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More information about this article... The following comments have been left for this page: Unfortunately the opening paragraph of this post is controversial at least and mean-spirited at worst. (edit)

[edit] "Left-wing"

I am removing the description of Smiley as "left-wing" from the introduction, becuase as I understand the requirements for WP:BLP, unless Smiley self-identifies that way it should not be included. Certainly, it should not be included in the lead sentence. Some discussion of this point can be found on the Bill O'Reilly (commentator) page.

He has long identified himself as left-wing: http://www.amazon.com/Hard-Left-Tavis-Smiley/dp/0385484046. His book Hard Left was itself a reference to his left-wing views (which he promotes quite regularly on his PBS show). -- ~~ —Preceding unsigned comment added by Gerkinstock (talk • contribs) 01:41, 3 November 2007 (UTC)

That is a far better source the one previously provided for calling him "left-wing." If there is a source where Smiley calls himself "left-wing," then it is of course fine to include it in his article. I have to say, however, I don't think the book title is enough; perhaps there is a quote somewhere. -Kgwo1972 13:31, 3 November 2007 (UTC)

How about these?

http://www.amazon.com/gp/reader/0385484046/ref=sib_dp_pt/103-4883758-7435845#reader-link

http://www.tavistalks.com/media/smileybooks/books

http://www.urbancure.org/article.asp?id=3060 (Just as most Democrats refused to appear at a debate organized by the Fox News Channel, many Republicans are boycotting Smiley's debate)

After all, it's no secret that he is left-wing. One of his heroes is self-described Marxist Cornell West and he has long blasted Clarence Thomas for his non-liberal views (both consertative and libertarian). He even had three critics of Thomas on his show following a [60 Minutes] piece on him, even though the piece was no softer than the ones it has done in the past on liberal figures, including Anita Hill. -- Gerkinstock 23:04, 13 November 2007 (UTC)

Cornel West describes himself as a non-Marxist socialist.Arthur Curry (talk) 21:52, 28 December 2007 (UTC)

He is a Leftist, as is Smiley. Smiley should be properly identified as such here. The only significant difference West has with Marxism is in the area of religion.--Gerkinstock (talk) 23:21, 18 January 2008 (UTC)