1) the Alabama Legislature didn't mandate this. Perhaps if they had, the courthouse would be decorated more along the lines of the USSC (Hamurabi, Confusius, Solon, et al.) and there wouldn't be a problem.
2) how come it was a surprise to the rest of the Ala. SC?
No, but the Alabama Constitution makes allowance for it for it.
FReepers are generally some of the smartest people I know, but I am disheartened by the combination of either willful ignorance or lack of understanding and the willingness of otherwise rational people to side with the liberals in the tearing down of the Constitution, our rich history and traditions and the taking away of our once precious freedoms.