To see why, check out Philly.com/topsmerconish for a selection of our favorite Smerconish columns.
MORE than nine years ago, at the invitation of then-editor Zack Stalberg, I penned my first column for the Daily News. And today is my last, since I'll be increasing my work at the Inquirer.
I was proud of my first column byline on Nov. 13, 2001, when I made the case for Rudy Giuliani to run the Department of Homeland Security, and have remained pleased with my association here ever since.
I've written hundreds of columns since then. Many stand the test of time, others don't. I've taken positions on countless controversies. Most but not all of my views still hold.
For profiling. Against Mumia. For Katz. Against Street. For Ted Nugent. Against Pete Rose.
I recently perused those many columns. Some are forgettable. Others I wish I could dial back. I'm disappointed that I got carried away with a conspiracy theory linking the Oklahoma City bombing to Mideast terrorists.
But I'm proud that on Jan. 2, 2003, I wrote: "I am terribly disappointed in the Bush administration's public case for the war against Iraq."
I called the Duke lacrosse case from the start. ("It's the revenge of the nerds. Most journalists would never be chosen for a pickup game of hoops, let alone a varsity sport. So they take perverse pleasure in bringing down the BMOC, however undeserved.")
And every once in a while, I asked a provocative question. Like, if Alfred Kinsey was correct in saying that 10 percent of the population is gay, why did so few same-sex partners emerge seeking compensation from the Sept. 11 Victim Compensation Fund?
For rebuilding the Twin Towers as they existed. Against the zoo balloon flying so close to the Schuylkill. For keeping the Barnes in Merion. Against the Cuba embargo.
I once wrote that they could fix the sagging ratings of the Miss America pageant if they'd "bring back the busty baton twirler."
