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Getting phased out of my friend group

Dear Annie: I am 52 and I have a good life on paper. I am married, I work full-time, and I have two teenagers who keep me busy. But lately I have felt oddly lonely, and I am not sure if I am being overly sensitive or finally noticing something I have ignored for years. I have a close group of friends from our kids’ elementary school days. We still do birthdays, group texts and the occasional dinner. Here is the issue: They have started doing a lot more without me, and I usually find out after the fact. It is never one big, obvious exclusion. It is the little things. A photo pops up ...

Physicians aren’t allowed to take part in state-sanctioned killing

DEAR DR. ROACH: I recall reading articles about prisoners who suffered horribly for minutes prior to dying, while undergoing a death sentence that was imposed on them for committing particularly serious crimes. Is there a medical reason as to why such prisoners can’t be put under a deep sleep before undergoing the death sentence procedure? — A.D.D. ANSWER: Although I have also read and been horrified by the reports of suffering among death-row inmates, it is unethical for physicians to take any part in state-sanctioned killing. A physician’s role is to heal. While I understand ...

Pam Bondi shows loyalty to her audience of one

Let’s hear a word of praise for the ordinary citizens who have called for an end to the too-often reckless invasions of American cities by federal agents carrying out President Trump’s crusade against undocumented immigrants. I am moved by the courage and patriotism of those who have come out on the streets, sometimes in awesome numbers, to demand investigations into and accountability for recent allegations of misconduct by officers of the Department of Homeland Security in Minneapolis, Chicago and elsewhere. These events were spotlighted last week in hearings in the House ...

Immigration is shaking up political parties in Britain, Europe and the US

As British Prime Minister Keir Starmer faces calls to resign for his appointment of Epstein-tied Peter Mandelson as ambassador to the United States, one is struck by the sudden instability of British governments. In the 28 years between 1979 and 2007, Britain had only three prime ministers, while in the 19 years since 2007, it has had seven, and may soon have eight. Only one of those, David Cameron, carried his party to a reelection victory, and he resigned a year after being beaten in the Brexit referendum. It’s not just leaders who have stumbled. Even historically long-lasting ...

This Presidents Day, be the change you seek

Dear Readers: Presidents Day isn’t the flashiest holiday. There are no fireworks, no heart-shaped chocolates, no songs you can’t escape in the grocery store. It tends to arrive with a shrug, a long weekend and a mysterious sale on mattresses. But I’ve always liked it for what it can quietly be: a reminder to think about character. Not the big, dramatic kind that shows up in movies. The everyday kind. The kind you practice in slippers. Because real life is happening in kitchens, carpools, offices, hospitals, schools and living rooms. And most of what holds us together ...

Diabetic ulcer still hasn’t healed properly after a month

DEAR DR. ROACH: I have a diabetic nonhealing ulcer on my right heel. I was told that the blood circulation in my foot is not very good, which is why the ulcer is not healing. Five years ago, I had a nonhealing ulcer in my left heel. It got infected, and the infection went into my heel bone. After several months, I agreed to an amputation. But this time, I was prescribed antibiotics with bandage changes that happen every two or three days. The ulcer has not healed now for over a month. Is it still possible that healing could take place? — L.H. ANSWER: I hope so. Most diabetic ulcers ...