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Editorial: Seniors beware – Biden policies threaten entitlements

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:52:16 GMT

Older Americans tend to vote, and they also tend to be wary of politicians who propose entitlement reform. That combination typically leads to inertia among elected officials whose objective is self-preservation.President Joe Biden has been happily exploiting this dynamic of late, claiming that Republican plans intended to shore up Social Security and Medicare actually represent a threat to the existence of these popular programs. Yet astute seniors will note that Biden’s recent budget blueprint takes a pass on offering any serious proposals to address the long-term solvency of the nation’s entitlements.This shows an astonishing lack of leadership. Consider that the Social Security Trust Fund’s cash reserves are set to run out in 2035. If nothing is done between now and then, expect Congress to authorize billions in transfers from the general fund in order to avoid benefit cuts. That might be politically beneficial, but it will only hasten the nation’s rush toward the looming fiscal...

Whitford: Doubling down on failed approach to homelessness

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:52:16 GMT

In a largely symbolic resolution sponsored by Rep. Maria Salazar, R-Fla., in January, a bipartisan majority of the House voted to repudiate “socialism in all its forms.”The resolution highlights the history of starvation, genocide and devastation caused by socialist leaders and their policies — and the 328 lawmakers who voted in favor of it are now on record opposing the implementation of such policies.Yet, while Congress may be on record in opposition to redistributionist policies, the “All In” plan from the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness, issued in December, indicates the White House may not be.The council sets lofty goals for reducing homelessness by doubling down on the failed Housing First program — something taxpayers have funded for more than a decade at a price tag exceeding $16 billion, only to see homelessness increase. The Housing Council has acknowledged that though “funding for homelessness assistance has increased every year,” the unsheltered population has g...

John Lennon, through the eyes of lover/photographer

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:52:16 GMT

Quick: Name a photographer who was romantically linked to a Beatle.You probably thought of Linda McCartney first, but there’s at least one other: It turns out that May Pang, who was John Lennon’s companion during the famous “lost weekend” of 1973-74, was documenting the experience. She’ll be present to show her work this Saturday and Sunday afternoon at City Winery. Her photos were often taken in informal situations, showing Lennon at his most relaxed and upbeat.“John didn’t like the photos that most people took of him,” she said this week. “He’d always say ‘I don’t like the way I look there’ or ‘I was so fat.’ But he happened to like what my eye caught of him. You’re seeing him through my eyes, the way I saw him. I’d say I was working more as a partner than a documentarian, but I thought I caught a side that you don’t often get to see. He doesn’t smile in a lot of photos, and one comment I usually get is ‘My goodness, we’ve never seen him so relaxed’.”The show coincides with the op...

Pozniak: Politicizing disasters doesn’t help anyone

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:52:16 GMT

There has been a barrage of political blame and animosity from both parties in Congress about the East Palestine, Ohio train derailment, which spewed toxic chemicals into the air causing local evacuations, environmental and health chaos.Democrats criticized Donald Trump for bowing to the powerful rail lobby and eliminating regulations that could have prevented this accident and his campaign appearance at the derailment site.Republicans have put the White House on the defense by criticizing President Biden for his handling of this disaster and Transportation Secretary Peter Buttigieg for his failure to rush to the scene. The House Oversight and Accountability Committee has launched investigations into what they claim was the Biden Administration’s inadequate and slow response to the Ohio crisis. All of this rancor and grandstanding deflects from the real culprit of this disaster; the Norfolk Southern railroad. This financially successful rail carrier should be the focus of the ...

Moir: Saving Mass. forests can slow climate change

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:52:16 GMT

The forests of the U.S. Northeast are in peril. Global warming has raised temperatures, improving conditions for insects such as the emerald ash borer, to ravage trees already stressed due to drought and scorching summers.Massachusetts forests experienced 97 wildfires across the state during the summer of 2022. Keeping pace with destruction by fire is the clear-cutting of forests for timber and primarily for development. Exposing forest soils releases carbon dioxide into the air, equivalent to carbon emissions from burning.American forests are losing an abundance of carbon. Twelve percent of the carbon loss is from fire, drought, wind, and pests, 3% is from forest conversion, and 85% is from cutting forests. Growing existing forests to their biological carbon storage potential optimize carbon dioxide removal.Researchers in Massachusetts recently established that an 80-year-old stand of trees is drawing more carbon out of the air and storing much more than twice the carbon of a 40-ye...

Dear Abby: Longtime BF has no empathy for ailing partner

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:52:16 GMT

Dear Abby: I have been with my boyfriend for 11 years. In all this time he has never once asked me if I’m OK whenever I have gotten hurt. I got used to it, you might say. Well, I recently lost the ability to walk, and ended up in a nursing home for rehabilitation. My boyfriend would come to visit, but would never ask about progress. Furthermore, when I would show him my progress he wouldn’t act happy.Now I’m home, and he treats me like garbage. I don’t know why. When I brought it up, he said he doesn’t know why. Should I end this relationship so I can find someone who’s supportive and who will help me get back to 100%? Or should I stay and work on this relationship? I’m less and less happy every day. — Hurting in the MidwestDear Hurting: Your boyfriend of 11 years is not a nurturer. That he doesn’t ask if you are hurt or injured shows he lacks empathy. If I had to hazard a guess, I would opine that he treats you like garbage now ...

BU, Merrimack win overtime thrillers, will meet in Hockey East final

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:52:16 GMT

The Providence College Friars dominated Boston University in regulation only to let their upset bid slip away in overtime.BU freshman right wing Quinn Hutson scored the game winner at 10:52 of OT to lift the Terriers to a 2-1 victory in the opening game of the Hockey East semifinals on Friday night at the TD Garden. Left wing Luke Tuch set up Hutson for his 14th of the season.BU goalie Drew Commesso backboned the effort with 37 saves. Providence outshot BU 33-14 in regulation but the Terriers were 10-4 better in the OT.“It was pretty crazy and it was slow motion when I saw it go in but I wasn’t sure,” said Hutson. “Then I saw everybody celebrating.”Boston University celebrates its game-winning goal in overtime during a 2-1 Hockey East semifinal win over Providence on Friday night. (Stuart Cahill/Boston Herald)The No. 5 ranked and top seed Terriers (26-10-0, 19-6-0) advanced to the final for the 13th time and will take on No. 2 seed Merrimack (23-12-1, 17-8-0)  on Saturday night (7) ...

Elderly man beaten in North County home invasion

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:52:16 GMT

DEL MAR, Calif. -- An 80-year-old man was assaulted Friday at his home in Del Mar, authorities said.The incident occurred around 1:40 p.m. in the 1800 block of Santa Fe Avenue, where deputies learned the elderly man was beaten and had his hands bound inside the residence, Det. Jack Reed with the San Diego County Sheriff's Department stated in a news release.The victim was taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, according to officials.Law enforcement confirmed video surveillance shows two unidentified attackers at the scene.Anyone with any information related to the crime is encouraged to call the North Coastal Sheriff's Station at (760) 966-3500.

SeaWorld San Diego rescue team discusses beached whale death

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:52:16 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- A community came together Thursday during a rescue attempt to help a beached whale in North County. Sadly, SeaWorld San Diego reported the adult pygmy whale died on the way to their rescue facility.“When we realized not a respiration rate for quite some time, and the heart rate was getting slower and slower,” said Jeni Smith, the SeaWorld San Diego rescue team supervisor. “We gave it life saving-measures but unfortunately the animal didn’t make it.”The rescue team showed gratitude for the dozens of people who helped along the way.Around 4 p.m., the rescue crew got a call for a beached whale at Carlsbad State Beach. When the team arrived, they were met with a community ready to go.“Hands flew up, they said they would help,” Smith said.Dozens helped carry the roughly 900-pound whale on a stretcher, one mile up the beach to the SeaWorld rescue team truck. Bluff collapses in North County “There was a lot of communication. OK, does anyone need a break? Who needs to switch ...

Westbound SR-78 closure extended to next week

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:52:16 GMT

OCEANSIDE, Calif. — The closure of all westbound lanes on State Route 78 has been extended to next week as crews continue to make emergency repairs.Westbound SR-78 lanes from College Boulevard to El Camino Real will be closed until sometime next week as Caltrans crews work to repair a sinkhole that formed due to heavy flooding, Caltrans said in a news release. The day on when it will be completed is uncertain at this time, the traffic agency told FOX 5.On Thursday, Caltrans said the westbound closure was expected to last until Saturday, but the expected closure time has now been extended.Drivers will be detoured to the College Blvd./ Vista Way off-ramp, then go west on Vista Way and then to the SR-78 on-ramp at El Camino Real.The closure began Thursday, following a storm that brought significant rain to the region, causing heavy flooding in the area. Initially one westbound lane was closed, but it was later extended to all lanes for the impacted area. Bluff collapses in North Coun...