READERS RESPOND

It’s unfortunate that Steve Smith’s “last” column, “I’ve been living a lie,” fell on April Fool’s Day. After all, so many of us in Newport-Mesa were sincerely wishing it would be Smith’s last diatribe. Gosh, just when we thought it was safe to pick up the Pilot again he confuses us with fake facts once more.

But the readers should take heart and hope ? as it is certain that Smith will continue to make a fool of himself on a weekly basis rather than once a year on April 1.

MICHAEL ARNOLD GLUECK

Newport Beach

After reading Steve Smith’s column, I could see no other path for him to follow than to resign. What I don’t understand is why the most of the rest of the staff didn’t also resign. They must have been involved in this cover-up from the start. I want to know who thought up the hiding of the dish in the swamp cooler. Obviously, Smith isn’t bright enough to have come up with that on his own, nor would he be dexterous enough to get up on that roof ? after all he is just a writer.

This had to come right from the top. Your readers want answers and honest reporters.

P.S. Hope you all had a great April 1, even though I didn’t notice any April Fools’ articles this year.

ALAN MILLER

Corona del Mar

Saturday, a drizzly morning, a little ray of sunshine found it’s way into my living room as I read Steve Smith’s column.

Smith, apparently falling on his sword for lying to us all about his television abstinence for all these years, went to great lengths to apologize for misleading his readers and editors. A smile formed on my lips as I read his final word ? “Goodbye.”

At last, I thought to myself, I will no longer be forced to read his shallow, self-serving drivel twice a week. I breathed a big sigh of relief. Then I read the date at the top of the page. I guess I’ll have to wait until Wednesday to see if old Steve was just spoofing.

GEOFF WEST

Costa Mesa

I was shocked. Do you hear me? I was devastated to learn that Steve Smith has been a closet TV watcher all these years. And to think that he lied to us about it.

For shame!

But, then again, I always wondered what the big deal was about. After all, you can’t really know what’s going on in the world unless you watch TV. I, for instance, watch Fox News to learn what’s actually happening, CNN for comedic relief, ESPN to find out who’s the most recent convert to steroids, the History Channel to find out how history is being rewritten and “American Idol” for culture (McPhee has the inside track).

Smith stated that one of the things people remembered most about his column over the years was that he didn’t watch TV. What about the other two?

Could it be that Smith actually does appreciate the efforts and accomplishments of the overworked and undercompensated Newport-Mesa Unified School District board of trustees? Maybe he’s also been joshing us when he’s repeatedly suggested that selfless public servants who make honest mistakes shouldn’t be forced to resign in disgrace (and then drawn and quartered ? just kidding about that last part).

My faith has been shaken. What’s next? Will we hear that Joseph N. Bell secretly makes contributions to Tom DeLay’s reelection campaign? That he doesn’t really have cheese- cake photos of Nancy Pelosi in his lower right- hand desk drawer? That he’s a Red Sox fan?

Will we learn that Phil Arst’s entire retirement portfolio is in construction company stocks?

Will we find out that Peter Buffa doesn’t really “gotta go” when he says he does?

I beg you, get it all out at once so I can seek therapy knowing there will be no more earth-shattering revelations I have to face. Until then, thanks, Steve. I’d like to say it’s been fun. I’d like to say that, but I can’t.

CHUCK CASSITY

Costa Mesa