The BulleTin • Thursday, July 21, 2022 A7
DEAR ABBY
Write to Dear Abby online at dearabby.com
or by mail at P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069
Dear Abby: My 15-year-
old daughter, “Nadia,” has
been friends with another
girl, “Kelly,” since they were
8. I have had my concerns
about Kelly because she lies.
She can also be very manip-
ulative, and she hasn’t always
treated Nadia well.
Nadia and I have had nu-
merous conversations about
this friend over the years, and
I have expressed my feelings
about Kelly’s behavior. Some-
times Nadia would acknowl-
edge Kelly’s wrongdoings;
other times she’d get upset
and insist I was wrong. Either
way, she seemed to have great
loyalty to Kelly.
Over the years, Kelly’s
mother, “Brittany,” and I be-
came friends, we have grown
very close. I allowed it to
happen because I thought
Kelly had matured. Unfortu-
nately, I was wrong. Mean-
while, Nadia has been seeing
more clearly what a difficult
person Kelly is and is pulling
away from her.
While I’m happy Nadia
has found healthier friend-
ships, I am worried about
how this may affect my
friendship with Brittany. She
tends to be defensive about
her kids and will probably
not be able to see how much
her daughter has hurt Nadia
over the years. Advice?
— Mom Problem
In Massachusetts
Dear Mom: I do have
some. STAY OUT OF IT.
It’s common for childhood
friendships to wane. Friend-
ships cannot be forced. All
it does is breed resentment.
Unless Brittany raises the
subject, avoid discussing it.
Cross your fingers and hope
that Kelly might not even re-
alize Nadia is less available.
If Brittany asks, say that the
girls’ friendship, like other
teen relationships, seems to
have run its course.
Dear Abby: My ex-hus-
band has been incarcerated
off and on for the last several
years. The kids adore him
and want nothing more than
to spend time with him, even
though I am the responsible
parent who cares for them
and provides for their needs.
I’m glad the kids are not
angry with him, and I’m
trying to be understanding
about their need for love and
acceptance from him (even
though they are no longer
young children). However,
I can’t help feeling anxious,
angry and jealous because,
in spite of his many poor
choices, they prefer spend-
ing time with him more than
with me.
He has always been an ir-
responsible parent, and it
crushes them each time he
goes back to jail. No matter
what, they run to his rescue
whenever he needs some-
thing, be it money, transpor-
tation, etc. How can I handle
this in the best way for the
sake of my children without
causing stress on them and
our relationship?
— Stable Parent In California
Dear Parent: Please accept
my sympathy. You have been
forced into the role of the au-
thoritarian parent, while your
husband has adopted the role
of loosey-goosey fun parent,
which is how your children
still regard him. It isn’t fair,
and I feel for you. But until
they wise up on their own,
there’s nothing you can do
about it. So try not to spend
too much time dwelling on
it. Live your life. When faced
with a circumstance that’s not
likely to change soon, that’s
all anyone can do.
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 Taurus.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY FOR THURSDAY, JULY 21, 2022: you are
perceptive, eloquent and charming. you also have excellent comedic tim-
ing. you are innovative, optimistic and determined. Welcome opportunities
for solitude this year, because this is a time of learning as well as teaching for
you. study will lead to deeper revelations about the meaning of life for you.
ARIES (March 21-April 19)
Guard against rash decisions that affect your wealth or some-
thing that you own. you might buy something impulsively. “i have to have
it!” Or you might make an impulsive financial decision. don’t do anything
that you might regret later. Count to three before you decide. Tonight:
Guard your possessions.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20)
Today the Moon is lined up with fiery Mars in your sign, which
can make you highly emotional! you will be quick to react to others if you
think they are slighting you or being critical. On the upside, you will be
ready to act and go after whatever interests you. Tonight: surprise!
GEMINI (May 21-June 20)
you might feel a bit confused today because strong feelings are
building up within you, but they are at a subconscious level. For example,
you might feel impulsive and not know why. you might overreact to some-
thing that someone says. (your response might be viewed as inappropri-
ate.) This influence is gone by tomorrow. Tonight: Feeling restless.
CANCER (June 21-July 22)
Be patient when dealing with friends and members of groups, be-
cause you might fly off the handle before you know what happens. you will
be sensitive if anyone is critical of you. you also might feel competitive with
someone even if there’s no reason. relax. Tonight: unusual friend.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22)
This is a tricky day if you’re dealing with bosses, parents, teachers
or the police, because you might lose it. For starters, you feel sensitive and
a bit irritable. Knowing this, you can make an effort not to react. you’re a
natural actor; you can do this. Tonight: Feeling rebellious?
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)
you have strong opinions today about controversial matters like
politics, race and religion. likewise, you have strong feelings about travel
or dealing with other countries. Be aware that you have a short fuse, which
means you might say something you later regret. Tonight: Travel changes.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)
you have strong feelings when it comes to inheritances, taxes,
debt or shared property. in fact, you won’t hesitate to defend your best
interests. The trick is to stand up for yourself but, at the same time, not
alienate someone else. Tonight: Check your finances.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)
Today the Moon is in a sign that is opposite from your sign, and at
the same time, the Moon is also lined up with fiery Mars. This is the classic
combo for testy relations with partners and close friends. avoid aggressive
people today. nevertheless, defend yourself. Tonight: Patience.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)
Be patient with work colleagues today. you might be pushy about
what you want because you want things to go your way. On the upside, you
will take the initiative if necessary. is it time to turn over a new leaf regard-
ing your health? Tonight: Guard your pets.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)
you will be courageous if you’re involved in a physical competi-
tion today because you feel feisty and energetic! however, when dealing
with kids, pull in your reins and be gentle. don’t come on too strong. ro-
mantic relationships might be sticky. Tonight: social plans change.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)
do what you can to keep the peace at home, because it’s very
easy for you to overreact when dealing with family members today. This is
because you are sensitive, especially to criticism. Or you might feel compet-
itive with a family member. stay chill. Tonight: a surprise at home.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20)
Be careful, because today you can be hasty and impulsive. it’s
all too easy for you to say or do something without thinking first. it will just
happen! Knowing this ahead of time, be smart and think before you act or
speak. Tonight: a change of routine.
TODAY
IN HISTORY
By The Associated Press
Today is Thursday, July 21, the 202nd
day of 2022. There are 163 days left in
the year.
Today’s Highlight in History:
On July 21, 1925, the so-called “Mon-
key Trial” ended in dayton, Tennessee,
with John T. scopes found guilty of vi-
olating state law for teaching darwin’s
Theory of evolution.
in 1861, during the Civil War, the
first Battle of Bull run was fought at
Manassas, Virginia, resulting in a Con-
federate victory.
in 1944, american forces landed on
Guam during World War ii, capturing it
from the Japanese a few weeks later.
in 1954, the Geneva Conference con-
cluded with accords dividing Vietnam
into northern and southern entities.
in 1969, apollo 11 astronauts neil
armstrong and edwin “Buzz” aldrin
blasted off from the moon aboard the
ascent stage of the lunar module for
docking with the command module.
in 1972, the irish republican army
carried out 22 bombings in Belfast,
northern ireland, killing nine peo-
ple and injuring 130 in what became
known as “Bloody Friday.”
in 1998, astronaut alan shepard died
in Monterey, California, at age 74; actor
robert young died in Westlake Village,
California, at age 91.
in 1999, navy divers found and recov-
ered the bodies of John F. Kennedy
Jr., his wife, Carolyn, and sister-in-law,
lauren Bessette, in the wreckage of
Kennedy’s plane in the atlantic Ocean
off Martha’s Vineyard.
in 2002, ernie els won the British Open
in the first sudden-death finish in the
142-year history of the tournament.
in 2008, former Bosnian serb leader
radovan Karadzic, one of the world’s
top war crimes fugitives, was arrested
by serbian security forces.
in 2009, prosecutors in Cambridge,
Massachusetts, dropped a disorderly
conduct charge against prominent
Black scholar henry louis Gates Jr.,
who was arrested by a white officer at
his home near harvard university after
a report of a break-in.
in 2011, the 30-year-old space shut-
tle program ended as atlantis landed
at Cape Canaveral, Florida, after the
135th shuttle flight.
in 2016, donald Trump accepted the
GOP presidential nomination with
a speech in which he pledged he
would restore safety, strictly curb im-
migration and save the nation from
what he said was hillary Clinton’s re-
cord of “death, destruction, terrorism
and weakness.” The nBa moved the
2017 all-star Game out of Charlotte
because of its objections to a north
Carolina law that limited anti-discrimi-
nation protections for lesbian, gay and
transgender people.
Ten years ago: The president of the
international Olympic Committee,
Jacques rogge, rejected calls for a
minute of silence for the israeli vic-
tims of the 1972 Munich massacre at
the opening ceremony of the london
Olympics. staff sgt. luis Walker, an air
Force training instructor at lackland
air Force base in san antonio, was sen-
tenced to 20 years in prison for crimes
that included rape and sexual assault.
Five years ago: White house press
secretary sean spicer abruptly quit
over President donald Trump’s de-
cision to name financier anthony
scaramucci as the new White house
communications director. escalating
israeli-Palestinian tensions over the
holy land’s most contested shrine
boiled over into violence that killed six
people — three Palestinians in Jeru-
salem and three israelis in a West Bank
settlement.
One year ago: Public health officials
said u.s. life expectancy fell by a year
and a half in 2020, the largest one-
year decline since World War ii, due
mainly to the COVid-19 pandemic. a
day after he was extradited from new
york, convicted rapist harvey Wein-
stein pleaded not guilty in l.a. to four
counts of rape and seven other sexual
assault counts. Organizers of the Ken-
nedy Center honors announced that
the 2021 honorees would be Motown
records creator Berry Gordy, “satur-
day night live” mastermind lorne
Michaels, opera singer Justino diaz,
folk music legend Joni Mitchell, and
actor-singer Bette Midler.
Today’s Birthdays: Movie director
norman Jewison is 96. actor leigh
lawson is 77. singer yusuf islam (a k a
Cat stevens) is 74. Cartoonist Garry
Trudeau is 74. rock singer-musician
eric Bazilian is 69. Comedian Jon lo-
vitz is 65. actor lance Guest is 62.
actor Matt Mulhern is 62. Comedian
Greg Behrendt is 59. retired soccer
player Brandi Chastain is 54. rock
singer emerson hart is 53. rock-soul
singer Michael Fitzpatrick is 52. actor
alysia reiner is 52. Country singer Paul
Brandt is 50. Christian rock musician
Korey Cooper is 50. actor ali landry is
49. actor-comedian steve Byrne is 48.
rock musician Tato Melgar is 45. actor
Justin Bartha is 44. actor Josh hart-
nett is 44. Contemporary Christian
singer Brandon heath is 44. reggae
singer damian Marley is 44. Country
singer Brad Mates is 44. actor sprague
Grayden is 42. Former MlB all-star
pitcher CC sabathia is 42. singer Blake
lewis is 41. latin singer romeo santos
is 41. rock musician Johan Carlsson is
38. actor Vanessa lengies is 37. actor
Betty Gilpin is 36. actor rory Culkin is
33. actor Jamie Waylett is 33. Figure
skater rachael Flatt is 30.
TRACK AND FIELD | WORLD ATHLETICS CHAMPIONSHIPS
England’s Jake Wightman a
surprise winner in 1,500m
david J. Phillip/aP
Jake Wightman, of Britain, celebrates after after winning the men’s 1,500-meter run final ahead of Ja-
kob Ingebrigtsen, of Norway, at the World Athletics Championships on Tuesday in Eugene.
BY PAT GRAHAM
The associated Press
EUGENE — The look of
disbelief on British 1,500-me-
ter champion Jake Wight-
man’s face as he crossed the
finish line captured the eve-
ning best.
“Crazy,” he said.
Nothing quite went to
script, yet everything seemed
almost perfect on a wild
Tuesday night at the world
championships.
The in-stadium announcer
for Wightman’s race was
none other than his dad,
Geoff. Handing Jake Wight-
man the gold medal after
the race was none other than
British middle-distance great
Sebastian Coe, who also hap-
pens to be the World Ath-
letics President and one of
Wightman’s mentors.
“What else could I ask
for?” Jake Wightman said.
Almost lost in all those
good feelings was that Olym-
pic champion Jakob Inge-
brigtsen of Norway finished
second in this one and his
countryman, Karsten War-
holm, seventh in the night’s
last race, the 400-meter hur-
dles.
Wightman’s win arrived
because he decided to take
a chance and go all-out with
about 200 meters to go.
“I thought, ‘I’m going to
give this a go. If I end up
finishing fourth, whatever.
I gave it a go to try to win,’”
Wightman said.
Other surprises included
100-meter champion Fred
Kerley suffering a cramp in
the semifinals of the 200 and
not advancing.
And Warholm’s loss —
chalked up to a bad ham-
string that’s been bugging
him this season — was a win
for Alison Dos Santos of Bra-
zil. Not that huge of a sur-
prise, though it did open the
door for American Trevor
Bassitt to take surprise third,
then withstand a tackle from
the silver medalist, teammate
Rai Benjamin.
“Just amazing,” Benjamin
said. “So proud of him.”
Warholm, Benjamin and
Dos Santos have formed the
Big Three in the event. So
any time they don’t end up
on the podium it’s a shocker.
The 24-year-old Bassitt
used the underdog card to
his advantage. After the race,
he replicated NBA standout
Steph Curry’s iconic “night,
night” gesture.
No one will sleep on him
again.
“I knew for me there re-
ally wasn’t that much pres-
sure from the outside,” Bassitt
said. “I knew if I got a medal
people would be shocked. I
knew if I didn’t get a medal it
would be like, ‘OK, he really
wasn’t supposed to.’ I feel like
I belong in that pedigree in
that group of three. I feel like
today proved it.”
Dos Santos powered down
the homestretch to take the
title and finish in a champi-
onship-record time of 46.29
seconds. That broke Kevin
Young’s world-championship
record of 47.18 seconds set in
1993 in Germany.
No wonder Dos Santos
gave two bows to the crowd.
“The energy of the crowd
was amazing,” Dos Santos
said. “I felt their love, people
hugging me. When you win,
you start being everyone’s fa-
vorite.”
Warholm said the ham-
string was fine, but his train-
ing not as much.
“I’ve only been focusing
on getting ready, and today I
went all or nothing, and un-
fortunately it was nothing,”
said Warholm, the Olympic
champion and world-record
holder. “I’ve just got to live
with that.”
Maybe the biggest shocker
of the night was that Wight-
man’s dad was able to keep
it together on the call in the
stadium, even with his own
son about to win.
“I have to keep it neutral,”
he explained. “So there’s
things you can do just to stop
yourself from getting emo-
tional.”
Wightman finished in a
time of 3 minutes, 29.23 sec-
onds. His win broke a string
of five straight world 1,500
titles by the Kenyans. Spain’s
Mohamed Katir flew down
the homestretch to take
home bronze.
“To take the win, I think it
will take a long time to sink
in,” Wightman said. “I just
wanted to show I was in good
shape and to build on it.”
Other winners included
Australia’s Eleanor Patterson
in the women’s high jump
and Kristjan Čeh of Slovenia
in the men’s discus.
Track
Continued from A5
She is one of 22 Ukrainian
athletes in Eugene this week
for the championships, all
of whom have been train-
ing far from home — some
in Portugal, others in Spain,
still others in Poland and
Mahuchikh most recently in
California after stops in Ser-
bia, Germany and Turkey.
Her teammate, Iryna Ger-
ashchenko, finished fourth
— also a spectacular result
given her plight after bombs
started falling near her home
in Kyiv. After sheltering in
her parents’ basement for
about a week, she left without
spikes and trained for a time
in tennis shoes.
“Things are a bit better,
but at the same time, the
war is going on,” said Ger-
ashchenko, whose jump of
2 meters (6 feet, 63/4) was a
personal best. “It’s very hard
to live the life before, the pre-
vious life. But I’m very happy
that my parents are safe.”
Mahuchikh’s medal gives
Ukraine two at the halfway
point of worlds.
A night earlier, Andriy
Protsenko won bronze in the
men’s high jump. His victory
comes months after he was
trapped for nearly six weeks
in his hometown of Kherson,
which is near the Crimean
peninsula and under Russian
occupation.
“It made me realize that
anything is possible,” said
Ukrainian hurdler Anna Ry-
zhykova, who finished sec-
Gregory Bull/aP
Silver medalist Yaroslava Mahuchikh, of Ukraine, poses on the
podium after the women’s high jump final at the World Athletics
Championships on Tuesday in Eugene.
ond in her preliminary heat
shortly before Mahuchikh
took to the field. “He trained
one month in an occupied
city where he was risking his
life. It’s amazing.”
World Athletics president
Sebastian Coe was on hand.
His federation was one of the
first to banish Russians from
these major events, a decision
made, he said, because there
was no fairness in allowing
in athletes from an aggressor
nation while those from the
country under attack were
living such fragile existences.
“Some of them are living
at their training camps and
can’t get home, some are
wondering where loved ones
are,” Coe said. “Their houses
have been destroyed. It’s in-
conceivable. I don’t think any
of us have that within our
framework of reference.”
Mahuchikh said her mom,
sister and niece are safe
in Germany. Her dad and
grandfather remain in Dni-
pro, where she said they can
sometimes hear artillery fir-
ing.
There is no timeline for
when she might get back to
her home country to show
off the silver medal.
“I wish I could come back
home to our airport, to speak
to our journalists, and with
our relatives,” she said. “But I
can’t do it now. The Russians
have taken that opportunity
from me.”