6A
FEATURES
American Legion out of control
Dear Annie: I have witnessed a
When one member makes com-
change in a local American Legion ments to re-establish what the post
post over the past several years. I stands for and who should be mak-
support and commend anyone who ing decisions on everything that is
has served our country. Originally, going on, he is critiqued for it and
these posts were established by vet- often chastised, told that it’s none
erans and run by elected veteran of his business, even though he’s
an elected member. Is this
officers and veteran execu-
DEAR
what “For God and Coun-
tive board members. These
try” stands for? — Con-
posts were founded with
ANNIE
cerned Legionnaire’s Wife
bylaws and rules support-
Dear
Concerned
ing the motto, “For God
Legionnaire’s Wife: Cer-
and Country.”
tainly not. But even the
At my local post, the
most virtuous motto falls
commander would make a
flat without good men and
better follower than he does
women standing behind it.
a leader. He backstabs his
Lane
It’s time for your husband
officers to try to make him- Annie
Creators
Syndicate Inc.
and any other upstanding
self look good. Officers are
members to take action. He
drunk at some meetings,
which is very inappropriate, yet this can contact the American Legion’s
is allowed by the commander, who internal affairs department at 317-
should be observing and enforcing 630-1330 for guidance.
Dear Annie: I have been a spe-
a code of conduct for the meetings.
Minutes that prove that items were cial education teacher for over 20
voted on are suddenly lost or mis- years. The students in my class have
placed. Married officers are hav- intensive needs, and therefore we
ing sexual affairs with the hired have a high staff-to-student ratio. I
staff. There is stealing of items that have an exceptional assistant, and
belong to the post. Bartenders drink we have dedicated aides.
The reason I am writing is I
while on bar duty. Pay increases
to certain staff members are given believe that parents have difficulty
without the board’s approval. Non- with giving gifts at the holidays and
members come in and do what they the end of the year. Certainly, any
gift is very much appreciated, but in
want.
the special education world, parents
can be overwhelmed by the num-
ber of people involved in educat-
ing their children and often feel as
though they need to send in some-
thing for everyone. Though that is
a very nice thought, I also know
that raising a child who has special
needs is expensive, and I see parents
spend so much more than necessary.
I just wanted to offer a few sugges-
tions to your readers who may find
themselves in this position.
Gift cards for coffee, a basket of
snacks to be used on a staff devel-
opment day (or just a tough day!),
a jar of miniature chocolates, home-
made sweets that can be shared
among a group of people — any
of these would do. You could also
contact a couple of other parents
and purchase a gift card together
to buy lunch. I always enjoy home-
made ornaments or magnets. Even
a card with a note to say how much
someone’s hard work has meant to
your child’s development is a trea-
sure. There is no need to break the
bank to make someone feel special.
— Anonymous
Dear Anonymous: Your dedi-
cation and thoughtfulness are inspir-
ing. I’m printing your letter now, in
advance of the holidays. Thank you
for the perspective.
THE DAILY ASTORIAN • MONDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2017
TOMORROW’S HOROSCOPE
By Holiday Mathis, Creators Syndicate Inc.
ARIES (March 21-April 19). You’ve plenty
of hustle to apply and just the right circum-
stances to apply it. You’re about due to fall
into the kind of sweet luck that happens
when a hard worker meets a soft opportunity.
SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). You know what
it’s like to be encouraged, and you also know
what it’s like to be torn down. That’s why you
build up the people around you whenever
you get the opportunity to do it.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Some people
show strength to the world, overcoming their
obstacles and achieving their goals publicly.
Stronger still are those who quietly fight pri-
vate battles that no one will ever know about.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). The tone
of this day might not be consistent enough
for you to ever get comfortable, and that’s
a good thing. You’ll stay alert and you’ll see
what others miss. You’ll cut trouble off at the
pass.
GEMINI (May 21-June 21). You don’t have
to know steps 10 through 100 to get started.
All you have to know is step one. Although,
a general knowledge of steps two through
nine would be extremely helpful to your
momentum.
CANCER (June 22-July 22). Seasons
change. Don’t confuse the season for a fact
of life. This is not the way it’s going to be
forever. For better or worse, this moment will
pass. Let that inform your priorities today.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). It might be hard to
see at first, but take a step back and view
it again and you may notice that you have
much more power in the situation than you’re
using. Things will continue on just the way
you allow them to.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). There are
consequences to every action: some fore-
seeable, some not. You’ll drive yourself crazy
trying to project an end result before you
make your choice. This is a situation where
you really have to go with your gut.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). The desire to
raise your voice can seem to happen after
you’re already yelling. But you’ve extra
powers of awareness and restraint to use to
communicate on a higher, not louder, level.
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
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). The first
time you go somewhere is usually the most
exciting because you don’t know the way.
Feeling unsure and lost is part of what
makes the adventure great.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). You can trust
people without being naive. The way to do
this is to trust with accuracy — to learn the
nature of the other person so that you can
predict future behavior and to put your trust
in that particular expectation.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). You may
have to go far out of your way to make the
situation work today, but don’t let that stop
you from taking on the work. Like a glow
stick, you’ll have to do some serious bending
before you shine.
TOMORROW’S BIRTHDAY (Nov. 7). Emo-
tional baggage falls by the wayside as you
get the love and respect to help you move
beyond old ideas about yourself. This month
you’ll spot an excellent opportunity and move
quickly to realize its potential. At year-end,
you’ll be part of a group that makes a differ-
ence. A stellar deal will go down in February.
Cancer and Libra adore you. Your lucky
numbers are: 9, 40, 14, 23 and 18.