THE DAILY ASTORIAN • TUESDAY, JANUARY 10, 2017 FEATURES What to do if you witness abuse Dear Annie: My daughter and Dear Tears: You were right to I have witnessed aggressive acts want to act. If you see such vio- in public areas and are at a loss as lence, you should call 911 imme- to what, if any, action we should diately or find a police officer. Our take. The most recent example was justice system values and sup- when we watched a man yelling at ports citizens speaking up when what appeared to be his significant they see someone in danger, and there are laws in place to other. He grabbed her by DEAR protect those who do so. the arm, forcefully placed These Good Samaritan her in the car and buck- ANNIE laws protect these honor- led her seat belt. Then he able citizens from legal went into the store, and liability should their good she sat there, not mov- intentions have unin- ing and keeping her tended consequences. head down. We wanted Familiarize yourself with to approach the woman the laws in your state. and ask whether she was Lane As Albert Einstein OK, but we feared he Annie Creators Syndicate Inc. said, the world will be was watching from the destroyed not by those store. Another situation involved a young child between who do evil but by those who the ages of 3 and 5 with a cast on watch them without doing any- his arm. His guardian grabbed him thing. By standing up for what by the other arm and threw him you know is right and defending into the back seat of the car. There people who aren’t in a position to have been other situations, as well. defend themselves, you are saving What does one do or say with- the world, one good deed at a time. Dear Annie: My sister-in-law out making the victim’s life even worse later when the victim and is organizing a family vacation abuser are out of sight? Each time, at a beach house, supposedly to we looked for a police officer, but celebrate my daughter’s engage- none was around. Annie, this just ment. My daughter doesn’t want breaks our hearts, but what does a to go, and the trip comes at a time bystander do? — Tears and Fears when we will be really busy. The trip feels more like a getaway for for the Victims All Over the other family members than an actual celebration for my daughter. How can we stop this madness? — Feeling Awkward Dear Awkward: That’s odd indeed. If it’s really your daugh- ter’s party, then she can call it off if she wants to. She should tell her aunt that she really appreciates the thought but the timing just won’t work — and that she hopes they’ll enjoy the getaway themselves all the same. I have a feeling they will. Dear Annie: Your response to “Carol in Florida” regarding her experience with a person who got way too close while she was inter- acting with pharmacy staff was on the mark but left out an import- ant detail. This fellow’s behavior was probably a HIPAA privacy violation, and the staff member should have immediately recog- nized it as such and taken steps necessary to stop this intrusion. If Carol believes that her privacy was breached, she may wish to file a complaint. This can be done at https://www.hhs.gov. In my opin- ion, the person most in the wrong here was the assistant pharmacist for doing nothing. He or she needs to brush up on HIPAA rules. — Minnesota Pharmacist of 42 Years 5A TOMORROW’S HOROSCOPE By Holiday Mathis, Creators Syndicate Inc. ARIES (March 21-April 19). It gives unexpect- ed satisfaction to learn why things are the way they are, especially as you get to know the limitations someone was dealing with that led to the creation or completion of a feat. TAURUS (April 20-May 20). It may be a bit of a stretch to suggest that those born under the sign that rules money should delight in austeri- ty, and yet even the financially minded bull gets the occasional pull toward the simple elegance of minimalism. GEMINI (May 21-June 21). You enjoy being the first to try products, methods and trends of all kinds. The word “new” will capture your attention and spark your curiosity, and you’ll likely be the first one in line. Later they’ll all want your account. CANCER (June 22-July 22). When you’re bored of something, don’t bail right away. Stick with it another step or two. There’s a real gem of a prize for pushing through, and you don’t have to stick with it forever, just longer than most would. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). You’re not thinking about how much people do or don’t appreci- ate you. This is the last of your worries. Your actions are motivated out of spiritual generosity and a belief that people are in great need of your help. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). When people find out about your special talent after knowing you a while, they’ll be surprised. If, later on down the line, they find out about another unrelated talent of yours, you’ll officially be alluring. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). So many of our behaviors are habits. Laughing is no exception. You seem to be doing more and more of that lately, and the people around you love how 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 funny you make them feel. SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Many people who achieve high status want to be treated the same as everyone else. You’ve a good handle on dishing due respect and still maintaining a shared reality in which everyone can relate as equals. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Today you’ll be among friends and people who wish they were your friends. You may dare to share a vulnerable, embarrassing, weird human story and in doing so push your likeability factor up a few points. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Others are uplifted by your presence. Maybe it’s some- thing you don’t think too much about, because it’s an easy thing for you to create, and yet this is no small achievement. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Because you’re so comfortable with who you are and because you don’t think of yourself as very different from the others, you’re capable of doing things in group environments that others wouldn’t think to do. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Those who don’t pay compliments comfortably will give it up for you today. This will mean more to you than the niceties you regularly hear, considering the rarity of such an acknowledgement from this particular source. TOMORROW’S BIRTHDAY (Jan. 11). You go into this year with an experimental agenda that helps you get to know yourself better. The next two months bring new joys, appetites and fascinations. August brings an education that helps your social life. Libra and Gemini adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 12, 2, 22, 45 and 18.