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About The Bulletin. (Bend, OR) 1963-current | View Entire Issue (June 14, 2021)
The BulleTin • Monday, June 14, 2021 A3 DEAR ABBY LOCAL, STATE & NATION Write to Dear Abby online at dearabby.com or by mail at P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069 Dear Abby: I can’t stand being around my dad. I love my mom, but no longer re- spect her because she stays married to him. He’s a nar- cissistic bully. My brother agrees. My parents and I live in the same town and get to- gether for holidays, birthdays and other events. My brother lives out of state. I grew up with Playboy magazines lying around the house, watching my father ogle women and comment on their bodies, including mine. He shamed us con- stantly in front of others and thought it was funny. When I finally found my voice, he called me a b****. He isn’t supportive and never hesi- tates to tell me how I’m doing something wrong. He yells at my dogs and my kids for be- ing dogs/kids. I would love to not see him again, but he’s my dad, and my mom loves him. I don’t want to buy him gifts or cards on his special days because it’s insincere, but I find myself doing it anyway. How do I handle this and reconcile the conflict I know will ensue if I make myself happy? — Struggling in Nevada days, make it a generic card so you will feel less like a hypocrite. You deserve to be happy, and if you follow my advice, I predict your chil- dren will be happier, too. Dear Abby: I lost my hus- band to COVID-19 five months ago. We were mar- ried for 40 years. I loved him with all my heart and always will. I met someone through a dating site who lost his wife to cancer a year ago. They were married 37 years and, like me, he loved her dearly. We each have grown chil- dren. My daughter knows about him, but he hasn’t told his children. We live three hours apart, and while doing work for his son, he drove an hour and a half to meet me and have lunch. I thought that was so nice. We really seemed to hit it off and want to be together. Although I’m a grown woman and know what I want, I need to know if you think it is appropriate for me to consider being with this man and possibly moving in with him after only five months since my husband’s death. Your answer will help with my decision. Dear Struggling: Some- times strategic withdrawal is better than an argument. Stop exposing your children and your pets to your abu- sive, hypercritical father’s rants, and if your mother no- tices and asks why, be honest with her. See her separately if you wish, but avoid your father whenever possible. If you must see him and he starts acting up, leave. If you feel you have to gift him “something” on his special Dear Lonely Lady: Al- though this man may have “possibilities,” he still isn’t comfortable enough in the re- lationship to introduce you to his children. And nowhere in your letter did you mention that he has talked about the idea of you moving in with him. I think you are jump- ing the gun right now, and although it isn’t too soon to consider the possibilities, I do not think you should push. — Lonely Lady in North Carolina YOUR HOROSCOPE By Georgia Nicols Stars show the kind of day you’ll have DYNAMIC | POSITIVE | AVERAGE | SO-SO | DIFFICULT MOON ALERT: There are no restrictions to shopping or important deci- sions today. The Moon is in Leo. HAPPY BIRTHDAY FOR MONDAY, JUNE 14, 2021: You are multitalented, creative and versatile. You are also impulsive! You love an adventure and socializing with others. In a nine-year cycle, you are in a seven year. This is a time of learning as well as teaching. Your spiritual side will be deepened and enhanced this year. You might have more interest in the tarot, astrology or numerology. ARIES (March 21-April 19) Batten down the hatches! Today is full of unpredictable events. Social occasions might be cancelled or changed. Sports accidents are possible. Par- ents should be extra vigilant to avoid accidents with their kids. A relationship with someone older might change or end. Tonight: Enjoy discussions with kids. TAURUS (April 20-May 20) Today is full of disruptions, which means you have to be prepared. For starters, a dispute with a family member might happen. Small appliances might break down. A breakage at home could occur. Sudden news that af- fects a parent, boss or your career might surprise you. Tonight: Family repairs. Deep-red Idaho sees growing clash between GOP and far right BY KEITH RIDLER Associated Press BOISE, Idaho — The dream world for Idaho’s ascendant far right is one where state lawmakers run a sovereign nation-state free of federal oversight. It would be a place where they can outlaw all abor- tions, dictate what is taught in schools, have complete say over public health rules and gun laws, and take control of federal public lands, which make up more than 60% of the state. And many believe they’ve never been closer to achieving their goals in what is already one of the most conservative states in the country. Mainstream Idaho Repub- licans, who have dominated the state for three decades and would be considered far right in many states, have themselves become targets, including pro- tests at lawmakers’ homes. They fear disinformation and intimi- dation is driving the changes in the rural Western state. “It’s definitely conservatives who are battling against the farther right,” said Jaclyn Ket- tler, a Boise State University political scientist. “Mainstream traditional Republicans who have a preference for smaller government” and right-wing Republicans who question “whether government should even be involved.” Some half-dozen recently formed right-wing groups, in- cluding antigovernment activ- ist Ammon Bundy’s People’s Rights, have used coronavirus restrictions as recruiting tools, organizing angry mask-burn- ing protests in a push to dis- rupt institutional norms ahead of statewide elections next year. Other Republicans, including a former Idaho attorney general, have established groups to op- pose them. The atmosphere is so charged that lawmakers ap- proved extra spending to bring more Idaho State Police troopers to the 100-year-old Statehouse — even when the Legislature isn’t in session. A doorway pane shattered last year when Bundy and oth- ers pushed their way into the House gallery that had limited seating due to the pandemic. The schism also played out dramatically late last month when far-right Republican Lt. Keith Ridler/AP file Ammon Bundy, center, who led the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge occupation in Oregon, stands on the Idaho Statehouse steps in Boise in August. Mainstream and far-right Republicans are battling for control of the party and the state in deeply conservative Idaho. Gov. Janice McGeachin issued an executive order during a short stint as acting governor while Republican Gov. Brad Little was out of the state. She ordered a statewide ban on mask mandates, which were already in place in some cities and counties, without consult- ing them or Little. Her action came about a week after she announced her run to unseat Little in 2022. She and Little were each elected in 2018. In Idaho, the governor and lieutenant governor don’t run on a combined ticket. The next day Little, who has never issued a statewide mask mandate, repealed McGeach- in’s order. The typically reserved first-term governor called Mc- Geachin’s action an “irresponsi- ble, self-serving political stunt.” Little touts his own conser- vative credentials by saying he’s made Idaho the least regulated state following a pruning of ad- ministrative rules after he took office. Bundy, who is best known for leading an armed standoff at the Malheur National Wild- life Refuge outside Burns five years ago, has also filed paper- work in a long-shot run for governor. Another far-right Republi- can, Rep. Priscilla Giddings, is looking to replace McGeachin as lieutenant governor. Democratic lawmakers are too few to have much say in state government. They have not held the governor’s of- fice since 1995 or statewide elected office since 2007. Only 12 of the 70 House members are Democrats, and Senate Democrats hold only seven of 35 seats. Democrats lost two House seats in the 2020 elec- tion. Far-right Republicans picked up two seats by unseat- ing moderate Republicans in the primary. Several open seats were filled by Republicans con- sidered more conservative than their Republican predecessors. The main victories for Dem- ocratic lawmakers are sup- plying enough votes to pass legislation often opposed by far-right legislators, including must-pass appropriations bills. Among those earlier this year was the $3.7 billion Medicaid budget that cleared the House 36-34. Idaho Public Television’s $9.5 million budget, a peren- nial target of the far right, also squeaked through 36-34. “That flank has never re- ally had to come to terms with the fallout of the policies they have proposed,” said Demo- cratic House Minority Leader Ilana Rubel. “If that wing keeps strengthening, people may ex- perience a stark wakeup call of losing the vital services that ev- eryone depends on.” McGeachin and other ul- tra-conservative lawmakers have a stated desire to end fed- eral money coming to Idaho, part of a far-right belief involv- ing state sovereignty. “Defending our state means making difficult decisions when the federal government tries to bribe us into compli- ance,” she said in announc- ing her run for governor last month, citing Medicaid in par- ticular. “It means rejecting ad- ditional federal money when accepting it would mean we lose the right to manage our own Medicaid programs.” Idaho’s $3.7 billion Medic- aid budget includes $2.5 billion from the federal government. A far-right lawmaker in the governor’s office could veto nar- rowly passed appropriations bills that include federal money. Idaho’s 2022 budget is more than $11.3 billion, with more than $5 billion of that coming from the federal government. Federal money helps pay for schools, health care and roads. Bills that far-right lawmak- ers were instrumental in killing this year included $40 million in federal money for coronavi- rus testing in schools and an- other $6 million in early child- hood learning. Republican lawmakers also made a puni- tive $2.5 million cut to colleges and universities, citing the teaching of critical race theory, which seeks to highlight how historical inequities and racism continue to shape public policy and social conditions today. Jim Jones, a former attor- ney general who also served as chief justice of Idaho’s Supreme Court, founded the Commit- tee to Protect and Preserve the Idaho Constitution in response to the recent political winds. It’s one of two groups that filed a lawsuit alleging a new law makes it impossible to get voter initiatives on the bal- lot and is unconstitutional. Republican lawmakers have been seeking to make the vot- er-backed initiative process more difficult following one several years ago that led to Medicaid expansion. Jones said very conservative Republicans are focused on cul- ture wars, “trying to pick a fight with people on practically any issue that came down the pike.” Jones said he now consid- ers himself an independent, but registers as a Republican to vote in the party’s primary that was closed to outsiders in 2011. “I think the closed primary is the stupidest thing we’ve done because it helped to turn the Republican Party into a far-right ideological animal,” he said. GEMINI (May 21-June 20) Be careful! This is an accident-prone day for your sign, so pay attention to everything you say and do. Think before you speak or act. On the upside, because you can think outside of the box, you might have clever ideas. How- ever, authority figures might squelch whatever you offer. Tonight: Talkative! Justices consider Harvard case on race in admissions CANCER (June 21-July 22) Associated Press Keep an eye on your money, your possessions and anything to do with your wealth and assets, because this is an unpredictable day. You might lose money. Something you own might be damaged or lost. The government or a partner might make things difficult for you. Tonight: (Time for dark chocolate.) LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) Even if you hide under the covers, this will be a disruptive day for you. “Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition!” Relations with authority figures and parents are dicey. Arguments with partners and close friends might take place. This is also an accident-prone day, so be careful. Tonight: Youthful conversations. With abortion and guns already on the agenda, the conservative-dominated U.S. Supreme Court is considering adding a third blockbuster issue — whether to ban consideration of race in college admissions. The justices could say as soon as Monday whether they will hear an appeal claiming that Harvard discriminates against Asian American applicants, in a case that could have nationwide repercussions. The case VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) Your peace of mind might be disrupted today because something is going on behind the scenes that you did not anticipate. Change is in the air. It could make you restless. However, you also might encounter opposition with a boss or rules and regulations. Tonight: Talk to a parent or boss. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) Something unexpected might impact your friendship with someone or your interaction with a member of a group. A relationship might even be sev- ered. Quarrels about funding, shared responsibilities and dealings with kids and creative projects are all possible. Tonight: Talk to someone new. SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) Be careful, because this is a day full of interruptions and unexpected events. Relations with parents and bosses could be confrontational. Family discord is likely. Possibly, something unexpected will completely change your plans today. Tonight: Be alert. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) Be careful, because this is an accident-prone day, so pay attention to everything you say and do. Travel plans will change or be cancelled. Likewise, something might affect college and university schedules. An authority figure might tell you why you can’t do something. Tonight: Friendly chat. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) This is a challenging day, especially to finances, shared property, taxes, debt, mortgages and investment holdings. Parents take note that this is also an accident-prone day for your kids, so be vigilant. Social plans will be can- celled or changed. Tonight: Double-check all details. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) You might find yourself at odds with partners and close friends today be- cause of a family argument or a sudden change at home. People are inclined to be overreactive and see the worst in everything today. Keep your spirits up and your wits about you. (Don’t leave home without them.) Tonight: Enjoy chitchat. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20) This is an accident-prone day for your sign, so keep your eyes open and slow down. Be aware of everything happening around you whether walking, jogging, cycling or driving. Likewise, think before you speak so you don’t have later regrets. Tonight: Home repairs. $6.00 PLANT SALE 1,375 LOCALLY GROWN PLANTS MUST BE SOLD TWO DAYS ONLY We grow all of our own plants in our tiny nursery right here in Central Oregon. You will appreciate the fact that most of our plants have survived at least one winter here. If you are NEW TO THE AREA you will learn just how important that can be. Our customers keep coming back because our plants tend to come back! We only have a few sales a year and this one will be our last sale for this season. Come by and see what we have to offer. You will be glad you did. Every plant is priced at just $6.oo Some of what you will find is Lewisia, Coral Bells, Coneflower, Rudbeckia, Veronica, Salvia, Dianthus, Gaillardia, Hosta and many more! Come out and have a look! 61566 Twin Lakes Loop, Bend Off Reed Market and SE 15th Street Friday, June 18 9 am–2 pm Saturday, June 19 9 am–2 pm Look for the neon yellow signs. would not be argued until the fall or winter. “It would be a big deal because of the nature of college admissions across the country and because of the stakes of hav- ing this issue before the Supreme Court,” said Gregory Garre, who twice defended the University of Texas’ admissions pro- gram before the justices. The presence of three appointees of former President Donald Trump could prompt the court to take up the case, even though it’s only been five years since its last decision in a case about affirmative action in higher education. The Supreme Court has weighed in on college admissions several times over more than 40 years. The current dispute harks back to its first big affirmative action case in 1978, when Justice Lewis Powell set out the rationale for taking account of race even as the court barred the use of racial quotas in admissions.