Alabama again makes the editorial page. This is an honor for many states, but for Alabama it demonstrates its ever-present dichotomies. The Washington Post editorial page, Feb. 21, congratulated Vonetta Flowers upon her historic Olympic gold medal. An impossible story line only 50 years ago.
Yet, the editorial writers could not overlook Chief Justice Roy Moore’s concurring opinion to a child custody case that contained a vehement exposition on the inherent evils of homosexuality.
These two news stories starkly illustrate Alabama’s problem, and its perception outside the South. While Alabama has made great strides, it is a progress marked by incremental steps, followed by a giant leap backward. Alabama has many positive attributes. Alabama also has many burdens.
For Alabama to emerge a regional leader, and a respected member of the nation, the people of the state must make a decision. Do they support the individuals and ideas that will take the state into the 21st century, or adhere to the modes of thought that barely warrant the 20th century.
Darby G. Holladay
Tulsa, Okla.
(Formerly of Auburn)
An asinine decision
Chief Justice Roy Moore has made a typically asinine decision. The question is: Should he remain in office or resign? If Moore can’t put aside his personal prejudices and religious opinions and do the job he was elected to do, perhaps he should resign. Or be impeached.It is elected officials like Moore that make our state a laughingstock of the rest of the nation. Moore’s intolerance for other points of view and alternative lifestyles makes him a liability if we truly want our state to move ahead.
Prejudice and bigotry has no place in elected office in this day and time. Perhaps it did under a governor like George Wallace. But times have changed and we need responsible leaders who reflect that change. Not ones who look back to an embarrassing and disgraceful past.
So far, all Chief Justice Moore has proven is how unfit for the job of an elected official he is. And how much of an intolerant bigot he really is.
Freddie L. Hinton
Oxford
Restored faith
Chief Justice Roy Moore has restored my faith in the Alabama Judicial System. I have read the case and opinion four or five times and it is as legally sound as any document I have ever seen. First of all, the standard for a change in custody can be found in Ex Parte McLendon (" The parent seeking the custody change must show NOT ONLY IS SHE FIT, but also that the change in custody materially promotes the child’s best interest and welfare"). Also, from Wood v. Wood (the positive good brought by modification must more than offset the inherently disruptive effect caused by uprooting the child. Frequent disruptions are to be condemned).
Not one of these conditions was met by the mother in question, whether she is lesbian or not. Also, this woman has voluntarily given up custody in the past. There should be no question that Justice Moore acted "in the best interest of these children." And this is the issue at hand, not "gay rights." Great job Chief Justice Moore.
Alan Rusmisel
Alabama Family Rights Association
Birmingham
Family Court and Moore
The recent editorial, "Family Court and Judge Moore’s Law" (Feb. 20), questions the decision of the state supreme court because there were allegations of abuse against the father.
The court merely indicated that the trial court was in a better position to consider abuse allegations. Indeed, it is typical in custody cases that the appellate court defer to the trial court’s judgment, at least if the mother is given custody.
In a recent case, the appellate court affirmed a trial court’s decision to award custody to a mother whom the trial court stated that there was extensive evidence of abuse by the mother resulting in life-threatening injuries and permanent brain damage. One can only conclude that the appellate court’s reversal of the trial court was based on gender bias, not law.
Statistically, fathers are abusers less than 10 percent of the time. Mothers more than 50 percent of the time. In the context of divorced parents, a child in the custody of the mother has a 50-50 chance of being abused, yet still less than 10 percent chance if in the custody of the father.
Dr. James J. Stagliano, Jr.
Enterprise
