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…
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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…
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We should support individual freedom
 

We should support individual freedom

To the Editor: This writing is not the product of extensive research. It is an opinion. The opinion of an…
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Trump masterfully uses false fears
 

Trump masterfully uses false fears

To the Editor: I’m writing in response to the “Democrats try to scare voters” letter in the May 8 edition…
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Once heart beats, life begins
 

Once heart beats, life begins

To the Editor: I’ve never written a letter to an editor but I cannot sit silent after reading Mr. Hoffman’s…
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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…
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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…
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Democrats try to scare voters
 

Democrats try to scare voters

To the Editor: In a letter in SMN’s April 10 edition, a former official of the Haywood County Democratic Party…
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Religious tolerance should be celebrated
 

Religious tolerance should be celebrated

To the Editor: “In the beginning God created ….” Do you recognize those famous words? Many people do. They are…
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Let me know when this is published
 

Let me know when this is published

To the Editor: The only extremists in this country are the people who support publications like yours. Liberals support child…
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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…
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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.
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I fear we will go back in time
 

I fear we will go back in time

To the Editor: In North Caroline we have a candidate for governor who is reputed to have said “I absolutely…
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Corbin should vote against more vouchers
 

Corbin should vote against more vouchers

To the Editor: Since the beginning of the new year, I have seen several photos of Sen. Kevin Corbin, R-Franklin,…
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PlottFest not just about canines

PlottFest 2024 will be held at the Maggie Valley Festival Grounds Saturday, April 27th from 9 a.m. until 10 p..m.…
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Columnist fashions his own reality
 

Columnist fashions his own reality

To the Editor: Your guest columnist Steven Crider has a unique way of twisting and re-labeling reality that leaves clear-thinking…
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WCU-Jackson Schools partnership is valuable
 

WCU-Jackson Schools partnership is valuable

To the Editor: I am an emeritus faculty member in the College of Education and Allied Professions at Western Carolina…
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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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