A letter to Senator Bishop

This will be in tomorrow’s mail. Story here if this foolishness has somehow escaped you.

June 11, 2007

Senator Charles Bishop
Room 733-D, State House
11 South Union Street
Montgomery, AL 36130

Dear Senator Bishop:

I have reviewed the footage of you punching Senator Lowell Barron in the Alabama Senate chamber, as well as related press coverage and commentary, including your statement of June 9.

I don’t know exactly what Senator Barron said to you, and given the numerous conflicting reports I doubt I ever will. I do know that short of a direct and credible threat to your life, your family, or something similarly grave, responding with your fist was inexcusable.

I think it highly unlikely that Senator Barron indeed made a comment of that nature.

Furthermore, as embarrassing as the punch itself is, I am even more appalled by your follow-up behavior, which has included pride, arrogance, and further antagonism, but not a trace of remorse.

You claim in your statement of June 9 that you “want to talk about the facts and not just what you see on TV—me punching a senator.” Well, a grown man in a coat and tie punching another in a Senate chamber tends to overshadow everything else. That might be something to keep in mind the next time you’re in a mood of “reform.”

Senator Bishop, the time is now for you to offer a sincere apology—one that includes the language and intent of genuine contrition, not a “statement” that primarily blames the “deterioration of (the state Senate)” for the ridiculous, primitive action you took. You owe this apology not only to Senator Barron, but to the millions of Alabamians you have embarrassed with your base and boorish behavior.

If you are genuinely interested in reforming the workings and image of the Alabama Senate, that is the first step.

I am a lifelong proud Alabamian, and I do what I can to represent my home in a positive manner. I don’t appreciate my elected officials actively undermining that effort by successfully feeding redneck, backwoods stereotypes held by all too many who don’t know what a wonderful place Alabama is.

I hope that in the future, you will come to appreciate that among other things, your position is one of ambassadorship, and consequently conduct yourself in a more mature manner.

Sincerely,

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