Rules versus laws. Matters of taste. Whether the Wag's content is appropriate for the local art blog... The Wag takes these issues seriously. Some good points have been made. Some quick responses.

Yes, the Manchins did restore Cass Gilbert's original design to the Capitol dome (the smartest move that's yet been made regarding the dome's maintenance). And yes, Miz Manchin is a warm, outgoing and bright First Lady. The Wag doesn't even have a problem with marble bathtubs. The Wag prefers excellence and wishes all West Virginians could have more exposure to it, both tactilely and conceptually. The Wag does have big problems with prevarication and obfuscation, no matter who the author is. If you prevaricate and obfuscate, you know who you are. You aren't helping matters.

The Wag also realizes that the Manchins can't be all things to all people. But for better or worse, they asked for the difficult administrative job of moving all of us forward, and collectively, we gave them the job. They are going to have to learn to appreciate some things they may not already know about, and may not ever have cared about. The Wag has listened and watched, and has determined that the Manchins' strong suit is not aesthetics -- and that silly releases from state government urging the plebes to attend a fair or festival, complete with Joe Manchin's by-line notwithstanding, that culture and history, officially or unofficially, are not a high priority in this administration.

Fine. But it would be a stroke of genius on the part of the Manchins if they would only do due diligence when it comes to putting people in place who DO have excellent training and experience in the realm of Culture and History--capitals no accident. Yes, it is not only possible, but preferable to hire people who actually have credentials and track records to do important jobs, and then let them do them. (Credentials do not include a South Hills address, by the way, nor do they mean attachment to some rich or well-connected politico.)

Take West Virginia Culture and History seriously, Joe and Gayle. Prove you take our Culture and History seriously by finding the very best people you can find to fill important jobs in the Division of Culture and History. Beware of flatterers and sychophants. Beware of cronyism.

Is this a local issue? Is it an art issue? The Wag doesn't care. The Manchins are now locals, and they ultimately preside, as far as federal and state dollars and emphasis are concerned, over art, which is part of Culture. Their attention or lack of attention in this realm will become part of our history. Can art, culture and history survive without their knowledge, care and attention? Sure. So far, they have. Would the Manchins have to stretch way out of their comfort zone to simply search for a well-qualified person to daily preside over Culture and History, and the several boards that attempt to give responsible guidance in the realms of preservation, arts, and history?

-- The Wicked Wag