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It looks like the fight between the Harris and Trump campaigns over Donald Trump’s appearance at Arlington National Cemetery is intensifying, not diminishing. Kamala Harris herself posted a statement on X using Trump’s visit to mark the third anniversary of the Abbey Gate attack as an opportunity to revive the “suckers and losers” slur against Trump. Trump, in turn, produced statements of support from several Gold Star families who lost loved ones in the Biden-Harris administration’s chaotic, violent and thoroughly bungled withdrawal from Afghanistan – the people whose sacrifice Trump had come to Arlington to respect.
Anybody who writes a newspaper column gets used to angry emails. It comes with the territory, as people say. And why not? If you write provocatively, you shouldn’t object when people are provoked. Often enough, you learn things about the mindset of certain kinds of readers.
DEAR HARRIETTE: I’m dealing with a health issue that requires significant dietary changes, and I’m struggling to make it work with my family’s eating habits. I’ve had to cut out gluten and dairy, but my family continues to enjoy dishes that include these ingredients. They often have pasta night with creamy sauces, which has been really tough for me, both physically and emotionally. I have felt left out as I sit there with my separate meal, and it seems like the divide between what I need to eat and what everyone else enjoys is growing wider.
ASK THE DOCTORS
MONTREAL – It doesn’t look like a crucible of power. It occupies a full block on Sainte-Catherine Street, not far from my barbershop, a sushi restaurant, a bagel store and two dry cleaners. Its entry looks grand – three sets of oak double doors – but otherwise, there’s nothing remarkable about the pale brick structure. It’s a high school like so many others, except for the fact that my mother was a graduate. So was the poet and balladeer Leonard Cohen. Also, hockey standout Art Ross, the first coach of the Boston Bruins and the eponym of the Art Ross Trophy, given each year to the NHL scoring champion.
The lyrics from Beyonce’s song “Freedom,” is the unofficial anthem of the Kamala Harris campaign. And that choice reflects a stunning reversal in modern American politics.
DEAR HARRIETTE: I’ve been feeling concerned about my teenage daughter lately. She’s started spending time with a new group of friends who are really into extreme sports like skateboarding and parkour. This is a big shift from the activities we’ve always encouraged, such as volunteering and participating in community events. Last night she mentioned planning a parkour session at an old factory, and it made me uneasy. I’m worried about the risks involved and how this new interest might pull her away from the values we’ve worked hard to instill. I know that today’s generation seems to have different sensitivities compared to ours, and I’m reluctant to simply forbid her from pursuing her interests. I want to discuss my concerns with her, but I’m not sure how to approach the conversation without pushing her away. How can I express my worries while remaining supportive and keeping our lines of communication open? – Concerned Parent DEAR CONCERNED PARENT: Rather than forbidding her from these activities, learn about them alongside her. Encourage your daughter to use the proper safety gear and to be careful. Telling her she can’t do something would likely lead to her doing it without informing you. I recommend supporting her exploration of these sports with caution while also remembering community service. Participate in volunteer opportunities as a family while encouraging her to tell you about her extreme sports activities.
Ihave never been able to watch scary movies. My mother will remind you (if she gets the chance) that I can’t even watch embarrassing television programs, which is, frankly, embarrassing. I would watch that terrible moment when Lucy was about to get caught doing something embarrassing by her employer, Mr. Mooney, on “The Lucy Show” reruns, and I would have to leave the room in a hurry – making excuses about how I suddenly needed to help set the table. The truth was, I just couldn’t stand to watch Lucy get caught.
DEAR HARRIETTE: I’m a 28-year-old woman, and up until this year, I’ve never had any serious issues with my skin. However, seemingly out of nowhere, I developed cystic acne this year. I’ve become self-conscious, to the point where I sometimes dread going out in public or even seeing friends and family. What’s made this even harder to cope with is the way my mother-in-law has been treating me. She’s always been somewhat critical, but ever since my skin started breaking out, she’s been downright rude. She constantly makes snide remarks and unwelcome comments about how bad my skin looks now.