Respect for others missing in Edwards’ response
In the most recent edition of the SMN (June 5), I read a guest editorial written by Mr. Sam Edwards…
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When the universe offers gifts, unwrap them
The final school bells have rung. When I was teaching, the last few weeks of school were grueling and felt…
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Passion is no excuse for spreading error
Upon seeing Hannah McLeod’s recent guest column published in these pages on May 29, my first reaction was that it…
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You won’t make friends like this again
By the time she was 4-years-old, my daughter was better at making friends than I have ever been. When we…
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Memorial Day is more than flags and speeches
My wife, Lori, and I recently attended the wedding of my nephew in Fayetteville. While there, we wandered around downtown…
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A prayer for Mike and all who served
I wish I knew where Mike is. I haven’t seen or heard from him in 10 years at least. I…
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Evangelical fingerprints all over abortion bills
By Hannah McLeod • Guest Columnist Living outside the United States makes it easier to ignore the day-to-day whirlwind of…
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Why deny health coverage?
To the Editor: Many people in our Western North Carolina counties are in a health care coverage void. Through no…
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Trump threatens our ideals
To the Editor: Thank you for publishing Norman Hoffman’s diagnosis of our president’s obvious disorder. Hoffman’s approach is logical, analytical,…
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HRMC leaders support HB 655
To the Editor: You don’t have to look far to see that many in North Carolina — approximately 500,000 —…
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We have been attacked by Russia
To the Editor: What if you could attack a country without building a single plane, or ship, or even one…
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SRCA should keep searching
To the Editor: After reading a story you reported about Shining Rock Classical Academy, I felt the need to share…
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Placing trust in Shining Rock’s leadership
To the Editor: Pursuant to the article regarding Shining Rock Classical Academy that was published in last week’s edition, as…
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Trump’s personality issues deserve diagnosis
By Norman Hoffman • Guest Columnist Most psychiatric conditions require the clinician to interact directly with the individual to determine a…
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The magic of New York City
I was seven years old when my parents first took me to New York. We couldn’t afford to stay in…
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Combine reason and emotion, Democrats
To the Editor: Reason and emotion are the two fundamental bases for decision-making. We are facing some historic decisions in…
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When will the school shootings end?
“But for the grace of God, it could have been my child.” News of college and school shootings cut straight…
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The friend everyone needs
Let’s be honest for a minute. Most of us lie to our friends on a fairly regular basis and are,…
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Help make schools safer
To the Editor: Each year since the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, the number of incidents of gun violence on…
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Remembering Riley as a seventh-grader, during Teacher Appreciation Week
The thing I miss about teaching is human connection, being part of something bigger than myself. When I was in…
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Diversity strengthens our community
To the Editor: A letter to the editor in The Smoky Mountain News (Let’s All Embrace God’s Healing, March 27,…
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Jesus, health care and a fair system
To the Editor: On Saturday I went to the Jackson County Recreation Center for a workout. I was guided into…
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Imagine this happened to you
To the Editor: Imagine that you go to your general practitioner and she reminds you that it’s time for a…
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We need to stop senseless violence
To the Editor: Doubtless, most of you know about the tragic death of Riley Howell, and if you are like…
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SAWS director steps down
Bill Hodge, longtime executive director of the Southern Appalachian Wilderness Stewards, is stepping down from the organization.
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With title, Nikwasi Initiative can move forward
The volunteer board members of the nonprofit Nikwasi Initiative are appreciative of the public’s interest in our mission and role…
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We’ve got the nicest house in the campground
We are not a camping family. It’s probably my fault, if there is a need to assign blame. I joined…
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Medicaid work mandate a bad idea
To the Editor: State legislators have proposed a bill they misname “N.C. Health Care for Working Families,” a Medicaid expansion…
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Where has Trump’s leadership led?
To the Editor: Here’s a brief analysis of Donald Trump’s leadership using Joe Bryson’s characteristics: • Vision — Yes, Trump…
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Nikwasi Initiative can proceed without deed
By Bob Scott • Guest columnist As mayor of Franklin, my duty and loyalty is to the town. With that…
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A bucket list full of dreams
Late in life, my mom created a bucket list. It wasn’t in response to her cancer diagnosis, but once she…
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Tax on guns helps wildlife, public lands
To the Editor: In the early 1900s, sporting organizations and state wildlife agencies, concerned with declining wildlife populations in the…
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REAL ID required by Oct. 1, 2020
To the Editor: Do you know that by Oct. 1, 2020, you must have a REAL ID driver license in…
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Is a ‘responsible media’ a fading memory?
It’s one of those anniversaries most would rather forget: April 20, 1999, the Columbine High School shooting. Two high school…
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Golf’s prodigal son gets some redemption
Twenty years ago, a friend and I would get together on the weekends of the major golf tournaments and bet…
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Make redistricting an important issue
To the Editor The U.S. Supreme Court met March 26 to hear arguments on redistricting in three states, including North…
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Home is far way, but also here with me
By Hannah McLeod • Guest columnist I arrived in Costa Rica at the beginning of February. After floundering for a…
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You can’t please them all
I’ve learned it’s impossible to make everyone happy. This column has been a part of my life for a number…
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GOP has no health care plan
To the Editor: President Trump abruptly announced that he supports the court’s efforts to eliminate Obama Care. This would fulfill…
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It’s the right time for the Nikwasi Initiative
From the outside looking in, the current Nikwasi Mound disagreement in Franklin seems almost contrived. I mean, do serious people…
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The popcorn crisis: film at 11
When you’re young and in love, you feel invincible, like nothing can ever possibly contaminate the perfect union you have…
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Believing just does not make it true
I recently saw people interviewed at the CPAC meeting stating how pleased they were with Trump’s accomplishments. That got me…
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Our job is to earn trust and keep it
A little more than two weeks ago I was part of a public radio panel that was discussing the “state…
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A time of waiting and yearning
I’m sick of looking at a pair of stylish winter boots sitting beside my bedroom door. I have other cold-weather…
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