One Democratic delegate, Luiz Simmons, has come forward to strongly denounce the Montgomery County delegation's new favorable position on slots. Here are some of his comments as reported in the Gazette:

‘‘For Perez and Leggett to allow themselves to be used is a spectacular capitulation,” Del. Luiz R.S. Simmons said. ‘‘The cachet of a Latino and African-American politician to give a blanket of respectability is another attempt to defuse liberal conviction about the issue.”

"Simmons (D-Dist. 17) of Rockville said gambling will fall hardest on the Latino and African-American communities."

"On Simmons’ mind, however, is a 1999 study from the National Opinion Research Center at the University of Chicago that found the number of pathological and problem gamblers doubling within 50 miles of a casino. All of Montgomery County would be within 50 miles of a slot machine emporium at Laurel Park, a potential site."

‘‘The people peddling the snake oil that Montgomery County won’t be affected just don’t know the facts or just don’t want to discover the facts,” Simmons said.

You have to commend Delegate Simmons for making a courageous stand on the issue under such political pressure from Martin O'Malley, Mike Miller, and Ike Leggett. Roger Manno, Charles Barkley, Richard Madaleno, Kumar Barve, and Sheila Ellis Hixson all refused to state a position opposed to slots, a staggering flip-flop from their supposed positions during Governor Bob Ehrich's campaign for slots. How convenient.

And where is the District 16 delegation? Why haven't we heard from Bronrott, Lee, and Frosh? They're still in hiding as the fallout from the Marilyn Goldwater scandal continues.