FEATURES
THE DAILY ASTORIAN • TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2016
Keep politics out of it
Dear Annie: I live in a town
where the majority of people share
one political viewpoint. I am in
the minority on the other side. I
have lived here for 50 years, have
built my life here and love it here
most of the time. Usually, I am
able to avoid the topic of politics,
as I know that it will only lead to
arguments or conflict among my
friends and family.
I’m also part of a close knit-
ting circle that meets about every
week. Most of us have known one
another since our kids were young,
and we have a lot in common oth-
erwise. Though I usually find the
knitting relaxing and the company
kind, lately it seems as though
every week features a political
discussion. Feeling alone in my
views, I can become stressed out
and angry, and frankly, I don’t
feel like going anymore. I’ve tried
politely changing the topic of con-
versation or laughing off just how
crazy things have become, but the
topic always seems to rear its ugly
head. Annie, how do I deal with
politics ruining something I love?
— Tangled
Dear Tangled: If only we all
shared politicians’ skill at deftly
changing the subject!
Dear Annie
By
Annie
Lane
Creators
Syndicate
Inc.
You have three options when
the conversation starts roaming
into dangerously partisan terri-
tory: 1) Tell your fellow knitters
that you’re not comfortable dis-
cussing politics in polite company.
2) Change the subject as forcefully
as you can without being rude.
3) Put on some noise-canceling
headphones.
There is no harm in No. 1, and
if your friends take offense to it,
then that is their problem. What-
ever happens, take a deep breath
and remember that election season
is, mercifully, almost over. After
that point, conversations will (one
hopes) turn less to politics and
more to topics fit for civilized dia-
logue. Knitting is a scientifically
proven therapeutic activity, and it
would be a shame to leave the cir-
cle feeling like a ball of knots.
Dear Annie: I just wanted to
reply to “Halfsies” regarding her
questions about dating etiquette.
I’m a man, and as far as I’m con-
cerned, the man should certainly
pay for the first date. Chivalry is
something worthwhile! From my
side, the problem I encounter all
too often is women who aren’t
willing to accept that chivalry.
I am not unaware of another
person’s ability to pay, but I want
to give of myself anyway. If I’m
not permitted to do this, then how
can I truly enter into a relationship
with someone, which demands
self-giving?
As for going Dutch: When it
comes down to it, I don’t mind if
the woman pays on the occasional
date, but I strictly do not believe
in going Dutch if you are dating
someone. Whoever pays fully is
offering a gift to the other person;
going Dutch makes it about “me”
and “my part,” and I can only
interpret this as a selfish uncom-
mitment. I want to be committed
and to give — and to receive gen-
erously, as well — not to be in just
one more “relationship” that is no
more than friendship with benefits.
— Knight
9A
Tomorrow’s horoscope
By Holiday Mathis, Creators Syndicate Inc.
ARIES (March 21-April 19). There are so
many explanations of things that are crude,
mean and unintelligible that when you land
on an explanation that is simple, clear and en-
chanting it will not only answer a question; it
will begin a path.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20). You pretty
much learned the thing: took the test; got the
grade. Now what’s the next step? Knowledge
on its own isn’t worth much unless you can put
it to good use.
GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Your life will be
better because you strive to live as fully as you
can in the current so-called reality without tak-
ing it so seriously as to believe it to be the only
reality there is.
CANCER (June 22-July 22). You won’t be
able to plan the exact action steps that will take
you where you want to go, because you won’t
know them until you’re already in action. Move
and suddenly the next move (and the next and
the next) becomes logical.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). The thing you most
need to do today is probably the same thing
you’d like to avoid because it’s either uncom-
fortable or risky or it could lead to a rejection.
Do it first so you can get it over with and be
proud of yourself.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). While you’re
usually destination-oriented, in regard to to-
day’s journey you set out to travel both every-
where and nowhere as you find there is so
much knowledge and wisdom to gather within
a small circle.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Which way would
you take this if money were no object? That’s
the way you need to move it today, as a few
things are likely to happen. First, it won’t cost
as much as you thought. Second, benefactors
FRANK AND ERNEST
BLONDIE
THATABABY
SALLY FORTH
PHOEBE AND HER UNICORN
B.C.
LOLA
DILBERT
SIX CHIX
BIZARRO
MUTTS
NON SEQUITUR
BABY BLUES
WIZARD OF ID
ZITS
ROSE IS ROSE
will volunteer.
SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Finish what’s
on your list, celebrate and then rest. The cele-
bration doesn’t have to be anything big; a small
ritual will do. Don’t skip that part, because it’s
as important to the cycle as work or rest.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). There are
many forms of self-sabotage to be alert to and
to stamp out before they have a chance to foul
you. For instance, starting too many projects at
once is a form of procrastination, as it delays
the completion of all goals.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Today you’ll
get valuable external feedback and you’ll have
the chance to make a course correction that
leads to spiritual riches. This is the kind of
wealth that can never be taken away.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Once again
it’s time to veer off of what you’ve been taught.
This isn’t disobedience so much as an expres-
sion of your individuality. You can’t leave your
footprint on this earth if you walk in another
person’s tracks.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). You want to
grow quickly through an awkward beginning
stage of learning. In this way you’re like a child
trying to act older than his or her years. There’s
no pressure to do too much too fast. Savor the
innocence.
WEDNESDAY’S BIRTHDAY (Oct. 26). No
matter how thoroughly you plan it out, your
year will be dotted by exhilarating and unpre-
dictable circumstances. Next month some-
thing lovely, shiny and new will replace what
breaks. Love will inspire your creativity and
stimulate your desire for personal accomplish-
ment. Bonus money in February and August.
Sagittarius and Gemini adore you. Your lucky
numbers are: 1, 4, 30, 15 and 50.