A NEW YEAR'S EVE VERBAL MIS-CUE IN NUMERICAL SEQUENCE BY AMERICAN ICON DICK CLARK.........

The broadcaster, businessman, institution of more than fifty years, acclaimed as, "America's Youngest Teenager", Mr. Dick Clark, made his thirty seventh annual New Year's Eve appearance on ABC-TV Thursday night, counting down to midnight and the arrival of 2010. The icon, who succeeded Guy Lombardo, as Mr. New Year's Eve, some three and a half decades ago, suffered a stroke several years ago and thus now speaks after extensive rehabilitation, with affected speech. In the excitement of the moment at the nexus of New Year's Eve, Times Square in New York City, Clark transposed two numbers in the final countdown and is being widely panned for it. It was a mistake anyone could make. Yet this 80 year old still going and appearing for this annual ritual of passage, after enduring the hardship and aftermath of a stroke, is being unfairly judged as a result of mistating, the numbers on tha air within seconds of the stroke of midnight and Year 2010. A daily and weekly fixture on television from 1956-1989, as host of American Bandstand, the $10,000-$100,000 Pyramid, among other programs, and producing specials in addition to New Year's Rock'in Eve, including the American Music Awards and the Golden Globes, is his life and renowned career, now to be inordinately colored and remembered more by a trivial mistake than it is substantial accomplishments ? Get over it ! It was one fleeting moment that should not be turned into anything more. Instead Dick Clark and the legions of stroke victims and rehabilitation patients, deserve appreciation and acceptance for striving to get back to a functioning, contributing, level of life, that affirms their personal dignity and makes a further contribution to the common good. Thank You Mr. Dick Clark, for continuing to entertain and enhance our lives with a commitment to the productions you and your company present and for not hiding yourself from your devoted fans.........Happy 9th Day of Christmas on this 2nd Day of 2010 A.D., Fr. Troy