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…
Read More
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.…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
Mencken’s vision
When I asked a friend in the north of England what people there think of our recent election, he did…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
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.…
Read More
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…
Read More
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,…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
Ah, Booyz, that’s good
Kind Hearts, this hurricane has made me think about water, and I can say with certainty that water once had…
Read More
We can support WNC, albeit in different ways
When you’re a columnist for a newspaper, you don’t take the space for granted. It is a gift and an…
Read More
We’re open, but be understanding
This is not the end of our story in Western North Carolina. Far from it. It’s an opportunity for a…
Read More
Desecration and beauty all mixed together
Early October, and these mountains are already beginning to put on their glorious garments of autumn. A splash of red…
Read More
In the middle of an unimaginable tragedy
It’s hard to know what to write about when my mind is swirling in so many directions, as I’m sure…
Read More
An ultramarathon, a book, a flood and a prayer
On the weekend of Sept. 20-21, I went to the Grindstone 100-Mile Ultramarathon at Natural Chimneys Park in Virginia, where…
Read More
Election officials prepare for new rules
Voting is going to look a bit different in North Carolina this year thanks to new partisan observers who will…
Read More
Teaching teens in a tumultuous world
Recently I had the privilege of sitting and talking with a group of adolescents who weren’t my own children or…
Read More
Election fraud claims are just that — a fraud
The looming 1980 presidential election was all over the news, the unpopular incumbent Jimmy Carter facing the charismatic former actor…
Read More
Already leaning into the fall season
Once Labor Day has come and gone, I lean fully into fall. I know that technically autumn does not officially…
Read More
He’s not gone, he’s just getting started
When I became a parent for the first time, I asked my brother what to expect. He already had two…
Read More
How about some respect for all athletes
Editor’s note: Bob Clark coached the Tuscola boys and girls discus and shotput athletes for the past three seasons. Prior…
Read More
MDMA will, eventually, help many with PTSD
As the executive director of the nonprofit Pearl Institute here in Waynesville, I wanted to express my gratitude to The…
Read More
Public radio called, and I tuned in
During a recent morning drive to Asheville, I felt a yearning to listen to National Public Radio (NPR). Typically my…
Read More
The Olympics: a beacon of hope in challenging times
Just when global news hit a fever pitch and there was little to hang onto in the way of goodness…
Read More
Standing for democracy, fairness and better government
Democracy means that we voters get to decide with elections which candidates are empowered to serve in our local, state…
Read More
Reminders of humanity in Mexico
One of the greatest advantages of traveling the world is being reminded how similar we all are, regardless of culture,…
Read More
A love letter to Appalachia
Editor’s note: This article first appeared online at the website “100 Days in Appalachia.” Meredith McCarroll is from Waynesville, went to…
Read More
The problem of childhood hunger can be fixed
A recent town hall in Cullowhee laid out a heartbreaking problem in our public schools, as well as a sensible solution.…
Read More
Embrace the ideals America stands for
I know that many people are so upset with the state of politics and division in our country that they struggled…
Read More
Lessons learned in the wilderness
My last column was written just before I returned from Wilderness Trail. I’m not sure what propelled me to sign…
Read More
Beneath the traditions, let’s consider our democracy
When our three children were young, we had a regular July 4 tradition. For probably about 15 years, we would…
Read More
American democracy’s last stand
I was raised in a rural, conservative-leaning county with two working parents and six busy kids. My mother was a nurse…
Read More
Into the wilderness we go
When this column is published, I’ll be emerging from five days in the wilderness of Southwest Virginia. A group from…
Read More
Let’s get real about ‘school choice’
There are some things John Hood (SMN, May 29) and his ilk don’t want you to think about in their…
Read More
You got this, you know you do
One of the best things about marriage is the abundance of opportunities for continuous learning. For example, I did not…
Read More
Finding meaning in life’s twists and turns
I recently experienced a visual about worrying. It was a mountain where the highest point is the peak of worry.
Read More
Looking forward to SMN in 2049
This week SMN is celebrating its 25th anniversary as a business. As we mark the milestone, this industry is changing…
Read More
School choice isn’t a conspiracy
North Carolina is becoming a national leader in expanding choice and competition in education. For some North Carolinians, this is…
Read More
Billionaires, public education and vouchers
Despite stiff opposition, the N.C. Senate voted this month to double the funding for Opportunity Scholarships to boost enrollment in privately run…
Read More
When history really does repeat itself
Recently someone described me as a “longtime columnist for the Smoky Mountain News,” which made me realize I’ve been sharing…
Read More
To be a moderate takes real courage
One good thing about being skeptical of your own opinions is that if the wrong candidate wins you can reassure…
Read More
Change is coming, and things will change
What happens when the those with the most chips in the game only have a partial stake in it? In…
Read More
Sorry, fertilized eggs are not living beings
It is time to have a fact-based discussion about the biology and history of our knowledge about human reproduction. Much…
Read More
Pray for the best, prepare for the worst
After what Haywood County has been through does anyone want to think about the hurricane season from June 1 to…
Read More
Local food is the best choice
If you need a reminder of the sweet soul of humanity, visit your local farmers market on a Saturday morning.
Read More
