By John Barbour
Exclusive to Rense
3-6-25

You've heard me say a dozen times that I'm finished posting on Facebook because I hate politics and I'm working on something else. But sometimes things happen by accident that turn out to be great stories. This is one. While it was my wife Sarita's birthday yesterday...I was the one who got the gift!

It happened last night as I was driving home from Fox's Barbecue in Boulder Creek with a big takeout of their fabulous prime rib. Sarita's favorite food. Since we left LA 30 years ago, we have not found one decent place here. Twice at Lawry's we got food poisoning. So, that ended the search until last week.

Every Wednesday after golfing with a buddy we go to Fox's BBQ. For ribs and corn on the cob. I am a junkie for that. Someone mentioned that Fox had great prime rib. Since I'd won that day, I took a chance and got it to go. Sarita loved it. That and the leftovers for 2 days. For her birthday, she asked me if I would get it again. I rushed over there on Wednesday, her birthday, and golfing buddy day. After our quick meal I got Sarita's prime rib, and hopped in the car in the 7:00pm darkness and started home. Going what I thought was 60 miles an hour.

The cop who stopped me said it was 80 miles an hour! I had lowered the right passenger window and this pleasant looking 50ish police officer stuck his head in, and surprisingly and politely said, (before he told me how fast I was really going) 'How are you?!'

I told him I was doing fine until he stuck his head in the window, since I thought I was only going 60. He said he was doing 72 and I was pulling away from him. I blurted out, 'Well you don't expect Superman to be going slower than a speeding bullet!' He actually chuckled. He asked for my driver's license and proof of insurance. I handed him my driver's license and my Humana card.

Startled, he said, "Why are you handing me this?" I apologized and said I was sorry but it was just force of habit because for the last few months all my wife and I did was have to show doctors and hospitals Humana cards. My wife is bedridden with edema.

He interrupted me and said, "That disease where everything about you swells up?” I said, "That's it...and it happened to one of the greatest tap dancers in the whole world." He asked where I was coming from. I said, "Originally LA, where I was once a famous TV star.” He laughed again, saying, "I mean just now, before I stopped you?” I told him Fox's and the prime rib story. He told me I didn't have to go that far for great prime rib and gave me the address of a place on Sunset near home.

To show him I wasn't lying about my wife, I showed him a wonderful birthday post my brilliant writing friend Alexandra in Serbia had posted. Then I handed him my business card with my website, asking if he saw ‘JFK’...Oliver Stone's fabulous film. He said quickly that it is one of his favorites with Kevin Costner. I told him if he went to my site he would see the real Jim Garrison in the award-winning film 'The Garrison Tapes' made by me at Jim Garrison's request.

He then asked to look again at Alexandra's birthday post, asking how long ago the picture of Sarita was taken. I told him recently. He said, “Your wife is beautiful. How old is she?" I said quickly, "Are you kidding? Give me a ticket! I'd pay less for that than telling her age." He laughed loudly, asking if that was the package of prime rib on the passenger seat.

I told him yes. He handed me back my driver's license and said “You're 91?” I said, "92 in April.” He said, "Wow you both don't look it. So, don't just sit there, get home, feed your wife and wish her a very, very happy birthday from me!” …adding…. "In my job, I never, ever get to have a pleasant, interesting chat with anyone. So, instead of talking with you any more, young man, you get going and after I sign-off tonight, I will be happily going to your website. The very best of luck…and a very good night!"

'Officer,'' I said, “you have made it a great night and while it is my wife's birthday, my no-ticket was your gift to me...and to her. Thank you. Goodbye!"