Amid labor turmoil in Hollywood, Broadway seems to avoid a strike

We live in the unenviable era of rising American imperialism and the emergence of a precarious new world order.

As U.S. President Donald Trump escalates his annexation threats over Canada, Greenland and Venezuela; deteriorates decades-long relations with NATO; and offers concessions to totalitarian North Korea; we must remain steadfast and vigilantly united against these ominous — and markedly unusual — sociopolitical developments.

We have so much to learn from our past. As historical patterns suggest, these threats are not idle nor mere political rhetoric. Rather, these threats should be treated with utmost seriousness. As Winston Churchill so famously uttered, “Those that fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it.”

As a Canadian public educator, I hold the vehement conviction that we need to instruct our youth on the societal dangers of imperialism, while simultaneously exploring the “contentious” concepts of sharing and acceptance.

DEAR MISS LONELYHEARTS: I’m almost 40, and one of my closest friends who was jobless for three years is once again earning decent money again — but she’s still acting like she’s broke!

I don’t care how people spend their money, but she still expects me to pay for her. For instance, if we go out for lunch, she’ll ask if we can do a 75-25 split, with her paying the lower amount. She also comes to potlucks with nothing to share, and then has the nerve to ask to take food home. She will also ask me to cover something and promise to pay me back, but then I have to hound her for weeks to get the money!

But it really took the cake recently when we went to a concert and she asked me to cover her ticket. Then she bought two T-shirts at the merch table! It feels underhanded to me — and insulting to my intelligence. It also feels weird to have to bring it up to her. We’ve been besties since high school —many, many years ago. Please help.

— Taking Advantage, Riverbend