SPRING EDITORIAL BOARD 2017
Following the release of an explosive investigative report detailing former Gov. Robert Bentley’s alleged affair and subsequent attempts to cover it up, he has resigned.
In view of the glaring hypocrisy, which Bentley showed by selling himself as a moral choice for Alabamians while using campaign contributions for personal use against the backdrop of a sexual affair, we say good riddance.
With Bentley’s resignation, Alabama has finally purged itself of the top three political actors within its government.
Each was a head of government and also a corroded portrait of Alabama politics.
With their collective removal from our crumbling political state, it is our hope that Alabama’s politicians will take this opportunity to move forward with a morality bound to a sense of public service.
Because holding this hope alone is perhaps unreasonable, it is also our hope that Alabama voters will take the past year of political upheavals in this state as a sign we must further scrutinize the character of the people to whom we give power.
Having a past as a church leader doesn’t preclude sexual scandal, respecting your religion doesn’t always translate to abiding by your oaths, and having lots of friends doesn’t necessarily make you a positive force in the community.
While the dust settles, it’s important we take note of a silver lining: For the first time in Alabama’s history, a woman administered the oath of office to another woman.
With Gov. Kay Ivey’s ascension, Alabama has received its second female governor.
Of course, it would’ve been a preferable succession under different circumstances.
But, nevertheless, it marks a positive move in a state that sorely needs it.
“Today is both a dark day for Alabama, yet also one of opportunity,” Ivey said. “I ask for your help and patience as we together steady the Ship of State and improve Alabama’s image.”
On Ivey’s first full day in office, she’s already buried one of Alabama’s moral inadequacies: a judge’s ability to override jury verdicts of life and impose the death penalty.
Ivey has assured us her administration will be characterized by honesty and transparency.
It is our sincere hope that her promise becomes realized in the upcoming years and that she will work hard to improve Alabama’s reputation through solving its many problems.
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