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Uncertainty builds as monument deadline passes
22 supporters of Judge Moore arrested August 21st As the Aug. 20 deadline passed at midnight for Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice Roy Moore to comply with a federal court order to remove a Ten Commandments monument from the Alabama Judicial Building, the immediate consequences were unclear. Judge Moore spent much of the day as the deadline drew near making his case in the national media. He told Fox News that "the problem with politicians in office is they'll say one thing, then when they get into office they do something else." He maintained that he was bound by his oath of office, as well as the Alabama Constitution, to defend the Ten Commandments monument against what he believed to be illegal usurpation by the federal courts. He said the same thing on several other news and commentary programs, prompting Sean Hannity to say, "I've got to admire you for taking a stand on principle." One thing Judge Moore pointed out on Hannity's national radio show was the irony that the Greek goddess Themis adorns the entrance to the court of the federal judge who ordered the removal of the monument, yet the Judeo-Christian God upon whom America's Founders relied in framing our nation has been banished from the Alabama Supreme Court Building. Meanwhile, 22 supporters of Judge Moore were arrested for refusing to vacate the building just before closing time in the late afternoon. All but one were taken to jail. Most were released--and many of these individuals returned to the Judicial Building to continue their prayer vigil and protest. In the evening, Alan Keyes, who flew in later, exhorted the judge's supporters to stand firm and show the same courage displayed by Judge Moore. Said Keyes, "Moore is showing reverence for the authority of Almighty God." He called on "people of faith who really care about the restoration of America" to "come to Montgomery"--and he chided conservative leaders who have remained silent in the controversy. "If there's anyone who continues to pay lip service to the conservative cause, you ask them first if they were in Montgomery," declared Keyes. Earlier in the day, the U.S. Supreme Court declined to consider Judge Moore's request for a stay, opening the way for forcible removal of the monument at the discretion of state or federal authorities. Some in the media, as they discussed this setback with the judge, mistook the highest court's refusal to grant the stay as an end to the controversy. "That's incorrect," said Moore. He noted that the case would be fully presented to the Court for appeal in September, and he made it clear that he felt truth and reason were on his side. See:
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