The Mountaineer

To the editor:

For the past several weeks, we had after church, been enjoying two chicken breasts at a well-known “chicken place.” The usual price had been $5 plus tax.

To the editor:

Please contact U.S. Sen. Kay Hagan about the Obama healthcare plan that just passed in the House.  

To the editor:

On the front  page of the Wednesday, Nov. 11 paper, is a photo of a true hero in our midst, Walter Middleton. 

To the editor:

I very much enjoyed Kathy Ross’s fine column in the Nov. 16 issue about her love for baseball and the Dodgers.

To the editor:

The anti-guns are at it again. This time Obama is going through the backdoor to achieve this by signing international treaties to ban all guns in the U.S. Please read the article from Reuters of Oct. 14, 2009. Wake up Americans.

James R. Stinnett

Canton

To the editor:

I read Congressman Heath Shuler’s excuses for his ‘no’ vote on the House health care reform bill.

To the editor:

So, the holidays are here.  The economy is slowly getting better.  We’ve got a whole year until the next book burning and we can worry about health care in 2010.

To the editor:

Rep. Shuler voting against the recent health bill is no surprise.  He is connected with the insurance companies through family and the money he gets for his campaign funds (also, his connection with the family at C-Street House.

To the editor:

We totally agree with your selection of Lee Starnes as Haywood County’s Hometown Hero.  

To the editor:

Response to the Ten Commandments letter, admittedly, preservation of a plaque on a courthouse wall isn’t the calling of Bible believers (“fundamentalists” as the letter-writer agonizes).

To the editor:

“Why did this happen? I don’t understand — why?” These were the distraught words of a military wife in response to the shootings at Fort Hood last week.

To the editor:

As chairperson of the Waynesville Public Art Commission, I wish to issue a huge thank you to the citizens of Waynesville for assisting the commission in the dedication and celebration of our second major sculpture, “Celebrating Folkmoot,” by artist Wayne Trapp.

To the editor:

In response to the gentleman who wrote that Haywood County churches aren’t welcoming to summer residents and newcomers, regardless of their wearing apparel.  St. Andrews on the Hill, 99 Academy St. in Canton welcomes anyone.  

To the editor:

Thanks goes to Congressman Shuler for voting against Nancy Pelosi’s healthcare reform bill.  

To the editor:

The Waynesville Senior Resource Team (WSRT) extends thanks to the 250-plus seniors who attended the Safety Day at the new fire house on Oct. 7.  This was the first event coordinated by our team.  

To the editor:

As a proud veteran who is preparing for Veterans Day, I find it tragic that so many of my fellow Americans view Nov. 11 as just another day off work. 

To the editor:

This is an open letter to N.C. Gov.  Bev Perdue.

I would like to express my thanks for your service to our state and my community. I genuinely appreciate your efforts.

I am extremely concerned about the direction our state is moving in, along with the nation, and am compelled to express in writing my concerns, which I assure you are in harmony with many of my friends and relatives.

I was born and raised in America. I am a free man and I will insist on remaining such. I will not stomach a socialized America as some are now trying to produce. The efforts afoot are quite discomforting and many of us are beginning to consider what action may be needed in the future if our nation’s leaders fail to heed our directive to adhere to the Constitution of the United States of America.

I urge you, ma’am, to hear me when I say do not move in agreement with those who seek to dramatically alter and realign this nation to reflect an embrace of socialism, the curtailing or overriding of certain constitutional rights, the further weakening of our nation’s morality and military and the ruin of our state and national economy. Oppose it, ma’am. Oppose it with every fiber of your being. Make it your life’s mission now to stand against this despotic push for a form of tyranny we have not known since the 1700s.

• We do not want any more taxes  — period.

• We cannot accept the proposed mileage tax being considered that would tax a North Carolina resident for every mile he travels and for the bridges he must cross. Such a tax is juvenile and would limit the ability of many to move about freely in their own communities and state. This is absurd.

• Reduce government spending. Cut back or eliminate those programs that serve the fewest number of people. Shelve any new building projects and other expansions until the recession is completely ended. In short, use common sense.

I thank you for your kind attention to my letter. I have not written this to be ignored or looked at as some kind of nut. Pay attention. This is my country and my words are sure.

Michael Reich

Waynesville

Thanks from S.T.A.R. Ranch

To the editor:

S.T.A.R. Ranch would like to thank everyone who pitched in to help these past few months.  When co-founder Jim Owens required brain surgery and recovery out of state, all the other rescue groups stepped in to help.

Courthouse Ten Commandments plaque violates Constitution

To the editor:

Having been raised as a Christian fundamentalist and having many friends and family who are fundamentalists, I understand that fundamentalists believe the following:

Turnaround will take more time

To the editor:

This is in response to a recent letter to the editor stating, “It seems that the present administration hasn’t done enough to cause people hardship through the loss of their jobs, homes and livelihood.”