Some Arkansas Politicians Preposterously Believe Johnny Cash Unworthy of Statue

by Julian Spivey
In February it was announced that the Arkansas senate had endorsed placing statues of civil rights leader Daisy Bates and legendary musician Johnny Cash at the U.S. Capitol in Washington D.C. Each state is allotted two statues at the U.S. Capitol representing and celebrating their respective states.
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The proposed statues for Bates, who was the first choice for the majority-Republican Senate, and Cash, the second choice, would replace current statues of James P. Clarke, Governor of Arkansas from 1895-1897 and later a Senator from the state, and Uriah Rose, a 19th century attorney.

However, the Arkansas Times reported on Thursday, March 7 that the proposed statue for Cash had hit a snag. The proposal had initially passed on a 54-21 vote, according to the Times, but failed following a procedural move that requires lawmakers to be in their seats for votes to count. The proposal was sent back to committee.

It seems that the biggest issue for Arkansas lawmakers in the matter is whether or not Cash deserves the honor of a statue representing the state at the U.S. Capitol, because some legislators don’t believe he was a good role model. According to the Arkansas Times, some Republicans in the state would rather the Cash statue be replaced by one for Walmart founder Sam Walton.

Of course, Republicans would rather see a billionaire representing the state than a musician who stood for everybody – including prisoners, Native Americans and other downtrodden folks.

Rep. Doug House said: “Mr. Cash is a great musician … but the drugs, the alcohol, the women, that kind of thing … no, I can’t hold him up to my children as a model.”

Rep. House and any of his fellow legislators who don’t want to see a statue of Cash representing Arkansas at the U.S. Capitol are full of baloney.

Few, if any, people are a better representation for the state and it’s because of Cash’s support of individuals who rarely received support from others – no wonder current conservatives have an issue with that. Also, Cash’s story is one of the greatest of redemption in American music history as he gave up those drugs, alcohol and other rock star vices and addictions and completely turned his life around and served God and his fellow man until his death in 2003. That makes Cash heroic. That makes him a good role model for anybody who’s ever had to overcome hardships – which Cash did many times in his life, having come from poverty as well as a child. Maybe Rep. House has lived a perfect life? I can’t help but wonder if he as a Republican supports President Donald Trump and believes him to be a good role model for children.

Johnny Cash deserves this statue at the U.S. Capitol representing Arkansas, my home state, and I sincerely hope one day I’ll be able to have my photo taken with it. I have no use for a photo of myself next to a bronzed Sam Walton.

I do have one message for Rep. House and his colleagues courtesy of Cash himself …

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