Hugh Smith

In Marc Antony’s speech at Caesar’s funeral he stated, “The evil that men do lives after them but the good is oft interred with their bones.” Why was it necessary for the Times to mention Hugh Smith’s sexual indiscretions in the article regarding his death and contributions to the Bay area?  It added nothing and made the Times look like the National Inquirer.  -- John Larry Franks, Clearwater

Dear Mr. Franks: I respectfully disagree. I knew and admired Hugh Smith as a newsman, but I think the inclusion of the whole truth in his obituary is appropriate. This was not a private indiscretion -- he was arrested twice in nine years, the last time for soliciting a 15-year-old prostitute. The case was high-profile and career-ending for him. The majority of the article talked about Smith's career and role in the community, but I think it would be dishonest and misleading not to have included the bad along with the good.

Comments

[Karen]

I totally agree with you Howard. Nothing turns my stomach more than post death hipocracy, all of a sudden they are saints? He was wonderful, but flawed man.

I agree with you and Karen, Howard. I know the Smith family personally. Hugh was a consummate professional in his field, but a consummate “flawed” human as well – just like the rest of us.

[John Gibson]

Howard, Karen, and... Blank?

Talk about beating a dead horse...

Mr. Smith had the unfortunate experience of having his dirty laundry aired publicly, while the rest of us have better luck keeping ours hidden.

Maybe we should raise our expecations of the obit writers and require them to do investigations into ordinary citizens backgrounds and remind everyone of what really rotten people they were.

No sense in letting a double standard get by...

[Ron]

Mr. Gibson, This was not an obituary, but a news article. Obituaries are typically written by the family. When you are a public figure, especially one in the news media, you have to expect that if you are arrested, it will be reported. The sense that I get from this and other things written about Hugh Smith is that he was a good, hard working professional who had some personal flaws. Since we are all human, we all have flaws. Reporting the truth in no way diminshes the love and respect that people apparently had for him. You don't become a saint simply by dying.

[John Gibson]

Ron,

There goes my saint plan A...

I guess I spoke too soon. I should have read it. It is legit in a news article.

Thanks for pointing out my flaws!

Just like Dave Zachem. Stay out of politics and the public eye if you have a penchant for whores.