Ala. governor defends white Masonic unit

[journalist3072]

Ala. governor defends white Masonic unit

By JAY REEVES, Associated Press Writer
Fri Sep 29, 2:21 PM ET

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Gov. Bob Riley is defending his membership in a Masonic organization that critics say excludes blacks.

Riley, a Republican running for re-election against Democratic Lt. Gov. Lucy Baxley, is a member of a Masonic lodge in his east Alabama hometown of Ashland. It is affiliated with the Grand Lodge of Alabama, a statewide group.

Speaking in an interview with The Associated Press, Riley said he did not know whether his lodge had any black members. But Riley denied that the Masonic group is racist.

Riley's membership in the Masons has been mentioned on Internet blogs and was a hot topic on a Birmingham-based radio talk show hosted by Russ and Dee Fine, Baxley supporters who claim they were fired earlier this week in part because they pointed it out.

Dee Fine said a governor shouldn't be a member of an all-white group, adding, "If nothing else it's surely not politically astute."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060929/ap_on_el_gu/riley_masons