The president deserves an ‘F’
To the Editor:
Recently, President Trump said, “I don’t know how a person of faith can vote for a Democrat,” at the National Prayer Breakfast. This may surely make the Top 10 of his ridiculous statements. Likewise, if anyone stated they didn’t know how a person of faith could vote for a Republican or Independent, they too would be equally ridiculous. I must add that such an unbelievable statement coming from a sitting president is far from the expectation we should have for one in the highest office of the land.
Some pre-Lent thoughts: fasting and feasting
Some people eat to live, and others live to eat. I fall into the latter camp, which is why I’ve been both confused and fascinated by the fasting trend that has flooded the health and wellness movement in the last few years. To temporarily deprive oneself of food in service of a larger goal — for some, weight loss; for others, metabolic health or mental clarity — is the kind of challenge that borders on unreasonable. To me, fasting ranks just below ice baths in terms of appeal.
‘A history of the western tradition’
Recently, a teacher of history asked me, a former teacher of history, about ways to bring history alive for high school students. My response hasn’t varied in 40 years: “Make connections.” Students — and the rest of us as well — need to remember we live today with the consequences of events like the signing of the Declaration of Independence or the Battle of Gettysburg.
Hypocrisy, lies and censorship fuel drag protest in Sylva
Outside agitators continued their assault on the First Amendment in Sylva Aug. 24, as a small group of right-wing activists demonstrated against a private event in the Jackson County Public Library — demanding the government enforce their morality in public spaces by infringing on the liberty of others.
GOP does not own the Bible
To the Editor:
Trump and his sidekick billionaire know exactly why our Constitution was intentionally designed with three branches of government. The speed with which they look to dismantle our checks and balances is proof that they look to install a government like Victor Orbàn has done in Hungary.
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. Having moved here last October from the suburbs of Atlanta, my husband and I have been blessed with the culture and kindness of everyone whose paths we have crossed. Having come to Lake Junaluska since the 1960s and 1970s, this place has always been my spiritual home, “Halfway to heaven.”
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 you to think about what the outcome means in the larger context of our values as a nation.
Don’t be a puppet to another’s will
To the Editor:
In a recent editorial a Western North Carolina minister says he doesn’t understand why some North Carolinians, who profess to be Christians, vote for a man who demonstrates again and again, that he respects no Christian principles.
Response to 'The wisdom of the First Amendment'
To the Editor:
I am still trying to figure out Dave Webster’s motive for telling your readers about his personal journey and I would like to know what his comments have to do with the First Amendment.
The wisdom of the First Amendment
To the Editor:
Famous songwriter Paul Simon wrote, “… a man he hears what he wants to hear and disregards the rest.” Then he begins to believe it. When we were young children our mother indoctrinated us in the teachings of what might be called “fundamental” Baptist today. Our mother meant well. And until I joined the Navy in 1962, I expressed belief and trust in those fundamental tenets.
