It#039;s the tactics that were wrong
Published 12:00 am Thursday, November 20, 2003
As usual, we can always look to Montgomery when things get a little strange.
Life in Alabama simply got weird last week when the Alabama Court of the Judiciary removed Roy Moore from his position as Chief Justice of the Alabama Supreme Court.
I say it was weird because no one in Alabama really expected that to happen. Myself included.
I've made no bones about the way I feel about Roy Moore. I'm not his biggest supporter or fan, but I admit, I was shocked at the outcome.
When I first tackled the subject of Roy Moore, about a year ago this week, I received some pretty interesting comments from the readership.
One reader even went so far as to challenge my very existence and tell me to "go back to where I came from or he could send me there."
I guess he forgot that I actually "came from" about three doors down from where he lives.
Go figure.
No, I never expected Moore would be permanently removed from the bench. I figured he would get a slap on the wrist, a moderate suspension and then he would go back to work.
And well, now, the rest is history … he's been removed and he's still hovering around.
I never had a problem with the Ten Commandments. I really didn't have too much of a problem with it at the State Judicial Building.
My problem all along has been with Roy Moore and his tactics.
People have rushed to his side, defending him and his actions.
That's just what he wants. How else do you think he got elected in the first place?
Moore blatantly broke the law. He defied a court order, trying to prove himself above the law of the country. I don't think Judges McKathan, Short or McGuire would appreciate someone telling them they disagreed with their opinion and refused to acknowledge it. Do you?
What Moore did was use the media as his best ally -- despite the opinion so many have of the media.
Moore played it up in front of the camera. The lights went on and out came that smile and pity parade.
It got him elected to the court, playing on emotion. Now, he'll probably challenge Sen. Richard Shelby and use the same tactic.
We'll have to wait and see on that, but I honestly believe we haven't heard the last from Roy Moore, and come next Spring, he'll be all over the television, bringing out the pity parade and trying to gain a seat in the US Senate.
And it would be typical Alabama politics to send him there. I just hope we don't.
My grandfather, a traditional "old-line" Democrat, and devout Christian and church deacon, and WWII veteran would have a few things to say about Roy Moore, and his antics. I don't think he would appreciate his actions -- or intentions.