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The editorial "Buncombe may see first instant runoff voting" (AC-T, Aug. 29) states that a judge's job is "to follow the letter of the law on a case by case basis, in the interests of justice and fairness."

With all due respect, I beg to differ with the inference of the headline "Health coverage costs inch up" (AC-T, Aug. 30). I read with interest that Blue Cross Blue Shield of N.C.'s coverage for individuals is proposed at 7 percent.

I had the opportunity to speak with Rep. Heath Shuler at a military veteran's luncheon on Aug. 26. I asked why he doesn't have face-to- face Town Hall meetings.

Frank Howington, developer of the proposed 100 units slated for the Kenilworth Community at the junction of Finalee Avenue and Caledonia Road, says: "There's a great shortage of apartments inside the envelope" formed by Interstate 40 and Interstate 240...

Regarding Karen McKay's column (AC-T, Aug. 29), McKay makes many unsupported claims and uses highly selected facts to support her claim that tolerance is a one-way street.

As Labor Day approaches and with it the end of the vacation season, many Americans are so stressed by the rigors of travel that they're happy to have a vacation from vacations.

It's almost as if President Obama's agenda includes provoking anger at himself.

The Report Card issues grades A through F, and incompletes where necessary, to a variety of news items in this space. Got an idea that makes the grade? Send it to Dneal@CITIZEN-TIMES.com.

The Republican-lite Democratic Leadership Council would never support an old school Democrat in a red state, but if he's willing to conduct an honest campaign, he just might win on his own in November.

Rumors have been circulating that Club 828 and The Hookah Bar, two of the nightclubs located in the 38 N. French Broad St./64 Carter St. compound, have closed. While the future of Club 828 currently remains up in the air (there is a note posted on the door which reads, “This property is closed until further notice”), Hookah Bar is, according to a representative, closed. “My communications with upper management have been limited and future plans for the hookah bar & 828 are uncertain, but the hookah bar is closed at the moment,” writes Brad Lovejoy, former marketing manager for both clubs. He says his main concern is to direct “music fans to see their favorite groups at the newly assigned venues ... tomorrow always offers another opportunity in Asheville. We have a lot of talented music industry professionals here and I expect to see good things in the near future.”

OPINION

The Savannah-Knoxville connector shows no legitimate transportation needs. It won't be any quicker of faster. So there is no need for an extra interstate.

The circus around the mosque should start to lose audience. New York officials have the authority to decide whether an Islamic center may be built near the tragic site of the attacks on the Twin Towers. They've given it a green light.

Steve Cogburn, our current clerk, is a man of impeccable integrity and character. He treats everyone fairly and with respect. Steve has a reputation beyond reproach and understands the needs of Buncombe County residents.

I'm tired of reading e-mails bashing Heath Shuler. If there was ever someone who served because of the privilege of his office, it is this gentleman.

The railroad opened Asheville and Western North Carolina to trade, tourism and industry back in the 19th century. Interstate highways made the same inroads in the middle of the 20th century.

With little fanfare, the Pentagon is putting the finishing touches on a new strategy that will treat cyberspace as a domain of potential warfare -- and apply instant "active defense" to counter attacks that, in theory, could shut down the nation's...

Regarding James Gardner's commentary, "A dubious propensity for density threatens Asheville's character" (AC-T, Aug. 29), some of the best places to live in Asheville are already relatively dense.

Rep. Heath Shuler just sent out an e-mail talking once again about the wisdom of his "SAVE Act" immigration bill.

In Karen McKay's column "Tolerance a one-way street?" (AC-T, Aug. 29) she mixed apples with oranges.

Lexington Avenue in Asheville is about to explode this Sunday with LAAFF taking over the streets. Watch the video and we will see you there!

In this week’s Elitist Bastards Go To The Movies, Xpress film critics Ken Hanke and Justin Souther give fair consideration to new releases Takers and The Last Exorcism, as well as theorizing on the quality of soon-to-be-released films The American, Machete and Going The Distance. But the real discussion this week involves a trio of Ken Russell screenings, starting tonight with a special screening of the epic rock opera Tommy, followed Thursday by Altered States (the Thursday Horror Picture Show) and wrapping up with next week’s Asheville Film Society screening of Valentino. Podcast produced/cohered by Steve Shanafelt for MountainX.com. The theme music is “1832” by E. Lee. Podcast image by Jeremy Dylan. The

If you’re checking-out this post, then you’ve probably read my recent “MtnHoppin’” column on the growing session-beer insurgency. If not, check it out now. Without regurgitating too much of what I’ve already written on the subject, below are my five favorite local brews that can be rightfully called session beers. Now, when defining the “session” concept I employed the guidelines recently established by longtime beer journalist Lew Bryson. 1) 4.5 percent alcohol by volume or less. 2) Flavorful enough to be interesting. 3) Balanced enough for multiple pints. 4) Conducive to conversation. 5) Reasonably priced. There are more than a few beer fanatics, as well as industry-types, who are right now reading this and bristling at guideline no. 1. Way too low, they firmly believe; the ceiling for alcohol by vo…

Election year scripts are pretty well established in American politics.

There has been some controversy about proposed uniform development ordinance, or UDO, reforms, which would allow more families to live closer to downtown. As someone who lives in the Montford neighborhood, I support these changes.

The recent letter "Obama's vacations have cost taxpayers a pretty penny" (AC-T, Aug. 25) describing Michelle Obama's trip to Spain lacks both the context and accuracy typical of these all-too-common diatribes.

You've got to wonder when White House political guru David Axelrod will look at the churning pools of poll data and, like Chief Brody in "Jaws," say: "We're gonna need a bigger boat."

Glenn Beck's Lincoln Memorial gathering Saturday was about restoring honor to the United States, not about race. But to The Associated Press, which in my opinion has deteriorated into a press agent for the left, everything is always about race.