Southern Highland Reader

Touchstone: E.B. White on the media

“I have yet to see a piece of writing, political or non-political, that doesn’t have a slant. All writing slants the way a writer leans, and no man is born perpendicular, although many men are born upright.

The beauty of the American free press is that the slants and twists and distortions come from so many directions, and the special interests are so numerous, the reader must sift and sort and check and countercheck in order to find out what the score is.”

From White’s essay Bedfellows, 1956

• Looking ahead to 2009	• Reflections and challenges	• Sex offender list a safety tool
• Guns and parks don’t mix	• Tribe says Cherokee visits are up. Times takes exception	• End parade candy-tossing
• Remember your holiday health!	• News in the internet age

• Top news in 2008 according to the Star	• Urges Forest Service to make a call on Chattooga access	• Worldwide dangers of religious fundamentalism
	• Less DOT road-clearing because of budget shortfalls	• Columnist encourages teaching selflessness at Christmas

• Bad economy leads to good things	• Hopeless for the prospect of change? Keep scripture in mind.	• Predictions for 2009
• Its past time for land use review to get started	• Cynical about cynicism	• Takes Western to task for Town Center idea
	• Health care costs	• Keep countywide sports teams as a future goal

• Dear Santa, I’ve been a good boy	• Shuler sacrifices workers on the “altar of the azure canine”	• Toxic business climate at Asheville Citizen Times

Declining visits to the GSMNP and the Cherokee economy	Now it’s the teachers’ fault?