Valuable lessons from failed annexation
To the Editor: Thank you Smoky Mountain News and Becky Johnson for writing an article bringing to a close the…
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Most presidents learn from criticism — not this one
By Martin Dyckman • Guest Columnist The press must be the keyboard on which the government can play. — Joseph…
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Two essays that left a lasting influence
They were both quiet, their voices barely audible even during roll call, and absolutely silent otherwise. Even as a new…
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New commissioner stumbles out of the gate
Brandon Rogers almost certainly disappointed — and surprised — many of his supporters during Monday’s Haywood County Commissioners meeting. Apparently…
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Newspapers with real reporters and editors matter
By Frank Queen • Guest Columnist I was surrounded by newspapers growing up. Dad worked for the government in the…
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Trump’s bigotry exposed in immigration order
To the Editor: The very first section of President Donald Trump’s order banning immigrants from seven nations refers to the…
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No room for alternative news
“Ignorance and misinformation, if allowed to prevail in foreign policy, handicaps the country’s security. In a world of complex and…
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Internet availability a problem in WNC
To the Editor: Regarding Scott McLeod’s piece last week about the availability of internet service (www.smokymountainnews.com/opinion/item/19234), it is a big…
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Why rush to repeal ACA?
To the Editor: I am writing to express my concern about the repeal of the Affordable Care Act, or “Obamacare.”…
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A once happy week now darkened
We leave for Disney World this weekend. I should be more excited, but with all that’s going on in our…
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Our allegiance is to the ideals, not to a president
For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then…
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How much did legislators get from Duke?
To the Editor: Those job killing North Carolina Republicans are at it again. The Republican General Assembly has cost North…
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The digital divide is still way too wide
It was just a press release, one among the dozens a week that media outlets receive and that may or…
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Appreciate the opinion
To the Editor: Mr. McLeod, am writing to commend your timely Opinion piece. You made a number of excellent points.…
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Please keep your dogs leashed
To the Editor: I am writing this letter in hopes that people walking their pets will be more considerate to…
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Why are white males left out?
To the Editor: When you write “Looking for more ideology, less politics,” what exactly does that imply? And when you…
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We all need to get informed
To the Editor: Scott McLeod’s recent editorial “Looking more for ideology, less politics” (www.smokymountainnews.com/opinion/item/19140) truly resonated for me and I…
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Celebrating the wit of Robert Burns
Although many poets and musicians have won awards, there is only one person who has a world-wide celebration every year…
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Parenting nostalgia during a big birthday week
It’s birthday week for the Barbee boys. Our two boys are exactly three years and one day apart, one born…
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Looking for more ideology, less politics
As the holidays drew to a close, I began preparing for the reporting we will do on the upcoming session…
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Not TDA’s job to hire downtown director
To the Editor: Given the recent suggestion in The Sylva Herald that the Jackson County Tourism Development Authority possibly fund…
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Rep. Meadows should have recused himself
To the Editor: The Oxford Dictionary of the English Language defines ethics as: “moral principles or code.” The Office of…
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Trump just too ignorant for the job
To the Editor: Is it just me? Or are any of your readers just a wee bit concerned about (this…
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Waiting in a winter wonderland
My wife was stranded in Mississippi. She was supposed to get home late on Friday night, but then the big…
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It’s 2017, let’s talk about something else
Now that it’s 2017, I can’t bear the thought of continuing to fixate on politics and its atmosphere of pomposity…
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Another side of the Cuban revolution
To the Editor: I very much appreciated your comments about Castro and Cuba, particularly your childhood experience at Guantanamo. I…
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A heavy but hopeful heart for the new year
Throughout my entire life, I’ve awoken on New Year’s Day energized to be more, do more, see more. This year…
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The best opportunity for health insurance
To the Editor: How many people do you know who are old enough to be eligible for Medicare insurance but…
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So retirees should relinquish rights?
To the Editor: I am completely mystified by a recent letter writer’s response to my letter questioning the legitimacy of…
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Cutting the apron strings
I’m entering a new phase of motherhood. Since becoming a mom in 2009, one or both of my boys have…
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Remember all the good taxes do
To the Editor: Government and taxes are common complaints among conservatives, even though they benefit from both. Opinions in our…
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Meadows makes his mark in the swamp
Where’s Mark? As in Rep. Mark Meadows, our Republican congressman who reportedly represents the rural and economically challenged residents of…
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We don’t really ‘do’ camping
When my wife brought up the possibility of camping at this year’s Merlefest — a four-day and three-night music festival…
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Health care needs reasoned, open debate
To the Editor: My organization, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the AARP, the American Cancer Society, The American Heart Association…
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Let’s eliminate the power of the Electoral College
By Martin A. Dyckman • Guest Columnist Americans are asking why we now have a president whom they wouldn’t trust to…
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Lessons learned on the black diamond
While standing atop a black diamond run at Beech Mountain last weekend, several thoughts crossed my mind. It’s been a…
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GOP supports childrens’ health care
To the Editor: It is easy to understand Dr. Stephen Wall’s compassion for young children. Knowing Dr. Wall well, I…
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I’ll have a beer and hash browns
To the Editor: It’s been interesting to read the controversy about the Sunday “brunch bill” enactment in Bryson City, Jackson…
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Smokies benefit from license plate sales
License plate sales raised nearly $815,000 to support the Great Smoky Mountains National Park this year, with the grand total…
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The fight over what it means to be an American
I turned 18 three weeks too late to vote for Ronald Wilson Reagan for president of the United States, but…
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State budget hurts Swain’s needy children
“The smartest countries tend to be those that have acted to make teaching more prestigious and selective; directed more resources…
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Traditions help us deal with change, loss
Since my mom’s passing in August, many people have given me books and resources to help with the grief. They’ve…
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Mainstream media has lost its credibility
To the Editor: Nothing in a recent letter (“Please, just check the facts,” Dec. 14, The Smoky Mountain News) rings…
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The media is just not doing its job
To the Editor: Have we ever seen such hypocrisy? The Russians have now hacked the 2016 election, really? Liberal news…
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WOW wraps up fifth year of giving back to community
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that…
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I love newspaper readers, but please read carefully
Some things never change, and the reality of collateral damage from news stories is one of them. Plus the fact…
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Story damages Jukebox Junction’s reputation in Bethel community
To the Editor: There was a story with the headline “Haywood County wipes the dust off the bottle” in the December…
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Please, just check the facts
To the Editor: In the recent edition of The Smoky Mountain News, Carl Iobst’s letter seems to indicate that traditional…
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A public servant retires
To the Editor: To my friends in Western North Carolina, I will be retiring on December 31.
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