OPEN MOUTH, INSERT FOOT, RESIGN GUBERNATORIAL APPOINTMENT

Last week, I noted the controversial remarks made by Pompano Beach-based minister Reverand Dr. O'Neal Dozier on a South Florida radio programme in which he referred to Islam as a "cult" and opposed the move of the Islamic Center of South Florida to a neighbourhood of Pompano Beach.

Dr. Dozier has become a key black Republican who has advised President Bush and working in Attorney General Charlie Crist's campaign to reach more black voters. He was appointed by Governor Jeb Bush to the Broward County Judicial Nominating Committee, which has occasionally resulted in other controversy.

Monday's South Florida Sun Sentinel reported that Dozier submitted his resignation from the JNC, quoting the minister as saying he was asked to do so by the governor's office. Gubernatorial deputy press secretary Kristy Campbell said that ''Following the comments the reverend made, our general counsel's office reached out to the reverend and expressed the governor's concerns and subsequently accepted the reverend's resignation."

Dozier remained unapologetic for his comments, telling the newspaper:

"I don't see the crime I committed,'' he said. "We're fighting for freedom in Iraq. I guess there's an exception to that when you accept an appointment.

''In references to the war in Iraq and the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on New York City, Dozier said, "Troops are being killed by Muslims" and "The Twin Towers were blown up by Muslims."