14 Comments
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Kent Anderson's avatar

I gotta share this.

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Barry Friedman's avatar

That would be flattering.

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Robert Tetrault's avatar

From your lips to my wife's ears, Barry.

"Go, go."

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Barry Friedman's avatar

I had a dear friend from Cleveland write me and tell me the same thing. I may have to have t-shirts printed up that say that.

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Barbara Grassey's avatar

I have to laugh: I moved to Portugal and I don't like olives or fish. I live in the octopus capital of the world. I'm happy with a hamburger and fries still.

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alan pierson's avatar

Parabéns, Barry!

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Lee Chemel's avatar

Wow. Please continue not to shut up

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Frankie Two Bits's avatar

Well done, as usual. Just be you--if you can arrange it. My wife and I will hopefully run into you there--not actually running, but you understand.

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Barry Friedman's avatar

Are you headed this way?

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Frankie Two Bits's avatar

Yes--our target is April.

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TCinLA's avatar

Damn, you seem to have the same effect on everybody. Well, maybe not everybody, but the interesting ones anyway. I was talking with She I Am Going To Spend The Rest Of Time With (all will be revealed in good time, people, don't get your knickers in a knot), and the conversation went to do we do like Barry did? (she also reads you, a major point in her favor) And then we talked about what we believe, and we decided that until we hear about Dachau II being under construction we'll stay and fight. But on that day... you may get a knock on your door.

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Barry Friedman's avatar

The knock on my door will be a good thing. I have the bakeries, cafe, pizza, and Indian place all picked out. I don't like Indian food but the guy also makes pizza for me and promises not to put anything spicy in my meal.

P.S. Tell person to be revealed later I am flattered.

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Scott M. Krasner's avatar

"People held a party for you at Circle Cinema. To protest your going away."

Damnit, I have your original "Portugal, Here I Come" column flagged. Not that I really thought you'd change your mind but, FFS, seeing the anchor being pulled up is a gut punch. I'm getting another PET scan showing my cancer has not left me as planned so my travel plans are a bit limited

The comment about the fact that you won't know people was very personal. My older son was offered a position in Paris right before Christmas. On Christmas Eve we watched him get a civil marriage at the Santa Barbara County Courthouse as getting things like world visas and other moving logistics are easier in France if the couple is married so they did so and will do it again for real in Mexico in April. He's there now with his wife a few months behind and after four weeks he feels a littler more connected (his French is stronger than your Portuguese but don't take that personally.

Barry, when I first came upon your commentary on responses to Charlie Pierce I thought "who is this guy who always has a comment among the first three every day. I appreciated the edge you brought but soon came to admire your broader writing, not just about politics but about people, including your Dad, sister, son Paul, Melissa, Gregory, and the strange yet often loveable sorts that get sprinkled throughout families and lives.

I feel honored to have had written exchanges and some phone calls. You've been an inspiration and a font of tears. I hope having a familial connection in western Europe will take me there more frequently. I'd still like to do that in person.

I've got more to say once the good folks here at Levine Cancer Institute tell me how to ditch this most recent diagnosis. For a man I never met you've been an influential friend. I can only remember you with smiles and sobs.

Be well, stay safe, if you've got the energy don't be silent. I don't blame you a bit for the decision except for the further sense of loss. You've got a lot of fans and friends and I pray it stays that way.

Thanks for being you and letting us in for a peek. Best wishes, Scott Krasner

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Barry Friedman's avatar

Scott, This is extremely touching and flattering and I hope the strength is there for you to beat back the assault of cancer. And the fact that you know my work, my writing, my family, my sensibilities is very flattering and humbling. I hope, too, you get to Europe and we can walk up a very steep hill for what I am fast becoming certain is the best pizza in Coimbra. Flag as many columns as you like (and are good). As Doritos used to say, I'll make more.

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