Name Change

Sometimes you really have to change your name to get ahead. Would John Wayne have been as effective as "The Flying Leatherneck" on "The Sands of Iwo Jima" spitting out "True Grit" if he had not changed his name from Marion Morrison? Would Cary Grant have been as "Notorious" throughout the "North By Northwest" while "Bringing Up Baby" under his original moniker of Archibald Leach? Did Mr and Mrs Hudson and Mr and Mrs Hunter really name their boys "Rock" and "Tab" or was it MGM?

Changing their name really worked for these guys. A candidate for Berks County Sheriff may wish he had taken a hint from John, Cary, Rock, and Tab. The local TV news announced Bob Weaknecht''s candidacy for the job this morning. Video showed a placard reading "Weaknecht for Law and Order". I'm sure that Bob is eminently qualified for the position and will do a wonderful job, but what voter entering the booth and reading "Weaknecht" won't envision Barney Fife running for sheriff?

Of course, this is the Greater Lehigh Valley where Warmkessels (not Coldkessels or Hotkessels, mind you) and Druckenmillers (Milled drucks are the best drucks) abound. As the saying goes, "If you ain't Dutch, you ain't much". Maybe a name like Weaknecht isn't really a handicap. Sight unseen though, I'd vote for a guy named John Wayne for Sheriff before I'd vote for a guy named Weaknecht.