Frightening implications of latest Leandro do-over
Imagine the following scenario: In a fit of misguided “get tough on crime” paranoia, state lawmakers enact a broad-based scheme…
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How attitude diseases can ruin the good life
My last newspaper column talked of Thomas Aquinas’s four idols — money, power, pleasure and fame, and how they not…
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Vote wisely for Waynesville’s future leaders
Town elections are seldom exciting, but the race in Waynesville is generating a lot of buzz.
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Law officers ignore meeting, and that’s good
Sometimes a quiet no-show can be a really loud statement.
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Sometimes ‘the system’ all seems so unfair
Many years ago, one of the students in my English composition course approached me after class one day as other…
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Former agents endorse Reece for mayor
To the Editor: We are writing to express our enthusiastic support for the candidacy of Joel “Joey” Reece for the…
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The beauty of simple, unadorned travel
The old man, hell he was probably my age, flagged me down after I passed his home and garden. “Buen…
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Advice from a 13th-century philosopher about idols
I never pretend to be an expert on current events. In fact, I mostly avoid the news because so much of…
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Democracy or fascism?
To the Editor: Some people still believe that America is involved in a traditional Democratic/Republican political struggle.
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Washington won’t fix health care
North Carolina’s Medicaid program will expand on December 1 to offer fully subsidized health plans to virtually every legal resident…
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The perils of an increasingly technocentric society
At four o’clock in the morning, I am fumbling around in the dark trying to make some hotel coffee for…
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Elections bill is partisan power grab
To the Editor: The passage of SB 749 in the North Carolina House of Representatives on Sept. 19, 2023, a…
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A measure that could save a child’s life
Sylva town commissioners are considering putting a Safe Haven Box in an appropriate place somewhere within their jurisdiction. I for one…
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The good and the bad of the pickleball explosion
Over the summer, we visited a friend’s lake house in Georgia. There were 17 of us in the group, and…
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The overlooked importance of education
To the editor: When young men of Ancient Athens reached the age of 17, they took what was known as…
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Voltaire’s wisdom endures
To the editor: I read David Parker’s letter in last week’s paper. It made me think of this quote from Voltaire:…
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The allure of gambling money
What’s behind Republican leaders’ insistent push to legalize multiple forms of gambling – from online sports betting to casinos and…
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A tribute to Dr. Arnold, a true teacher
Sometimes, it feels like we’re just nowhere in this life. It was like that for me in the early 1980s.
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Rule of law proven a farce amid corruption
To the editor: Remember the saying from Vietnam days that we had to destroy the village in order to save…
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When food and plants become medicine
I’ve never doubted I’m an old soul, so maybe my attachment to herbal remedies and plant-based eating is connected to…
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It is clear minorities are being targeted
To the Editor: I must say, in light of recent events (read: July incidents at the Rec Center and subsequent…
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Rep. Edwards needs to butt out of tribal affairs
When the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians overwhelmingly approved a measure to get into the recreational marijuana business last week,…
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Inflation Reduction Act keeps on giving
To the Editor: We are celebrating one year into the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).
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No one is above the Constitution
To the Editor: A historic constitutional battle is brewing.
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Wild nights and the bar fight
“There is no such joy in the tavern as upon the road thereto.” — Cormac McCarthy, “Blood Meridian”
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Freedom Park lifts up heroic stories
The state government complex in Raleigh is home to a new park. Constructed on Lane Street between the legislative building…
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The more things change, the more they remain the same
When reporters, editors and publishers from all over North Carolina gather each year to hand out awards for the best…
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A broken heart is an open heart
It was a beautiful sunny morning when I felt the urge to make the 45-minute drive to my hometown of…
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Free speech, as it turns out, needs protecting
It was an eye-opener for me, that’s for sure.
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Thank you, lord, for the fixers
Once in a while, something will happen that freezes time for just a moment.
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Back-to-school excitement is upon us
A lot has changed through the decades, but the excitement surrounding a back-to-school season remains.
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Understanding will come in time
To the Editor: I appreciate the clear, factual reporting done by Cory Vaillancourt uncovering the truth regarding the Waynesville Recreation…
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A call for help from veteran election officials
As two of the longest serving election officials in North Carolina, we write from Hickory with an important invitation for…
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There is room at the table for all
To the Editor: Congratulations to the Smoky Mountain News and Cory Vaillancourt!
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We should not tolerate the lies
To the Editor: A strange paradox is alive in American politics.
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Trans people just don’t exist
To the Editor: Your entire article regarding the trans person at the Waynesville Recreation Center starts with a lie.
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Thanks for showing Pless’ spiteful actions
To the Editor: Thanks to Scott McLeod for pointing out the inappropriate control Mark Pless wants to have in local…
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Community makes things less scary
To the Editor: After attending the meeting on Tuesday evening at the Waynesville Town Hall, one of the speeches that…
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What would a library be without ‘outside influences’?
At the June 27 meeting of the Macon County Board of Commissioners, Chairman Bill Dyar was asked by Leah Gaston…
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Life lessons learned this summer
This summer I’ve been learning several important life lessons.
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Dangerous vigilante fantasies must end
What does Jason Aldean have to do with the recent uproar over a transgender person using the swimming pool at…
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Pless continues to support some ‘bad stuff’
Rep. Mark Pless, to put it bluntly, is a piece of work.
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How can we describe Trump?
To the Editor: By reading the final report of January 6 Committee, I noticed this bit of information: As many…
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