News & Views

March 13, 2010
johnkillian.blogspot.com

This writer has long enjoyed powerful oratory, even if one may not agree with the content of the oratory. Somehow, some messages are so sacred,that one would not put them into the category of powerful oratory, but are more the delivering of the heart. This morning (03/13) I heard a message unlike many I have heard in my life.
George Wallace, Jr., accompanied by his lovely and charming wife Elizabeth, was the speaker for the monthly meeting of the Mid-Alabama Republican Club. George has served as State Treasurer, an office in which he received high marks. Wallace founded the PACT pre-paid college tuition plan, a plan which he left with an A+ rating. Perhaps no individual has served so successfully as State Treasurer as has George Wallace, Jr. In the 2010 election, George Wallace is running to serve again as Alabama State Treasurer, with hopes to rescue the ailing PACT program.
But today, George spoke only a few minutes about the Treasurer’s office. For about twenty-five minutes, Wallace held the capacity audience spellbound as he spoke of the founding of these United States and continued on to evaluate the current times in which we live.
I cannot remember being moved to tears by a political speech and I seldom weep in public. But the passion and conviction that came forth in this speech brought tears to my eyes. Wallace spoke powerfully of the heritage of this country and the greatness of the state of Alabama. Wallace,Jr. challenged his hearers that this country can be taken back from those who would re-define the intent of the founders of this free Republic
At the conclusion of the speech, longtime conservative activist, Dr. Gil Wideman, spoke up to say that Wallace is in the wrong race, that he should be running for Governor.
Why did this speech stir the audience so? Today, George Wallace held nothing back. George spoke almost with an abandon of interest in public opinion. The speech just laid open the facts of our perilous times and the determination to stand firm, regardless of the consequences. The strength of this speech reminded me of two other Wallaces. First, this speech reminded me of George’s dad–four-term Alabama Governor. The elder Wallace stirred crowds like no one else in his generation. But this speech also reminded me of the piercing speech by William Wallace (played by Mel Gibson) in the Braveheart movie.
When I find that God has placed a love for this country, a desire to see our country survive, and a discerning of the issues, as he has in people like George Wallace, then I know that God has determined that this country may well survive our perilous times.