THE DAILY ASTORIAN • TUESDAY, APRIL 4, 2017
FEATURES
Polarized political climate
Dear Annie: I need a pep talk, actions, on the good we can do and
and I imagine millions of others do, the good others are doing, I think
too. I am an informed and involved we’ll find we have more in common
citizen, and I care passionately about than we believe. For instance, before
this country. I’m glad to call it my you learned that their politics were
home. But lately, with the polarized so different from yours, you proba-
political climate, I’ve been coming bly considered your neighbors to be
decent people. That decency
to blows (not literally) with
DEAR
is still there if you look for it.
neighbors, friends and even
I’m not saying that ide-
family members over issues
ANNIE
ology isn’t important or that
I never realized we dis-
it doesn’t have real-world
agreed about before.
consequences. But focus
Without getting too
your energy on effecting
much into the specifics, I
change where you can do
just can’t understand how
so without driving yourself
these rational people can
crazy. (Read: not in a shout-
hold these beliefs. I’ve read
Lane
ing match with your uncle.)
that one mustn’t allow poli- Annie
Creators
Syndicate Inc.
Volunteer in your commu-
tics to affect friendships, but
nity. Canvass for a local pol-
how is that possible when
a “friend” or neighbor believes and itician whom you believe in. And if
parrots false truths and reveals her- you want to stay sane long enough to
make a difference, occasionally give
self to be a total hypocrite?
Limiting how much “news” and yourself a break from the news for a
media I take in only makes me feel day or two.
Dear Annie: I’d like to respond
like an ostrich with my head in the
sand. I feel that I’m contributing to to “Tired and Exhausted,” the mom
the problem if I don’t stay involved whose son is struggling with addic-
and informed. But how do you stay tion. I was in her shoes 15 years ago,
involved, voice concern and not when my son was 23 years old. I was
feel utterly helpless and completely emotionally and financially drained.
stressed out? — Political Stress Case I was a prime candidate for a mental
Dear Political: It’s easy to get health intervention myself.
I went to an addiction counselor,
into a tizzy when we’re debat-
ing ideas. But if we focus more on who recommended that I go to Nar-
Anon meetings. I resisted the idea
for three months but finally went,
vowing just to listen, not share my
story. Everyone was so nice and wel-
comed me, and there was no pres-
sure to speak. Much to my surprise,
I knew right away that I was in the
right place.
I talked about my son, his addic-
tion, the ways he was using me, his
swinging door at the jailhouse and
my depression. Long story short, I
learned that I cannot help my son and
I needed to stop enabling him. I got
a Nar-Anon sponsor and eventually
got my peaceful life back.
“Tired and Exhausted”: If you
want to live your remaining years on
your son’s roller coaster, keep doing
what you have been doing. If you
want to live your remaining years
in peace, get to a Nar-Anon meeting
ASAP, continue going to meetings
even if your son is clean and sober,
get a sponsor, and follow the Nar-
Anon program for the rest of your
life. Nar-Anon saved my life and my
sanity. — Thankful
Dear Thankful: I’m sure your
letter will resonate with many read-
ers who have been made desper-
ate by a loved one’s addiction. Nar-
Anon is a great organization. Visit
http://www.nar-anon.org for more
information.
5A
TOMORROW’S HOROSCOPE
By Holiday Mathis, Creators Syndicate Inc.
ARIES (March 21-April 19). If it’s meant
for you, it will happen for you. You can
certainly make things happen that aren’t
a good fit for you, but why would you?
It’s a wasted effort when there’s so much
wonderful stuff that suits you perfectly.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Don’t have
a good plan? Don’t have a plan at all? No
worries. You’ll have an adventure. And if
your friend is in this with you, you’ll also
have a bonding moment for the ages.
GEMINI (May 21-June 21). You’re a fan.
You don’t expect anything in return for
the veneration. In fact, you believe you’re
richer for giving it. Nonetheless, you’ll get
some love back from the realm of your
admiration.
CANCER (June 22-July 22). You love
the truth. It doesn’t always love you back.
In fact, sometimes you wonder if it was
worth pursuing. In the end, you’re better for
knowing. This is all adding up to something
important.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). You quest to
see what the sun sees. All of it. You want
to know what’s fully, brightly illuminated
above the clouds, and you want to play in
the shadows under the sea. In every way,
you’re ready to know and experience more.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). The speedy
solution happens because you need it to.
The most important thing is that it gets
done, not that it gets done in any particular
way. Much relies on your flexible approach.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Today’s situa-
tion is ideal not because of what it has but
because of what it lacks. Creativity and
resourcefulness will be born out of grave
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
necessity.
SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Those who
drive and those who go along for the ride
will end up in the same place. A break
from ambition will be healthy. A lazy mood
might be just the thing you need. Insights
emerge from a relaxed mind.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Those
with big egos will fight when challenged.
When you come up against someone’s
pride, be careful. Note that some people
feel like their pride is all they have.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). You know
where you’re going and you know how to
get there. In fact, you know several ways:
the main road, the alternate roads, the
scenic route and the shortcut. Choosing is
the hard part!
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). There’s a
review process underway. You can’t always
make sense of the past, but you can live
right now in a way that makes sense to
you and hope for the best.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). You live to
entertain. Today this includes not talking
about what doesn’t pertain to the people
around you — although you might be
surprised what people find relevant.
TOMORROW’S BIRTHDAY (April 5).
Take your time in love. You’ll never regret
the hours of getting to know another
person. A less-than-optimal situation will
turn around in May. Freedom at last! June
brings financial good fortune. July is your
chance to risk and learn. This will require
you to leave the safe confines of home.
Capricorn and Scorpio adore you. Your
lucky numbers are: 5, 16, 44, 28 and 45.