Moore jousting at windmills

By Staff
Bob Ingram, Alabama Scene
MONTGOMERY-Give him high marks for persistency if nothing else.
Supreme Court Chief Justice Roy Moore has announced he will ask the U. S. Supreme Court to overturn a lower court ruling that he must remove the celebrated Ten Commandments monument from the lobby of the State Judicial Building.
His decision to ask the high court to intervene in the case came in spite of the contention of many legal scholars that he is fighting a hopeless cause.
In fact, most constitutional lawyers are in agreement that the high court will not even hear the case.
Critics of Moore bemoaned the fact this latest appeal will simply add to the cost of the litigation…a cost which will be paid with taxpayers money…but he can take comfort from the fact that a recent poll showed an overwhelming majority of Alabamians agree with him that the monument should remain where it is.
Lee observed his 40th anniversary this month as secretary of the State Senate, and in that high profile and powerful position he has seen a lot of legislative history.
Lee was elected to the post on July 16, 1963, filling a vacancy caused by the death a few days earlier of Earl Speight. By coincidence, Speight had occupied the job for 40 years as well.
Lee has seen legislators and governors come and go in droves…serving during the administrations of Gov. George and Lurleen Wallace, Albert Brewer, Fob James, Guy Hunt, Jim Folsom Jr., Don Siegelman and now Bob Riley.
Be sure his anniversary didn't go unnoticed. An impressive collection of lobbyists and former legislators gathered for a luncheon to pay tribute to the former Barbour County legislator, who in his younger days had flaming red hair and a temper to match.
The hair is now gray, and his once famous temper has been tempered by time.
While Lee has often talked about retirement it appeared at the luncheon he is thinking about serving another 40 years.
The nominating committee–made up of Lt. Gov. Lucy Baxley, Chief Justice Roy Moore of the Supreme Court and Presiding Judge Bucky McMillan of the Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals–submitted their nominees to Gov. Riley, who must pick one of them by July 31 or ask for new nominees.
Nominated for the post were retired Court of Appeals Judge Frank Long Sr. of Florence, retired court reporter Robert Stampler of Huntsville and former Shelby County Sheriff James L. Jones.
The seat to be filled is being vacated by Gladys Riddle.
Charlie Walker of Decatur was elected president of Boys Nation while Richard Friedman of Fairhope was elected vice president.
The program, which is sponsored by the American Legion, included two rising high school seniors from each state in the nation.
This is the first time in the half-century history of the program that Alabama youngsters have won the two top positions.
She was a native of Andalusia.
Call the roll: John Patterson (1959-63); Albert Brewer (1968-71); Fob James (1979-83 and 1995-99); Guy Hunt (1987-93); Jim Folsom Jr. (1993-95); Don Siegelman (1999-2003).