The formal term for what the Trump Cult has visited upon the Haitian residents of Springfield, Ohio, is “blood libel.” Although foreigners and outsiders have doubtless been blamed for everything from droughts and floods to outbreaks of disease throughout human history, conspiracists have traditionally blamed Jews.

DEAR HARRIETTE: I have been seeing a guy for the past four months, and while things started well, I’m still unsure of where I stand in his life. We live in different cities, so our relationship has been long-distance, making it even harder to figure out what’s happening between us.

Donald Trump is making immigration a major theme of his campaign of fear and grievance, and his prime example is Springfield, Ohio – 45 miles west of Columbus, the state capital. There, he claims, newcomers from Haiti are stealing and eating local pets.

DEAR HARRIETTE: I have recently become part of a new social cooking group, and while I have been enjoying the sense of community and shared passion for food, I have noticed that some members have been sharing my recipes and personal cooking techniques online without my consent, just changing up details like switching basil leaves to onions. While I appreciate their enthusiasm and excitement about my creations, I value my privacy when it comes to my recipes. I would like to find a way to address this issue with the group without making it a big deal.