The uniforms are all part of growing up
Our son, Jack, is a senior in high school, which means that we are already well into the “season of…
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Omnibus Bill adds too much debt
To the Editor: I’ve thought of writing for some time but outdoor sports were more important to me. As a long-time…
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Trimming the tree and taking stock
My grandfather once told me that on Christmas Eve his family would go find a tree in the woods and…
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Can we slow the gentrification of WNC?
Dinner conversation last night with a young couple who live in New Zealand but are here for the holidays —…
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Standing up for suffering women everywhere
Woman, life and freedom. These three words have inspired millions of Iranian women and others internationally. Unfortunately, all of this…
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Word from the Smokies: The staying power of Smokey Bear
Many people of a certain age have a special affection for Smokey Bear, or “Smokey the Bear,” as he has…
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There’s more to life than politics — amen to that
I was blasting classic Rolling Stones in my truck yesterday at a few minutes before 5 p.m. when the phone rang.…
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N.C. Treasurer puts politics ahead of humanity’s future
Can morality play a role in capitalism? Should it? Human society has, of course, wrestled with this dilemma for centuries.
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Is it Trump or the Constitution?
Donald Trump is many things most people wouldn’t want in a neighbor, co-worker or son in-law. He’s uncouth, lecherous, manipulative,…
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The truth about climate change is staring us down
The truth, even when it’s staring you down Clint Eastwood style, is easier to ignore than to act on. Just…
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For the love of those gathered at the feast
My wife and I were truly blessed to have our children, some relatives and close friends gathered for Thanksgiving, which…
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Free speech trumps party politics any day
To the Editor: Here I am, a constitutional conservative who for 40-plus years has voted, held office, and worked as a…
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Will Trump answer to the American people?
To the Editor: A college football coach will tell you there are three basic units that comprise a football team: offense,…
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It may be time to amend Constitution
To the Editor: Rob Schofield in last week’s Smoky Mountain News decried the current Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS)…
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Resurrecting the joy of the holidays
I have felt disconnected from the holidays ever since my mom passed away six years ago. Throw a divorce, two…
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Keeping it simple — and local
I was standing at my desk this morning looking forward to the coming Thanksgiving weekend with our grown children and…
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Fears of a politicized court system grow
Maybe the change was an inevitable byproduct of our charged and contentious era.
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After elections, less hate, more love
To the Editor: By the time you read this letter, we will have outcomes of the 2022 mid-term elections.
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SMN has lost a loyal friend
To the Editor: Long-time Haywood County resident Kitty Phillips passed on Election Day this month.
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Sylva Sam messed up the view
To the Editor: Driving through Sylva today I noticed the steps of the old courthouse beautifully decorated with rows of…
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Compromise takes sacrifice, not unyielding principles
Leaders in a free republic should serve the common good. That’s why the U.S. system of government and our freedoms…
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Divisive politics isn’t the only way
Does the American political divide have to divide friends? Families? Communities? Or is there an alternative approach?
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Word from the Smokies: Parks as Classrooms offers unforgettable experiences
Courtney Lix grew up entwined in the natural and cultural history of Great Smoky Mountains National Park like a vine…
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Don’t let tunnel vision run your life
To the Editor: Let me start by saying that on November 8 I worked the polls, and the views I…
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Why vote for the unqualified?
To the Editor: Could someone please explain to me why an experienced, qualified tax collector who has successfully run the…
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What I learned running for office
To the Editor: I would like to express my gratitude to the Macon County community for their support and encouragement…
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Older generations are failing the young
Did you know a family in Denmark uses, on average, four single-use grocery bags per year while American families use…
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A subtle eclipse, a reminder of what we’ve lost
As Lori and I walked our dog through the roads in our subdivision this morning before sunrise, Election Day, we…
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We’ve got to control kudzu
To the Editor: Whether we like it or not, tourism sustains a quality of life for all WNC residents. This…
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Democracy is not a given, especially now
The delegates had spent a sweltering Philadelphia summer behind sealed doors and windows debating and drafting a constitution for what…
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Abortion is an economic issue
To the Editor: The Supreme Court recently shot down American women’s right to choose. Now conservative politicians are trying to convince…
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Just say no to crazy GOP plans
To the Editor: Well folks the Republican leadership has been mum this past summer in revealing what they intended to do…
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For the common good, please check ‘facts’
To the Editor: When letter-writers lambaste a political party or official by repeating terrible accusations, they spread lies that can get…
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Is Ted Budd a hypocrite?
To the Editor: Ted Budd is one of the wealthiest U.S. politicians. He and his family have received millions of dollars…
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The rise of the unaffiliated voter
Early voting has started. In North Carolina and across the nation there are many close races that will likely be…
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GOP wants to control our lives
To the Editor: Rep. Kevin McCarthy has been plainspoken about a tired and failed strategy of cutting taxes and regulations and…
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God bless Elon Musk
To the Editor: We hear a lot these days about threats to “our democracy,” but we don’t have one to be…
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Why I’ll vote for Democrats
To the Editor: I am voting Democratic this election season and I would like to tell you why.
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Pless is a bully, let’s vote him out
To the Editor: We need change in North Carolina’s 118th House District. Incumbent Rep. Mark Pless believes he does not answer…
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Stop Biden by voting for GOP
To the Editor: Barack Obama put it succinctly when he said he wanted to “fundamentally transform” our country. His plans were…
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Yellow journalism and blue leanings
To the Editor: Your October 29 issue titled “Saving the Safety Net” borders on yellow journalism. Conflating the statement of one GOP…
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Keep West as tax collector
To the Editor: With the election date drawing near, I am apprehensive about the Republican candidate for Haywood County Tax Collector.…
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‘Granny over the cliff’ just doesn’t work
To the Editor: You have to laugh at the way liberals in the news portray the big bad Republicans. They are…
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GOP wants to cut entitlements
To the Editor: Who cares if you’re a Republican or Democrat? Who cares if you like Biden? Who cares who will…
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Planned Parenthood supports Democrats
To the Editor: Cheri Beasley is a liar. Without providing any proof she claims that the majority of folks in North…
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