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Leubsdorf: A spoiler alert for 2024 presidential election

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 11:46:51 GMT

Throughout modern American history, opponents of the two major parties have sought to shake up the political system by creating so-called third parties to give voters an alternative to the Democrats and Republicans.Some have attracted substantial votes, but none has won. Initial polling strength tends to drop as elections near. In 1992, billionaire computer tycoon Ross Perot momentarily led both major candidates but eventually dropped to 19%, still the most for any modern independent.Perot carried no states, almost certainly affecting the outcome less than the debate. Several other independents have had a greater impact, but usually as spoilers who tilted the ultimate result.That could well happen again in 2024 — most likely helping Donald Trump and the Republicans — thanks to plans by an independent group called No Labels to field an independent ticket in as many states as possible.No independent candidacy has had more of an impact than former President Theodore Roosevelt’s 1912 de...

Goldendoodle’s spoiling for a fight

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 11:46:51 GMT

Dear Dr. John,My wife and I have a two-year-old Goldendoodle and a four-year-old mixed breed Shepherd. Every time the Doodle sees another dog, he wants to lunge and get into a fight. Thankfully, we always have him on leash. Despite that, he has gotten to two dogs and broken their skin fighting for which I had to pay the vet bill. Now, even our own two dogs seem to get grumpy with one another. Can you share any possible solutions that might curb his aggression? What could be the cause? We have had him since he was a puppy, he is neutered and healthy, and always sweet with all people. We are at wits end. W.S.Dear W.S.,Sometimes, one does not know the causative agent behind any given dog’s aggressive tendencies. It might have been one episode of which you were completely unaware, there could be an underlying health issue. Sometimes there was a lack of socialization as puppies, sometimes it is being protective of you or possessive behavior, and the longer it is allowed to continue, it c...

‘Marvelous Mrs. Maisel’ focused on No.1 as series wraps up

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 11:46:51 GMT

Amy Sherman-Palladino specializes in unusual love stories. “Gilmore Girls,” her breakthrough series, celebrated a mother-daughter bond, one strengthened by their mutual love for junk food and quipping like Rosalind Russell in “His Girl Friday.”In “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,” her second masterpiece, the lead character has never had much time for her kids. She’s been too obsessed with another passion: herself.You may not have noticed that selfish streak when the show first premiered on Amazon Prime in 2017. We were too busy admiring the brilliant zingers and collection of hats.Watching a 1950s-era housewife rise through the stand-up comedy ranks in New York City was the perfect premise for a fashion show. The costumes, Skittles-colored backdrops and nods to the past were straight out of an old MGM musical.That trend continues in the final nine episodes, three of which premiered Friday (subsequent ones will drop every Friday).Midge Maisel’...

Should you follow your dream – or stick to day job?

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 11:46:51 GMT

Q. My ultimate career goal is to work in marketing for a movie studio, move to L.A., the whole nine yards. But I am working two jobs in retail and really like it! Should I ditch the day dream and stick with retail?A. First, I want to commend you on two things: for having a specific dream and second, for enjoying your current jobs.As for ditching the dream and sticking with retail, only you can decide that, but let’s dive into some action steps that can help you make this decision. (And dear reader, this may apply to you, too — what if you’ve had a dream and a new skill/interest/role ignited a spark along the way? Questions of when to you drop it, should you still pursue it, regrets of “what if” are common questions.) My initial reaction: Pursue both. Career paths aren’t necessarily always linear and upward — there’s some zigging and zagging at times.You may want to put pen to paper or type in the notes section of your phone, put your p...

Looks like the jig is up for Bill Hader’s hitman in last season of ‘Barry’

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 11:46:51 GMT

The fourth and final season of HBO’s “Barry” returns with its title character, the ex-Marine turned hitman (turned actor, turned abusive boyfriend), behind bars and about to go down for at least one of his crimes. Everything’s come to a head. Or has it?The show’s co-creators Alec Berg and Bill Hader (Hader also stars) keep us guessing while exploring a larger, tantalizing theme: Can you ever really start over — whether that means mending a toxic relationship, or going legit, or simply running away from your past? Maybe it’s an impossibility in the end. We are who we are. You can never right these kinds of wrongs.Barry has always been an elusive character, both self-hating and entitled, and one of the show’s strengths is how well it captures that inner chaos and shame. He’s incapable of real honesty, even with the man in the mirror, which has led to all kinds of erratic behavior. He thought acting might give him something — truth, relief, a sense of self — but like everything else in...

Catch the Ocean Race in Newport for a great seaside adventure

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 11:46:51 GMT

After next month, Newport, Rhode Island’s reputation as a premier sailing spot will be even stronger.From May 13-21, the Ocean Race (https://www.theoceanrace.com), one of the world’s most challenging, exciting and iconic races, will drop anchor in the scenic city.It will be no mere “see amazing ships up close” event. Rather, it’s nearly two weeks of exciting race views, hands-on learning for all, live music, food and most of all, seaside (and on the sea) fun for the entire family. Sail Newport has it all planned (https://theoceanracenewport.com).The Ocean Race, one of sail racing’s top three events, is described by many as the toughest professional sporting event in the world.This year is the third time The Ocean Race uses Newport as a port of call.When they arrive in Newport, they will have been sailing fast and hard since January, completing 28,650 nautical miles of open ocean racing between Alicante, Spain to, Cabo Verde, Cape Town, and through the Southern Ocean up to Brazil.The...

Never, ever vent about ex online

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 11:46:51 GMT

Q. My ex is accusing me of all sorts of terrible things on Facebook. The court doesn’t listen to his accusations, so he plays it out on the internet. I’m a cheater, a whore, I’ve taken his children, none of which is true. So many of our friends have blocked him, and he even blames me for that. What can I do? What’s good ex-etiquette?A. Good ex-etiquette is “good behavior after divorce or separation.” There is nothing about that that can be said to be good behavior.At this point, the first step is to block him, and when your friends give you an accounting of what he says, simply say that you don’t know what he is saying because he is blocked. Your friends will understand your position and make their own decisions on how to interact with him. If, as you say, many have blocked him, then you already know the outcome. And you always have the option of deleting your account.There is one negative aspect of just not letting it get to you and walking away. You will have no record of what was...

East SR-78 construction continues, repairs expected to last three more weeks

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 11:46:51 GMT

OCEANSIDE, Calif. -- Emergency repairs on the eastbound lanes of State Route 78 are officially underway and are expected to last about three weeks, Caltrans announced in a release on Friday.Construction closures from College Boulevard to El Camino Real began last week after crews wrapped up about a month of work on the westbound side of the highway to replace metal culverts that collapsed amid the series of storms that swept through the area in March. Man killed in fiery three-vehicle crash in North County identified Caltrans said that crews will be working to replace a total of nine corrugated steel pipes with high density plastic and concrete pipes under the eastbound lanes. The work and subsequent closures are estimated to continue for about three weeks. Crews will be working around the clock as possible to complete the needed repairs, the department said.With the work on westbound SR-78, weather conditions posed a major obstacle for the work, prompting four extensions to the e...

G7 vows to step up moves to renewable energy, zero carbon

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 11:46:51 GMT

SAPPORO, Japan (AP) — Energy and environment ministers of the Group of Seven wealthy nations vowed to work to hasten the shift toward cleaner, renewable energy, but set no timetable for phasing out coal-fired power plants as they wrapped up talks on Sunday.The G-7 officials issued a communique laying out their commitments after talks in the northern Japanese city of Sapporo. The 36-page document was prepared in advance of a G-7 summit in May.Japan won endorsements from fellow G-7 countries for its own national strategy emphasizing so-called clean coal, hydrogen and nuclear energy to help ensure its energy security. THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP’s earlier story follows below.Leaders of the Group of Seven wealthy nations wrapped up meetings Sunday on energy and environmental issues, amid calls from China and other developing countries for more help in phasing out fossil fuels.The G-7 energy and environment ministers gathered in the northern Japanese city of Sapporo were expected ...

Police: 5 people shot, 2 dead at Honolulu chicken fight

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 11:46:51 GMT

Two victims died after five people were shot during an altercation at a late-night chicken fight Friday in Honolulu, police said. Honolulu police responded to a call about shots fired just past midnight Friday and were searching Saturday for a suspect believed to be in his 20s who allegedly shot the others who were attending the event, KHON-TV reported.“At the end of the fight a group of males started arguing and then it escalated to a physical altercation, at some point gun shots were fired hitting the five people who were in the immediate area,” Honolulu Police Department Lt. Deena Thoemmes told KHON.Police said a 59-year-old woman and a 34-year-old male were pronounced dead after arriving at a hospital, KHON reported.Three men aged 38, 40 and 57 sustained gunshot wounds but were treated and released from a hospital, KHON reported.Police said the circumstances of the shooting were not immediately clear.“I don’t understand the circumstances from this, it could have stemmed from som...