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Editorial: Identity politics drives American division

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:12:03 GMT

Social scientists believe they know why America has become so divided along political lines. “The human brain in many circumstances is more suited to tribalism and conflict than to civility and reasoned debate,” The Wall Street Journal reported last month in a piece headlined “Why Tribalism Took Over Our Politics.”Modern communication tools are especially able to exploit this finding, providing users with what they want to hear rather than challenging assumptions. “Decades of social science research show that our need for collective belonging is forceful enough to reshape how we view facts and affect our voting decisions,” the essay asserts. “When our group is threatened, we rise to its defense.”The Journal cites Donald Trump as a reliable practitioner of exploiting group identity, although it allows that Democrats also use the tactic, but “not as forcefully.”It’s true that the former president’s ardent supporters see themselves in similar terms as outsiders scorned by the elites. B...

New cat doing well, but older cat has issues

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:12:03 GMT

Dear Dr. John,I just adopted a new cat. He is adjusting well to his new home with me and my other cat. I lost another cat suddenly a few weeks ago. As I look at his neuter site, I notice there is still some swelling, and I cannot help but wonder if he was properly neutered. How can I be sure? My older cat that is approaching 13 has recently lost quite a bit of weight. Could it be because of the new younger cat being in the house or could it be something with his health? Could he be depressed because of the absence of the other cat? He seems normal, doesn’t always play with the young adult male, but seems to be eating less. What should I do? D.M.Dear D.M.,I am sure that your newly adopted cat was properly neutered. It is a relatively easy surgery and not prone to error or omissions. It is typical to have some localized swelling of the scrotal sac before it eventually contracts after which not much is seen in the area of where it originally was. The only way to be sure is to have the ...

Orioles’ Gunnar Henderson and Grayson Rodriguez left even the Rays impressed: ‘He had his A-game tonight’

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:12:03 GMT

Tampa Bay Rays manager Kevin Cash stood outside the visiting clubhouse at Camden Yards and could only shrug his shoulders at the masterclass from Orioles starting pitcher Grayson Rodriguez. Right fielder Josh Lowe shook his head at a similar line of questioning. And when Rays starter Tyler Glasnow reflected on his evening, it was Gunnar Henderson who invoked the most frustration.Within the Orioles clubhouse, the impressive performances from a rookie pitcher and rookie shortstop driving a crucial 8-0 win was just another night. To the Orioles’ American League East rivals, who trail by one game in the race for the division title, it was remarkable.Rodriguez took the mound for his third outing against the Rays this season. In each of his first two — both Orioles wins May 9 and July 22 — he allowed two runs in 5 2/3 innings while recording a combined 10 strikeouts. On Saturday night, the 23-year-old right-hander pitched a career-high eight innings, striking out seven a...

Zito: Pittsburgh labor fight exposes schism in Democratic Party

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:12:03 GMT

PITTSBURGH — Earlier this month, Philip Ameris, president of the Laborers’ District Council of Pennsylvania, was standing on Grant Street watching the members of his union march down the main thoroughfare of the annual Pittsburgh Labor Day Parade, the day’s largest such celebration anywhere in the country, when he said he saw Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey hop over the barriers and jump in to join his labor force.“So the union members march behind a truck that has a banner with our name on it, Mayor Gainey jumping in right behind our guys gives the impression that we support him and he supports us, that is the perception,” Ameris said in an interview.“That is not, however, the reality, and I was having none of it,” he said.The labor president said he walked straight over to Gainey, shook his hand and both bluntly and colorfully told him to leave his position in the parade with his workers.“I essentially said you can go walk with anyone els...

Into art rock? Check out this trio of vinyl reissues

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:12:03 GMT

What is art rock? This question isn’t meant to be obtuse or rhetorical. Seriously, what the heck defines this genre?Art rock should probably navigate the unexpected, embrace experimentation and flirt with the odd while never forgetting pop craftsmanship.If you’re digging this definition so far, here are three new, wildly-different art rock vinyl reissues for you to dive into.“The Lexicon of Love,” ABCThis little masterpiece is art rock that’s pop. Pop that feels like a new romantic opera. Romance both intimate and epic.In 1982, ABC’s dramatic songs, lead singer Martin Fry’s dramatic voice, Trevor Horn’s dramatic production and Anne Dudley’s dramatic string arrangements came together on this meditation on heartbreak and rejection. The whole thing is wonderfully overwrought, dripping with strings and synths, horns and hooks – see best known tracks “The Look of Love” and “Poison Arrow.”Fry has said he was aim...

Inquisitive, sweet Yomiah loves music

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:12:03 GMT

Yomiah is a happy and inquisitive boy who is described by those who know him best as sweet and kind with a love of music. He sings a variety of songs, from B-I-N-G-O to Lady Gaga, and will often listen to musical toys by holding them up to his ears. Yomiah is an active child who likes to play independently, and will also engage with adults by reaching for their hands and sitting in their laps.Yomiah receives supportive services to assist him in all areas of development. He communicates using a combination of words, signs, and augmentative communication and is also working with tactile symbols and Braille. Yomiah benefits from individualized attention and support within a stable routine. He often sings specific songs to specific people, showing awareness and familiarity with them.Yomiah will be best supported by a family who has a medical background, or a willingness to learn, and who is prepared to support and advocate for him throughout his life. Caregivers who are patient, nurturi...

Dear Abby: She’d rather skip vacation than fight with sister

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:12:03 GMT

Dear Abby: I’m scheduled to go on a vacation with my mother and sister. It seemed like a fun idea during the planning, but as the date approaches, I realize it might not be possible for my sister and me to get along and remain civil during the trip.We are in our mid-to-late 20s now, and I was hoping we had matured enough to handle our differences calmly. Recent events, however, have proven otherwise. Our relationship has deteriorated to the point that she’s triggered by anything I say or do, and it’s impossible to talk to her.We’ve never had much in common, and our personalities are like oil and water. I’m thinking about backing out, even though I was looking forward to visiting New England and seeing my favorite singer in concert. I don’t usually take time off from work, and I don’t want to risk wasting vacation days possibly being miserable walking on eggshells. I know arguing with her will lead to nothing productive. How can I handle the ...

Yoga in a basement helps people in a Ukrainian front-line city cope with Russia’s constant shelling

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:12:03 GMT

KRAMATORSK, Ukraine (AP) — In a basement in one of the front-line cities in Ukraine’s Donetsk region, people gather three times a week in the morning for yoga to alleviate the stress caused by the constant shelling from Russian artillery.Soothing music fills the basement in Kramatorsk, where the humid air is tangible.“We let go of the external world,” Serhii Zaloznyi, a 52-year-old yoga instructor, said in a serene tone. He gently leads people into a meditative state.Occasionally, the sound of water rushing through the pipes of the multistory building disrupts the tranquil music, serving as a reminder that the yoga session unfolds in the basement.“Peace, tranquility and balance feel within the heart,” Zaloznyi continues as people calmly breathe with their eyes closed.For the participants, the “external world” is life in a front-line city where sirens sound every few hours, and the noise of explosions disrupts their daily lives.Kramatorsk is just 30 kilometers (around 20 miles)...

New York employers must include pay rates in job ads under new state law

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:12:03 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — Help-wanted advertisements in New York will have to disclose proposed pay rates after a statewide salary transparency law goes into effect on Sunday, part of growing state and city efforts to give women and people of color a tool to advocate for equal pay for equal work.Employers with at least four workers will be required to disclose salary ranges for any job advertised externally to the public or internally to workers interested in a promotion or transfer.Pay transparency, supporters say, will prevent employers from offering some job candidates less or more money based on age, gender, race or other factors not related to their skills. Advocates believe the change also could help underpaid workers realize they make less than people doing the same job.A similar pay transparency ordinance has been in effect in New York City since 2022. Now, the rest of the state joins a handful of others with similar laws, including California and Colorado.“There is a trend, not j...

Cool wet Sunday in Chicago, a hot day in Tampa for Sunday's Chicago Bears game

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:12:03 GMT

A hot day in Tampa for Sunday's Chicago Bears gameEven though it's likely to be wet here tomorrow, the Bears would probably rather be playing at Soldier Field than Raymond James Stadium in Tampa.  Scattered showers and possibly thunderstorms are possible at kickoff.  Showers become likely later around halftime.  With all the humidity, heat index values will make it feel like around 100º.Last week of Astronomical SummerAstronomical Fall starts just before 2 AM in Chicago next Saturday Sept. 23, 2023At an equinox, the sun appears directly above Earth’s equator. At the September equinox, it’s crossing from north to south. The name equinox comes from the Latin aequus (equal) and nox (night). At the equinox, days and nights are said to be equal in length for everyone across the globe. And it’s true. They are approximately equal.