Local Freethinker, Peter Harkins, Dies

[Dardedar]

DAR
When I used to post on NWA Politics, some dishonest nitwit calling himself "Hidden Image" made the assertion that Peter Harkens was a communist.

Here is a copy of that exchange, one of the many I made challenging him to accept a reward if he could back his claim up:

***
HIDDEN
I have been reading his Letters to the Editor for years and he is a communist. 89 years old, or not; like it, or not.>>

DAR
You are a LIAR. But let me back up my charge with some substance. Let's see if you want to put some money where your mouth is. I'll bet you five thousand dollars in cash Peter Harkins is not a communist. This is a bona fide offer and I mean it seriously. Let me know if you would like to draw up a contract.

Time to call you lying rightwingers out and make you back up your claims with a little cash. Put up the green or scurry away from you claims.

Being a fact based kind of news guy, and a little touchy about false charges of "communist" after seeing "Good Night, and Good Luck" last night, I called Peter Harkins and had a nice chat with him. He has voted in every election since FDR, has been happily married 65 years. In 1946 he was the very first announcer, uttered the very first words, on the new radio station KGRH. In 1966 he managed Fayetteville's first FM radio station. Being an American CAPITALIST he founded the successful business "Zip Print" in 1969. He has never been a member or a supporter of a communist organization. He is a fine and honest man and an asset to the country and our community.

I wish I could say the same about you.
***

I sent Peter copies of all of my responses and spirited defenses of him on this issue and he said he enjoyed them immensely. I only met Mr. Harkens briefly at a Rapid Responders meeting about a year ago but I knew him through his letters to the papers. I was saddened to learn that he passed away recently. When I talked to him on the phone many months ago, he was, as many freethinkers are, realistic about life and death. He told me, matter of factly, that he and his wife were working on his obituary and he thought they had written a good one. No phony baloney, no pretense. He knew he had enjoyed a long life well lived and he knew he was approaching the end of it.

The paper had this short editorial about him:

***
NoWest Ark Times Saturday Sept 30, 2006

Accuse us cynical journalists of turning sentimental if you must, but we can’t deny the sad pause we felt this week after learning about the passing of Fayetteville resident Peter Harkins. The general public might not be as familiar of the name as we sure are. Harkins, 89, was a regular contributor to this publication’s “ Letters to the editor” section for years. Over time his letters touched on every subject under the sun — from American imperialism to the Promise Keepers. His wit and wisdom will be sorely missed. Perhaps you caught Harkins ’ obit in the Northwest Arkansas Times on Friday. If so, then you already have some idea of the remarkable life Harkins led. And yet, it’s his contribution to this editorial page that’s most deserving of note today. Praise is sometimes showered on editorial writers and columnists — but the truth is that letters from readers are the backbone of any good community newspaper. Everyone reads them, and everyone learns from them — public officials and private citizens alike. Over the course of time, the real truth about the place you’ve chosen to call home comes to light between the lines of these postings. From the first time he sent us a letter, Harkins’ political leanings were clear enough. An unabashed liberal, his letters were always enjoyable. People argued over what he had to say, and vice versa. Because of his persistence, Harkins ultimately enjoyed roughly the same impact on the community as a columnist of this publication might. Learning about his death earlier this week left us feeling like we’d lost an important contributor to this section, a voice whose strong opinion was always welcome. We hope he knew all that during his life. We also hope those of you reading this will take up the slack in his absence. How can you do that ? By writing thoughtful letters to the Northwest Arkansas Times, in a clear and concise voice, for the entire community to consider. Why is writing letters so important ? Because it represents, in a sense, the public forum that defines any vibrant democracy. A steady flow of opinionated letters from an informed and educated citizenry matters... dearly. Letters full of spark and opinion are always a joy to read — regardless of where they fall on the political spectrum. If you need any help getting started, you might take a peek at today’s “ Letters to the editor” section and read the last letter Peter Harkins sent our way. There’s a chance you won’t agree with his opinion. But then, always being united in thought isn’t what a country such as ours is supposed to be about; keeping debate alive is.

http://www.nwanews.com/nwat/Editorial/45425/print/

[Dardedar]

Peter Harkins

FAYETTEVILLE — Peter Harkins, 89, of Fayetteville died Sept. 27, 2006, at his home. He was born Nov. 19, 1916, in Springfield, Mass., to Lena and Fred Harkins. He was employed at various times by the Smithsonian Institution, NBC radio and ABC radio as a scriptwriter, news editor and broadcaster. He was also employed as a humor writer for Edgar Bergen, Abbott & Costello and Jack Kirkwood and the Kibitzers. He was also the author of seven action/adventure novels published by Grossett & Dunlap.

He married Virginia Greenhaw on Oct. 5, 1940, in Washington, D.C. He was a former manager of KNWA’s first FM radio station. He operated an advertising agency, and with the help of McIlroy Bank, he published extensive information covering the history of “The Oldest Bank in Arkansas.”

He had served as chief of special services at the Veterans Hospital and was a representative for Official Films and MCA TV. He also served as director of the Arkansas State Publicity Department under Gov. Cherry and as a justice of the peace on the first session of the reconstituted Quorum Court of Washington County.

His interest in thoroughbred horse racing led him to accept the executive directorship of the Arkansas Throughbred Breeders & Horsemen’s Association, where he served for five years.

He was an enthusiastic member of the Democratic party. His hobby during the last few years of his life was writing letters to the editors of various area newspapers.

Survivors include his wife of 66 years, Virginia Greenhaw Harkins of the home; one sister-in-law, Mrs. Leonard F. Greenhaw of Fayetteville; two nephews, William K. Greenhaw and wife Emily and their children, Clark Greenhaw and Elizabeth Greenhaw, all of Fayetteville; and John F. Greenhaw and wife Renee’ and their daughter, Katie Greenhaw, all of Fayetteville.

Cremation is by Moore’s Chapel in Fayetteville. A memorial service will be announced later.

http://www.nwaonline.net/obituaries/
***

Here was his last letter to the paper, published Friday 29.

***
Bush keeps reminding us of the sacrifice that will be required of us in order to win the war in Iraq. Where does he get that us stuff? I haven’t missed a meal, have you? The only ones sacrificing are the guys who got caught in the National Guard when the war broke out. Or their families. They had thought all they were ever going to be were stand-by soldiers who might help out during bad floods or bad fires, never in a million years being shipped out of their own states to fight a war. But they obviously didn’t read the fine print in their enlistment papers and of course the Bush bunch never mentioned it to them until they came up short of men after a few months in Iraq. Now they’re the regulars, called back twice and three times and about 10 to 1 shots to ever come back any time they go. Now that’s sacrifice. The American fat cats who had their congressmen pass all kinds of outs for their sons during our last few wars are panicky because talk about a draft is starting again and this time they might not be able to get away with having we the people eat those educational deferments and such like they did before.

We have got an oval office full of guys who never served a day in their lives, but they don’t hesitate a second to sign papers that ship other guys boys off to battle.

Let’s face it, it has always been so. During the Civil War the poor slobs who were taking all the punishment called it a rich man’s war and a poor man’s fight. The first George Bush, Congressman George, got George W. wedged into the Texas National Guard ahead of 600 other good old Texas boys who were in line before him. Once in he didn’t show up half the time and despite his shortcomings and his low marks as a student pilot, was advanced to lieutenant ahead of guys far more qualified. When the ‘Nam war ended, six months before his enlistment was up they let him quit. His quitting papers said honorably.

Honorably?

Check one after another of the guys in the upper echelon of politics and you’ll find that those that couldn’t get wedged into the National Guard wound up with bad knee or chronic sacroiliac deferments whenever the war drums sounded.

When our government starts calling for our kids to join the ranks with no exemptions, that’s when you’ll see a 485 to 0 count in Congress to cut and get the hell out of there like yesterday.
***

[Barbara Fitzpatrick]

We're going to miss the heck out of Peter. His wide range of experience gave him "street cred" on just about everything and his writing was a joy to read, just from the technical (grammatical) standpoint. Writers of good English, however informal, as Peter's letters usually were, are hard to come by.