Are courthouse politics gumming up the system?
When I came back to The Smoky Mountain News after six months away from journalism, one of my first trips…
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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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Lawmakers should support our schools
To the Editor: Since the beginning of the new year, I have seen several photos of Sen. Kevin Corbin (R-Macon)…
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Founders’ quotes are relevant today
To the Editor: A while ago I read a quote attributed to one of the Founding Fathers that had to…
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Massive money has spoiled politics
To the Editor: “Welcome to the end of democracy. We are here to overthrow it completely,” Jack Posobiec said as…
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Trump doesn’t deserve our support
To the Editor: Recently the world lost one of the most honorable and bravest advocates for democracy that we have…
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Election volunteers deserve thanks
To the Editor: The primary voting has ended in North Carolina, and because of those registered voters who chose to…
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All of us can help fight drug addiction
To the Editor: With interest, I read the article “Combating the Opioid Crisis” with interest in the February 22 issue…
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Challenging false claims and legislative barriers
As keepers of our traditions and sovereignty, we vehemently oppose any attempts to exploit or appropriate the rich cultural legacy…
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Finding alignment on the anniversary of COVID
Many folks seem out of alignment these days, and I’ve been thinking about why that may be. The uncertainty and…
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Time to abolish Electoral College
To the Editor: In this country we don’t vote for a president. There is an intermediary called an elector whom…
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GOP seeks to divide, not to lead
To the Editor: Nikki Haley, in a February 21 interview with National Public Radio, said: “I think what’s really important…
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Wastewater monitoring offers reliable health data
If you want to know whether COVID-19 infections are rising or falling, look to the sewers. Wastewater monitoring (also known…
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Supporting college faculty is essential
To the Editor: I read your article regarding Guaranteed College Scholarships with an enthusiastic interest. I fully support financial assistance to…
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Electoral College’s value is underestimated
In this election year of 2024 I want to discuss two controversial topics: the Electoral College and two-senators-per-state rule.
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Democrats have come to a fork in the road
To the Editor: The Democratic Party is in a pickle. Concocted by Democrats long departed, their present dilemma has been 60…
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It’s ‘Trump first’ for Republican Party
To the Editor: The Republican complaints about the southern border are just political theater. When presented with a bipartisan bill…
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DEI advocates miss Dr. King’s point
To the Editor: Since we have recently celebrated Martin Luther King Day, I thought it good to reflect on how…
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Why humanity needs heroes and villains
Many of us at The Smoky Mountain News have written novels, are in the process of writing a novel or…
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Our Constitution is under attack
To the Editor: Our Constitution was formulated by our Founding Fathers with the purpose of making America a nation free…
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How can religion not guide politics?
To the Editor: A recent opinion written in this publication proclaimed: “One role of the church is charity — politics…
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Got comma issues? I can help with that
I really don’t like telling people that I teach English for a living. Maybe it’s different for you, but my…
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Cherokee courts ‘underserve’ the EBCI’s members
My name is Raymond D. Large III, Esq., known to most as Rady [Ray-Dee]. I am an Appalachian-American, an attorney…
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Let’s keep politics and religion separate
To the Editor: This week a friend posted a Will Rogers quote from 1931 that is certainly relevant today. “Ten…
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Registering ‘Unaffiliated’ is a wise choice
To the Editor: I am confused as to why anyone in a state like North Carolina, with semi-closed primaries, would…
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Working together to raise good conversationalists
Recently, I was asked to speak to a leadership class at Tuscola High School and although flattered, I wondered if…
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Let first principles guide us
To the Editor: A Google search reveals this simple concept: First principles thinking (or reasoning from first principles) is a…
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Reflections in an election year
To the Editor: Beginning a new year during a cold winter, and an election year, I find myself soulful and…
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Humans are entirely unworthy of our dogs
We hoped he’d die in his sleep, that we’d find him curled up in the bed in that old, familiar…
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Coming down from the mountain
This past weekend, I served as a cabin leader for Winter Retreat, an annual youth event hosted by First United…
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Mideast deaths spell trouble for U.S.
To the Editor: The British issued the Balfour Declaration in 1917 supporting the “establishment in Palestine of a national home…
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Here’s to being woke rather than a MAGA
Several months ago, I was having lunch with a friend and the topic of politics came up, specifically how bitterly…
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This conservative says it’s OK to disagree
I wish to respond in a general way to the two columns on the Opinion page of the Dec. 27-Jan 2024…
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GOP once knew what honor meant
To the Editor: I recently finished reading Liz Cheney's book “Oath and Honor.” Liz Cheney represented Wyoming in the U.S.…
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Leaning into the momentum of a new year
I love the energy surrounding a new year. Why are beginnings so enchanting? Perhaps it’s the hope and anticipation of the…
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We’re the lucky ones; we live here
As I think ahead to 2024, I can’t help but feel so lucky to live here, in these mountains.
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Editors help us with perspective
To the Editor: Newspaper editors and owners have an important role in our local communities and for us readers.
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What libraries do is so important
To the Editor: Libraries are an important part of any community. In addition to books, they provide numerous other resources…
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A lot to look forward to in 2024
If 2024 were a table laid out before you, how would you imagine it: a beautiful, feast-laden smorgasbord of rich…
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All different, all the same, all over again
Once upon a Christmas, our children came creeping down the stairs before dawn like little burglars.
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Nostalgia’s great, but ditch the rose-colored glasses
Like a lot of middle-aged-to-older Americans during the holiday season, I’m a person with a healthy nostalgic streak.
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We of the pale blue dot never learn
My Christmas wish is that every artificial light on earth gets turned off for 24 hours between Christmas Eve and…
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Christmas – finding beauty in the mess
It’s hard to believe Christmas is less than a week away. With more gifts to buy, a Christmas puzzle partially…
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A sickness in the soul of America
To the Editor: The Eagles rock band has interpreted life in America over the last five decades. Yet, the lines…
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Acts of kindness are always welcome
To the Editor: Believe it or not, there was a time within my life – and I’m 87 years old…
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Adjusting to life in a meat locker
I’m trying my best to get this column out to you, but it’s not as easy as it seems. My…
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It only takes one person to change a life
Many years ago when I was an educator, my school was tasked with reading a book titled “The Cycle of…
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Knife fights over deck chairs
To the Editor: The world as we know it is changing dramatically. We have entered the era of the polycrisis…
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A lesson from First Lady Rosalynn Carter
“Climb the mountain so you can see the world, not so the world can see you.” — David McCullough Jr.
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Important freedoms are under siege
To the Editor: We now live in a free country. We cherished the freedom to worship as we choose; the freedom…
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