Columns

In Cuba, Trump’s hostility serves Kremlin

Syndicated Columnist

The presidency of Donald Trump is teaching millions of Cubans — along with people around the world — to see the United States as a symbol of disappointment rather than hope. Within a few months, his abusive attitude toward Cuba has nearly reversed the diplomatic, cultural and humanitarian opening initiated by his predecessor.

Call spoofing is a national problem

Guest Columnist

Iam sure most of you have experienced calls from local numbers that turn out to be a recorded message looking to get you to buy something you had not ordered. I have done considerable research on this subject and would like to pass on what I have learned. This is such a common problem nationwide that they have a name for it — Call Spoofing.

My main concern, aside from the inconvenience these calls create, is that the possibility of using the recipients minutes when they placed the call.

Gamer Boyfriend Scores Low Points While Visiting Mom

Advice Columnist

DEAR ABBY: My daughter and her boyfriend have been together for four years. Despite being almost 30, he is very immature and constantly distracted by either his phone or his video games.

Abby, he travels with his PlayStation everywhere he goes. When he comes into our house, he sets up his console in the living room, puts on headphones and plays games all day and night. If the family asks to use the TV for a few hours, he will sit on the sofa and take a nap or pull out his phone and continue gaming.

February madness: Tournaments go way back in MC ’

History Columnist

There aren’t many signs of spring this year but one is dependable — basketball tournaments in Miles City. And how long have the basketball tournaments been coming back to Miles City in February?

More than a century.

I came across an article in the Saturday, Feb. 23, 1918 edition of the Miles City Daily Star entitled “Basketball Tourney Comes to Miles City.”

Home Country: An awkward proposal

Syndicated Columnist

Dewey picked up Emily’s yellow dress at the cleaners and drove it back to her here in the valley. They had managed to get most of the wine stains out. But what Dewey hadn’t managed to get out that fateful evening at the Italian restaurant was his vow of eternal love for Emily and a suggestion that they become mister and missus Decker.

Oh well, he might give it another try tonight. But this darn clumsiness of his always seemed to get in the way.

Pay Your Dues!

If your workplace is a union shop, are you forced to pay union dues? Next week, the Supreme Court will hear arguments about that. When I worked at CBS and ABC, I was ordered to join the American Federation of Radio and TV Artists. That union had won a vote that gave them the right to speak for all reporters. I said, “I’m no ‘artist.’ I’m a reporter! I won’t join!” But my bosses said they couldn’t pay me unless I did. In right-to-work states, unions can’t force people to join. But only 28 states are right to work.

Message left on voicemail embarrases bulimia patient

DEAR ABBY: My psychiatrist’s office called and left a very sensitive voicemail about my bulimia on a message machine shared with other individuals. Our voicemails are sent transcribed to everyone’s email accounts.

The Russian bot hysteria

Rich Lowry

If only Joe McCarthy had lived to see this moment, when it is suddenly in vogue to attribute large-scale events in American politics to the hand of Russia and to inveigh against domestic subversion.

Robert Mueller released an indictment of 13 Russians for crimes related to their social-media campaign to meddle in our internal affairs in the run-up to and aftermath of the 2016 election.

New mom frustrated with questions from strangers

DEAR ABBY: On behalf of all new moms, please help with this question. Why does every woman in the world, it seems, feel entitled to ask new moms if they are breastfeeding their babies? How should new moms respond politely to this question?

If you say yes, you may or may not be lying. If you say no, you will be judged. If you give an evasive answer, people will assume you are not and you will be judged as well. It seems to me that all substances excreted by the body should be off limits in social situations. — MY BUSINESS IN TEXAS

Unsung First Responders

Guest Columnist

Having lived in Miles City for 18 years, I as most people spend a certain amount of time talking about the weather. We talk about the droughts, the floods, range fires cause by lightning, the depth of the snow, how far the temperature has dropped into the minus column and so on.