20060625 KDDC Gazette Columnist Blair Lee disagrees about Smith firing

Gazette Columnist Blair Lee disagrees about Smith firing

By Kevin Dayhoff June 26^th, 2006

On Sunday, June 11, Robert J. Smith referred to homosexuality as ‘‘social deviancy” during a political round-table discussion on a Montgomery County Channel 21 cable show.

Mr. Smith, an architect from Gaithersburg has been a regular panelist for 12 years on the Access Montgomery cable show, “21 This Week.” The show’s producer, Rodney Bryant, identified him as the “Republican activist” representative on the program.

Mr. Smith was also Governor Ehrlich’s appointment as a board member on the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority.

I supported MD Governor Robert L. Ehrlich’s firing of Robert J. Smith, June 15^th, 2006, for his impertinent remarks.

Between my post on this blog, on June 18^th, 2006 [“20060618 KDDC Mary Cheney Robert Smith and DC Metro Trains”] and my June 21^st, 2006 Tentacle column, [“Mr. Smith: Back to Gaithersburg”]; I have received feedback, for the most part, that I am wrong for backing the governor.

I respect other points of view, and many folks have made good, thoughtful and articulate arguments that I am wrong; however, I stand by my assessment of the matter.

Nevertheless, if you would like to read another, well informed point of view that also disagrees with me, be sure to read Gazette columnist, Blair Lee’s piece published June 23^rd, 2006: “Culture wars come to Metro.”

Kevin Dayhoff writes from Westminster Maryland USA.

E-mail him at: kdayhoff@carr.org

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