Opinion

 

Finding space for two emotions at once

Growing older isn’t all bad.

My grandparents once gave me nuggets of wisdom and I would look at them and think, "How do they know all of that?" 

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Comment

Jackson leaders show their hand
 

Jackson leaders show their hand

To the Editor:

Have you noticed how quietly our basic freedoms can disappear? Right now in Jackson County, a small group of commissioners is on the verge of dismantling our entire library system — not because it’s failing us, but because it’s succeeding at something they fear: exposing people to ideas beyond a single worldview. 

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Comment

Time to defend our democracy
 

Time to defend our democracy

To the Editor:

When asked by NBC News correspondent Kristin Welker if he would protect, defend and uphold the U.S. Constitution, Donald Trump replied, “I don’t know.” 

That’s a serious and troubling statement! Seeing an American president hesitate to affirm their commitment to our constitutional principles should alarm all of us. 

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Comment

 

Managing the visitor experience is no easy task

I’m sitting alone in the cockpit of the boat anchored at Cape Lookout National Seashore off the coast of North Carolina in the early morning, and I’m about to write a column about tourism. Sipping my coffee, though, I’m distracted as a cool May breeze rattles the halyards. 

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Comment

We are watching futures be ruined
 

We are watching futures be ruined

To The Editor:

Taking the long view of life, I love my God, my country, my family and friends, and really, just people in general. Like many of us, I go to bed at night and pray that God help our country to find its way in this current climate of division and fear and anxiety. 

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Comment

The benefits of 19th century living
 

The benefits of 19th century living

To The Editor:

Donald Trump has adjusted his spiel from “I’ll reduce the price of eggs, bacon and lettuce on DAY ONE!!!” to “We’ll need to take our medicine.” That’s a stunning switcheroo since I was gearing up for a cheaper BLT on day one!

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Comment

Standing up for our country
 

Standing up for our country

To The Editor:

On April 5 over 1,000 American citizens showed up at the Haywood County historic courthouse to stand up for democracy and our Constitution. We were not “bussed” in and we most certainly weren’t paid to be there. Some folks would like you to believe that all the citi-zens that were there were not locals — hate to be the bearer of bad news, many were Haywood County natives.

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Comment

Surprised at writer’s naivete
 

Surprised at writer’s naivete

To The Editor:

I am really surprised at the innocence of the letter writer in the issue of April 23-29.

FYI, I am a Caucasian, or perhaps I should say "white" for the writer's benefit. 

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Comment

 

Lessons learned from garden gnomes

The garden gnomes stared at me from our cluttered carport, dirty and bored, no blooming flowers to observe or tomato vines to tickle their bellies. I was holding on to them well past their desire.  

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