30 YEARS AGO
Some seem determined to rewrite history in the name of political correctness. Recently the European Commission – the executive branch of the European Union responsible for proposed legislation and enforcing EU laws – proposed to substitute the “Christmas period” with “holiday period.” This week, after an outcry by conservatives and the Vatican, the proposal was retracted.
Over the last few weeks, Pope Francis has been pointing to St. Joseph, the foster father of Jesus, as a role model. At a time when the United States has some 440,000 children stuck in the foster care system, it's a good time to be talking about foster parents.
Nobody wants to run for the Senate as a Republican in this state.
Dear Doctors: I went to urgent care with bad stomach cramps, and the doctor there talked about something called "leaky gut." But when I asked my own doctor about it, he said it's not really a thing. What do you know about leaky gut?
DEAR HARRIETTE: I started my event planning business from the ground up. I never discriminate against clients, employees or anyone who shows interest in working with me. The other day I received an online complaint from a client about the hairstyle of one of my employees. She wanted to be sure that my employee would hide her brightly colored hair for her event. She wrote, "The event is a blacktie formal, and the loud colors in her hair will clash with the theme." What should I do? I do not want to tell my employee that her hair color is an issue. – Client Complaints
Remember when Joe Biden ran for president in what commentators called the "centrist" lane of the Democratic primaries? The idea was that a "moderate" like Biden, unlike rival Bernie Sanders, would not push radical plans to completely change American society. That would reassure non-progressive Democrats, and independents, too, that Biden would be a safe choice for president. They didn't want to remake the world. They just wanted things to get better.
DEAR HARRIETTE: I have been sorting through some emotional issues for some time now. I have come to a decision that I am frightened to make: I want to ask my dad and stepmother to join an upcoming group therapy session with me. My therapist recommended that we sit down together, as a lot of my issues stem from the way they treated me when I was younger. I'm very nervous to ask them because I'm sure they have no idea I'm feeling this way. How should I approach this? -- Group Therapy
● Your local food bank may need more than just food for donations. Among the most indemand and in-need items are personal care items. These are things like toothpaste, shampoo, toilet paper and deodorant. If your local food bank does need these, try to take advantage of special sales at the drug store when you buy one and get one free. Keep one for yourself and give the free one to charity. Keep in mind all items need to be brand-new with an intact seal or original packaging.
Dear Doctors: My older brother is 33 years old and was recently diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. I don't want to bother him with a lot of questions, but I would like to learn more about it. Can you please explain what it is, how it's treated and what to expect?