Golf’s prodigal son gets some redemption
Twenty years ago, a friend and I would get together on the weekends of the major golf tournaments and bet…
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Make redistricting an important issue
To the Editor The U.S. Supreme Court met March 26 to hear arguments on redistricting in three states, including North…
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Home is far way, but also here with me
By Hannah McLeod • Guest columnist I arrived in Costa Rica at the beginning of February. After floundering for a…
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You can’t please them all
I’ve learned it’s impossible to make everyone happy. This column has been a part of my life for a number…
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GOP has no health care plan
To the Editor: President Trump abruptly announced that he supports the court’s efforts to eliminate Obama Care. This would fulfill…
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It’s the right time for the Nikwasi Initiative
From the outside looking in, the current Nikwasi Mound disagreement in Franklin seems almost contrived. I mean, do serious people…
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The popcorn crisis: film at 11
When you’re young and in love, you feel invincible, like nothing can ever possibly contaminate the perfect union you have…
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Believing just does not make it true
I recently saw people interviewed at the CPAC meeting stating how pleased they were with Trump’s accomplishments. That got me…
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Our job is to earn trust and keep it
A little more than two weeks ago I was part of a public radio panel that was discussing the “state…
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A time of waiting and yearning
I’m sick of looking at a pair of stylish winter boots sitting beside my bedroom door. I have other cold-weather…
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Town can keep mound and support initiative
By Bob Scott • Guest Columnist Five years ago, as mayor, I was placed in the position of defending the…
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Please support Medicaid expansion
To the Editor: More than one million North Carolinians have no health insurance. Many fall in what is known as…
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Trump haters overplay their hand
To the Editor: In the news story “Constituents of color: Meadows defense of Trump angers many,” published in the SMN…
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Let’s all embrace God’s healing
To the Editor: A recent columnist claimed that their church embraces LGBTQ members. Well, my church welcomes LGBTQ as well.…
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Let’s keep people out of watershed
To the Editor: The town of Waynesville has passed an ordinance making defecation and urination on the ground a public…
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A hit piece without facts
To the Editor: The hate trump crowd that includes the media ringleaders keeps trying to denigrate President Donald Trump any…
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Let’s fire Sen. Tillis next election
To the Editor: Last week both our Senators, Richard Burr and Thom Tillis, had two opportunities to demonstrate that they…
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Economics and the tilt to socialism
My son was home from college for spring break. As we ate dinner one night, he described to my wife…
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This cruel, lingering illness just won’t let go
When you’ve been sick long enough, your perception of reality begins to change. A couple of days may be no…
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Changing primaries could help system
By Martin Dyckman • Guest Columnist Every member of Congress is required to swear loyalty to the Constitution, not to…
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Learning to live with intention
Ever had a life-changing book fall into your literal hands? This happened to me recently. I order my favorite rare,…
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A little knowledge can go a long way
To the Editor: If you haven’t researched or assisted a foreigner in easing through the maze of the Immigration and…
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Where is Willie’s scooter?
To the Editor: Willie is a graduate of WCU and has a degree in sociology. He was told by his…
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Young people want tolerance
To the Editor: In America today we are experiencing tremendous growing pains and challenges to the way things have been,…
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My church embraces LGBTQ members
By Nina Dove • Guest Columnist When I walked into a Reconciling Ministries meeting at my church (First United Methodist Church…
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An aging Walter still rules the roost
When Walter comes trundling down the driveway, he always reminds me of what a camera tripod might look like if…
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Medicaid expansion needed in N.C.
To the Editor: North Carolina is one of 14 states that has chosen not to expand Medicaid, which provides health…
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Meadows’ action is unconscionable
To the Editor: Unbelievable that Rep. Mark Meadows (R-Brevard) chose to use a black female HUD employee as a token,…
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We must do better, for our children
To the Editor: Like Andrew Morgan (see Mountaineer, Feb. 25, Guest Columnist), I too am alarmed by the rhetoric from…
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Open government is part of who we are
Whereas the public bodies that administer the legislative, policy-making, quasi-judicial, administrative, and advisory functions of North Carolina and its political…
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Great schools, staff are community assets
Both my parents were teachers. My earliest memories are of my dad sitting at our dining room table grading papers…
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The socialists are coming!
To the Editor The socialists are coming, the socialists are coming! Hide your cows and pickup trucks! The green new…
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Thanks for exploration of homelessness issue
To the Editor Cory Vaillancourt created a powerful, informative and moving piece of journalism (“Face to face: local homeless remain…
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The American people are not stupid
To the Editor I am not stupid and neither are most people I know. However, numerous politicians, pundits and officials…
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Climate change must be addressed
To the Editor: As the undeniable scientific evidence of climate change and its causes and consequences mount, it is unfortunate…
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Hysteria yes; a national emergency, no
Sandy Hook Elementary School, Newtown, Connecticut. Twenty-eight dead. Virginia Tech University, Blacksburg, Virginia. Thirty-three dead. Stoneman Douglass High School, Parkland,…
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N.C. legislators have a chance at redistricting
By Martin Dyckman • Guest Columnist The North Carolina General Assembly is where good bills go to die. So it…
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We need CLEAN Medicaid Expansion
To the Editor: When it comes to health insurance, North Carolina has the sixth largest uninsured population in the nation.…
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Careers can wait; it’s time for some adventuring
When the text came letting us know that our daughter Hannah had arrived safely in Costa Rica, a sense of…
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Sandburg’s words are needed now more than ever
When my mom was living, she owned a tour company called Southern Comfort Tours. She opened the business in her…
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Cat Museum will promote Jackson County
To the Editor: I am opening The American Museum of the House Cat at a new location in April. I…
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Columns and newspapers can change views
By John Hood • Guest Columnist I have written a syndicated column on politics and public policy for North Carolina…
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Finally, my wife is living the dream
When Tammy and I met almost exactly 15 years ago, there were a few adjustments we had to make, like…
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