We are writing to draw attention to the blatant bias evident in the “Big Ideas” history of Asheville recently published by the Xpress [“Big Ideas and Their Impact on the Community,” Jan. 8 Xpress] (written by Jake Frankel and David Forbes). The most egregious example of this bias is the “Big Ideas” timeline, which mentions […]

In response to claims made by Michael Ivey’s letter [“Carbon Dioxide Does Not Cause Global Warming,” Dec. 25 Xpress], I have provided some clarification from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Mr. Ivey states that “CO2 is not a pollutant and has never caused the atmosphere to warm.” From Climate Change 2007: Working Group I: […]

It’s good to see letter-writers countering the spurious claim that man-made climate change is a myth. But what is even more perplexing to me than the deniers are those who understand the necessity of reversing climate change, yet refuse to embrace simple lifestyle changes that scientists conclude are crucial. The Official Handbook for Live Earth, […]

It was good to see that “Rethinking Mental Health: Local Practitioners, Groups Reject Mainstream Treatment” [Feb. 6 Xpress] was your fifth most viewed post in 2013. In 1978, Judi Chamberlin published the book On Our Own: Patient Controlled Alternatives to the Mental Health System. In 2013, Allen Francis published Saving Normal: An Insider’s Revolt Against […]

This note is in reference to Michael Ivey’s letter “Carbon Dioxide Does Not Cause Global Warming” [Dec. 25 Xpress]. Mr. Ivey states, “Even the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change admits that there has been no warming over the last 16 years.” Please see the excerpt below, from the report “Climate Change 2013: The physical science […]

In response to the letter, “Carbon Dioxide Does Not Cause Global Warming,” [Dec. 25 Xpress] written by Michael Ivey: It was amusing to read that Mr. Ivey, speaking of the “Big Lie,” is himself parroting the lies promoted by the fuel industry. Ever since the 1990s, energy companies have been funding “studies” trying to cast […]

As a conservative, I have always maintained a small carbon footprint out of respect. Now that “global warming” has morphed into the politically correct “climate change,” the Sheeple continue the dance. Climate change is not a new, novel phenomenon. 20,000 years ago, the ice age covered half of North America. And it will happen again. […]

I’ve long been an advocate of careful wisdom around newfangled technologies, no matter how cool. Thus, I’ve not become accustomed to using cellphones much, and despite the feeling that I absolutely have to have access to a GPS if I’m out on the road, I tend to stay away from untrustworthy “gifts” from the proverbial […]

Your response to the letter titled “A Place for Poetry” [Dec. 5 Xpress] by Steven Manuel was somewhat surprising. In such an arts-based community, you do well to cover every single art that I can think of … except poetry. Poetry is not just for high schoolers or schoolchildren; poetry is universally expressive. I do […]

This note is in reference to Michael Ivey’s letter “Carbon Dioxide Does Not Cause Global Warming” [Dec. 25 Xpress]. Mr. Ivey states, “Even the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change admits that there has been no warming over the last 16 years.” Please see the excerpt below, from the report “Climate Change 2013: The physical science […]

In response to the letter, “Carbon Dioxide Does Not Cause Global Warming,” [Dec. 25 Xpress] written by Michael Ivey: It was amusing to read that Mr. Ivey, speaking of the “Big Lie,” is himself parroting the lies promoted by the fuel industry. Ever since the 1990s, energy companies have been funding “studies” trying to cast […]

Amid daily concerns about overpopulation, species extinction and global warming, it may seem soothing to be once again reassured by Michael Ivey that CO2 pollution is no big deal [“Carbon Dioxide Does Not Cause Global Warming,” Dec. 25 Xpress]. Not that he supports his position with any shred of evidence, but that he so firmly […]

This letter responds to the article “Breaking the Silence” [Dec. 18 Xpress] regarding sexual violence experienced by men. I applaud the comments made by John Langlois, who courageously speaks out against this heinous crime that affects both women and men. This issue has been raised in the military and was the subject of a Dec. […]

I wonder why there is no poetry printed in your paper, when it was once a common fact of everyday culture to have verses printed. Yeats was printed in local newspapers. Do you think it a virtue to have such possible genius stamped out? I don’t work in the newspaper business. I’m a poet, editor […]

Among the many false beliefs with which people have been brainwashed, the belief that human generation of carbon dioxide is causing the Earth’s atmosphere to heat up is one of the most pervasive. It’s disappointing to see public officials like Brownie Newman forcing this false belief on the rest of us [“Buncombe Commissioners Set Bar […]

Does anyone doubt that the 50 yards or so past Westgate on Interstate 240 west is the worst piece of highway in North Carolina? And every halfhearted attempt to patch it up only seems to make matters worse. My guess is that nothing serious will get done until a busload of clueless tourists goes out […]

I’m writing today in regards to a story I recently saw in The Mountain Xpress [“Buncombe Commissioners Set Bar High for Carbon Reductions,” Dec. 17] and felt it necessary to comment on a reported statement from Mr. [Mike] Fryar. [Xpress reporter Jake Frankel writes:] “Fryar blasted the move as ‘politics,’ questioning whether there really is […]

I visited healthcare.gov on the Internet, and thanks to the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, I am now, at age 63, covered by health care insurance for the first time in my adult life. I’ve had financial ups and downs throughout my life with periods of relative prosperity; at other times, not so […]

Twenty-seven innocent people were killed in the Newtown, Conn., tragedy — 20 of those victims were children. In the year since the Newtown shooting, 11,126 people have died from gun violence. This year was marked by 24 mass shootings, which are defined by the FBI as shootings with four or more victims, such as the […]

I live downtown and first noticed the increase in sandwich boards on the sidewalks this summer. Then I noticed the other obstacles that restrict and narrow the use of the sidewalks for pedestrians. In addition to the sandwich boards, there are trees, trash barrels, magazine stands, bike racks, planters, motorcycles, street musicians and people sitting […]