Shades of George Wallace?

[malthaussen]

The State of Florida defies an order from the DoJ to comply with the Voter Registration Act? Does this remind anyone of George Wallace standing in the schoolhouse door? What's the 82nd Airborne up to today, anyone know?

This could get really interesting, if the Executive and the DoJ opt to show some spine.

-- Mal

[Jim Lane]

1. Yes, I had the same thought.

I posted on that point before reading your post.

For the benefit of people who don't follow your reference, the background is in the Wikipedia article on the 1963 "Stand in the Schoolhouse Door" incident.

[Justina For Justice]

4. Thanks for Helpful Context.

For the benefit of those here who were not yet born or politically aware in the 1950's and 1960's, thanks for posting the link to racist Alabama Governor Wallace's defiance of our U.S. Federal government and U.S.Constitution by obstructing the racial integration of the University of Alabama.

Wallace then ran for President in 1968. Now, in 2012, it appears that Florida's government is trying to defeat the U.S. Voting Rights Act of 1965.

[kentuck]

2. Yep...

Very similar. And Obama should study that as an example of a strong executive, willing to challenge those that would break the law, including Governors.

[Major Nikon]

3. Apparently this is starting to become a trend among the GOP

Sheriff Joe pioneered the practice. When the DOJ starts to investigate, simply refuse to cooperate. As it turns out, there's not much the DOJ can do, other than sue. So they only threat they have of jail time is if they get sued successfully by the DOJ and then refuse to comply. By doing this they derail the investigation by perhaps years.

So if you are running a corrupt administration, all you have to do is thumb your nose at the Constitution and democracy in general, and you can escape justice, perhaps indefinitely.