The World Around You

Alabama once again got some attention from the national press. NPR covered the Jefferson County Sheriff Mike Hale’s “cell phone posse” on Morning Edition today. You might remember I mentioned this story earlier, wondering when the national press might pick up on it.

It appears that there will be very strict security regarding signs at the RNC. However, I do wish one state representative had been able to see his idea to fruition,

Each member of the state delegation received a red, white and blue sign proclaiming “Alabama is Bush Cheney ‘04 Country,” though security measures prevent the delegates from taking them inside Madison Square Garden.

Still, the signs were a hit, and made it easier to spot buses hired to carry the group from event to event.

State Rep. Greg Albritton, a delegate from Excel, said “I wanted to make my own that said ‘Redneck Republicans.’”

That’s exactly the image I want to see on national television. An entire delegation of Alabama Republicans waving their signs proudly declaring themselves to be rednecks. I would have laughed for days.

Those on the other side of the equation should think long and hard about why the Alabama Republican delegation is so satisfied with their “position in the party”, as one delegate says.

Specifically, the platform is solidly anti-abortion, which goes a long way toward quieting dissent from the Alabama delegation. The strong opposition to gay marriage also scores points within the group.

However, this year’s sticking point for Alabama could have been the Ten Commandments. Despite some delegates who wanted the party to officially endorse the idea of protecting government displays of the commandments against legal challenge, the issue never even got to the table. Instead, Waggoner’s amendment regarding the power of federal judges gives examples of when that power has been misused, such as prohibiting the display of the commandments on government property.

“My best guess is there was probably an effort made not to have anything controversial,” said Alabama delegate Terry Butts from Crenshaw County.

It’s nice to know that there is no controversy in the Republican party on gay marriage and abortion. Especially considering the number of speakers at the convention who are pro-choice.

To me, it really refutes the image the Republicans are trying to portray to have the platform worded in the way it is and then say they have a “big tent”. Of course, the Democrats try to put a moderate face on their party as well, but at least the platform reflects this desire rather than directly refuting it.