By appointing Bowman, a decorative arts specialist who has 
spent most of her career in the Far West (LA County Art 
Museum and a wildlife facility in Wyoming), the powers 
that be in Charlottesville may be sending a signal about the 
future focus at Monticello.  Will an art historian be able or
inclined to pursue the controversial issues regarding Jefferson
that have consumed this list for several weeks?  Bowman 
stated for the record in 1999 that Winterthur was her 
"magical" or dream job, and one wonders why she left 
and whether she is ready for a far more politically-charged
environment with national scrutiny.

     That appointment brings to mind the issue of GOADING,
which this list has been particularly subject to lately with
regard to the postings of our D.C. lawyer.  (I had flashbacks
to the angry townspeople attacking the castle with torches in
various Frankenstein movies.)  Years ago, I was present at a 
typical Monticello house tour with a large group of vacationers. 
When the docent/guide (truly a very refined, "little old lady" in 
white gloves) asked if there were any questions, one stereo-
typical, camera-around-the-neck, bermuda-shorts-wearing tourist 
in the mode of Chevy Chase yelled out:  "Tell us about Sally
Hemings and Jefferson."  The now-red-faced guide dismissed that
by saying, "we don't discuss controversial issues like politics and 
religion" on such tours.  "Hell," he said, "I'm talking about sex and 
race!" 

From the land of high winds and rising waters,

Fred Fausz
St. Louis


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