On Andy Griffith's Death: Well Said OP

Ironic that this poster to the the Naples Daily News' report on the death of Andy Griffith, aka Sheriff Taylor, calls them self OP.

OP writes:

Never knew the man, enjoyed watching his art. I no longer confuse the characters he played for the man. The characters are part of the American fabric, and with the Sheriff Taylor personae we witnessed how a responsible and sensible authority can promote the health of an entire community without controlling the populace. Were it possible that all communities are so blessed. I can not reconcile Griffith's politics at the end of his life with the character he portrayed in the fictional Mayberry. But, as far as I know he never hurt anyone, generally led a good life, had many friends, and in keeping the public perception of who he was a positive experience he performed a great service through a period of turmoil. Jimmy Stewart was the real deal, Andy Griffith an echo of that real patriot. But, Griffith did okay, deserves notice at his passing, and I am grateful that he had a long and rich life and trust that he went without suffering. We mourn the loss of the image, we regret that such innocence does not endure, we pray that in these times the people seek reason and practicality over personality. A life has been extinguished, countless others born, if one achieves the latter the former will eventually follow. So it will be for us, so it was for Andy Griffith. We honor the man, we honor the life, we wish both well in the future.

 The Jimmy Stewart reference is spurious in that it lacks details, though one can infer that Stewart's military service along with his other personal characteristics inspired affection for the author. Stewart was a great American, I agree, but does the comparison need to be made in notes on the younger Griffith's passing?

Otherwise, I can have no complaint with what OP writes, we do confuse the artist and the art. We do clutch to imaginings that popular media is reality, if only real in small pockets. And, it is only right that every life is given respect and that we recognize the loss when a life ends. Andy Griffith did us a great service with his art. And, we say too say fond farewell to the man.