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When privilege turns against America

There is a question increasingly worth asking: Why do some of America’s most privileged young people seem to have become among its harshest critics, not merely challenging policies but speaking as though America itself is fundamentally corrupt, oppressive or unworthy of their loyalty? This is certainly not true of every young white American. Millions love their country, serve in the military, volunteer in their communities, build businesses, raise families and appreciate the opportunities America has afforded them. Nor is criticism inherently anti-American. Some of our greatest ...

Dear Annie: Taking time to find perspective

Dear Annie: My husband and I are in our early 60s, married for 40-plus years. We plan to retire and travel soon. But the past year or so he seemed to become obsessed with his smartphone, holding his phone all the time and guarding it. I asked him if he had a Facebook account and he said no. But when I entered his cell number in the Facebook login and a common password we use, it came up with “invalid password.” (It would have said “no account found” if he didn’t have one.) I told him I wanted to talk and asked him to be honest if he had a Facebook account. He yelled no and ...

Man wants to treat arthritis with GAE, rather than knee surgery

DEAR DR. ROACH: I’m a 74-year-old male who’s in otherwise excellent health. However, I have severe arthritis in my knees to the point where it keeps me up at night. I keep reading about this treatment called GAE (genicular artery embolization), and since I only have about a good 10 years or so left on this planet, I wanted to know your thoughts on this treatment. A full knee replacement requires a year of physical therapy, so I’d rather not do one. — P.C. ANSWER: GAE uses biologically inert material (absorbable gelatin microspheres) to block specific abnormal blood vessels ...

The right to be left alone

“The makers of our Constitution undertook to secure conditions favorable to the pursuit of happiness. ... They conferred against the Government the right to be let alone — most comprehensive of rights and the right most valued by civilized men.” — Justice Louis D. Brandeis (1856-1941) The rapid spread of public surveillance cameras represents something far more consequential than a new piece of police technology. It represents a fundamental change in the relationship between the individual and the state. These cameras allow government agents to record, identify, catalog ...

Why can’t we fix the oil problem?

“We are the United States of America and there is nothing we can’t do if we do it together.” — President Joe Biden I am not in the habit of favorably quoting the former president, but he was right when he said this. Why, then, are we still beholden to Iran and Saudi Arabia for so much of our oil needs? A Wall Street Journal headline says: “Gulf States are Resigned To Iran Control of Straight (of Hormuz).” Must we also be resigned to an unending dependence on Middle East oil? Presidents since Jimmy Carter have said we must overcome that dependence and loosen their ...

Dear Annie: When love meets its limits

Dear Annie: I’ve never written to an advice column before, but I honestly don’t know where else to turn. My mother is elderly, physically frail and becoming increasingly confused. Earlier this year, she developed pneumonia and was so sick she could barely function. Her longtime boyfriend, who’d spent years neglecting, stealing from and verbally — and at times, physically — abusing her, refused to take her to the hospital. He even prevented EMTs from entering the house because he had drugs inside. I eventually got the police involved, and she was finally taken to the ...