(Charleston) April 21, 2005 - As a Charleston school board member, and as a state Representative, John Graham Altman has rarely been shy about voicing his opinions.
In January 1997, state lawmakers battled over what to do with the Confederate flag. At a meeting of the House Judiciary committee, Altman took aim at flag opponents, telling them,"Quit looking at the symbols. Get out and get a job. Quit shooting each other. Quit having illegitimate babies. Let's move on from here."
It's just one of many times Altman's comments have enraged his critics. Later he wrote to state Education Superintendent Dr. Barbara Nielsen, who supported removing the flag from the State House dome. "The kindest help I can offer you on any level is to try to get you quickly qualified for the Federal Witness Protection program," Altman wrote.
Views like those have often made John Graham Altman a target for black lawmakers. During and after the debate over establishing a Martin Luther King holiday, Altman repeatedly referred to King as a womanizer and claimed King had cheated his way through college.
Two years ago Altman moved to kill a bill by Democratic Rep. Leon Howard, who wanted to ban restaurants from giving out unwrapped drinking straws. That nearly led to a fist fight on the House floor.
Howard said it wasn't just Altman's opposition to the straw bill, but his continuous disrespect for African-Americans, "I cannot apologize to a man who believes that segregation and wearing racial comments on his shoulder is a badge of honor."
Altman responded. "Black politicians think if you disagree with them, you must be a racist."
Altman has also provoked other groups. He's against abortion and angered pro-choice forces by proposing a "Choose Death" license plate.
He has blasted the PTA and educational television, saying the ETV board should be fired for plans to air "Corridor of Shame," a documentary showing run-down schools.
Altman said a hate crimes bill would make "white heterosexuals second-class citizens," and he has often clashed with the gay community. After ETV broadcast a program about gay life called "We Are Your Neighbors," Altman called the program "socialist, leftist propaganda."
The Charleston attorney knows he is prone to firing from the hip. Altman, during work on a seat belt bill, once told his fellow lawmakers, "I never know what I'm going to say until I say it, so I am kind of interested in hearing what I think."
Reported by Jack Kuenzie
Posted 7:05pm by Chantelle Janelle
