In response to Bill Forstchen's desire to terrify America ["Apocalypse WNC," July 8 Xpress], scaring people with false information is not admirable. Only three countries — the United States, Russia and China — could explode a large enough nuclear weapon high enough, higher than the International Space Station, to cause a national electromagnetic pulse problem. […]

Kudos to Josh Kelly, whose letter regarding the Brushy Ridge Project (North Mills River area) land-use plan appeared in your July 1 issue. Kelly's summary of a local environmental concern was well researched, concise and effective. He gave the reader a brief explanation of a situation of concern and directed the reader to where to […]

I am extremely offended and affronted by "Saving POPAsheville" [July 1 Xpress]. Never have I ever read such a thinly veiled advertisement for a failed financial venture masked as a piece of journalism. Why are we responsible for $15,000 that is essentially paying for one person's salary ("As [Stephanie] Morgan explains it, $12,000 would pay […]

Regarding your recent article on POPAsheville ["Save POPAsheville," July 1 Xpress], I think that it's insane that anybody would think that this is journalism or that an event's planner should be bankrolled because of poor financial planning. This is a shining example of how overgrown the egos are in the music scene here in Asheville. […]

I'd like to commend Stewart David on his recent commentary ["Greenwashed," July 1 Xpress] for exposing a meat-based diet for what it is: unsustainable, inefficient and potentially harmful for human, animal and planetary health. With all of the information available these days about reducing our carbon footprint, I would hope that people, even of the […]

Cinthia Milner's article on shrubbery ["Into the Shrubbery," July 1 Xpress] did not give sufficient warning against the continued introduction and use of nonnative invasive plants. There are thousands of better choices! Burning Bush (Euonymous alatus) was introduced in the 1860s from Asia and is now at the infestation level in seven states, according to […]

The current health-care system is broken and unsustainable. It leaves millions of our fellow Americans uninsured and underinsured. Over half of all bankruptcies in America are tied to medical bills. By one estimate, 22,000 Americans died in 2006 because of lack of health insurance. From our children to our seniors, no one should be denied […]

In the struggle to maintain and preserve the natural and built environments in Asheville, critics of development are often accused of attempting to "stop progress." This implies that all building and development is essentially progressive, which is just plain idiotic. Some projects (Black Dog's plan for a condo on a lot that includes a sliver […]

If you want to have a chance to stop developers from paving that last, sumptuous green space in your neighborhood, vote for Cecil Bothwell for Asheville City Council. If you want to really try to save ridge lines, Asheville's quality of life and our basic resources of clean air and water — vote Bothwell. If […]

This is in response to the letter by Ariel Harris of Candler [Letters, July 1]. Thank you for your letter stating the fact that so many people living in the U.S. do not have access to affordable complementary health care. And thank you for pointing out that the current health-care system has a long way […]

An article in last week's issue, “Sneer Campaign,” incorrectly said that the radio program This American Life is produced by National Public Radio. The program is in fact produced by Chicago Public Radio and distributed by Public Radio International. — The Editors