by Stephen Fox » Thu Dec 05, 2013 10:13 pm
The Editors
Ft Payne Times Journal
For publication
The Editors:
I noticed David Clemons piece over the weekend on U Bama grads praising the law school in particular. Over the years I have heard good things about the English Department and some in the History Department as well; and Hugo Black's grandson Stephen is a credit to the state.
However, I have been grieviously disappointed in the staffers from Bama's national legislative delegation over the past several months. No Bama grad that I remember had an inkling who Judge Frank Johnson was, the 2nd greatest man to breathe the air of Alabama in the 20th Century. And no, Bear Bryant was not the first, doubtfully he makes the top ten.
One staffer on Senator Shelby's staff knew of Judge Johnson and his significance, but she was a Vanderbilt grad. And Brooks Simmons of Jasper, Alabama knew of Johnson, but she went to Washington and Lee where my friend Doug Cumming taught her in the journalism department. Collinsville's Joe Morgan who has two degrees from Bama was a little sketchy, but Ft Payne and Guntersville can be proud of Hillary Beard who knows the most about Judge Johnson and Profile in Courage Winner Carl Elliot. She has a degree from Birmingham Southern.
This morning Kelly Lee, Bama grad and native of Marietta, Ga was as sweet as she could be, but woefully ignorant about Judge Johnson. And she had no clue who Leo Frank was nor the significance of his 1915 lynching. I told her the meadow where he was hung is now under the southbound lane of I-75 near Whitewater and the Big Chicken.
She did know of those landmarks.
Maybe some better screening or remedial reading is in order.
No wonder a hack like Mike Hubbard is house Speaker. For that see my blog on the iron bowl and SEC Championship and reverberations for Obamacare.
And kudos to Reita Grant for Understanding President Obama and how the tea party has gimped his Promise.
Sincerely,
Stephen M. Fox
"I'm the only sane {person} in here." Doyle Hargraves, Slingblade
"Midget, Broom; Helluva campaign". Political consultant, "Oh, Brother..."http://www.foxofbama.blogspot.com or google asfoxseesit