Matt,
If there is a bigger BB fan and nut out there than me it just might be you!
Just a few comments on what you mentioned:
"There wasn't anything wrong with the ole BB. The idea -- truly silly one I might say -- that people want to experience US Open rough conditions may be there for the first time (if it's there at all) and then quickly leave after the first few holes."
As I've mentioned to others (Hi Geoff), my explaining who was responsible for and the reasoning behind the decision to maintain the fairway widths on the Black as they did is NOT any indication whatsoever as to whether I believe it was correct or good.
"BB possesses a range of architectural elements that have been pushed aside or limited because of this inane pursuit to be the "toughest" or the "longest," etc, etc.'
The idea of creating the toughest course of all in BB is not a new concept. This goes back to Tilly and the design of the course being different than the others. This truly is Tilly's 'Pine Valley' and he wrote his article "Mankillers" citing that there just two mankiller courses in the U.S. above and beyond all others - Pine Valley and Bethpage Black or the Black leopard as he refered to it.
As far as the "longest" is concerned, you seem to forget that Tilly put in a load of exceptionally long par-4's and 2 par-5's that measured 600 (#7) & 586 (#13) yards when it opened.
"Let me point out that I am a mega fan of BB and have likely played it more times than just about any person who posts on this site."
I take umbrage with anyone who would disagree with your feeling about the Black!
"BB doesn't need the kind of assistance that I have seen first hand."
I disagree... it definitely needed major assistance before the Open and received it to mostly great acclaim. The question is whether or not the new work is necessary (the added length on several of the holes IS and will not be used in normal play so it DOESN'T change the course as it stands or plays for the regular golfer, while the new 14th is IMHO a large improvement as well as being a true restoration as far as the back and right-side green recovery is concerned)
"Again, let the ole BB shine through."
By this do you mean that you finally recognize that changing 18 to a drivable par-4 as an idea was a monumental mistake?!?
(Couldn't help myself buddy!)