George,

Remember back when they had the furor over the cross in the jar of urine. I like the art I see as I drive down the road: Leo doesn't. Therein lies the problem: should tax dollars go to support art I don't like.

My gut feel is no it shouldn't but then the arts would be in trouble if there wasn't public funding. So do I put up with the cross in the urine so I get public funding for NPR, artsinplace, and other stuff I do like. It is a tough call.

Downing Smith (electronic mail, February 14, 2002)