Smith gone from Human Rights board!

Kudos to Gov. Phil Bredesen for replacing Robin Smith, head of Tennessee's Republican Party, as a member of the Human Rights Commission.

The Nashville Post says Patricia Ann Pierce of Harriman has been named to the position. Pierce is director of the Opportunity Development Center at Vanderbilt University.

AC Kleinheider at the Post follows the story with a memo from Smith to Bredesen defending her comments. Smith then responds to the Post on the publication of the memo. It's a good read and worth following the Post link above.

Smith complains about efforts to smear her name -- this from the woman who defended the GOP's campaign to refer to the Democratic Party's presumed presidential nominee as Barack Hussein Obama. While the middle name is correct, the GOP sought to tap into fear and prejudice with the attack.

As recently as this week, the party's mouthpiece, who has Smith's full support, was suggesting that Obama had links to terrorists.

As we've been saying for months, Smith has no business on a board that promotes fairness for all people. Allowing her term to expire without reappointment sends a clear message that Tennessee won't tolerate the politics of hatred and fear.

Smith says her values drive her beliefs -- those are values best left in the 18th century. Tennessee will move forward.

    -- Jim Grinstead