Trying to tell all sides of the story

Sorry to burst your bubble but this is not a high-quality newspaper. Your version of journalism is laughable at best. Predominantly promoting leftist views and pushing a leftist agenda is not what I would call journalism but propaganda. But I will compliment you on allowing opposing voices a chance to comment and reply to your leftist leaning tripe.

The paragraph above was in response to a column I wrote back in June regarding the 23rd anniversary of starting The Smoky Mountain News. I was reading back issues from 2022 in preparation for some kind year in review column but decided instead to use this week to delve into this reader’s comments. It’s the kind of backhanded compliment that you must learn to appreciate in a business where you don’t get much positive feedback.

That column’s headline was “There’s still a market for good journalism,” and in it I discussed how the business model for newspapers — and journalism as a whole — has changed dramatically since we published our first edition back in June 1999 when there was very little news online. I argued that SMN does pretty solid journalism, and that helps us succeed as a business. Sure, we get it wrong sometimes, but — like any reputable news organization, and there are more than a few of them in this region — we’ll admit mistakes and work to correct them.

That June column was mostly about how we have searched for new ways to keep this business alive, finding different revenue streams and even asking for donations from those who can afford it and who appreciate having free local news and the work we do to inform people about government and regional issues.

To both our advertisers and those who contribute, thank you very much. But the journalism standards we adhere to is what made that comment above stand out. Those standards include being dogged but fair in our news stories, but also allowing plenty of space for opposing views. For example, back in May 2022 when we wrote about Rep. Mark Pless introducing a bill to make all municipal elections partisan, we made sure to get his comments and those who opposed him in the paper. In fact, in that very edition where my column attracted the comment above, Waynesville Alderman Jon Feichter published a letter critical of Pless’ bill.

That commitment to publishing opposing views is standard fare in most legitimate news organizations, unlike what most of us hear from the opinionated talking heads on CNN or Fox. They bring in “guests” who parrot their own views and then go down the rabbit hole of a one-sided discussion that usually demonizes opponents. It’s ridiculous to call that fair or objective, but hey, there’s a market for what those television personalities do. Those folks make millions a year and influence Washington lawmakers to do their bidding.

Trying to tell all sides of a story is sometimes a long-term process. For instance, I’ll bet we’ve written 20 stories this year on the affordable housing crisis in our region. It’s such a complicated and convoluted issue that once one story is done, someone would suggest we delve into another angle or one of our reporters would pick up on something from a source that would add another layer to the issue.

And then there’s the whole opinion about opinions. Often, we get criticized for leaning left. Guilty. I’m a registered Independent, but on most political issues I steer left. But I also appreciate nuanced political debate and will always publish letters and guest columns from those who disagree. Don’t like what you read on our opinion pages, then please send me your opinion.

Which brings me back around to the comment from the reader who disagrees. She’s a serial commenter on our website, so she must read every issue. And she noticed that we publish comments from those who disagree. I’ll take that as evidence that our goal to be a community forum for all opinions that don’t hit people below the belt is sometimes noticed — even by those who disagree. (Scott McLeod can be reached at info@smokymountainnews.com.)

Scott McLeod Editor

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 attorney, one would think that writing is one pastime that I could ignore. But, the U.S. Congress never lets us forget how lame and inept that they are.

The misnamed Omnibus Bill passed the U.S. Senate this very afternoon. This bunch or cabal can never surprise most of us who over 75 years have watched our chosen 19,009 try to dance on the head of a pin. If you watched the dance of the vultures this evening you might be grinning or crying, but the same jug services all of us, some 336 million U.S. residents.

If you watched or had the list of the worst expenditures to grasp our republic by the throat, some of you might approve and many will not. But no one who is competent or passed Math 101 should be gleeful.

Each citizen and maybe a couple of million illegal residents will be taxed by Uncle Sam some $5,100 for this reckless action by the U.S. Senate. For a family of 4, that’s just over $20,000, even if inflation sucks the juice out of our incomes, this 20K is still a strike at our standard of living.

I’m not so old that I can’t remember the difference between the GOP and the donkey adherents. Now they are taking on the same complexion, grey and getting greyer; not exactly twins but it is difficult to determine which bunch thinks with the left side of the cranium and the right-siders that think very little with either side.

How do we stop these alleged public servants from scamming all the rest of us, not only of our self respect but of the few depreciated dollars that we have left? Well, until our society can restrict the amount of money available for news, publications and wastage, we shall endure, curse, prevaricate and pontificate, all to no avail. We are on the cusp of a monumental degradation of our lives. Is it Armageddon or just a nightmare? Who knows, but all of us, including them, had better screw our heads on and greet reality, which has been some time getting here.

Be sure and check your left hip after you speak to any politico who avers the greatness of our country. Our military cannot, in my opinion, fight their way out a wet paper bag, being weighted down with him, her, them, all identifying former genders, the ones we still remember. In the past, the Congress approved the number of generals of all four ranks; we now need to reduce that number to reflect the number of enlisted personnel. Teaching socialism and “the Wizard of Oz” to mature soldiers/sailors is not a great way to protect this country.

KG Watson Colonel, retired, JD, US Army War College Maggie Valley

LETTERS

Air the laundry. The Smoky Mountain News encourages readers to express their opinions through letters to the editor or guest columns. All viewpoints are welcome. Send to Scott McLeod at info@smokymountainnews.com or mail to PO Box 629, Waynesville, NC, 28786