The 'Alien Hand'
Dear editor:
When I read Mr. Porter's article "Alien Hand Syndrome" (Oct. 18), a movie of the past came to mind. It was close to Halloween in 1946 that my parents took my sister, brother and me to the old Victory Theater on Hobson to see "The Beast With Five Fingers."
It starred Peter Lorre and told the story about a half-paralyzed pianist who could only play his piano with his left hand. Lorre played Hillary, the pianist's secretary, who kept to himself studying astrology in his benefactor's vast library. The closest friend of the invalid pianist is his caretaker, Julie, whom he loves. After the pianist is mysteriously killed his brother and son arrive for the funeral and begin making plans to sell the house and the treasured library. This upsets Hillary who claims the library belongs to him.
The deceased pianist's mausoleum is violated and the police inspector surmises that it appears the pianist came back to life only long enough to cut off his left hand with his paralyzed right hand. Later the will of the pianist is read, leaving Julie as executor. The brother hires the family lawyer to contest the will but before the lawyer can get a court order he is killed by "The Hand." The pianist's iconic music is heard at night in the house atrium but ceases when anyone checks.
Long story short: Hillary is behind the mayhem. His mind snaps when he believes the disembodied "Hand" is responsible for the chaos. He throws it into the fireplace, it crawls out and climbs up to the neck of Hillary, and he dies by his own left hand.
I had not heard of alien hand syndrome and considered the film to be a fantasy. From time to time over the years I had read about this disease only briefly but this article has really piqued my interest. Could this syndrome be the government's problems today? Years later, I read about a bodiless hand appearing at a party and writing a message on the wall of a king's palace (Daniel 5:5, 26-28), and thought it might apply to America:
"God has numbered the days of your reign in the world and will bring it to an end.
"You have been weighed on the balance scale of time and have failed the test.
"Your country has been divided and given (to foreigners)."
The writing on the wall was for those in Babylon who had defied God and became totally corrupt. Just as the city would be judged, so will our country face God's judgment. You can deny the truth of it, but it will come. However, it isn't too late.
Revelation 8:1 says that one day God will wait about 30 minutes for those undecided lost people to accept His gift of salvation through Christ Jesus. Provided that God will give you 30 minutes more of life, what will you do?
Donald Cunningham
Hot Springs
Fill a cup with success
Dear editor:
Downtown Hot Springs has survived floods, fires, recessions, and even the threat of a government downgrade. COVID-19 and the Oaklawn casino expansion are the next threats to downtown and the nightlife. Gov. Hutchinson has mandated through the ABC that bars be closed by 11 p.m., all while allowing Oaklawn to remain open.
Challenging times call for innovative ideas. Laborers and business owners are doing our best to create safe environments. We want to remain open and be profitable, while allowing customers to have an enjoyable time. We want to thrive to avoid going extinct or causing tourists to never return.
Downtowns and shopping centers across the country are creating entertainment districts where customers can open carry alcoholic beverages on sidewalks. In theory, customers would purchase a cup and wristband from the city of Hot Springs or at participating locations. Customers could then use the cup at any participating business within the regulated zone. This would help local bars who are being hampered by capacity limits and customers who are frustrated by long wait times.
A Hot Springs Downtown Entertainment District would be beneficial for the city. It will help customers safely social distance outside of establishments. It will help local businesses and the Hot Springs A&P increase revenue. The cups will increase our marketing for the city when being shared across social media. The cups could include a QR code with the establishments and important rules. Last, the cups should be environmentally friendly plant-based cups that are decomposable.
All in all, we can pass public policy that enables downtown Hot Springs to compete with others while creating a safer environment during this pandemic. We are Hot Springs Strong, and we will make it through this challenge!
Tyler Draper
Malvern
COVID games
Dear editor:
So let me get this straight! LSU and Alabama were both given a week off for COVID-19. LSU was told if they went and played Arkansas, whose COVID-19 count left them with one player more than the league number of 53, LSU would then get another week off to prepare again for Alabama. Is the dead rat beginning to stink yet? Now enter the ACC into this week's frivolity!
Clemson didn't want to play Florida State there because they lost their last game, in OT, and one more loss could cancel their chances to play for the big game! Who cares what Trevor is thinking as he's torn between coming back for his next season or losing a year of his life on IR, just like Mr. Burrow did last week. No amount of money would get me to play for the Just End The Season (JETS)!
Sankey needs to go! His lust for money has jaded his vision for the student-athletes and put them all in harm's way. Your time is up! I do have one good piece of news for Razorback fans. We finally placed a mole in the SEC after all of these years. We will now know whenever Marc Curles is scheduled to officiate a Razorback game anywhere in the SEC. No longer will his blind, deaf and dumb crew be able to take away well-earned victories like the 2009 Florida game, 2015 Tennessee and 2016 Ole Miss games. They're still trying to get night vision glasses for them and their service dogs haven't got the concept but with Sankey gone there should be more money to free up for athletics, not personal salaries!
Just think! Now that we know where Moe, Larry and Curly will be heading to, we won't have to leave so soon for the games. We can just tailgate by the interstate they will be driving by, load up after eating and just give them "a true Arkansas welcome" by leading their bus, safely, out of God's country into whatever outhouse they need to call the game from!
I'd like to thank Mr. Wisener for his expert reporting and wish all you Razorback fans a safe and blessed holiday!
Don L. Campbell
Hot Springs