This is terrifically upsetting news -- and I say that even in the face of
the dreadful daily tidings from Washington & the Mideast.

For the Mark Twain House to close its doors -- that's not just sad; it would
be a national disgrace.

Of course, you could say that the idea of spending $10 million for a visitor
center -- let alone the ultimate $19 million price tag -- was just asking
for trouble. But even so.

Come to think of it, that kind of grandiosity is what got MT himself into so
much hot water, wasn't it? So you could say there's good precedent, anyway.

So sad.  Here's an easier link to Alison Leigh Cowan's story, by the way,
for anyone who hasn't yet seen it:

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/03/nyregion/03twain.html?scp=2&sq=mark+twain&st=nyt

Pete Salwen