As an ordained minister and retired Army colonel, I’ve spent my life standing up for those who are bullied, confronting intolerance and giving a voice to the voiceless. I also hold a deep respect for our constitutional rights – particularly the freedom of religion and the fundamental right to live in accordance with one’s conscience.
We live in a country built on the belief that everyone should have a voice – regardless of background, faith, or family history. That’s a core American principle. And it’s precisely why AL.com columnist Kyle Whitmire’s recent hit piece on Alabama Republican Party Chairman John Wahl is so deeply concerning. It crosses a line – not just of fairness or accuracy, but of decency.
It’s no secret that Whitmire harbors strong political opinions. His distaste for Wahl’s conservative values and leadership of the Alabama GOP has been clear for years. But his columns go far beyond political critique. Instead of focusing on policy disagreements or party performance, Whitmire veers into deeply personal territory – targeting the religious background of Wahl’s family. It comes off not as journalism, but as a personal vendetta.
Let’s be blunt: Wahl’s extended family belongs to a religious minority. He has been open about the fact that he was raised in a deeply conservative Anabaptist home, and equally open about how his beliefs have evolved as an adult. And he’s not the only successful political figure with a similar background. President Dwight D. Eisenhower was raised in the Mennonite church, and current Rep. Lloyd Smucker (R-Pa.) was born into an Old Order Amish family. Should they be ridiculed for their backgrounds?
Every family has members who walk different paths or hold different convictions. But Whitmire’s column repeatedly points to the religious views of Wahl’s extended family – as if they automatically define him – while refusing to acknowledge that Wahl is his own person. That’s not just unfair; it’s dishonest and demeaning. None of us would want to be judged by the views of our relatives, especially when we’ve made our own choices and charted our own course.
Wahl is his own man. He should be respected as such. But the fact that he doesn’t share every belief of his family doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong with them – or with communities who live according to similar values.
These families live simply. They may embrace traditions and principles that seem unfamiliar or even countercultural to secular elites. But that’s precisely why the First Amendment exists: to protect the rights of people like them to live and believe as they choose. When media figures treat those differences as suspicious, backward, or mockable, they don’t just harm the individual. They send a chilling message to every person of faith or minority heritage in Alabama.
Whitmire’s fixation on Wahl’s personal life borders on obsessive. From implying nefarious intent in Wahl going by his middle name (as millions of Americans do) to scrutinizing his family’s lifestyle choices, the column felt more like character assassination than commentary.
Even worse, these attacks echo the very kinds of bias the left claims to oppose. Imagine for a moment that Wahl were a member of a religious or cultural minority typically championed by progressive media. Would Whitmire be given a platform to scrutinize his family and faith with such venom? Of course not. The double standard is staggering.
The underlying message is dangerous: If you're not part of the elite secular left, expect to be ridiculed for your values, your beliefs, and your way of life. That's not journalism. That’s bigotry dressed up as a news story.
The media has every right to ask tough questions. But personal smears disguised as reporting are not a public service – they’re a disservice to readers and to the standards of good journalism. Respect for religious freedom, cultural diversity, and personal dignity should not be partisan issues. They are American values, and they deserve defending.
James Henderson is an ordained minister and a retired Army colonel with 26 years of service.
The views and opinions expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the policy or position of 1819 News. To comment, please send an email with your name and contact information to [email protected].
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