The name game

It’s progress-of a sort. Somebody at the Ledge, namely Greg Leding of Fayetteville and the minority in the Arkansas House, has proposed ending the practice of attaching politicians’ names to Arkansas highways. Well, at least some politicians’ names and some highways.

Mr. Leding’s proposal would be a start, if a small one, in the never-ending struggle to save a remnant of good taste and self-respect in state politics. And to honor a bit of folk wisdom. (“Fools’ names and fools’ faces often appear in public places.”) Naturally his proposal was defeated. Self-promotion is just too powerful an instinct among our politicians to be overcome just yet. If ever.

Here’s a simple and more complete remedy for this spreading public nuisance: Pass a bill that would forbid any public facility from being named for a living person.

The Angel of Death may get a bad press from time to time, but he can be mighty welcome when he appears at an opportune and even merciful moment. One of the many services he may render on those occasions is to restore perspective, even a sense of humility, among us the living.

Editorial, Pages 14 on 02/27/2014

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