'BAMA JUDGE WARS
The good folks at a "Restore America Rally" – code for crushing an independent judiciary – in suburban Atlanta last week may have been suckered into attending by politicians wearing Jesus masks.
But that doesn't diminish the faith of, say, the woman in a pink jacket who stood and stretched out her arms during the speeches. I asked her what she knew about "judicial tyranny," and she confessed not much, but her pastor had assured her the rally was the Lord's work.
Chief among those wrapping themselves in Christ's robes was Roy Moore, deposed as Alabama Supreme Court chief justice after he refused to give up his mission to plant the Ten Commandments in public buildings.
Although he never mentioned it, Moore is in high gear to run for Alabama governor. Certainly he has all of the qualifications of the South's great demagogues – Theo Bilbo, Ross Barnett, George Wallace.
No dispute on one point: Moore is a great orator. He remembers and recites long passages from court rulings and (very selectively) the Founding Fathers, much like, well, the devil quoting scripture. And, he knew how to play the crowd:
"God is still sovereign no matter what federal judges say … There's no such right to commit sodomy in the Constitution …" (I was blocked from access to Moore. Heck I was merely curious whether there was constitutional authority to boff in the missionary position.)
"No judicial review!" Moore thundered. Unless judges "acknowledge God," they "should be impeached."
All of this was two evenings before Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist appeared on a telecast with ultra-right religionists who declared a jihad against judges. It's the in thing for reich-wingers nowadays.
Did the congregation comprehend that Moore's vision would shred most of America's social fabric? We'd be back to segregation and witch-hunting.
Sigh. This is the South and they probably did get Judge Roy's drift – and loved it.
-John F. Sugg
For more on a gubernatorial campaign that could take Alabama back to the 1940s, read www.JohnSugg.com. Group Senior Editor John Sugg can be reached at john.sugg@creativeloafing.com.
This article appears in Apr 27 – May 3, 2005.
