To the editor:

We shouldn’t memorialize William S. Burroughs – not because of his lack of citizenship, but because he was a drunk, drug-addicted murderer. He shot his wife in the head trying to pull off a William Tell act while under the influence of several substances. Because it happened in Mexico, no charges were pressed. It never went to trial. It was ruled an accident.

Forget his lack of citizenship. What about his lack of moral fiber, his lack of responsibility and his lack of courage? He came to Lawrence to hide out rather than to blend in with the rest of the so-called avant-garde that have found Lawrence so appealing. Memorializing him just because he was a famous author is like acquitting Michael Jackson because he sells albums.

Forget memorializing William S. Burroughs, let’s focus on famous Lawrencians that can bring pride to the area. Authors like Langston Hughes, Sara Paretsky and David Dary.

Kevin Albert,

Lawrence