Vanity: My Letter to Alabama Attorney General Pryor

Self | 11/11/2003 | Self

[farmer18th]

Dear Mr. Pryor:

Your actions with respect to Judge Moore confuse me.

Is "Thou Shalt Not Steal" offensive to you? (I'm glad I don't own property in Alabama)

Is "Thou Shalt Not Murder" problematic for you? (I'm glad I don't live in Alabama)

Is "Thou Shalt Not Commit Adultery" hurtful to you? (I'm glad you don't know my wife.)

Is "Thou Shalt not Bear False Witness" repugnant to you? (I'm glad I never had to seek justice in your state.)

Is "Thou Shalt Have no Other Gods Before Me" distasteful to you? (What with lightning bolts and all, I'm glad I dont worship next to you.)

We are a nation of laws, Mr. Pryor, and not of men. I'm just confused as to which laws you follow.

[Catspaw]

and they are disagreeing about what precisely? The public display of The Ten Commandments.

No. Had you been paying attention, that matter was resolved by the federal courts and, after Moore's suspension, the acting chief justice of the Alabama Supreme Court and the seven remaining justices ordered Roy's Rock removed.

Tomorrow's hearing before the Judicial Review Board is whether Moore is removed from office, suspended or restored to office. It is based, in part, on whether Moore complied with the court order and if he's restored to office, whether he would continue to comply with the court order.

The dispute about the monument is resolved. The final blow was the US Supreme Court refusing to take the case.

[EternalVigilance]

I should have realized you got them from Keyes.

BS. As usual, you think you know more than you do. I haven't conversed with Alan in a year and a half.

[farmer18th]

No. Had you been paying attention, that matter was resolved by the federal courts

In the same way that Dred Scott resolved the issue of slavery? You think this is resolved?

[lugsoul]

Parsing words? You don't need to converse to receive your blast faxes or broadcast e-mails.

[EternalVigilance]

It tells the story of how his troops in 'Nam tried to frag him.

I can see how such a story would make you ecstatic.

[Catspaw]

I remind you that Chancellor, when logic fails, routinely resorts to his closet drawer of pejoratives, "TBN, hick-theology," and the like. If the pot is too hot for him, he shouldn't stir it.

So that allows you to insult the Pope, the head of the Roman Catholic Church?

[lugsoul]

Not ecstatic. Just worth pointing out that your hero's troops hated him enough to try to kill him. Of course, Moore blames it on all that marijuana smoking.

[Looking for Diogenes]

Tell me where in the Constitution it gives the judiciary the exclusive right to interpret the Constitution.

I'll let Chief Justice John Marshall answer that.

Thus, the particular phraseology of the constitution of the United States confirms and strengthens the principle, supposed to be essential to all written constitutions, that a law repugnant to the constitution is void; and that courts, as well as other departments, are bound by that instrument.

WILLIAM MARBURY v. JAMES MADISON, SECRETARY OF STATE OF THE UNITED STATES. 1803

[reflecting]

I have not smeared Roy Moore - I have asked why you thought pastors did not ralley to him....and your response is that the pastors are cowards......I have mentioned one area which would give any discerning pastor pause ......and that one alone is enough ....there are those who finely manipulate conservative christian people (whose grief and concern over the state of our nation is legitimate) for thier own advancement....

[Texas Federalist]

If you think it is so warped, move to New England. They'll be happy to have you. And if you hate majoritarianism so much, try Saudi Arabia. "Southerners like me" tend to shy away from oligarchy.

[Catspaw]

In the same way that Dred Scott resolved the issue of slavery? You think this is resolved?

For now it is.

Now if you want your revolution, I bet if you get in your vehicle right now, you could make it to Montgomery by tomorrow if you drive all night, or see if you could get an early flight into Montgomery. Alas, all the tickets for the Roy Moore show are taken, but you could stand outside and lend your support.

[EternalVigilance]

I don't work from anybody's talking points.

But you're doing your usual great impression of working from the ACLU's very convincingly.

If I did follow someone's talking points, though, I certainly wouldn't be ashamed if they came from Dr. Keyes.

No one I've ever met has internalized the founding principles of our free republic better, notwithstanding his Doctorate in Government from Harvard.

[lugsoul]

It really is a shame he couldn't get his trial moved to the arena. Or at least broadcast on TBN. But then he wouldn't be able to make up all kinds of stuff about how unfair the proceedings were.

[EternalVigilance]

Just worth pointing out that your hero's troops hated him enough to try to kill him.

Hey, why don't you go march with ANSWER. They have a banner you could carry.

[farmer18th]

insult the pope..

The insult to the pope rests in history itself. The fact remains that the oldest Christian tradition on earth, at that point in history, had become ineffectual in curbing fascism in its own backyard. Perhaps if the Ten Commandments had been posted on every Italian village street and court house, perhaps if Catholic politicians had publicly referred to the immutable will of God, totalitarianism would not have taken root. Perhaps? Or perhaps that would have been deplorably insensitive to Italian agnostics?

[reflecting]

Now I am off to church, we are having revival services, praying for revival in this land, renewal in our local church family and the family of God. Goals that might not be much embraced by the many trial lawyers of Alabama......

[lugsoul]

If you are not working from talking points, why do you single out Myron Thompson for attack when you ADMIT that you can't describe any aspect of his ruling that is not exactly in line with how he was required to rule on the case? Is it just because he is a democratic appointee and you think its easy? Or can you actually say what he did wrong?

[Looking for Diogenes]

The author of the First Amendment was a devout Christian who resided in a sate wit an established religion during and after the ratification of the US Constitution. He might disagree with your assessment of the original meaning of the establishment clause, no?

When drafted the First Amendment did not apply to states. The Consitution is open to amendment. The 14th Amendment extended the civil liberties mentioned in the Bill of Rights to states. Duh.

[EternalVigilance]

I never said that any particular pastor was a coward. On the contrary.

I suggested that this could be the case in paricular instances.

Don't put words in my mouth, please.

[EternalVigilance]

I join you in your prayers.