Single-use plastics need to be addressed

When I began my role as the French Broad Riverkeeper nearly 20 years ago, I was wide-eyed and eager. I…
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Library board member is an embarrassment
 

Library board member is an embarrassment

To the Editor: Diann Catlin is a member of the Macon County Public Library (MCPL) Board of Trustees. It is…
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Comment

 

The hamster wheel of human well-being

I’ve become fascinated with studies and lifestyle changes focused on longevity and biohacking. A few recent “revolutionary health and wellness…
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Comment

Don’t loosen floodplain restrictions
 

Don’t loosen floodplain restrictions

To the Editor: Last week, we were informed that one of our Macon County commissioners is planning to eliminate the…
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Comment

Plastic grocery bags don’t recycle
 

Plastic grocery bags don’t recycle

To the Editor: The Environmental Action Community (EAC) of Western North Carolina, a nonprofit organization based in Haywood County, is…
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Comment

 

Celebrating libraries means ending book bans

I’m no extremist. I like discourse with people who hold opposing viewpoints. You can sway me with sound arguments. I…
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Comment

How can Christians support Trump?
 

How can Christians support Trump?

To the Editor: To all Donald Trump supporters who identify as Christians:  I’m writing to summarize Trump’s unholy actions during…
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Comment

Trump’s espionage demands action
 

Trump’s espionage demands action

To the Editor: In early March, Jack Teixeira, the former Massachusetts Air National Guardsman who posted classified intelligence reports online,…
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Comment

 

Enjoying the Madness

It’s March Madness, and as a graduate of North Carolina State University, I am thoroughly enjoying it. We Wolfpack fans…
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Are the ‘deniers’ practicing better science?

I don’t deserve to be called a scientist, but maybe I’m at least a fringe scientist after spending 50 years doing…
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Comment

Let’s not go back in time
 

Let’s not go back in time

To the Editor: In North Carolina we have a candidate for governor who is alleged to have said, “I absolutely…
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Comment

Lawmakers should support our schools
 

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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Comment

 

Former public servants send a strong message

We folks over 70 often make mistakes — forgetting and confusing names, places, dates. So when Joe Biden mistook President…
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Founders’ quotes are relevant today
 

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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Comment

Massive money has spoiled politics
 

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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Comment

 

Taking time to strengthen my gratitude muscle

Gratitude has become something of a buzz word and because of that, it seems that some people roll their eyes…
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Comment

Trump doesn’t deserve our support
 

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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Comment

Election volunteers deserve thanks
 

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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Comment

 

One year later, Canton displays remarkable progress

The woods are lovely, dark and deep, But I have promises to keep, And miles to go before I sleep,…
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Comment

All of us can help fight drug addiction
 

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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Comment

 

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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Comment

 

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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Comment

Time to abolish Electoral College
 

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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Comment

GOP seeks to divide, not to lead
 

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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Comment

 

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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Comment

Supporting college faculty is essential
 

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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Comment

 

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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Comment

Democrats have come to a fork in the road
 

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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Comment

It’s ‘Trump first’ for Republican Party
 

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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Comment

DEI advocates miss Dr. King’s point
 

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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Comment

 

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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Comment

Our Constitution is under attack
 

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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Comment

How can religion not guide politics?
 

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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Comment

 

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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Comment

 

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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Comment

Let’s keep politics and religion separate
 

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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Comment

Registering ‘Unaffiliated’ is a wise choice
 

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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Comment

 

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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Comment

Let first principles guide us
 

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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Comment

Reflections in an election year
 

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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Comment

 

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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Comment

 

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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Comment

Mideast deaths spell trouble for U.S.
 

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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Comment

 

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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Comment

 

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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Comment

GOP once knew what honor meant
 

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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Comment

 

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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Comment

 

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
 

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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Comment

What libraries do is so important
 

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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Comment

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