Are we safer after the pardons?
To the Editor: In January 2021, Daniel Rodriques travelled to Washington, D.C., to take part in a gathering of supporters…
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America’s golden age, or Gilded Age?
Did anyone else watch the inauguration? I mean, I’m sure it was the biggest, best and most-watched inauguration in the…
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Online boundaries might save our souls
During the early 2000s when I was first teaching middle school, I heard my mentor say to one of our…
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Into 2025 with a few ancient principles
Even though we’re already a couple weeks into 2025, I’m still feeling the heightened energy that surrounds a New Year.…
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Trump and the latest climate change red flag
Like a three-pack-a-day smoker who blames their chronic cough on allergies, or a recent flu shot — everything but their…
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Shame on U.S. corporations
To the Editor: What hypocrites we are! As we honor President Jimmy Carter for his worldwide humanitarian efforts, American corporations…
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This January 6, it’s back to the routine
It’s Jan. 6, 2025, and my mind was on established routines and rituals. The warm frenzy of the holidays is…
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Godspeed, President Carter
To the Editor: Not being particularly tearful yesterday (Dec. 29) was a terrible moment for me. It was the day…
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Bill was a power grab
To the Editor: I’m not certain, Senator Kevin Corbin, R-Franklin, that your constituency thoroughly understands your characterization of Senate Bill 382…
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Here’s to a stronger sense of community in 2025
In listening to the tributes regarding the death of President Jimmy Carter, a phrase from his inauguration speech struck a…
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Community support helps feed the hungry
To the Editor: The Maggie Valley United Methodist Church wishes to thank the community for their overwhelming support of our…
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Holiday china and an ode to Christmas
Several weeks ago, I read an article listing a number of holiday traditions that are disappearing, such as caroling, writing…
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Complaints aren't founded in truth
It is very hard for me to continue listening to the ongoing issues of housing when I know we have…
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A lesson in how lies lead to dangerous outcomes
Facts, once unassailable, have become, well, difficult to quantify. People make up or repeat lies, especially on social media platforms…
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GOP’s rationale for power grab just doesn’t wash
When they are challenged on their authoritarianism, North Carolina Republicans’ most frequent ploy is to retrieve grievances from decades ago.…
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Slow down, spread the joy
To the Editor: I appreciate Scott McLeod’s sage advice to relax for the upcoming Christmas day and following New Years. One…
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Four hundred miles from home, signs of hope
Glass half full, that’s me. Lots of good folks out there doing good things. We had a couple of gentle…
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Viewing the holidays from a different lens
Like everything in life, the holiday season is about perception. On one hand, you can view it as a commercialized…
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Relief bill an insult to WNC
To the Editor: I’m writing to thank Rep. Mike Clampitt, Rep. Karl Gillespie and Rep. Mark Pless for siding with…
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Not sure state will do what’s needed
To the Editor: I do not share Mr. McLeod's optimism that the the legislature "...will do what is needed for…
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Proposed state aid bill is an insult
The number is $53.6 billion. That’s the estimate from the N.C. Office of State Budget and Management for the damage…
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Mencken’s vision
When I asked a friend in the north of England what people there think of our recent election, he did…
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Knowing the difference: fact versus opinion
To the Editor: A few weeks ago Smoky Mountain News Editor Scott McLeod wrote an interesting article spelling out the differences…
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Israeli visit is pure hypocrisy
To the Editor: A recent edition of a local paper described the visit of an Israeli envoy to bring relief…
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The meaningful moments that make memories
(I started writing a Thanksgiving column, paused a moment, did a Google search and realized that I had shared this…
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Lessons from Noah’s flood — confessions of a progressive
After reading the point-counterpoint last week from David Lawson and Tom Powers, I was inspired to offer a third path forward.…
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Destruction from the MAGA storm
To the Editor: Helene brought destruction and chaos! Homes, businesses, cars, people washed away, roads and bridges washed out, people…
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Have we lost our way, America?
To the Editor: As I ponder the implications of the presidential election, I have to ask myself and I ask…
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Beliefs about Biden/Harris just aren’t true
After reading David Lawson’s letter, “Maybe Trump’s Win Was about Policy,” I sympathize with Dr. Lawson’s desire to focus on…
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Helene disaster isn’t over
To the Editor: I was finally able to get through the travel hazards back to Western North Carolina six days…
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Trump’s election tells us a lot
To the Editor: The 2024 presidential election revealed one thing in crystal-clear, proof-positive, light-years beyond any reasonable doubt comprehensibility, that the…
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Moving away from a place of fear
The passion surrounding the 2024 election was monumental, and as I observed my fellow Americans, the overarching emotion that simmered…
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We will reap what we’ve sown
To the Editor: I wish I could blame the outcome of the recent presidential election on yet another “misfire” (as…
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Maybe Trump’s win was about policy
To the Editor: The liberal media, including TV personalities and “journalists,” were really shocked over the Trump victory. “Oh, the…
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Here’s to rolling with the changes
I’m a ripened 64, and I still love real newspapers. However, my affinity for online browsing is also taking root.…
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An epic win for my beloved Dodgers
When my time comes, if there is some gathering for people to pick over my days and ways, I expect…
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Hats off to Mountain Research Station
To the Editor: The Haywood Gleaners wish to express our sincere gratitude to the Mountain Research Station for their recent…
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Be prepared to wait before we have a president
So here we are, days away from this pivotal election, and here’s a word of advice: take a deep breath,…
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Letting go isn’t always so easy
Have you noticed how stunning the fall colors are this year? A plethora of factors affect the autumn hues, making…
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Choose wisely with your vote
To the Editor: This upcoming election is going to be a close call. According to many of the polls being…
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It’s about living our faith
To the Editor: I still remember September 27, 1953. That was the Sunday my brother, Greg, and I were baptized…
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Don’t feed us lies during this tragedy
To the Editor: Donald Trump has been guilty of spewing so many fact-free statements over the years that ‘fact checking’…
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By all means, do the research
To the Editor: One of the few good things to come from the pandemic is you hear more and more…
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Stunningly false mailers are absurd
To the Editor: Medicare and Social Security are programs that have always been priorities of the Democratic Party. Democrats started…
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Elected leaders who will address climate
To the Editor: Our EMS and fire departments, law-enforcement and many in serving military units have come to our region’s…
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We must put planet over profit
To the Editor: A vote for Trump is a vote for Project 2025, the incredibly dangerous game plan for a…
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We’ll get through this, but we’ll need help
We’ve had more than a week of picture-perfect fall days, usually a part of the recipe for a busy, successful…
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Inflation, deflation and the presidency
To the Editor: The economy of this great nation, and indeed, the world, is a huge thing that, like those…
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Misinformation is the ‘Poison Apple’
To the Editor: Listening to Trump’s string of falsehoods and misrepresentations reminds me not of what a strong and vibrant…
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Democrats are a danger to democracy
To the Editor: There has been a lot said about democracy being on the ballot, but it’s mostly Democrat gasbaggery.…
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