Debate, disinformation, and Dobbs v. Jackson

It’s good to find common ground with folks who differ from us when possible in our polarized day. Let me attempt to do that with Mr. Carlton’s column from last week (“The Debate over Debates.”) I have known Roger for years and consider him a friend.

Follow the Good Shepherd

There are a number of special Sundays Christian Churches observe. I’m not just talking about the holy days of Easter and Christmas. We have Sundays to celebrate anniversaries, homecomings and honor people and events which add to the life of a faith community.

The debate over debates

A few days ago, The Graham Star sponsored a candidate forum for the local school board, sheriff and county commission. All the candidates were Republicans, because there are no Democratic or Unaffiliated candidates in the primary. The forum was elucidating.

Driving wedges … or providing protection?

It’s becoming commonplace to disparage conservatives as dividers trying to drive wedges throughout our nation. This is claimed because of the cultural issues that many conservatives are finally waking up to fight.

Railroad expansion in Graham County

The Murphy Branch Railroad – which connected the southwestern counties of North Carolina to the rest of the state – was completed to Canton on Jan. 1, 1882, and reached Waynesville later that same year. The original railroad was built across the mountains, on a difficult and dangerous grade.

Causes and cures for inflation

Democrats, Republicans and Unaffiliated can all agree that we are suffering from inflation. The March inflation measure was an increase of 8.5 percent, driven mostly by food, energy and rent costs.

Prayers for peace in Ukraine

Last week, I saw a photograph of a cemetery in Ukraine. There were rows of freshly-dug graves of the innocent who had perished. One grave had a wooden Orthodox cross marking the grave. The Orthodox Cross is distinct in that it has three cross beams as opposed to one traditional cross beam.

Town of Robbinsville: the early years

* Part 6 in a series On Dec. 7, 1872, the Graham County commissioners met to select a site for the county seat. Three sites were considered: Rhea Hill, Fort Hill and the land of C.A. Colvard. Rhea Hill was chosen.

Easter teaches us about justice

It’s troubling to see how polarized our nation has become and the division needlessly accentuated by both the Left and Right.

Relationships in tough times

The events of the past weekend caused me to think about the importance of human interaction. Beth and I attended a reunion of my University of Florida AEPi fraternity. Having graduated in 1969 and not returning to campus in nearly 50 years, who knew what to expect.