The wrong message

Dear editor:

I’ve read several letters either opposing or advocating the removal of the Confederate statue in town. Personally, I think the removal and changing of numerous statues, monuments, name brands, logos, etc. across the country are going overboard in terms of political correctness. I also believe it sends the wrong message to the next generation. You can’t erase or whitewash (pun intended) history, and we shouldn’t want to. The United States has made a lot of mistakes over our relatively short history, and those are symbols that should be remembered and learned from, so as not to make the same mistakes again. And if it bothers you that much, simply don’t look at it or avoid driving by it.

As to the Wheatley descendant who wrote opposing the removal of the local statue, I wouldn’t worry too much. By the time Bill Burrough and the city board make a decision, the controversy will likely have long passed. First, they’ll hire an independent social bias consulting firm for around $50K to look into it, then commission a panel to do a feasibility study for $75K, then enlist an advertising and consulting firm for $100K to explore a suitable replacement statue, then contract B&F Engineering for another $250K to design a moving plan. A half a million dollars of taxpayer money later, the statue will still be there. Business as usual from Hot Springs city government.

Semper Fi. Gunnery Sgt. Ron Collins, USMC retired Hot Springs