Bill Pryor Critics

Some tight wingers are just as upset as the liberals at the recess appointment of former Alabama Attorney General Bill Pryor because he order Judge Moore to comply with the federal court order to remove the Ten Commandments Monument from the Alabama Judicial Building. They believe that Pryor had to choose between his Lord and his political career, and that he chose his political career.

Now, living in Alabama and working in downtown Montgomery, I think I have some "hometown" insight. I have met Bill Pryor, shook his and hand and spoke to him briefly. First, then, let me say, there is not a man serving in politics in Alabama with a greater faith than his. He is a man of God and always strives to do what is right. When I spoke with him, I sensed the presence of the Spirit living and have certainly seen him tackle tough issues with fairness, wisdom, and humility. Bill Pryor is the only politician that I've heard call into the local talk shows and share his insight and take questions (when it is not an election year and without being hounded for months/years by the host). He will take the tough questions head-on and does not have to hide from the public because he has done the right thing.

He is the most non-partisan politician I know. He has prosecuted Republicans who have broken the law with the same ferocity that he had Democrats. He has refused to use his position to bully Democrats with the threat of prosecution, even though he has been asked to. He has the heart of a teacher and is always willing to explain how he reached his conclusion in a clear and articulate way. He does not rush headlong into judgment based on his ideals. He follows the law. That is part of his character.

When the Ten Commandments situation was occurring here (a block from where I work...I can actually see the back of the Judicial Building from my office window), Attorney General Bill Pryor continued to follow the law, despite his personal beliefs. Whether we agree with the law or not, maturity demands that one follow the proper recourses before abdicating the law and engaging in civil disobedience and revolutionary actions. I applaud Judge Moore for standing up for his convictions and taking the consequences of those actions. I believe (as I am sure Pryor does...though he has never shared his personal belief publicly on the issue) that indeed the State has the right to determine for itself if it wants the monument in the building or not. However, since Judge Moore took the case to the Federal Courts, as an officer of the court and as mature, reasonable man, Bill Pryor had no choice but to enforce the court order. To do otherwise would have gone against his character and would have been travesty to him.

I think Bill Pryor will make an excellent appellate judge. His ability to set aside his own personal convictions and follow the law is a rare sight in the courts these days. He is well-educated, extremely intelligent, an outstanding legal researcher, and a man above reproach. I wish the Senate had not used illegal means to keep him from coming to a vote so he could have his life-time appointment that he deserves. However, I am sure his one year appointment will only continue to build the case that this is Judge who is capable, articulate, and wise. Maybe the next Senate will not have the power to use procedural rules to override the Constitution...or maybe Republicans will actually grow a pair and fight back.