Remember the ladies
Abigail Adams famously wrote to her husband, "Remember the ladies." I wish Rex Nelson had done so when he wrote about the restoration of Carnall Hall.
Paula Marinoni spearheaded a grand assembly of women who had lived in Carnall Hall through the years. They raised money, harassed the university administration, and even upstaged the chancellor at the rededication of the building. Photos of the "girls" hang in the Inn at Carnall Hall today. So I think they deserve a lot of credit, even if they are women.
ETHEL SIMPSON
Fayetteville
The decline and fall
I'm planning to write a book about President Trump. I will list all his tweets on Twitter chronologically, and all his comments on TV and elsewhere chronologically, since he took office. His comments prior to that are fodder for another book. I'm not sure what category this book will fall into. Will it be political history, social history, humor or Believe it or Not by Ripley or perhaps The Decline and Fall of the American Empire? Perhaps your readers can help me.
I think it must be classed as humor. Well, you have to laugh, don't you? The political situation we find ourselves in is unprecedented. Laughter is the only possible answer. Yep, I think the book will be classed as humor. No one reading the book in the future could possibly think it was true. Surely no one will believe it really happened. I think the book will do really well.
REG EDWARDS
Compton
Report cases by city
I inquired of the Arkansas Department of Health via one of our local television stations as to why covid cases were not reported by city/municipality. The response was that it is a privacy issue. That is ridiculous!
The paper had all kinds of graphs regarding the virus. I do not want home addresses. I would just like to know if the cases in my county (Pulaski) are located in my city (Sherwood). Is this an unreasonable request? This information would not change my behavior, but if the cases are concentrated in a particular part of the county, some folks might be more careful.
KAY NOLEN
Sherwood
A nugget of sunshine
I'm finally writing the note that swirls around in my brain every morning after reading this new addition to the "A" section called "One Good Thing Extra" (or at least that's how it's notated at the bottom of my newspaper as seen on my iPad) that quietly began appearing a few weeks ago. If you've missed this feature, it's the very last page of the "A" section, just before it transitions to the Metro or "B" section.
This delightful addition is a quick little read detailing something uplifting, inspiring, or heartwarming (often all three at once). Typically, the stories are related to the pandemic in some way, stories of people finding ways to give back to their community. There have been stories of people helping their neighbors, people thanking those all-important first responders and health-care personnel, and people raising funds to support relief organizations. All of the stories are a nugget of sunshine providing hope and inspiration.
While the pandemic was the genesis of this page, I for one am very hopeful that the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette will be able to continue this into the future when our lives aren't turned upside down by covid-19. I think that even when things return to normal, we can all appreciate a little bit of "One Good Thing Extra."
ELIZABETH BARGER
Little Rock
Free Miss Willie now
Years ago I worked for an attorney who represented a woman who was convicted of killing her abusive husband. She was a mild-mannered, soft-spoken, raw-boned, uneducated white woman who had endured years of physical abuse by her alcoholic husband. One night she met him at the door with a shotgun and the abuse ended, but she went to prison.
Today I am following the heartbreaking story of Willie Mae Harris, a black woman who, in 1985, following years of abuse, accidentally shot and killed her alcoholic, abusive husband. She, too, was tried and convicted of murder, although court documents evidenced the abuse.
Miss Willie, as she is affectionately known, is now 72 years old and blind. She has spent 35 of those years in prison. She has finally been granted clemency by the governor, and the Parole Board voted 5-0 to grant her parole. She will live with her daughter in Texas when she is released, if she lives that long.
Here is the glitch.
It takes up to 45 days for Texas to approve Miss Willie's transfer to that state. In the meantime, she waits. In a prison cell. Trying to avoid contracting covid-19. Holding on for dear life to the chance at a new life with her daughter.
Imprisoning women who defend themselves against abusive husbands will never end, but Governor Hutchinson can end Miss Willie's nightmare with a simple phone call to his Texas counterpart.
Show us your human side, sir. One phone call.
LEE JONES
Searcy
Editorial on 05/30/2020