What Margaret Bennett doesn’t mention [“May I See Your License?”, Commentary, April 11] is that there is a difference between a naturopathic physician and an alternative health-care practitioner. That difference is four or five years of conventional and alternative medical study in an accredited naturopathic medical college, plus supervised clinical experience—comparable (though obviously not entirely … Read more
Regarding the article, “May I See Your License,” [Commentary, April 11]: We would like to draw attention to significant inaccuracies in Ms. Bennett’s article. It is our hope that rectifying these factual errors will allow N.C. citizens to better evaluate the content of the legislative bills in question. The Naturopathic Physician Licensing Act (H.B. 969 … Read more
Downtown Asheville supports three thriving health-food stores that sell lots of vitamin, mineral and herbal supplements. Do you take at least one type of supplement or utilize any of what is called complementary and alternative medicine (CAM)? If so, read on. The Federal Drug Administration is using legal maneuvering [that may] end your access to … Read more
Two issues for me: 1. Erika Swiger [“Have an Opinion, and Make Sure It’s Heard,” Letters, March 28] and her 25 peers are my heroes! She is strong, brave, intelligent and incredibly courageous in standing up for her beliefs peacefully. I would write a letter of recommendation for her any day of the week. Erika, … Read more
In response to Dr. Carl Mumpower’s recent letter [“Preaching to the Grandstand,” April 4], while I agree there is a serious drug problem across America, alienating 90 percent of Asheville will do nothing to solve it. In fact, it might serve to work against your cause. Our Creator gives us free will to make choices … Read more
I am starting to think “The Straight Dish” ought to change its name to reflect the nature of the column. Perhaps something like “The Partial Dish,” “The Opinionated Dish” or “The Straight Dis”? Mark Williams’ review of the North Star Diner [“North Star Diner: Restaurant Tackles Workaday Classics,” April 4] was so incredibly shortsighted and … Read more
Regarding the Bryan Killian interview: Bravo! [“A Pirate’s Life for He: Suspended ‘Pastafarian’ Speaks Out,” April 4] These days, we Americans seem to view separation of church and state as a thing to be despised. It warms my heart to know that rebellion against authority (read lunacy, in this instance) is alive and well in … Read more
In the current atmosphere of exponential development in this area we call home, it is important to maintain and continue access to public forests and trails. A proposal to improve access to a small but pristine area of national forest is about to come to public attention. This area is at the end of Shope … Read more
As one of the new residents, I want to do my part to keep more people from coming into town. I may not have been born here and, as such, have no right to an opinion, but I do have this: “Plan to Help Those Born in Asheville to Stem the Tide of Population Growth.” … Read more
