FROM: Terry Lynch@aol.com; POB 241035; Montgomery, AL 36124-1035 
Phone: (334) 272-4217 voice  (334) 277-3582 fax via arrangement

DATE:  July 18, 1998 

TO:  Letter to the Editor      

SUBJECT:  Playing the Race Card Won't Work Forever!

Montgomery Mayor Emory Folmar's trap involving the endorsement by
Mayor (Richard) Arrington's traditionally Democratic political 
organization, the Jefferson County Citizens Coalition, was not so 
much a trap as it was the white boy of days gone by calling the 
new kid on the block a "nigger lover."

Folmar knew that the endorsement of Birmingham's black mayor and 
the traditional Democratic political organization Arrington 
represented would be seen by rural white Alabama voters as being 
in league with black politicians.  Mayor Folmar's statement that, 
"When (Tom) Perdue (Blont's campaign consultant) walked into the 
obvious trap, he proved himself to be no more politically astute 
that a barnyard rooster who thinks he makes the sun come up," is 
a confession that Mayor Folmar will do practically anything to 
win votes, even if it means using the race card.

Folmar may call using the race card "politically astute" but it 
is a wild card which could backfire in future elections.  The 
reason is that Montgomery is not "rural Alabama" and black voters 
in Montgomery are not dumb.  They can see what Mayor Folmar is 
doing and won't forget when election time comes around.  I would 
not be at all surprised if this old timer "don't vote for a 
nigger lover tactic" causes Mayor Folmar to lose support of both 
black voters and white people who want Alabama to move forward 
and turn their backs upon candidates who radiate pride in their 
racist remarks.

It is a sad state of affairs when Montgomery's Mayor pats himself 
on the back for playing the race card with Alabama voters.  But 
it is nothing new.  Mayor Folmar and Fob James have repeatedly 
shown by their statements and deeds that they are bigots.  But 
what is a terrible disgrace to our state is that a majority of 
voters support and elect such bigots.  Clearly there is a need 
for a more "astute" electorate, one that does not vote black or 
white but which votes based upon the issues and what is best for 
our children.  When Alabama voters start doing that, the reign of 
Fobs and Folmars will be over and the roosters will crow at the 
break of dawn to celebrate a bright new day for Alabama!



Sincerely, Terry Lynch 
Montgomery, AL