our forestlands, now or in the future. Susan Fletcher Candler
We need to keep track of all firearms To the Editor: I miss Martin Luther King. His enlightened reason and fervent advocating for equal rights is sorely missed. Unfortunate that a man with a gun chose to end his life. Make no mistake about it, there have always been people who selfishly and self-centeredly would have us believe their rights should be paid for by other people’s blood and or expense. In the case of those schoolchildren from Newtown, in no way, shape or form can any person not bereft of moral attributes or rational logic conclude their deaths were the cost of liberty and its equal protection thereof, let alone gun ownership. In the application of our naturally inherent or inalienable civil rights, the only person who bears the cost is the person duly engaged in such application. No one else bears any direct burden. However, there is a cost of liberty: eternal vigilance. This requires informed knowledge more than just personal opinion. The latest Supreme Court decision regarding private ownership of guns can be found at www.supremecourt.gov/-opinions/09pdf/081521.pdf. While reaffirming the right to private ownership of guns for self defense, the justices also re-affirmed our government’s interest in
regulating such application: “It is important to keep in mind that Heller, while striking down a law that prohibited the possession of handguns in the home, recognized the that the right to keep and bear arms is not ‘a right to keep and carry any weapon whatsoever in any manner whatsoever, and for any purpose …’ We made it clear in Heller that our holding did not cast doubt on such longstanding regulatory measures as ‘prohibitions on the possession of firearms by felons and the mentally ill,’ ‘laws forbidding the carrying of firearms in sensitive places such as schools and government buildings, or laws imposing conditions and qualifications on the commercial sale of arms …’ We repeat those assurances here. Despite municipal respondents’ doomsday proclamations, incorporation (by the 14th Amendment) does not imperil every law regulating firearms.” While our founders were forced to modify their own liberal embrace of the deistic notion of naturally inherent rights and the equal protection thereof, they gave to their posterity the means to correct their error. No other country has accomplished such a radical embrace of liberal principles. None. Nor has any other country so entrusted their citizens to make their own decisions while reserving their right to remedy once harm has been done, like, gee, I don’t know, a self-closing garage door that kills a child. Just as we the people require proper licensing and or restrictions for our vehicles, so too should we for our guns. Every gun should have a traceable title. Even the ones I own. Chuck Zimmerman Waynesville
tasteTHEmountains Taste the Mountains is an ever-evolving paid section of places to dine in Western North Carolina. If you would like to be included in the listing please contact our advertising department at 828.452.4251 AMMONS DRIVE-IN RESTAURANT & DAIRY BAR 1451 Dellwwod Rd., Waynesville. 828.926.0734. Open Monday through Thursday 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. and Friday through Sunday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Celebrating our 25th year. Enjoy world famous hot dogs as well as burgers, seafood, hushpuppies, hot wings and chicken. Be sure to save room for dessert. The cobbler, pie and cake selections are sure to satisfy any sweet tooth. BIG MOUNTAIN BBQ 79 Elysina Ave., Waynesville. 828.454.0720. Open Monday through Saturday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Sunday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Offering a wide selection of traditional hickory smoked BBQ, pork, chicken, beef and ribs. All complimented by homemade sides and desserts. Full service catering for special events. BLUE RIDGE BBQ COMPANY 180 N. Main St., Waynesville. 828.452.7524. 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday-
Thursday; 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. FridaySaturday; 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Blue Ridge BBQ is a family owned and operated restaurant. The BBQ is slow hardwood smoked, marinated in its own juices, and seasoned with mountain recipes. All menu items made from scratch daily. Featuring homemade cornbread salad, fresh collard greens, or cornbread and milk at your request. Old-fashioned homemade banana pudding and fruit cobbler of the season. Catering, take-out, eat-in. blueridgebbq@gmail.com. BLUE ROOSTER SOUTHERN GRILL 207 Paragon Parkway, Clyde, Lakeside Plaza at the old Wal-Mart. 828.456.1997. Monday-Friday 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.; Sunday 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Friendly and fun family atmosphere. Local, handmade Southern cuisine. Fresh-cut salads; slowsimmered soups; flame grilled burgers and steaks, and homemade signature desserts. Blue-plates and local fresh vegetables daily. Brown bagging is permitted. Private parties, catering, and take-out available. Call-ahead seating available. BOGART’S 35 East Main St., Sylva. 828.586.6532. Sunday through Thursday 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Serving classic American food and drink in a casual environment. Daily lunch and dinner specials. Children’s menu available. Call for catering quotes. Private room available for large parties. Accepts MC/Visa, Discover and American Express.
14.95
$
Jan. 30-Feb. 5, 2013
24 Wings (Coupon Redeemable At Sylva, NC Location Only. Valid Only On Sunday February 3, 2013) Please Call Ahead For Faster Service.
24.00
$
Pepperoni or Cheese. (Coupon Redeemable At Sylva, NC Location Only. Valid Only On Sunday February 3, 2013) Please Call Ahead For Faster Service.
Smoky Mountain News
24 Wings & 2 Hot-N-Ready Pizzas
828-586-1100 334C East Main St. Sylva, NC 17