Opinion

Dear Annie: I’ve read a few letters in your column in which parents wrote about two of their children arguing and wanting there to be peace. And in all of the replies, you have advocated trying to remind people about the good times and work toward building back the relationship.

Because of a Misdemeanor Welfare Fraud Conviction, Bryan Range Is No Longer Allowed to Own Guns Back in 1995, Bryan Range pleaded guilty to fraudulently obtaining $2,458 in food stamps by misrepresenting his income. He returned the money, paid a $100 fine and $288 in court costs and served three years of probation.

When I worked on Reuters’ business desk, we weren’t allowed to parrot press releases reporting that earnings soared 100% from the year before. Why? Because here’s the reality behind some such claims: Acme Pebble’s income last year may have grown from a miserable $100 to only $200. That’s a 100% gain but hardly a reason to party.

Dear Annie: Here’s my dilemma: I moved back into my dad’s house several years ago, and he has been good friends with “Chuck” and his wife “Rose” for at least 20 years. He goes out to dinner with them regularly and often has them over to the house for drinks and cards.

I listen to audiobooks and podcasts with headphones on while I clean. My son taps me on the shoulder to interrupt if he needs something. It’s as simple as a pause button for my full attention. I reason that this is better than blaring whatever I want to listen to through the Echo.

WASHINGTON -- I am engaged in reading a very fine book by my colleague, Paul Kengor. It was written six years ago, so do not feel bad if you missed it.

Dear Annie: My stepson said many nasty, derogatory, hurtful things about his recently deceased father. My husband was well-respected by his peers and friends. Yes, he had his faults, but I loved him dearly, and he was a very good man.

America has just exited a biennium of Democratic trifecta -- control by the nation’s and the world’s oldest political party of the White House and majorities in the Senate and House of Representatives. It is only the third such biennium in the last 40 years, since 1993-95 and 2009-11, the first two years of the Clinton and Obama administrations.

During one of Kevin McCarthy’s gauntlet of punishing votes, it was striking to see with whom he passed the time. There she was, dressed in sophisticated black, the member hailed as a “key ally” to the new speaker of the House: Marjorie Taylor Greene.

Dear Annie: My spouse and I are in our 70s, with numerous health issues. We decided we needed to sell our large home and move to something easier to maintain. We made the mistake of hiring the younger brother (“Jim”) of our best friend and neighbor “Jane.” Both assured us this business relationship would have no impact on our friendship. After four months with no activity and a flare-up of health concerns, we asked Jim to terminate our selling contract. (We called Jane to let her know of our decision.) Jim had said he would end the selling contract that day, but then sent a text saying he couldn’t. We contacted his boss, who said it wouldn’t be a problem -- and ended the contract. Now, Jane is no longer speaking to us. We have called and written, seeking a chance to talk with her further. Last night, we received a vile letter in the mail from her, saying we were never her friend if we could do such an awful thing.