In Moldova, a false video implied that a pro-Western president actually favored Russia. In Bangladesh, a conservative Muslim country, a female lawmaker was portrayed wearing a bikini. In Slovakia, a doctored audio tape made it seem that an anti-Moscow candidate wanted to double the price of beer.
I’d never been to a U.S. citizenship ceremony before. I’d never even thought about it much. I knew the process took a long time but, beyond that, I knew nothing about it, until I was invited to one.
DEAR HARRIETTE: I am very introverted, and I find it challenging to find my footing when I’m in group settings. I recently moved to a new city and have been trying to build up my social network, but I’m struggling to make genuine connections because of my introversion. When I am one-on-one with a person, I feel more comfortable, but as soon as another person gets added to the mix, I become the third wheel. I often find myself on the sidelines, watching everyone else interact without participating in the conversations. It feels like everyone around me effortlessly engages in jokes and storytelling; meanwhile, I struggle to insert myself into the flow of conversation. By the time I think of something to say, the topic has usually changed, and I miss my chance to contribute. This leaves me feeling isolated and somewhat invisible, despite being physically present. I want to break out of my shell and find ways to engage more confidently in group interactions. Is introversion something that I can change about myself, or is it something that may stay with me forever? – Don’t Want To Be Introverted DEAR DON’T WANT TO BE INTROVERTED: I have spoken to a number of people who consider themselves to be introverts who have “overcome” their inability to engage in the ways that concern you. One successful CEO told me that she prepares in advance so that she has a few key topics she wants to discuss when she is speaking with others in social settings. That helps her not to be flat-footed in awkward moments. She also admits that she uses a tremendous amount of energy to be engaging when in the company of others and needs quiet recovery time later.
CLINTON DAILY NEWS EDITORIAL
Now is the time of year that stores and companies move from displaying pride flags to draping everything in red, white and blue. Independence Day is about freedom. But what does that mean?
In the midst of heated debates about female pastors and the morality of in vitro fertilization, the national Southern Baptist Convention recently passed a religious liberty resolution that – in terms of Baptist history – was rather ordinary.
CLINTON’S HISTORY 10, 20, 30 AND 40 YEARS AGO
ASK THE DOCTORS
DEAR HARRIETTE: I’m a recently divorced mom with three adult children. My husband was physically and emotionally abusive throughout our marriage. He originally left me and my young children when they were just toddlers, but we eventually reconciled. When the kids were in college, he sent me divorce papers, but he eventually reneged after I begged him to reconsider. Several years later, after two of our children got married, he again filed for divorce, moved out and purchased a new home without me. The divorce was acrimonious and, to this date, despite the judgment against him, he has failed to pay alimony and still owes assets from the original settlement. Because of this, I haven’t been able to properly settle down. Meanwhile, he appears to be living happily ever after and has even remarried.
Two weeks after establishing perhaps the most restrictive refugee policies in our nation’s history, President Joe Biden has about-faced and announced more compassionate, and reasonable policies regarding undocumented immigrants.