A6 THE BULLETIN • SATURDAY, MAY 21, 2022
DEAR ABBY
Write to Dear Abby online at dearabby.com
or by mail at P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069
Dear Abby: I am a fresh-
man at a Midwestern uni-
versity, and I love it. I fin-
ished my first semester with
straight A’s, and my second
semester has been strong. I
have a great group of friends
and have made plenty of
memories. My problem is I
have been having a disagree-
ment with my mom. I would
like to rush a sorority in the
fall, and while my dad is fine
with it, my mother won’t
even entertain the topic.
I’ve never shared a lot with
her regarding my social life
because she has always been
strict (for instance, my dad
knows I enjoy partying as
long as my grades are good).
I am very responsible and
always take care of every-
thing that needs to be com-
pleted before I have fun. Dad
knows this and trusts me.
However, I couldn’t fathom
telling my mom about it.
I think part of the problem
is she grew up abroad, and
when she came to the U.S.
for college in the 1990s, she
faced a severe culture shock.
We have always been very
different people. Contrary
to what she may think, my
main reason for joining a so-
rority is not “to party.” It’s an
attractive option for off-cam-
pus housing, and I think it
would be an effective way to
meet more people (especially
at such a big school). If I
don’t like how rush pans out
for me, I have no issue with
dropping out, but I think it
would be worth a try.
I want to have an open
conversation with Mom, but
she is very close-minded. I
don’t want to go behind her
back, because I think that
would only do more harm
than good. How should I
navigate this conversation?
— Going Greek?
Dear Going: As much as
you dread it, you must have
a sit-down, comprehen-
sive conversation with your
mother about this. Empha-
size the benefits of being
in a sorority. She may be
concerned because in some
Greek organizations there
have been severe abuses of
the pledges, some of which
were so dangerous that stu-
dents lost their lives. You
may also want to research
the compliance history of
the Greek organizations on
your campus before address-
ing the subject with your
mother, so you can allay any
concerns she has.
Dear Abby: My 27-year-
old daughter has issues due
to a bitter divorce between
her father and me. She treats
us poorly, blames her prob-
lems on us and feels she is
justified. How do I handle
this? I don’t think she re-
spects either of us much. As
for our relationship, we get
along as long as things are
going OK for her. But if she’s
having a difficult day, I get
the blame. Advice?
— Cold-Shouldered In
New York
Dear Cold-Shouldered:
Tolerating your daughter’s
behavior isn’t healthy for ei-
ther of you. Encourage her to
seek professional help for her
“issues,” and when she starts
the blame game or being dis-
respectful, shorten the visit,
end the phone call or other-
wise distance yourself.
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 Aquarius.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY FOR SATURDAY, MAY 21, 2022: You are
an excellent conversationalist because you are clever, witty and articulate.
You are passionate about whatever you seek. This is an exciting year be-
cause it’s a time of change and adaptation. Expect more personal freedom.
Have the courage to explore new opportunities leading to new directions
and new growth.
ARIES (March 21-April 19)
Stay alert today. For starters, a friend or a group might do some-
thing to surprise you. (“Whaaat?”) Meanwhile, transportation delays,
missed buses, late appointments and confused communications are also a
hassle. (Time to send out for dark chocolate?) Tonight: Enjoy friends.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20)
Be patient with parents, bosses and the police today, because it’s
easy to fly off the handle. (Let’s face it; it’s hard to keep your shirt on when
you have to get something off your chest.) This agitation could be related to
money delays or checks that are late in the mail. Tonight: You are admired.
GEMINI (May 21-June 20)
Travel disappointments might occur today due to cancellations,
changes and delays. (These are always frustrating.) Even school schedules
are unpredictable. Meanwhile, you are dealing with old friends from the
past as well as goofy errors and misplaced items. Have patience! Tonight:
Do something different!
CANCER (June 21-July 22)
Stay on top of red-tape details related to banking, mortgages, loans
and shared property, because something unexpected will impact these
areas today. Nobody likes surprises that hit them in their pocketbook. Often
with issues like this, it’s wise to heed the old adage “A stitch in time saves
nine.” Tonight: Check your finances.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22)
Old friends and contacts with groups from your past are back in your
life. Perhaps this is what triggers a few surprises with a partner or close
friend at the moment. Are they surprised to learn more about your past?
Maybe this is someone they never knew existed. Tonight: Be cooperative.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)
Expect a few surprises that are work-related today. (Something you
didn’t see coming.) Hopefully, it’s not a breakdown of equipment or a com-
puter glitch. Perhaps bosses and authority figures from the past might have
something to do with this. For some, this surprise will be health-related or
something to do with a pet. Tonight: Get organized.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)
Parents should know that this is a mildly accident-prone day for
their kids; therefore, keep your eyes open! Meanwhile, social plans might
suddenly change because of cancellations or delays. Or perhaps you will
suddenly receive an invitation. It could go either way. Tonight: Socialize!
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)
Something will interrupt your home routine today. It could be a
minor breakage or problem with a small appliance. Be patient with family
members, especially parents, to avoid arguments today. You might be frus-
trated that news about money from the government or shared property is
delayed. Tonight: Relax.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)
Pay attention to everything you say and do today, because this is
a mildly accident-prone day for you. You don’t want to have any regrets,
especially by blurting out something that later makes you wince. This
could be prompted because ex-partners are back on the scene. Tonight:
Communicate.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)
Today you might find money or lose money. Zooks! Be smart and
protect your possessions against loss, theft or damage. Meanwhile, silly
errors continue to plague you at work, along with misplaced items and bro-
ken equipment. Possibly an old health concern is back. (Is there no mercy?)
Tonight: A treat?
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)
Today the Moon is in your sign at odds with your ruler Uranus. This
makes you impulsive and ready to jump to conclusions. You feel so inde-
pendent you are inclined to do just the opposite of what anyone tells you to
do. It’s a high-spirited day! Tonight: It’s all about you.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20)
Today you have a strong craving for excitement. Nevertheless, this
feeling is sort of smoldering beneath the surface of things. It’s there, but it’s
not obvious. This emotional unrest makes you want to be free from some-
thing. “I’ve gotta be me!” Tonight: You’re happy.
TODAY
IN HISTORY
By The Associated Press
It’s Saturday, May 21, the 141st
day of 2022. There are 224 days
left in the year.
Today’s Highlight in History:
In 1881, Clara Barton founded the
American Red Cross.
In 1471, King Henry VI of England
died in the Tower of London at 49.
In 1542, Spanish explorer Her-
nando de Soto died while search-
ing for gold along the Mississippi
River.
In 1924, in a case that drew much
notoriety, 14-year-old Bobby
Franks was murdered in a “thrill
killing” carried out by University
of Chicago students Nathan Leo-
pold Jr. and Richard Loeb (Bob-
by’s cousin).
In 1927, Charles A. Lindbergh
landed his Spirit of St. Louis
monoplane near Paris, complet-
ing the first solo airplane flight
across the Atlantic Ocean in 33
1/2 hours.
In 1932, Amelia Earhart became
the first woman to fly solo across
the Atlantic Ocean as she landed
in Northern Ireland, about 15
hours after leaving Newfound-
land.
In 1941, a German U-boat sank
the American merchant steam-
ship SS Robin Moor in the South
Atlantic after the ship’s passen-
gers and crew were allowed to
board lifeboats.
In 1955, Chuck Berry recorded
his first single, “Maybellene,” for
Chess Records in Chicago.
In 1972, Michelangelo’s Pieta, on
display at the Vatican, was dam-
aged by a hammer-wielding man
who shouted he was Jesus Christ.
In 1979, former San Francisco City
Supervisor Dan White was con-
victed of voluntary manslaughter
in the slayings of Mayor George
Moscone and openly gay Super-
visor Harvey Milk; outrage over
the verdict sparked rioting. White
was sentenced to seven years and
eight months in prison; he ended
up serving five years and took his
own life in 1985.
In 1991, former Indian Prime
Minister Rajiv Gandhi was assas-
sinated during national elections
by a suicide bomber.
In 2000, death claimed actor
Sir John Gielgud at age 96 and
author Dame Barbara Cartland
at 98.
In 2020, President Donald Trump
visited a Ford Motor Co. plant
outside Detroit that had been
repurposed to manufacture ven-
tilators; he did not publicly wear
a face mask but said he had worn
one while out of public view. A
Michigan judge sided with Gov.
Gretchen Whitmer in a challenge
by Republican lawmakers to her
authority to order sweeping re-
strictions during the coronavirus
outbreak.
Ten years ago: President Barack
Obama and other world leaders
meeting in Chicago locked in
place an Afghanistan exit path
that would keep their troops
fighting there for two more
years. Former Rutgers Univer-
sity student Dharun Ravi , who
used a webcam to spy on his gay
roommate, Tyler Clementi, who
then committed suicide, was
sentenced to 30 days in jail (he
served 20).
Five years ago: President Don-
ald Trump, visiting Riyadh, im-
plored Saudi Arabia and other
Middle Eastern countries to ex-
tinguish “Islamic extremism” em-
anating from the region. North
Korea fired a solid-fuel ballistic
missile, saying the test was hailed
as perfect by leader Kim Jong Un.
The Ringling Bros. and Barnum
& Bailey Circus received its final
standing ovation as it performed
its last show at the Nassau County
Coliseum in Uniondale, New York,
ending a 146-year run.
One year ago: Thousands of
Palestinians rallied after a cease-
fire took effect in the latest Gaza
war; the 11 days of fighting left
more than 250 people dead, the
vast majority Palestinians, and
brought widespread destruction
to the Gaza Strip. Authorities said
the two Bureau of Prisons workers
who were supposed to be guard-
ing Jeffrey Epstein the night he
killed himself in a New York jail
had admitted that they falsified
records, but that they would be
spared prison time under a deal
with federal prosecutors; the
workers were accused of sleeping
and browsing the internet instead
of monitoring Epstein.
Today’s Birthdays: R&B singer
Ron Isley (The Isley Brothers) is
81. Musician Bill Champlin is 75.
Singer Leo Sayer is 74. Actor Carol
Potter is 74. Former Sen. Al Fran-
ken, D-Minn., is 71. Actor Mr. T is
70. Music producer Stan Lynch is
67. Actor Judge Reinhold is 65. Ac-
tor-director Nick Cassavetes is 63.
Actor Lisa Edelstein is 56. Actor
Fairuza Balk is 48. Rapper Havoc
(Mobb Deep) is 48. Actor David
Ajala is 36. Actor Ashlie Brillault is
35. Country singer Cody Johnson
is 35. Actor Scott Leavenworth is
32. Actor Sarah Ramos is 31.
Retailers
Continued from A5
“The implications for retail-
ers that have yet to report are
not promising,” said John Zo-
lidis, president of Quo Vadis
Capital, after Walmart and
Target’s bleak updates. Several
brokerage firms, including
Truist Securities and Oppen-
heimer, have trimmed profit
expectations for retailers that
have yet to release quarterly
results, including Dollar Gen-
eral and Costco.
Gap Inc., which will report
earnings after markets close
on May 26, forewarned in-
vestors last month, slashing
its quarterly sales outlook on
“macroeconomic dynamics”
Electric
Continued from A5
As a certified energy man-
ager, Wallace has spent most
of the last decade working
with growers to optimize their
irrigation systems by install-
ing more efficient pumps and
sprinklers.
The electric tractor proj-
ect came to Wallace from two
other Oregon nonprofits —
Sustainable Northwest, a re-
newable energy and natural
resources conservation group,
and Forth Mobility, which aims
to expand access to electric ve-
hicles and transportation.
Discussions started
pre-pandemic, with the non-
profits interested in acceler-
ating the adoption of electric
farm machinery.
Bridget Callahan, senior
energy program manager for
Sustainable Northwest, said
the transition to electrification
is “inevita-
ble” as more
states adopt
policies to
curb fossil
fuels.
Oregon
legislators
Callahan:
passed a law
“How do we
known as
ensure major
the Climate
investments in Protection
electrification,
Program late
and what does last year. It
that look like
requires fuel
in a rural con-
suppliers
text?”
in Oregon
to reduce
greenhouse gas emissions
from the products they sell
50% by 2035 and 90% by 2050.
“Our idea is, we’re seeing
this rapid transformation. ...
Spam
Continued from A5
That rating could then be
used by carriers to identify
and block likely sources of un-
solicited calls.
That sort of analysis is used
by internet service provid-
ers to shunt unsolicited mass
emails into spam folders.
Phone companies also use it
to mark calls “Spam Likely,” a
less-than-foolproof designa-
tion that leaves it up to con-
sumers to decide whether to
take the call. The more calls
that have verified caller ID in-
formation, the more effective
the analysis will be.
Bear in mind that not all un-
and execution challenges at its
Old Navy brand.
Here’s a look at some of the
other notable retailers slated
to report next week:
• Macy’s: The department
store operator will report
first-quarter results ahead of
the bell on May 26. The stock
is down 29% this year, after
more than doubling in 2021
with the company benefit-
ing from pent-up demand as
consumer mobility resumed.
Shares are likely to be volatile
after earnings, with an im-
plied one-day move of 14%,
according to data compiled by
Bloomberg.
• Dollar General Corp.:
The discount retailer also re-
ports earnings on May 26.
Its stock is expected to move
more than 8% in either direc-
tion after it releases results,
data compiled by Bloomberg
show. That’s bigger than the
moves seen after the past eight
quarterly reports were issued.
Dollar General has declined
20% this year.
• Costco: All eyes are on
Costco after peer BJ’s Whole-
sale Club bucked the trend
this week and reported earn-
ings and sales that grew in the
quarter. As one of a few retail-
ers that still reports monthly
sales, the company’s April net
sales increased 13.9% year-
over-year after climbing 18.7%
in March. Costco, which is due
to report after the bell on May
26, has slumped 26% this year.
We know it’s not going to look
the same in rural parts of the
state and Northwest,” Calla-
han said. “How do we ensure
major investments in electri-
fication, and what does that
look like in a rural context?”
Whitaker Jamieson, pro-
gram manager at Forth Mobil-
ity, said they wanted to show
the potential for electric trac-
tors on farms.
“I think that’s the key to
the demonstration,” Jamieson
said. “You start to see heads
turning, and people saying ‘I
need to start thinking about
this for my farm.’”
Boots on the ground
A fourth project partner,
the Bonneville Environmental
Foundation, came aboard and
provided funding to purchase
one of the first two demon-
stration tractors.
The foundation works pri-
marily with consumer-owned
utilities in the Northwest that
purchase hydroelectricity
from the Bonneville Power
Administration. It includes
a renewable energy program
that supports community so-
lar projects, as well as electric
vehicles.
Evan Ramsey, senior direc-
tor of renewables for the foun-
dation, said the project was a
good fit.
“This was one way to get
some of this clean technol-
ogy into those communities,”
Ramsey said. “Certainly, the
prospects for electric tractors —
reducing operating expenses,
reducing health impacts for
farmers and reducing emissions
— those are all great outcomes,
if we can realize them.”
The project has also re-
ceived back-
ing from
the USDA,
Alumbra In-
novations
Founda-
tion, Pa-
Ramsey: “Cer-
cific Power
tainly, the
and Port-
prospects for
land Gen-
electric trac-
eral Elec-
tors ... those
tric’s Drive
are all great
Change
outcomes, if
Fund.
we can realize
Wallace
them.”
said he was
brought on
to be the boots on the ground,
running the tractors and
building interest among farm-
ers.
The first two tractors were
shipped to his home in 2021.
Both came from the California
manufacturer Solectrac — the
40-horsepower eUtility Elec-
tric Tractor and 30-horsepower
Compact Electric Tractor.
Wallace fitted both models
with data collection systems
that use cellular and satellite
connections to show where the
tractors have been, what they
were doing, how long they were
able to do specific tasks and
how much energy they used.
One of the challenges, Wal-
lace said, is limitations with
the battery packs. To make a
battery large enough to power
a 500-horsepower combine,
like those seen in his neigh-
bors’ wheat fields, would not
be cost-effective.
But for smaller farms, vine-
yards and orchards, Wallace
said the electric tractors can
do a lot. “Overall, they can
perform any job that an equiv-
alent diesel tractor can per-
form,” he said.
solicited calls are scams, nor are
they all illegal. The Supreme
Court ruled last year that rob-
ocalls violate federal law only
if the numbers are dialed ran-
domly or sequentially. If the
caller dials your number on
purpose because it’s on a list be-
ing targeted, you are fair game.
There are a number of ways
to try to defend yourself, such
as signing up for the Federal
Trade Commission’s Do Not
Call Registry to deter unsolic-
ited sales calls or using an app
to block potentially spurious
calls. Spammers and scam-
mers have been so good at
circumventing those barriers,
though, that some people have
resorted to answering calls
only from people they know.
When the caller leaves no
voicemail, that’s a pretty good
sign it was spam.
But those defenses won’t
stop spam texts, which are a
growing scourge. RoboKiller
estimates that Americans re-
ceived nearly 88 billion spam
texts last year, a 58% jump
from the year before. Many of
them are phishing scams that
try to lure you into clicking on
a link that will install malware
or extract sensitive personal
information from you. STIR/
SHAKEN doesn’t have any
effect on them. And the FCC
hasn’t yet acted on Chair-
woman Jessica Rosenworcel’s
proposal to block them.