Ever since Reconstruction, Alabama government has been run by Democrats. Republicans have made inroads recently, so that it’s anybody’s guess during the governor’s race who will control the Executive Branch in Alabama, and the Presidential race has gone to a Republican ever since 1980. However, the Alabama Senate and House of Representatives have — so far — remained in the hands of the Democrats.

One side effect of Republican gains in Alabama’s Legislative branch has been an increase in tension and internecine squabbling between the two parties. Democrats have become increasingly juvenile in their attempts to keep Republicans on the sidelines, exploiting their control of the “good old boy” network to good advantage, and adopting rules seen as unfair even by some Democrats.

According to an article at My Way News, frustration in at least one Republican lawmaker burst into the open today, resulting in the type of physical interaction usually seen in the governing bodies of third-world countries:

Simmering tensions in the Alabama Senate boiled over Thursday when a Republican lawmaker punched a Democratic colleague in the head before they were pulled apart.

Republican Sen. Charles Bishop claimed that Democratic Sen. Lowell Barron called him a “son of a (expletive).”

“I responded to his comment with my right hand,” Bishop said. Alabama Public Television tape captured the punch.

All I can say is, “It’s about time.” Democrats have been using tactics which minimize a sizeable portion of Alabama’s elected representatives, and have prevented Republicans from exercising their rights as Alabama’s loyal opposition. I understand that the winning party controls the Legislature, but I also understand that it shouldn’t be an absolute control. When Democrats minimize Republicans to the point where frustrations are manifested by fisticuffs, it’s a sign of changing political times.

To me, the entire incident is simply one Republican reminding one Democrat of Alabama’s state motto: “We dare defend our rights”.

TD