, ' junior ' who had you put in the Texas facility you were in. Anyways, I have been awaiting for your release so you can be reunited with your children. :-) My hope is that KGO Radio will let/get you back on 'air''at your ole time slot. GodTalk,, as well. My heart is smiling for your release in just a matter of weeks. YAY :-) :-) :-) !!!
ReplyDeletegood luck to Bernie stay away from radio it's time to move on
ReplyDeleteSpeak for yourself - Internet radio has more than enough room!
DeleteGlad your spirit is undiminished Bernie. I'm looking forward to the book I hope you put out about this arduous journey. Hopefully you'll be rockin the airwaves again. I did find your on air persona arrogant and condescending at times but you're always entertaining and original. You're a mensch
ReplyDeleteHi, Bernie. I have posted twice before over the years. I'm an SF native who has been living in NJ for the past 6 years. I just got a job in SF and will be home for the holidays, too. Best wishes to you and your family. I hope we'll have you back on the radio. San Francisco won't be the same without you.
ReplyDeletePS: is there a typo in Linda Hadaad's name? My last name is Haddad and I have a cousin named Linda. I'm going to find out if they're one and the same!
I found Christine Craft's observations on your case interesting as I had a feeling that the prima facie facts were not what they seemed. Since she was a practicing attorney before KGO I put validity in her comments regarding the witness. I hope you write a book about this and get on radio again. I always found your program interesting and stimulating
ReplyDeleteBernie my MAN! How wonderful that your long ordeal will be changing drastically for the better (I imagine it will still be a while before it actually "ends"). I have a bit of bad news for you, and a recommended work-around. Both "progressive" and "conservative" talk radio are almost dead, thanks to the machinations of powerful right wingnuts who now control thousands of radio stations who act as mere "repeaters" of centralized "right-wing" content. This is how the likes of Limbaughh, Blechh, Insanity Hannity, and their ilk are able to survive; because they're under multi-year contracts with these corporations. The good news is: despite their widespread dispersal via repeater networks such as ClearChannel and Cumulus, their market share and paying advertisers have both been dropping precipitously, and are now something less than 1% (ever since Limbaughh's Sandra Fluke fiasco).
ReplyDelete-
Here's the work-around: podcasting. I encourage you to look into that as a possible way to get back into talk "radio" (it's really the Internet). I recommend you either initially get a subscription to, or just directly contact Norman Goldman (norm@normangoldman.com), who is very similar to yourself, ideologically, to find out how to do it. He describes what has happened to talk radio, and how he set up his own podcasting studio. He is still on a few independent radio stations around the nation, but he gets most of his income from his pay-for podcasts. I will contact Mr. Goldman to let him know you might be available to do some guest-hosting gigs. I hope you two can work together to get you out on the airwaves, again. You should also look into a crowd funding website such as Kickstarter to get the capital necessary to start.
-
Good luck and happy days to you, Bernie! It's a dark time in the Republic, and we need The Lion of the Left to help bring this country back from the brink of an anti-environment, anti-human rights, anti-science (and otherwise totally insane) oligarchic plutocracy.
Let's chat when you get out. Glad you're positive.
ReplyDeleteWish you the best Bernie, I will always be a supporter.
ReplyDeleteI have been one of your silent supporters these past years and have never felt the need to judge you. Sure, there will be tough times ahead, with those who feel the need to judge and ridicule you. So what? You paid the price for your mistakes and nobody but yourself can understand what that felt like. It sounds like you have gain a lot from this experience and I am really glad that you are moving forward. Good luck to you Bernie.
ReplyDeleteSo excited for you Bernie....if you were anywhere near me I'd bring you a big platter of home-made cookies on Sunday! Blessings to you and yours!!
ReplyDeleteGet back on the radio Mr. Bernie- We love YOU!
ReplyDeleteI've missed you.
ReplyDeleteMy listening to you goes back many years. I felt as though I knew your family as you shared their trials growing up. I am so happy you are returning to them and know you have much to give in this sad world. Blessings to you, Bernie, and may you know peace and a happy heart.
ReplyDeleteBernie, I can't wait to hear you again. Please let it be soon. Do look into those podcasts if you can't get on the public airwaves. I will gladly pay to hear whatever you have to say. Happy Holidays, Bernie, and welcome home.
ReplyDeleteBernie!!! You did it!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry I haven't sent letters, but I have been sending prayers for protection and comfort.
I agree with the podcast idea. Most progressive personalities have a pay site for $10-ish a month for access to all podcasts, blog content, etc.
Also, since I believe KGO and KGO-lite (KKSF) neglected to run any kind of charity campaign, I would love to see the revival of Thanksgiving Charities. You could use a site like Go Fund Me and also employ a text-to-donate option so people can donate with just a text while they are mobile.
Anyway, welcome home!
Such a joy to be reading this tonight. I had lost track of your release date and found this when doing a search. You must have many amazing stories to tell. I hope we are blessed to hear them some day. Congratulations my friend and much love!
ReplyDeleteDo you still see this, Bernie, now that your are OUT?! Hang in there now in what must be a hard transition, once again. I very much look forward to hearing more from you. Merry Christmas! Carole Vincent
ReplyDeleteBernie, please visit CaliforniaRSOL.com web site. It offers great support and information you will need to survive and have hope as a Registered Citizen. The laws and restrictions you will face are confusing and mostly unconstitutional. This group is run by a very smart attorney who has sued for very positive reversals to several unconstitutional laws in California. This group is about promoting proven facts and not false beliefs about those on the States 290 registry. Like the DOJ study that Registered Citizens have a Sex crime reoffence rate of 2.9%. The lowest of all crimes except murder. The road you will now travel after release will be long and hard. But the tide against false beliefs about first time sex offenders is starting to slowly change. Getting yourself and family members educated about the many issues related to the registry will help you survive this public shunning list. You could be an important advocate for change once you get yourself situated in your new life as a Registered Citizen.
ReplyDeleteYou should be out by now Bernie. Sure would like to hear how you are doing.
ReplyDeleteBernie, I'm thrilled that you're finally free to be out in the world and with your family again! And how wonderful that you'll be spending Christmas at home sweet home! It sounds like you've gone through some very trying times over the past six years. But it also sounds like that experience has been a transformative one in a profoundly positive sense, and I hope that you and your family are able to see and appreciate it in that light and to move forward.
ReplyDeleteYou were my favorite talk show host at KGO for the entire time you were on, and I would like nothing better than to hear you back on the radio ASAP. But, in the meantime, I hope you'll give serious thought to continuing your blog and to doing a regular podcast where you'd be free to discuss politics, religion, your prison experience, and anything else you'd want to discuss. I think it would become an instant Internet treasure, and I can assure you that I'd be listening all the time.
Please take care, Bernie, and know that there are plenty of us out here wishing you and your family nothing but the very best.
Can't wait for you to return to radio !!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteCan't wait for your return to Radio !!! Hurry back !!
ReplyDeleteBernie, Welcome Home & Best of luck with all new endevors. Keep the faith you're in my prayers.
ReplyDeleteBernie, I was very mad at you but forgive you for the grave mistakes you made. You served your time (too much IMO) and I hope someone hires you for a radio gig. I missed you so much @ the 10p to 1am slot on KGO, which is a total mess since you've been gone.
ReplyDeleteBernie, For the past few years I have followed the countdown to Dec.21, 2014. I prayed for you on that day because I was sure you were filled with so many emotions and fears. I would like to hear you on radio in some capacity. You did you time, let's forget it and move forward.
ReplyDeleteBe sure you take a nice picture for your Megan's law registration. Get it done soon so you are not in violation. We would hate to see you back in prison.
ReplyDeleteI spent some time in Beaumont as well and remembered you were writing this blog from the inside. I can't say I've kept up too much with your work (I've become extremely politically apathetic) but I would check now and again to see how you were doing. Glad to see you made it out okay and wish you the best going forward.
ReplyDeleteWell I'm glad you are out. Never thought you should have gotten even half the sentence you did.
ReplyDeleteHowever, having said that, and from reading here a few times each year, I'm not so sure the hubris is gone. I still see it, and don't think it will wear well.
One last point...a small one. I was on occasion following your health which seemed dire before and after initially being incarcerated. Wondering how much you have improved in that department.
Go forth and do good without being so caught up in how bad everyone you don't agree with is. We shall see about that hubris.
Any chance for a new blog entry just to touch bases with your internet friends, Bernie? And is there any truth to the rumor that Christine will interview you (we need to know date and format, please)? Hope your re-entry is going smoothly....welcome home!
ReplyDeleteIs Christine still on the air somewhere? I've really missed her, too. I will check this site very often to see if Bernie, Christine or Ray might check in. I have missed them all so much. Steve Phoenix,AZ
ReplyDeleteToday you and your family are most likely going thru a whirlwhind of pain and in time this pain will dissapear. It will heal due to your families love and inner strength to move forward.
ReplyDeleteYour secondary family "us" your listeners will just have to wait until you're ready to get in touch with the global world.
Mainstream radio, really is a tool of the past. Independent web radio and television is the present and future. With a good team on your side (which by the way can be located anywhere in the world) I expect you to once again enlighten the globe with wisdom. All this won't be easy, then again nothing good comes easy. Crowd funding, LiveStream, Ustream, podcasts, youtube and tweeter are tools all at our disposal. Open source software is readily available. Having said all that, as a media person I will gladly welcome you back and assist from north of the 49th.
Take care, find happyness
and c u soon
RNR
My husband, friends and I thought of you many times over the years and you are always in our prayers; however, we were not as action-oriented as your many other fans, family and friends. Every time we tune into KGO we expect to hear your enlightened wisdom which is what happened this morning. We ran yet another Google search and we're delighted to learn of your recent return home. Your Letter of Thanks brought both of us to tears of joy. We look forward to following your blog and reading your new book. Thank you for all that you do for others.
ReplyDeleteBeen Praying for you. Miss listing to you. Take care. God Bless.
ReplyDeletenever could understand why you went so masochistic as to do the stupid thing you did. i hope and pray you are ready to face reality and not go berserk again. you should get back on radio. it'll be best for you and your fans like me. wish i could say i've always been too smart to get into trouble, but i was just lucky. never got caught. the Lord never sent you out to be a loser or a quitter. if you give up, then you'll be a true sinner. so, keep on keeping on.
DeleteWhere are you Bernie. I am sure doing what needs to be done with and for your family. You have been SO missed. You would have had so much to say when KGO was disseminated. It's unrecognizable. However, they seem to have hit bottom and learned, since they are now little by little filling in with talk radio. But, it will never be the same caliber of the old. You guys were the best.
ReplyDeleteOn the Ellen DeGeneres show, "Classic Joke Friday"....
ReplyDeleteWhy is it ok to eat donuts in church?
Because the are holey.
We miss you, Bernie.
Podcasts are my only radio these days, so why not start one of your own? You're already familiar with the equipment necessary to record audio. Get someone to help you start your own personal "radio station" and many of us who've missed your voice will have a way to hear you again. Just do it!!
ReplyDeleteGlad to read that you're out and back home with your family.
ReplyDeleteAll the best to you and yours.
Yvonne S
Fantastic breaking news today, Bernie. You may already have heard that the California Supreme Court announced Megan's Law to be unconstitutional! ! This means you can live and move wherever you want! I hope some of your detractors are stewing over this one.I think this will open up your options, considerably. And don't forget many of us are waiting to hear from you again.
ReplyDeleteRemember that old (faux) Latin dictum: "Illegitima non carborundum." It means "Don't let the b*st**ds girnd you down"
Be well, Bernie.
Jim Daley(annon.)
I'd to hear your comments on KGO's morning show "talk" show...
ReplyDeleteI just shake back and forth and then change to a different station.
The 12 noon show is at least a little better.
Hi Bernie what do think of climate change and the GOP denial?
ReplyDeleteHi Bernie. Wondering how life is going for you? There must be some enormous adjustments, these problems better than those of incarceration. You must know that there're so many of us wishing to hear from you. This country is a sorry mess, we are gearing up for another presidential election, and your voice is essential for a decent analysis and dialogue. Don't know if you feel, or are able to 'hold court' and help enlighten. You were my salvation, especially pre-Iraq invasion. You asked the right questions, I used to have to drive around the hills in my area to listen to you. No signal at home. Kind of like your listener in Humbolt Co., who sat in his truck every night to hear you. You energize us and give us the strength to speak out, to fight for this battered Democracy. I know this isn't too tall an order. We miss you.
ReplyDeleteBernie Bernie Bernie! I truly hope all is well with you! I missed our bfast on 12/21...I talked with Mrs. Mookie...said all say hi. Please call when you can...number was in the mail. Be well, katolik! The Lutheran ;-)
ReplyDeleteHi Bernie - I look forward to hearing your voice and wisdom and insight again as soon as possible!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat do you think of the 47 members of the GOP that sent that treasonous letter to Iran regarding nuclear energy just to score points with their pathetic base?
How do these GOP clowns stay in power and keep getting elected to serve another 6 years?
Hey, Bernie....just thinking of you and wanting to wish you a Happy Birthday and a glorious Easter!! Hope all is going well and that re-entry has not been too difficult. We miss hearing from you! Take care, God Bless...
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to a Bernie Ward podcast in the very near future. Is it coming?
ReplyDeleteBernie your friend from Iowa wishes someday to meet and thank you. Your insights help me raise a good son and improve myself. sail on friend
ReplyDeleteHello Bernie - I hope to hear your voice again as soon as possible!!!
ReplyDeleteBest Wishes Bernie - I hope all is going well for you and your family!
Hey Bernie. There are many things going on in the world that are worth discussing. How about sharing a few pearls of insight with your fans?
ReplyDeleteWe miss you so much! Want to hear your voice. I think of you every time I look for bear claws at Bob's Donuts, and that is often. :)
ReplyDeleteSo tell us Barnie, what might be the subject matter of your current book research??
ReplyDeleteSo much pain at KGO. Duane Garrett. Gene Burns, Pete Wilson gone. Eason, Rodgers, Bernie - - their voices lost in time. I'm in NY now listening to Bernie's old partner Sliwa. WABC 770 NY is OK but it's no KGO that I used to listen to day and night, night and day. The height of talk radio. What the hell happened??? Oh but to be able to turn back the clock. I, too, am in pain ....
ReplyDeleteBernie - I was in downtown Oakland when the Great Fire was destroying so many homes in the Oakland Hills. I remember you reporting on the scene - your crying out in pain; "Oh the human tragedy"! Those may not be your exact words, but they are close. I remember it like it was yesterday. The people of San Francisco are forgiving. They forgive you. I forgive you. &Most importantly, God forgives you. If there is a smart radio station left in SF, they'd find a way to forgive you too.
ReplyDeleteI used to hate you Bernie - the way you dared to oppose the Gulf War. I fully supported it and couldn't WAIT until we annihilated Iraq. Now? Now I hate myself.
ReplyDeleteBernie,
ReplyDeleteAfter reading your note on this blog I noticed you talked so much about yourself, and your process.
I saw not one mention of the victims of child porn and their suffering and process in your reflections!!
You seem to be sorry; but to whom are you making amends?
How about encouraging your listeners/followers to donate to the life-long healing of the real victims involved in your crime? I think everyone's good will should be focused on these children.
And, no reflections should ever come out of your mouth in future....without recognizing that your listeners should be directing their prayers towards the healing of these children.
I hope us citizens get to read more of the Lion of the Left's comments again!!!
ReplyDeleteHappy 4th of July Bernie!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteDo you have any comments on SCOTUS and the Republican presidential wannabes reactions to the latest cases decided by SCOTUS?
Hope to read more of your opinions as soon as possible... Best Wishes Bernie!
Good evening. It is 7/3/2015. I just got off of the phone with Bernie. He asked me to tell everyone he thanks you for all of your thoughts and good wishes. He is looking forward to a non Federal hot dog and a real beef, not soy burger tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteObviously, his lack of computer availability makes it hard for him to communicate online, and although he has a lot to say, there are very strong forces asking him to refrain from discussing what happened to him while in TX and again at Lompoc.
While keeping silent for the time being, he wants you all to know that there is a lot to be said, and when the time is right, he will do so. Until then, thank you to each and every one of you.
A friend.
"Strong forces making Bernie not to speak on his experiences"?
DeleteLook like they sent him to jail to make sure to keep his mouth closed.
Let Bernie know we're thinking about him & missed him.
I am glad you are out. Missed your voice. You made it, and I hope you can eventually write about this...all of this. Bless you and your family.
ReplyDeleteI have downloaded all of the above and snail mailed to Bernie. Again, he thanks you all and hopes to be in touch soon.
ReplyDeleteThanks for doing that. He knows we r out here, hoping to hear him again. Often wonder what's going on, if I am missing podcasts? Commentary somewhere? I really miss Bernie & his listeners' dialogues w/hm
DeleteThere is so much more to discuss than Bernie's time as a guest of the Feds - I hope he will submit occasional entries commenting on the news of the day. We miss his insight and perspective, and look forward to hearing from him again!!
ReplyDeleteHello Bernie Ward
ReplyDeleteI hope all is going well with you and your loved ones.
I am looking forward to reading your insightful opinions or hearing your voice again as soon as possible
Best Wishes Bernie...
Dear Mr Ward
ReplyDeleteI look forward to the day when you exercise your constitutionally protected right of free speech by posting your opinions on this blog again!!!!!!!!!!
What do you think of Donald Trump? Mike Huckabee? Chris Christie? Rand Paul?
What do you think of the Iran deal?
Do you think that Republicans are sore loser - cry baby - fear monger obstructionist?
Have a great day and evening Bernie!
Bernie, wish you would come back. The past is the past and we really want to hear your opinions and analysis again. I can still hear your voice from KGO as if it was yesterday. Where are you my friend?
ReplyDeleteBernie, Bernie, wherefore art thou Bernie?
ReplyDeleteMy very best wishes to Bernie. I gather from the context of these posts that Bernie is still not allowed the use of a computer and thus has to be very cautious in communicating. It's frightening that we live in a society where even after one has paid for his "crime" (sic) he has to continue serving a kind of sentence for the rest of his life. This seems to abrogate a person's basic civil rights under constitutional law. I hope he somehow finds a way out of this dilemma.
ReplyDeleteBernie I think the Republicans would pass immigration reform and pass stricter gun control laws and be in favor of the affordable care act (it's a republican idea) but the Republicans hate President Obama so much that the Republicans would rather have citizens of the United States suffer and die than to agree to vote in favor of one of President Obama's policies! If a democrat went to China like Nixon did, the Republicans would still be crying over how a democrat let China take away all the manufacturing jobs from America. If President Obama passed Medi-Care part D the Republicans would be complaining how rich the drug companies are getting from the tax payers. I hope citizens of the United States get a lot smarter and realize what the Republicans (hypocrites) are doing to this country.
ReplyDeleteDbag
DeleteIf anyone here is in touch with Bernie, could you ask if he'd please post a Thanksgiving Prayer for us this year? Thanks...
ReplyDeleteThe Lion of the Lefts Speaks?... hmmm...
ReplyDeleteWould "the lion of the left" speak a lot louder and more often please!!!!!
There is so much to comment on... I hope you're feeling okay
Thanks Bernie ... Best Wishes
I don't believe that Bernie's release was conditional and prohibited his use of a computer. He knows that his supporters drop in here now and then and when he's ready .... I"m sure we'll hear and/'or read something.
ReplyDeleteI was at Grace Cathedral for the Rememberance Day service on Sunday. I was thinking of you as the bagpipers played Amazing Grace and the poppies floated down like little spirits of those who have gone before us. Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound...I miss you Bernie
ReplyDeleteAll loving, wonder filled and creative God. We come together to celebrate a day of thanks and gratitude. We understand on any day there are numerous reasons to give thanks and chronicle our blessings. We realize how giving thanks humbles us and reminds us of all we have been given and our responsibility to give back to others.
ReplyDeleteHappy Thanksgiving to Bernie and your family and to all of the Lion on the Left faithful
With less than a year to go before the election, the world NEEDS to hear Bernie Ward's voice, to balance out all those GOP loons. Shouldn't there be a podcast by now!?
ReplyDeleteBernie, hope you give us a blow by blow report of what it was like in that Texas prison.
ReplyDeleteBernie Ward - Out of sight - Out of Mind?.... You are not forgotten Bernie!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteSmart intelligent patriotic concerned United States citizens want to read your insightful comments again.
You gotta admit Bernie the GOP is more right wing than ever feeding their base with dangerous rhetoric.
Happy Holidays Bernie to you and your family
Oh course President Obama is not going to call the terrorist radical Islamic terrorist because if Obama associated the terrorist with Islam every right wing Republican wacko gun nut enthusiast would vandalize hundreds of innocent Muslim Mosques, just like Republicans do to Panned Parenthood buildings. Republicans including a KGO talk show hall of famer are clueless. President George W Bush didn't call terrorist radical Islamic terrorist either.... but that's okay to Republicans
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas, Bernie, where ever you are!
ReplyDeleteHope you have a chance to watch the movie Spotlight. Share much of your politics and enjoyed your show but your physical explosion over the years only served as the first evidence of your severe dysfunction.
ReplyDeleteI'm so tired to hearing Ronn saying everyday how terrible Obama is. I wonder who Ronn would support as president?
ReplyDeleteIt's December 19th, and I think of you as you celebrate the anniversary of your release. I hope that it has been an uplifting year, and that the future is bright and peaceful.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on reaching this milestone. We appreciate you and are grateful for the many years of blessings you bestowed upon my husband of 37 years and I during our KGO listening days. Be well and best wishes for a loving, happy and prosperous new year Bernie.
ReplyDeleteWe Miss You Bernie!!! I hate that the government or the powers that be were successful to keep you quiet.
ReplyDeleteChristmas Blessings to your and yours, Bernie - we miss you.
ReplyDeleteHello old friend, 12/29/2015
DeleteIt has been too long since last I enjoyed the banter, satire, realism and relish with which you dispatched the myopic ideologues, the socially inept, and the cranially crippled politicians of our society (okay, the “cranially crippled” alliteration is likely to illicit ire amongst the above mentioned cadre…TOO BAD; for they are legion, as well you know); moreover, they have it coming.
Equally missed is the jovial, and on occasion, biting humor, by which you felled you call-in-adversaries.
Also of found remembrance is your response to a fax that you received while relating, on the air, a missed tryst with your spouse during your reporter days with KGO.
It seems that you had a commitment to be with you wife at a specified time; that is until you learned of a fire…and then the heat did rise!
As I recall, (circa 1994-96), the fax concluded as follows:
“…so of he ran, and of he dashed, this jolly news worthy elf’;
oh, he made it to the fire on time, but then made an ash of himself!”
The fax went on to say…
“I love you Bernie,
Dave the ‘faxer’
PS …May the force be with you…if you think that will help.”
I do hope that this brief missive gives to you reason to smile,
David
Wishing you a loving and joyous celebration of the both of Jesus. We are renewed and strengthened by His grace and mercy. We miss you Bernie.
ReplyDelete"I rest my case" out of sight but not out of mind. People still love you Bernie... see above^^^^.
ReplyDeleteYou are a smart talented man Bernie. I hope you work though the reasons and break the shackles that are keeping you silent.
I hope you Bernie and all your loved ones have a Happy 2016!
Hi Bernie!!! The other day I saw a bumper sticker on a car and it said "Bernie 2016" and the first thing I thought of was you Bernie Ward.
ReplyDeleteWhat do you Bernie Ward think of Bernie Sanders and his platform for becoming POTUS?
Thanks for your sharing your opinion Bernie - Have a great day... and new year!
Yo, Bernie! Where'd ya go? We, your fans, would like to hear from you. How are you doing? What are your plans? Have you thought about my last post (Dec 14, 2014) about how to get back into the talkshow business via podcasting?
ReplyDeleteHope you're doing well, and Happy New Year to you and yours!
Bernie do you still talk to Sen. Barbara Boxer? If so, you should ask Barbara Boxer to ask President Barack Obama to consider pardoning you Bernie Ward before President Barack leaves office...
ReplyDeleteI think we should all write Barbara Boxer and President Obama and ask them to pardon Bernie Ward.
I second that! I'll begin writing Senator Boxer and Pres.Obama immediately. Even the Koch brothers are expressing disagreement with the Draconian sentences being imposed by the US law enforcement system for nonconsequential "crimes"! You are certainly a tragic example of such a system.
DeleteMy heart goes out to you and your entire family for what was obviously a travesty of justice.
Bernie: please post on here soon and tell us what you're doing. thanks.
ReplyDeleteWill you please share your opinion of Donald Trump at your soonest convenience... if possible, before the potus election November 2016?
ReplyDeleteThanks Bernie!!!
Bernie, What do you think of Canadian born Ted Cruz?
ReplyDeleteDo you think Ted Cruz is eligible to be President of the United States of America?
Are you going to watch the 50th Super Bowl? Who do think is going to win. Do you think it is/was a good idea for San Francisco to be involved with all the Super Bowl activities?
ReplyDeleteWhat are you doing in your spare time Bernie? Can you recommend any good radio programs for TV programs or TV stations? What do think of FOX News? What do you think of Carly Fiorina?
ReplyDeleteHello Hello Hello Mr. Lion of the Left aka Bernie Ward...
ReplyDeleteBernie please tell us what you think of Mitch McConell and Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz and their proud refusal and their bogus reasons why they say they won't do their constitutional duty to vote for or against a new Justice of the Supreme court? Looks like another filibuster!!!!
Thanks Bernie - Best Wishes!!!
Dear LotL who do you like better?
ReplyDeleteBernie Sanders or Hillary Clinton? Bernie has a lot of good progressive ideas but good luck getting any Republicans to help him if he get's elected... that goes for Hillary too.
This United States has already turned into a political oligarchy. Do you agree with me Bernie?
Have a wonderful fun fantastic weekend Bernie!
Bernie do you think the United States has already turned into a Plutocracy? Because of the Koch brothers and other Billionaire Republicans who are very involved with Politics.
ReplyDeleteBernie what is your opinion of President Barack Obama? Do you like him?
ReplyDeleteDo you think he has been doing a good job or a bad job as President of the United States?
Do you think President Obama was too slow to figure out the blatant obsessive obstruction from the Republicans?
Do you think President Obama should use his bully pulpit to publically call out the Republicans?
plutarchy, is a form of oligarchy and defines a society ruled or controlled by the small minority of the wealthiest citizens... Welcome to the United States of America!
ReplyDeleteBernie... What do think of Citizens United?
I think if congress can't stop Citizens United I think Congress should pass a law that taxes all Political Money spent on all Political campaigns.
The more people spend on Politicians the more taxes people pay!!!!
All your comments are always welcome Bernie!
Hi Bernie It's me again... I hope you're enjoying this super nice warm February winter? weather. What do you think of climate change? I have a suggestion for anybody that doesn't believe in climate change. Park your car in a garage and close all the garage doors and open all car windows. Turn the car engine on see how fast the climate changes. This is happening on a global scale with carbon dioxide and other toxic gases.
ReplyDeleteIn a major setback for President Obama’s climate change agenda, the Supreme Court on Tuesday temporarily blocked the administration’s effort to combat global warming by regulating emissions from coal-fired power plants.
This is serious. Do you think the Supreme Court is racist?
Hi Bernie,
ReplyDeleteAdd another voice of concern and curiosity to this blog...oh how we miss you!! Is there any platform we can heae you? Are you banned from the computer? We miss you!!!
Today I'd be glued to the radio to hear your thoughts about this Trump business. I have to say, you called it a looong time ago. You were and are so correct about most Americans being authoritarian-types who would be perfectly fine and dandy under a fascist government, and unless the democrats rip their thumbs out of their asses, we may have that very thing on the horizon. And it's very possible; that the US will be, officially and blatantly, the authoritarian rogue state is always pretended that it wasn't. But you know as well as I have, after watching politics all our lives, it always was. And always will be.
ReplyDeleteI hope President Obama pardons you Bernie... not only for you but for the well being of the United States of America!
ReplyDeleteI think there is a greater chance that you will post on this blog again if you are pardoned and the sooner the better!
I hope you haven't given up on the Greatest Country on planet earth. If you don't think the USA is the greatest country... please post your thoughts and reasons why... Best Wishes Mr. Ward
Bernie these are issues that Republicans supported before Barack Obama became POTUS.
ReplyDeleteDo you think Republicans are racist?
1. The Obamacare individual mandate. Before they became obsessed with bringing down Obamacare, Republicans had the idea of a free-rider fee for people who can afford health insurance but refuse to buy it, also known as the individual mandate. The free-rider fee is part of “Romneycare” in Massachusetts.
2. End-of-life counseling. Republicans also used to include counseling for end-of-life issues in their own healthcare proposals. But when President Obama liked the idea? Well, he just wants to kill your grandparents. Oh, and by the way, the so-called “death panels” are nothing of the kind. It’s simply about giving patients and their families the information they need to make the best decisions about the end-of-life care they want.
3. Donor disclosure. Before they opposed the DISCLOSE Act, Republican Congressional leaders were all for transparency in campaign contributions. How can we forget House GOP leader John Boehner proclaiming that “sunlight is the best disinfectant”?
4. Clean energy. There was once a day when Congressional Republicans made clean energy a priority. They supported national energy laboratories, hybrid-vehicle manufacturers and the development of electric car batteries. Now, of course, they want nothing to do with clean energy. After all, there are plenty of climate-change deniers to claim there’s no reason to make the investment.
5. Medicare cost savings. Before they accused Obamacare of “cutting” $700 billion from Medicare, Republicans in Congress proposed the same $700 billion in savings from reducing waste and inefficiencies in Medicare. But unlike the cuts made by Obamacare, which come from eliminating excess payments to providers (not patients), the GOP wanted to use the money for more tax cuts for the wealthy. Not to mention that Republicans have been trying to make cuts to Medicare for years, and still are. Vouchers, anyone?
6. Deficit-reduction commission. This one’s downright blatant. Republicans in Congress voted against their own bill to create a deficit-reduction commission because, according to a former GOP senator, they wanted to “stick it to the president.”
7. Welfare flexibility. After wanting more flexibility to eliminate red tape and move people out of the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program and into jobs, Mitt Romney, GOP governors and Congressional Republicans fought the idea when the Obama Administration proposed it.
8. Nuclear START treaty. Before they tried to block the nuclear START treaty negotiated by the Obama Administration, Republican leaders supported it under Presidents Reagan and Bush.
9. Gun violence prevention. Republicans in Congress helped President Reagan pass the Brady Bill establishing a national gun purchase background check system and pass a ban on military-style assault weapons. Now Republicans in Congress
oppose restoring the ban, and voted against closing the background check loophole that lets criminals buy guns easily at gun shows and over the Internet.
10. Upholding the Constitution. Many Republicans — especially Conservatives — say they live by the Constitution. But they can’t seem to make up their minds about the Constitution’s eligibility requirements to serve as President. Conservatives have, and still do, argue that if President Obama were born in a foreign country (which he wasn’t) to his American mother, he’d be ineligible to be President. But they don’t seem to have a problem with Tea Party darling Senator Ted Cruz running for President — even though he actually was born in a foreign country to an American mother.
I have resent the above to Bernie via snail mail. I will await his answer as to if and when he is able to post.
ReplyDeleteA friend.
What do you think of Flint Michigan, the EPA and Michigan's Republican Governor?
ReplyDeleteand all the GOP Presidential hopefuls that want to get rid the EPA?
Just want to wish you a Happy Easter, Bernie. The world IS alive with the grandeur of God - but we are missing God Talk more than ever. We hope that you and your family are well, healthy and healing...look forward to hearing from you when you are ready.
ReplyDeleteThanks for keeping this Lion of the Left website up Bernie!
ReplyDeleteI am looking forward to seeing a new post from you and I (and many others) look forward to responding to a new post from you with a big smile!
I hope the USA security can stop any possible terrorist attack in the United States. If a terrorist strikes before the election in November it could help Donald Trump's or Ted Cruise's fear propaganda.... fear all Muslims, fear the incompetent government, fear Hilary Clinton, fear communist Bernie Sanders, fear the EPA, fear all unions. Fear the national debt as the GOP pushes for more tax cuts except for the Military.
I was an avid listener of God Talk, appreciated in particular discussions about biblical research and theology. I did not listen to the political program (Lion of the Left, etc). I attended the Holey Donut Church at Marine World. I was a fan of the God Talk Bernie. I read the transcript that helped put him in prison. Claiming he was doing research and this the reason for having child pornography material, if it were true, says Bernie was very irresponsible in how he went about his project. Bernie is not stupid; his claim is his excuse and lie. Blaming Bush, the government, or anything else was his refusal to take responsibility for what he has done. What got me was that in the course of the transcript he used his own children in his "fantasy" scenario that he was giving his dom. For all his rant against the Church about molestation he himself victimized children, even his own. Whether his sentence was too long, too short, whether he lost family, or will spend time with family, these conversations are all about bernie. Have the children, and the damaged he caused them been forgotten? What credibility should he be given for anything that comes out of his mouth? Jesus is quoted as saying if a person should harm children, it would be better if he hung a millstone around his neck and cast himself into the sea. Reparation for what bernie has done will take more than just saying I'm sorry
ReplyDeleteHaters gonna hate, aren't they? For the folks who are still so judgmental and self-righteous, I would like to suggest that they all look in the mirror and see whether they can't find it in their hearts to recognize any mistakes they have made in their own pasts and for which they have probably been forgiven. What happened with Bernie is between him and his family and his God. Do any of you believe in redemption? Geez....
ReplyDelete"Thank you thank you thank you! Now get lost! I'm the hypocritical, holier than thou, self-righteous, condescending Bernie Ward."
ReplyDeleteI'm as liberal as they come and used to listen to Bernie all the time, so stating the above wasn't my intention when I checked back in to see what happened with Bernie. It's obvious he's an elitist just like most are who 'preach' on the radio -- who was only thankful to you until you had no more use for him. (i.e. 'Useful Idiots.') I remember one of his last shows with him talking about how he met Rush Limbaugh and what a nice guy he was, and that he too could have 'sold out' out to the right wing and been driving a Ferrari and living large. I thought, interesting, he's telling us what a 'nice guy' a guy who is single-handedly trying to turn our country into a corporate state. I also remembered, in that same show, him mentioning to never put your heart and soul in to someone because they may let you down. I don't know if Bernie knew that the law was coming down on him prior to his arrest, but he would have been clairvoyant if he didn't. I believe Bernie is in denial because the pain of admitting who he really is isn't socially acceptable -- and for good reason. He put himself in a no-win situation and I would be shocked if he ever shows his face publicly again. May God have mercy on his soul.
KGO radio needs to hire Bernie Ward to have a chance at surviving!
ReplyDeleteKGO has switched to a 2 person talk show for most of it's shows... Armstrong and Getty ... Ethan Bearman and his female cohost who he just talks back and forth too. Chip Franklin and DreX both do the same thing with their female cohost. KGO is not even news talk anymore. and Ronn Owens is just another Republican Obama complainer. Brian Copeland and Chip Franklin are both comedians!!!
Get back on a radio station Bernie and talk about important issues just like you used to and you could put KGO out of business.
Today is Tuesday April 12th. I just got off of the phone with Bernie. I have downloaded all of the comments since the last batch I sent to him. Bernie thanks everyone for keeping him in your thoughts and prayers. I told him that a lot of you wanted answers and comments regarding posted comments. The following are quotes from Bernie:
ReplyDeleteI don't think Bernie Sanders is going to win the election. I wish he would."
"I would love to be more vocal, however my hands are handcuffed. I wish it was different, but currently, my hands are tied."
Bernie did not ask anyone for assistance. He felt his chances of a pardon were somewhere between 0 and -87...that being said, although he is not asking for help, I will leave it to everyone reading this to decide what you feel should be done, if anything.
A friend.
Thanks!!!! for the update and posting a few of Bernie's comments. I am wondering why Bernie's hands are tied and he can't post more.
ReplyDeleteBernie posted a lot when he was in prison and now that he is a free man with Constitutional protected right of free speech... he can't? Bernie has already done his time.
Best Wishes Bernie
Thanks for the update on Bernie and for sending him our well wishes. We would love to hear from Bernie whenever he is able, but we also need to respect whatever his parameters are right now. If you could be any more specific on how we might help, it would be appreciated. And we will look forward to Bernie's own comments whenever he is able to make them.
ReplyDeleteBernie did take a lot of flak from the guards at Lompoc. He was pulled out of line during chow, and berated by several of the guards. He was pulled aside at the Lt's. office on a weekly basis. I don't know what is happening now that he is on the outside. When you are on the inside, in some instances it is easier, because what can they do to punish you, except put you in the SHU. However, when you are on the outside, you have interaction with your PO, instructor's at your mandated classes and sessions. I can see where the pressure could actually be greater now. I don't know this for certain...it is all speculation on my part.
ReplyDeleteI do know that he has a lot to say, and would like to figure out a way to bring his thoughts to the table.
Just remember, from being sent to Bloody Beaumont instead of directly to Lompoc, WHICH IS WHERE THE JUDGE RECOMMENDED HE BE SENT, there are A LOT of people with a vested interest in keeping him quiet.
Thank you Anonymous for talking with Bernie & it's just what I thought, the government want to keep The Lion quiet. Don't give up Bernie, you survived hell behind bars and you can survive this isolation. We hope to hear from you soon.
ReplyDeleteAs a women from Winterfell once said... "The North Remember"
ReplyDeleteHope all is going well for you Bernie and I hope you're able to post your thoughts on this (your) blog again soon.
First, My regards to Bernie as a listener who enjoyed him on KGO.
ReplyDeleteI have 2 suggestions:
(1) View the Woody Allen movie "The Front". If you haven't seen it you can see the review on imdb.com. It's about the Hollywood blacklist during the McCarthy era. (The recent (related) movie "Trumbo" is also reviewed there). You'll understand my drift when you see it.
(2)We need a separate site to lobby Bernie's cause. We don't have to "include" Bernie on the site, if you get my drift. Perhaps the family could best arrange this. We can thus begin to send letters toward requesting a review of his case which appears to include a giant trove of mitigating circumstances - indicating at the very least complete "rehabilitation", if not original innocence.
There;s an old Norwegian farmers saying: "When all else fails, dig where you stand" It simply means that when you can't think of anything else to do grab a shovel and start digging. Soon something useful will occur to you.
I'm suggesting the above as a cause that can acquire the most support for Bernie's situation.
My very best wishes to Bernie and his family!
Sixty-five years old and this is the craziest/scariest presidential campaign I've ever seen. We sure miss you, Bernie!
ReplyDeleteMiss you, Bernie! Thanks to those who are keeping these blog comments alive. I wish Bernie could talk politics on the radio... Any where... again.
ReplyDeleteRepublicans won't pass gun control laws and blame President Obama for all the gun violence. Republicans won't pass immigration legislation and blame President Obama. Why should the Republicans be rewarded and kept in office when all they do is obstruct?
ReplyDeleteGreetings to all...I spoke with Bernie last week. He is recovering from arterial surgery... apparently he had quite a bit of plaque build upin his neck...good thing they found it when they did.
ReplyDeleteI brought up the subject of this LotL blog. He is having a hard time figuring out how to speak...the forces that are keeping him from speaking are very strong...it may not be as you all see...we are discussing a possible 3rd person view... Bernie's words conveyed thru another person. The words would be his, but not spoken directly by him...for instance, instead of 'I think so and so', it would read 'Bernie said so and so', getting the message out without personally writing it.
What does everyone think?
A friend.
Thank you so much for this info! My deepest wishes for a fast recovery for Bernie (I'm a listener from when his talk show started and miss hearing his wisdom). I corresponded some with him in the Texas prison - was horrified by his incarceration. I now understand the complications involved and would very much appreciate hearing "about" Bernie's thoughts and opinions on the latest events in the news - even 2nd hand would be OK. If I could email him directly, I could give him my email as well, but not on an open forum (if this is at all possible). Please tell Bernie not to give up - I believe he might have many supporters who would appreciate communications from him. I hope that some day he could write a book (even ghost write it perhaps using Kindle to self publish it and charge for access). Sincerely, Joe D.
DeleteFirst - Bernie, take care of yourself and be well soon! Then, when you are up to it, ANY form of communication would be most welcome. The times are treacherous and we miss you so much. Sunday mornings are still the worst, but the political landscape is more than frightening and we need places to share and to vent. The next few months will be critical, and the four years following will be an absolute landmine. Let us know how we can facilitate. God Bless!
ReplyDeleteI think having a blog or in third person form would be great..i just found these comments today after looking for some time for any info about Bernie. Prayers and best wishes on his "recoveries"..but the thoughts of a blog are wonderful
ReplyDeleteBernie, I think of you often and wish more than anything we could have your voice during this political maelstrom. I am that elderly atheist lady fan of yours for the last 20 years. I am sure you will do well with the surgery. I had a heart valve replacement last Nov. and I am back in my RV and traveling the country--today I am in Nova Scotia. The surgery gave me back my life and it will for you too. A blog is perfect for you. It allows for your thoughts and interaction with others without having to answer to station managers, sponsors, etc. I have maintained a blog for the last 5 years of my travels and it is good therapy for me as well as a journal and it keeps me in touch with my family and friends. We need you back in the world. Get well soon.
ReplyDeletelove you Bernie
ReplyDeletemiss your voice on the air. hope you start a podcast or something. you are a very knowledgable man.
ReplyDeleteMiss your voice, there's a big chunk of dead air in need of a great voice... that's Bernie. Hope you're recovering nicely, and as you feel stronger you may be inspired to 'speak' in some form. Peter B reminded me of this site, and am appreciative to have read so many positive comments. There're so many of us who really miss you Bernie, and want to wish you well. Sending the best to you and to your family, and hopes for healing for all of you.
ReplyDeleteBernie, I miss your voice on KGO. You used to read my faxes and emails and I called in a bunchnof times to comment on politics. Sorry not to have you on the air during Obama. these days have been crazier than even under The Bush. we need you and I hope you will be heard again somehow on radio or in print. Trump offers ripe opportunity to nail another fascist, this time a real one for sure. He is disgusting. Hillary? well except for being a corporate whore, we are still better off with her. Yiu know it and so do I. fortunately for the world, d Drumph will be defeated.
ReplyDeleteI've been checking your website since you got out, would love to hear from you in this politcal season. Miss you and Lee (R.I.P) on those great monday night debates on KGO now THAT was great radio!
ReplyDeleteCan anyone tell me why Bernie can't post anymore?
ReplyDeleteMiss hearing his comments,
Thanks
I find it surpassingly weird that since Bernie was released from prison, he has gone completely silent. Has this got something to do with his parole requirements? It seems backwards.
ReplyDeleteHey Bernie!
ReplyDeleteSo glad to hear you are out. I remember you from way back at Camp Mather!
You should visit there to remember the old days. The Dempsey's, The Minderman's, Chappie, Clarence, John Kerosey, etc.
Good evening. I spoke with Bernie this afternoon. We will be having breakfast this coming (11/20/26) Sunday.
ReplyDeleteIf anyone who wants to ask a question here I can make sure he sees it.
A friend.
Is there any hope of ever seeing another Thanksgiving prayer? Please tell Bernie that there are many still out here thinking of him often and hoping that he and his family are well, and looking forward to a day that we can hear from him once again. Sending blessings...
ReplyDeleteAs Korel said when he was still with KGO, that he was looking forward to a book that Ward would write about this whole tumultuous episode. I felt there was something fishy about the way the case was built and prosecuted. As Christine Kraft pointed out on her program as it was unfolding. Kraft is an experienced litigator herself. Quite insightful and interesting her comments were.I'm looking forward to what Bernie Ward has to say as well.I've seen how the "Right" has publicly already burned him at the stake. He made a lot of republican enemies in the Bush administration. As usual there are two sides to the story
ReplyDeletePlease tell Bernie that we miss his views and opinions and we hope to hear again from him soon. Would love to hear what he has to say about this election result.
ReplyDeleteBest Wishes
I'm waxing nostalgic here. My mother used to listen to Bernie and Ray into the wee hours of the morning. I got hooked on Bernie too. Could get his show in Seattle when KGO powered up at night. It would be so nice to hear a courageous voice again. Some podcasts are OK these days, but Bernie would walk right up to the line and cross it. I miss those days.
ReplyDeletei think if every prisoner had this kind of support there would be very little recividism steve you should start a national program like this and have this man work with you he perfectly stated how nearly every man must feel on entering prison i hsve never been moved as much as by this mans story
ReplyDeleteI don't know what you are doing now, Bernie, but I hope it is worthwhile. I loved listening to you back in the day, and boy, do we ever need your insight today.
ReplyDeleteVery best wishes.
Come back Bernie!
ReplyDeleteIsn't there some kind of free speech violation happening here Bernie? Why would it be wrong for you to express your thoughts through pencil and paper at least? Just have it mailed to someone who would publish it. It doesn't make sense to completely silence someone from at least expressing themselves regardless what they've done in the past. Ideas are not people and the reverse is true. Both are subject to change. Ideas (especially damn good ones) should be kicked around and judged on their merits regardless of origin. Please speak Bernie. We have to deal with orange 45 on TV screens and newspapers everywhere and Alex Jones causing serious pain to Sandy Hook parents, and you Bernie can't have a pen and paper? What country is this? Doesn't smell right. Even if its just us who want to hear from you, we should be able to do that. You still have the power to change and challenge the collective us for the better with your wisdom and insight despite your mistakes. I'm calling for the refurbished BW2.0........Beyond the Dead Air
ReplyDeleteBernie can speak here anytime he wants but he chooses not to. I would think if someone was truly innocent of the charges he was convicted of he would be yelling from the rooftops proclaiming his innocence! But no, not a word edgewise...
DeleteSeems to me these are not the actions -- or should I say inactions -- of an innocent man.
Just sayin'...
Bernie's strength was verbal interaction, not the written word necessarily. But I AM surprised that he hasn't ventured into the Podcast world to continue via his strengths. Perhaps he may be on some sort of probation/prohibitions that prevent this. If anyone knows it would be interesting to learn of that.
ReplyDelete