Houston Chronicle

Alabama showdown

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Message sent

Regarding “Scandal costs GOP seat in Senate” (Page A1, Wednesday), here are words I never thought I would write: Thank you, people of Alabama!

The election of Democrat Doug Jones over Republican Roy Moore was a triumph of decency and moderation over sordidness and extremism. As troubling as the highly credible accusation­s of pedophilia and sexual assault was Moore’s record of disrespect for the rule of law. On two separate occasions he lost his position as chief justice of the Alabama Supreme Court after displaying defiance and contempt for the orders of higher courts.

For Moore, the “Law of God” — privately interprete­d and selectivel­y applied — is superior to all human law. Such a man possesses neither the character nor conviction­s needed to hold public office. Keith M. Parsons, Friendswoo­d

Arc of justice

Tuesday night’s Senate win in Alabama by Doug Jones had a profound resonance for us. Besides all of his other great qualificat­ions and bona fides, he was the successful prosecutor who brought the Alabama church bombers, killers of four young girls, to justice.

That bombing was a blast heard all over America and was a turning point in the civil rights movement. It was the occasion of the first civil rights demonstrat­ion march through Dallas and our first participat­ion in a civil rights march.

The election Tuesday night broke years of white supremacis­t monolithic rule, largely through the largest black turnout since the elections of President Obama, in spite of official voter suppressio­n. This was a civil rights win. Britt and Alice Davis, Katy

Democracy

The Roy Moore election loss was predictabl­e, notwithsta­nding the alleged scandals. The Founders envisioned a working democracy of compromise. Sadly, we have not had that for the last nine years at least. The current Republican Party is duplicatin­g the mistakes of the Democrats when they held power, especially during periods of control of all three branches of government. What is needed is both parties to come together and work from compromise. Until that is done, the future holds governance by more excessive executive orders, which will be undone by following administra­tions. We seem to be going the way of banana republic dictators who undo and change decisions of previous administra­tions at every election. Dick Patyrak, Missouri City

 ?? Associated Press Photo ?? Doug Jones is accompanie­d by his wife, Louise, at an election night gathering of his supporters in Birmingham, Ala.
Associated Press Photo Doug Jones is accompanie­d by his wife, Louise, at an election night gathering of his supporters in Birmingham, Ala.
 ??  ?? Moore
Moore

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