A14 East Oregonian PEANUTS COFFEE BREAK Thursday, August 5, 2021 DEAR ABBY BY CHARLES M . SCHULZ Woman directs anger at parents after diagnosis FOR BETTER OR WORSE BY LYNN JOHNSTON B.C. BY JOHNNY HART PICKLES BY BRIAN CRANE BEETLE BAILEY BY MORT WALKER Dear Abby: I’m the mother of getting her family together with mine. We used to take turns doing an 8-year-old with autism. A few months ago, I was also diagnosed dinners at each other’s houses. with autism. While I viewed this However, she, her kids and her news for the most part in a rather husband are extremely picky eaters. positive light, I also have some They don’t all like the same things, mixed feelings. so I’m usually cooking three meals when they come over. The good: This diagnosis finally Jeanne explains everything about the way The more I’ve gotten to know Phillips I’ve behaved my entire life. The them, the more I realize our values ADVICE not-so-good: I feel betrayed to an and opinions on certain major issues extent by my parents for allowing are very, very different. I no longer so many doctors to tell me I had enjoy their company at all and don’t disorders and illnesses I never had (per the feel comfortable with my young children hearing some of the conversations around person who diagnosed me with autism) and for letting me be pumped full of so many these issues. I feel miserable leading up to medications from childhood all the way every get-together, and so does my husband. However, she’s clingy! I have canceled the through college. I feel my parents caused me emotional and physical harm (especially last three times we were supposed to get together, and she doesn’t get the message. physical because of all those meds). While I’m glad to know the truth about How can I unfriend her without crushing why I’m the way I am, I can’t help but be furi- her? I honestly don’t want to hurt her, but I ous with them for allowing something that am fried! — So Over It in the South may have caused me irreparable damage. Dear So Over It: Because this woman How can I deal with this now? — On The is unable to intuit that the atmosphere has Spectrum in Texas changed, you will have to explain it to her. Dear On The Spectrum: Your parents Start by telling her that preparing three believed the (many) “experts” they separate meals to cater to her family’s tastes consulted. The doctors misdiagnosed you. has become too much for you. If necessary, That is regrettable, but now you know what follow it up with the fact that you no longer you are dealing with, it’s time to concentrate want your children exposed to the dinner on your future instead of the past. If your conversation, which prohibits you from current physician can’t help you with this, having them over. Those are valid reasons, ask to be referred to someone who can help and as long as you don’t mention that the you to dissipate your anger. It would be far thought of seeing her and her husband more therapeutic for you than blaming your makes you and your husband miserable, she shouldn’t be “crushed.” Do not, however, parents at this late date. Dear Abby: I have a friend who enjoys expect her to take the news easily. DAYS GONE BY From the East Oregonian GARFIELD BLONDIE DILBERT THE WIZARD OF ID LUANN ZITS BY JIM DAVIS BY DEAN YOUNG AND STAN DRAKE 100 Years Ago Aug. 5, 1921 The biggest moonshine outfit yet taken in Umatilla county was captured by Deputy Sheriff Ridgway about 10 o’clock this morn- ing, when he arrested Roy Sams presiding over two mammoth stills. The double outfit was housed in a dugout under the southwest corner of the barn on the Sams ranch on Dry Creek. Sams evidently thought he had so carefully concealed his plant that the offi- cers would never find him. The dugout was entered by means of a trap door in the manger. This had been camouflaged but not enough to deceive the practiced eyes of the deputy sher- iff. When the lid was raised Sams was discov- ered carefully watching the two big stills in full operation. Sixteen barrels containing 800 gallons of mash were taken in addition to the two stills. 50 Years Ago Aug. 5, 1971 For about two hours Wednesday night Echo’s police chief for a year, Dennis Rock- well, was assailed by a trio of townspeople for police department actions which affected the three. One of the three who criticized the 24-year-old chief at the regular monthly meeting of the city council said: “You guys are just getting too lawful. We don’t want to change Echo into a 21st century metropolis.” “He can’t do this to me,” exclaimed a young TODAY IN HISTORY BY SCOTT ADAMS BY BRANT PARKER AND JOHNNY HART BY GREG EVANS BY JERRY SCOTT AND JIM BORGMAN working mother about a speeding ticket she received. The father of an 18-year-old youth who was lodged in jail overnight on a charge of minor in possession of liquor suggested to the council that Chief Rockwell be asked to change his ways or resign. Councilman Bill Penney declared, after listening to the complaints: “Two years ago everybody was bitching because they said our police officer was not doing his duty. Now we have an offi- cer doing his duty and the people are bitch- ing.” 25 Years Ago Aug. 5, 1996 A fire that started Thursday in a wheat field north of Pendleton ended up scorch- ing more than 20,000 acres of farmland and sagebrush along the Oregon-Washington border. The blaze started Thursday afternoon in Juniper Canyon, about 20 miles north of Pendleton and just a few miles south of the Washington border. It quickly spread toward the Touchet, Wash., area, consuming grass, sagebrush, wheat and wheat stubble. Ten homes were evacuated Thursday night but no injuries or burned structures were reported. The fire rekindled late Friday in the Vansy- cle Canyon area north of Pendleton and was extinguished by farmers and members of the Helix Rural Fire Department Friday night. It restarted briefly again Saturday but caused few problems. On Aug. 5, 1962, South Af r ican anti-apar theid activist Nelson Mandela was arrested on charges of leav- ing the country without a passport and inciting workers to strike; it was the beginning of 27 years of imprisonment. In 1936, Jesse Owens of the United States won the 200-meter dash at the Berlin Olympics, collecting the third of his four gold medals. In 1953, Operation Big Switch began as remaining prisoners taken during the Korean War were exchanged at Panmunjom. In 1954, 24 boxers became the first inductees into the Boxing Hall of Fame, including Henry Armstrong, Gentleman Jim Corbett, Jack Dempsey, Jack Johnson, Joe Louis and John L. Sullivan. In 1974, the White House released transcripts of subpoenaed tape record- ings showing that President Richard Nixon and his chief of staff, H.R. Haldeman, had discussed a plan in June 1972 to use the CIA to thwart the FBI’s Watergate investiga- tion; revelation of the tape sparked Nixon’s resignation. In 1981, the federal government began firing air traffic controllers who had gone out on strike. In 2002, the coral-en- crusted gun turret of the Civil War ironclad USS Monitor was raised from the floor of the Atlantic, nearly 140 years after the historic warship sank during a storm. In 2019, Toni Morri- son, the first Black woman to receive the Nobel litera- ture prize, died at 88 in New York; her novels included “Beloved” and “The Bluest Eye.” Today’s Bir thdays: Actor Erika Slezak is 75. Rock musician Eddie Ojeda (Twisted Sister) is 66. Actor- singer Maureen McCor- mick is 65. Rock musician Pat Smear is 62. Actor Mark Strong is 58. Actor Steph- anie Szostak is 50. Rock musician Eicca Toppinen (Apocalyptica) is 46. Actor Jesse Williams is 41. PHOEBE AND HER UNICORN BY DANA SIMPSON BIG NATE BY LINCOLN PEIRCE