I received information that there is a bill before the Massachusetts State Legislature to exonerate five women who had been executed as witches at Salem in 1692. I had always thought that all those who had been executed had been exonerated either by the reversal of attainders in 1711 or the Resolve passed by the Mass Legislature in 1957. No one spoke for Bridget Bishop, Susanna Martin, Alice Parker, Margaret Scott, and Wilmot Redd in 1711, so there were no reversals for them. The 1957 Resolve refers to Ann Pudeator and "certain other persons." These five are also referred to as "said persons" but their names are never mentioned. Technically these women still stand condemned of witchcraft. Evidently, the bill has received some bad press because some folks feel that this is a trivial issue and a waste of taxpayer dollars for the legislature to spend any time on this matter. I find it interesting that some people feel it is a trivial issue and a waste of tax dollars to exonerate those five women. I wonder how much tourist revenue has been generated in MA from the Salem Witch tragedies? I know some people feel that this happened over 300 years ago to people long gone, sad and even tragic, but its only connection to modern times is as a tourist destination. I can tell you though, those "witch" descendants that I have communicated with, feel a strong connection to those ancestors. I am always amazed by the courage and convictions of those who were executed. They could have confessed and saved their lives but they didn't. They weren't even given the dignity of a decent burial. I wonder if I could have been so courageous......... Exoneration is the least that can be done now. If you would be interested in sending a letter in support of this issue to the Mass. Senate Judiciary Committee, I will be happy to post the address. Thanks, Bonnie Johnson [email protected] http://www.erols.com/pjohn