In the movies, the penitent enters a confession booth, kneels and whispers to a priest behind a lattice screen: 'Forgive me, father, for I have sinned.'
30 YEARS AGO
The Justice Department has been investigating President Joe Biden’s son Hunter Biden for a long time. The probe began in 2018, before the elder Biden even decided to run for president.
Hello, dear readers, and welcome to a bonus letters column. We have had a sharp increase in letters these last few months, and we will continue to do our best to keep up with your questions, comments and requests.
DEAR HARRIETTE: My roommate is suffering from a tough personal loss that has left them completely overwhelmed by grief. I understand and want to give them the space and support they need to process, but because they were so preoccupied, they seem to have forgotten to pay their half of the rent. I didn’t want to burden them, so I paid the full amount myself. When is the right time to ask them to pay me back? — Awkward Timing DEAR AWKWARD TIMING: You were kind to step in in the way you did, but know that your kindness was also risky. Even during tough times, people have to be responsible for themselves. Hopefully, your roommate will make good on paying their portion of the rent.
In the wake of a partisan Supreme Court’s abolition of Roe v. Wade, it’s become increasingly clear that there’s nothing remotely conservative about the Republican Party. In the familiar formulation, today’s GOP is like a dog that has finally caught the car it’s been chasing, seized the bumper in its teeth, and finds itself getting dragged along faster than it can run.
One of the easiest things you can do to help the environment is to ditch disposable paper towels. Instead invest in reusable and absorbent microfiber towels.
DEAR HARRIETTE: I was really upset with my husband a couple of weeks ago, and I called my friends and even my attorney to say, “This is it. I’m done.” I was that mad.
SEBASTIAN, Fla. – Here comes the sargassum.
DEAR HARRIETTE: I am in a tricky situation, and I’m not sure how to handle it. Recently, I borrowed a friend’s car for spring break and went out of my way to take good care of it, even going as far as getting the oil changed because it needed it. I left it in perfect condition, and yet, when I returned the car to my friend, they tried to make me pay for damages that were already there! I feel tricked. How should I handle this? — Can’t Fool Me DEAR CAN’T FOOL ME: Hopefully you kept the receipts for all of the things you did to the car while it was in your possession. Sit with your friend and calmly list how you used and cared for their car. Point out that you were surprised that you needed to change the oil, as that should be done regularly, meaning they should have handled it. But you took it upon yourself to do it since the car indicated the need.