I love reading Jim Earnhardt's "Talk Back" column. But his characterization of my position with respect to Roy's rock in his column of July 11 was way off base. My position is that the Ten Commandments monument should be pulverized and its gravel used for public benefit to pave streets and roads. This idea is based upon logic and reason, not emotion, and certainly not anger, "waxed hot." It is incorrect to state otherwise.

My position is that Chief Justice Roy Moore should not be let to profit from the Ten Commandments monument and its placement in the Judicial Building. Therefore I suggested that the lump or rock be pulverized and used to pave streets and roads, a suggestion the good editor failed to mention.

I quoted Exodus 32:19 only for the benefit of those religious fanatics who would think my suggestion was unwarranted. Certainly if the original Decalogue were turned to dust, this would be an appropriate demise for Roy's rock.

The reason I suggested using the resulting gravel to pave roads was so that it would not be placed in an ark and carted around by Roy Moore from church to church in a carnival fashion and used to make money. This deeply religious judge is so profound in his beliefs that doing something like that would be just like him. Then everyone would not just be calling him the Ten Commandments judge, but the Ark of the Covenant judge.

As Roy Moore is NOT Moses reincarnated, and as he is bucking the very judicial system he is supposed to be upholding, the courts should order Roy's rock removed, pulverized and used to pave public roads. This would put an end to Roy Moore's pitiful attempt to obscure the Law and turn it to his own personal advantage and profit.

This letter was mentioned in Jim Earnhardt's "Talk Back" column in the Montgomery Advertiser on July 16, 2003. Earnhardt noted that my reason for suggesting that the block of granite be destroyed and used to pave public roads was to avoid its being used for profit.

However, Earnhardt still did not understand exactly what I was saying. Earnhardt wrote: "I should have noted that Reader Lynch proposed a purpose for the pulverized monument -- the paving of public roads. I don't know how much paving could be done with it, but I doubt it would be very much. In any case, I still see no reason to smash the monument to bits.

Lynch envisions Moore carting the thing around like some modern-day Ark of the Covenant as a fund-raiser tool. (He'd need some help; the monument weighs almost 5,300 pounds). Turning it into gravel would preclude that, he observed."

Earnhardt is probably correct, 5,300 pounds of granite gravel would not pave many roads. But it might fill a few pot holes around the city of Montgomery and prevent some accidents. Plus, by pulverizing Roy's rock, and using it for some public good, Moore would not be able to profit from display of the monument.

Chief Justice Roy Moore, as proven by his placement of a Ten Commandments monument in the state Judicial Building, is a fanatic when it comes to this issue. I am genuinely concerned that unless the Ten Commandments monument is destroyed, Moore will use it for profit and that once removed from the state Judicial Building by court order, eventually it will end up back on state property, perhaps in the Governor's Mansion!

One can not discount the popularity that Moore has received from the Ten Commandments issue. I would not put it past him to run for governor. The right wing, ultra conservative voting block in Alabama is very strong. That they would elect Moore Chief Justice, indicates they would likely elect him governor. Then where do you suppose Moore would put the Ten Commandments monument ... on the lawn of the Governor's mansion or in the State Capitol.

Destroying Roy's rock now, while it is in violation of a court order to be removed from the state Judicial Building, would prevent its being used for profit, either monetary or fund raising wise. Plus this would deliver a fatal blow to Moore and his followers, letting them know that they will not be allowed to profit personally or politically from playing games with the State of Alabama.

Certainly, as Earnhardt points out, "...the real issue is the location of the monument." But there is also another, perhaps greater issue, that of using the Ten Commandments and religion to gain fame, fortune and political power. I would charge that this is exactly what has been done.

Two courts have now ordered that the Ten Commandments monument must be removed from the state Judicial Building. By not immediately complying with these court orders, Chief Justice Roy Moore is in defiance of the very law he has sworn to uphold. Plus his usage of the legal system to delay removal of the monument is a corruption and mockery of the law.

Plus the actions of Chief Justice Roy Moore have forever tarnished the view others around the nation and the world have of Alabama. He has made us all look like fools and fanatics in the eyes of the world. This can not be good for a state struggling to bring economic development and progress, appealing to people of all religions and ethnic backgrounds to come to Alabama and make it their home and workplace.

It is these greater issues which are of concern to me. I simply do not believe Roy Moore is the best man to be representing the State of Alabama as either a Chief Justice or a governor. So getting rid of the Ten Commandments monument, pulverizing it to dust, is a way to destroy Roy Moore's bid for political power, if not in reality, at least conceptually.

The primary issue as I see it is one of using religious symbols for profit. In this regard Roy Moore has used the Ten Commandments for political profit which also boils over into personal profits. Of course this is not illegal. Anyone may market religious symbols. Even the Holy Bible may be printed and marketed by anyone who so desires. One may also copy and reproduce the Ten Commandments and sale it upon the Internet. But what I object to is Roy Moore hanging the Ten Commandments upon the court house wall and then using this issue to gain political power. In the same light he has now placed a monument to the Ten Commandments in the state Judicial Building and has used this issue to gain even more fame, which could eventually translate to more political power.

The real issue, therefore, is one of using religious symbols to gain political power. I regard this as a form of corruption. It is taking advantage of people's emotions and sentiments for political profit and gain. It is a form of usury.

Politicians it would seem are in the business of playing with people's sentiments. Some people might say that is what politics is all about. However, I retain the idealistic view that those who devote their lives to government are public servants working to help the people. When I see a man take a religious issue and pursue it for his own personal profit this is disturbing.

The irony is that one can not even discuss this or related issues without it drawing attention, arousing emotions and contributing to one's fame or notoriety. So in this regard I am, perhaps, no different from Roy Moore. However, being a private citizen, my opinions and personal religious beliefs are not being forced down anyone's throat. As soon as Roy Moore took the Ten Commandments and put it in the courthouse, that is exactly what he did, impose his own personal religion on everyone else.

Thus whatever criticism I, or others, fire off in the direction of Roy Moore, it is justified. Ultimately the Ten Commandments must come out of the court house and be put back where it belongs, in people's hearts!

(TAL 16 July, 2003).

Sincerely,
Terry Lynch
Date: 11 July, 2003

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