"That the Movie is Popular"

"Sniper is a movie whose politics are so ludicrous and idiotic that under normal circumstances it would be beneath criticism. The only thing that forces us to take it seriously is the extraordinary fact that an almost exactly similar worldview consumed the walnut-sized mind of the president who got us into the war in question.

It's the fact that the movie is popular, and actually makes sense to so many people, that's the problem."

Rolling Stone

John M. Farrand (1950-2014): Thank You for Your Service

ALTAMONT — John M. Farrand, a businessman, a family man, and a Vietnam War veteran, died on Sunday, Sept. 7, 2014, at Albany Medical Center after a brief illness. He was 63.

He was born on Dec. 29, 1950 in Adams, New York, the son of the late Robert I. and Helen Francis Farrand.

He was a principal and vice president of Adirondack Business Systems, and was acting as operations manager when the business was sold to Carousel Industries.

He served in the United States Army, completing two tours in Vietnam.

He is survived by his loving wife, Janet; his daughter, Patricia Meo and her husband, Lou; his sons, Michael and Robert Farrand; his grandchildren, Alaina and Joseph Meo and Liliana Farrand; his sisters, Nancy Miller and Elizabeth Flanagan; and his brothers, Robert W. and Frederick Farrand.

His parents died before him, as did his brother Thomas Farrand.

Calling hours will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 10, at Fredendall Funeral Home 199 Main Street, Altamont. A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 11, at St. Lucy-St. Bernadette Church, 109 Grand Street, Altamont. Interment will be in Schenectady Memorial Park at 566 Giffords Church Rd. in Rotterdam.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Parkinson Disease Association Inc., 135 Parkinson Avenue, Staten Island, NY 10305 or to the American Cancer Society, 260 Osborn Rd., Loudonville, NY 12211.