Archive for October 29th, 2026

Obit watch: October 29, 2026.

Thursday, October 29th, 2026

Barbara Barrie, actress.

I wonder how many people even remember that Barney Miller had a wife. (Her last appearance, per IMDB, was in season 5. “Barney Miller” ran for eight seasons.)

And this is mentioned in the headline, but for Mike the Musicologist’s benefit: she was the original “Sarah” in Sondheim’s “Company”. And she was a good Texas girl.

Other credits include “The Commish”, “McMillan & Wife” and “Kate & Allie”, and “The Fugitive” (the original).

Peter Medak, director. I’ve never seen “The Changeling”. I have seen “The Ruling Class”, but not in quite a while. I really liked both “The Krays” and “Let Him Have It”.

His career seems to evolved after “Romeo Is Bleeding”. He did a lot of TV work, including six episodes of “Homicide: Life on the Streets” and one episode of “The Wire”. (He also did “Species II“, which only gets a 4.6 on IMDB, but man, that cast.)

Elke Sommer, actress. Other credits include “Ten Little Indians” (the 1974 version), “The Oscar”, “The Love Boat”, “Fantasy Island”, and “The Six Million Dollar Man”.

Posted in 1970s, Movies, Obits, Theatre, TV | No Comments »

Texas, we are just not trying hard enough.

Thursday, October 29th, 2026

Everytown for Gun Safety, a national research and advocacy organization, ranks Idaho 50th in the country for the strength of its gun laws. State law allows most adults to carry concealed firearms without a permit, does not require background checks for gun sales between private individuals and does not require gun owners to secure their weapons when children are present.

Don’t get me wrong, folks. I loved Idaho when I was there, and would move there if my Austin privileges were revoked. But we can’t let them beat us, Texans. At worst, it should be a tie for last place.

The article I’m quoting is tied to an Idaho ballot measure to name a state gun. It is a particularly annoying article, not just because of the above quote.

The six firearms on Idaho’s ballot have looser connections to the state. The Winchester Model 1894 is a popular big-game hunting rifle. The Colt Single Action Army is an enduring symbol of the American frontier, and the M1 Garand was the standard American infantry rifle of World War II.

And the other three? The NYT does not see fit to share that information.

However, Ballotpedia does. The full list, for your enlightenment, education, and entertainment:

  • Winchester Model 1894 (.30-30)
  • Winchester Model 1873 (.44-40)
  • 1873 Colt Single Action Army Revolver (.45 Colt)
  • M1 Garand rifle (.30-06)
  • Colt M1911 .45 automatic Colt pistol (.45 ACP)
  • Remington Model 700 bolt-action rifle (.30-06)

The calibers were specified in the bill that put this measure on the ballot.

Also:

Ballotpedia has not located arguments in support of a particular option for the advisory question. in support of the ballot measure. You can share campaign information or arguments, along with source links for this information, with us at editor@ballotpedia.org.
The North Idaho Republicans PAC endorsed a vote for the 1873 Colt Single Action Army Revolver “Peacemaker” (.45 Colt).

Personally, I think I would abstain from voting if I lived in Idaho. All of these guns are fine (or at least okay) choices, but none of them has enough of a unique Idaho connection for me.

Posted in 1911, Colt, Guns, M1 Garand, Texas, Winchester | No Comments »