EDITORIAL BY THE HON. RUFUS PECKHAM - Bette Midler backed by a full orchestra; Robin Williams cracking wise; Christina Aguilera; a Broadway company of "A Chorus Line." Half the stars in the heavens converged on Nemacolin Woodlands Resort & Spa, the retreat owned by the Hardy family, last Saturday to celebrate Joe Hardy's 84th birthday. It was the best of everything that money can buy, nonstop from 2 in the afternoon until 2 in the morning, shot through with jaw-dropping amazement and pure, high-octane fun. It was the party of the century a scant seven years into it, and the culmination of both a life and a lifestyle. Most important, it made Mr. Hardy happy, and that's all that counts.
But no matter how rapturous a thing is, there will always be some sniveling, green-eyed bore who tries to ruin it for the rest of us. So must it be here. It seems the 25-30 people laid off last month at 84 Lumber's corporate headquarters because of the economic slowdown are questioning the supposed extravagance in having luminaries Mr. Hardy never met flown in to pay him homage.
Extravagance? What extravagance? This entire party could not have cost more than $10-15 million. The mere fact that this sum could have gainfully employed the displaced bellyachers for some time is completely beside the point.
Let's be honest, would Mr. Hardy be able to afford to blow a ton of money and act like a big shot if he didn't fire peons with families who've devoted their lives to his company? Exactly where do these displaced Einsteins think the money to pay for the party would come from?
Moreover, if Mr. Hardy doesn't pay these Hollywood whores to fly out to the middle of Nemacolin Nowhere to proclaim what a great guy he is, could he count on these displaced ingrates to do it? Or anybody, for that matter? The question scarcely survives its statement.
If you think this birthday party was big, just wait until you see Mr. Hardy's 85th. He might have to lay off the whole damn company to pay for that one, and I can't wait!
