The wisdom of the First Amendment

To the Editor:

Famous songwriter Paul Simon wrote, “… a man he hears what he wants to hear and disregards the rest.” Then he begins to believe it. When we were young children our mother indoctrinated us in the teachings of what might be called “fundamental” Baptist today. Our mother meant well. And until I joined the Navy in 1962, I expressed belief and trust in those fundamental tenets. 

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 with the idea of celebrating the Fourth of July this year. Patriotism is and always has been a slippery and problematic thing. We’ll get back to that. 

Religious tolerance should be celebrated

To the Editor:

“In the beginning God created ….” Do you recognize those famous words? Many people do. They are the first five words of the King James Bible. Sacred to many.

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 of the oppression and tyranny they had endured under the rule of an English king. 

Let’s keep politics and religion separate

To the Editor:

This week a friend posted a Will Rogers quote from 1931 that is certainly relevant today. “Ten men in our country could buy the whole world and ten million can’t buy enough to eat.” 

Let first principles guide us

To the Editor:

A Google search reveals this simple concept: First principles thinking (or reasoning from first principles) is a problem-solving technique that requires you to break down a complex problem into its most basic, foundational elements. The idea: to ground yourself in the foundational truths and build up from there. 

GOP once knew what honor meant

To the Editor:

I recently finished reading Liz Cheney's book “Oath and Honor.” Liz Cheney represented Wyoming in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2017 to 2023.

A sickness in the soul of America

To the Editor:

The Eagles rock band has interpreted life in America over the last five decades. Yet, the lines that fit the last two decades best may be: “Now it seems to me some fine things have been laid upon your table. But you only want the ones that you can’t get.” 

We need to deal with the bully

To the Editor:

“No person shall be a senator or representative in Congress, or elector of president or vice-president, or hold any office, civil or military, under the United States, or under any state, who, having previously taken an oath, as a member of Congress, or as an officer of the United States, or as a member of any state legislature, or as an executive or judicial officer of any state, to support the Constitution of the United States, shall have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof.

Democracy or fascism?

To the Editor:

Some people still believe that America is involved in a traditional Democratic/Republican political struggle.

Page 1 of 4
Smokey Mountain News Logo
SUPPORT THE SMOKY MOUNTAIN NEWS AND
INDEPENDENT, AWARD-WINNING JOURNALISM
Go to top
Payment Information

/

At our inception 20 years ago, we chose to be different. Unlike other news organizations, we made the decision to provide in-depth, regional reporting free to anyone who wanted access to it. We don’t plan to change that model. Support from our readers will help us maintain and strengthen the editorial independence that is crucial to our mission to help make Western North Carolina a better place to call home. If you are able, please support The Smoky Mountain News.

The Smoky Mountain News is a wholly private corporation. Reader contributions support the journalistic mission of SMN to remain independent. Your support of SMN does not constitute a charitable donation. If you have a question about contributing to SMN, please contact us.