A4 ♦ Wednesday, March 11, 2020 ♦ gWinnettdailypost.coM COLUMNIST I KEITH ROACH
WEATHER WATCH
For some, sleep means a rise in blood pressure
TODAY
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
SUNDAY
MONDAY
TUESDAY
50%
50%
40%
60%
50%
50%
70 54
71 58
20%
70 52
D
EAR DR. ROACH: I’m the only person in the history of mankind whose blood pressure goes up when I sleep. There seems to be no cause. In addition, I’m resistant to medication; I’ve tried 21 different kinds. Roach All give me terrible side effects and don’t bring my blood pressure down. The only one that works is clonidine. The side effects are terrible — sleepiness and no motivation — but at least I can deal with that. Recently clonidine stopped working, and I went from 0.1 mg per day up to 0.4 mg per day in a matter of six weeks after being on it for two to three years. A month ago, I was put on a 0.4 mg weekly patch. This has been much better, as it’s removed about 50% of the sleepiness. I’m 69 and a nationally ranked senior singles tennis player. I have a good diet and am in good shape. My blood pressure usually spikes between 1:30 to 3:30 at night. It even goes up when I take a 40-minute nap. I’ve been tested for everything: heart, renal artery, carotid artery, kidney, tumors, etc. I sure would like to know the cause of these spikes when my body is completely relaxed and experiencing no emotional triggers. Have you or any of your associates ever heard of such a thing? — M.H. ANSWER: The blood pressure normally goes down 10% to 15% on average when a person is asleep, a phenomenon called “dipping.” This is found by measuring someone’s blood pressure very frequently over 24 hours with a blood pressure monitor. There are people who do not dip, called appropriately enough, “nondippers.” Some people (you are NOT the only one) experience a blood pressure increase at night, called nocturnal hypertension. There have been studies showing worse outcomes, including a higher risk for heart disease and stroke, in both nondippers and those with nocturnal hypertension. It is not always clear what is causing people to have this condition. Kidney disease and previous heart problems are associated with dipping. That’s why you were tested for those, along with some others. The recent dramatic increase in blood pressure medication need is concerning, and a comprehensive look for any unusual causes was certainly indicated. Treatment for nondippers often includes giving blood pressure medication at nighttime. This is not available for you, since a clonidine patch gives medication at a continuous level night and day throughout the week. Melatonin has also been tried to alleviate nondipping, although there has not been any clear benefit to this approach yet proven. Clonidine works at the level of the brainstem, so it is ideal for blood pressure that is mediated by brain issues. One potential cause for which you have not mentioned being checked is obstructive sleep apnea, where people stop breathing at night for a few seconds (or even longer). Sleep apnea often causes difficult-to-manage high blood pressure, and may cause nocturnal hypertension or nondipping. The most effective drug is often clonidine. Physicians sometimes forget that even healthy athletes can have OSA. If you have not had an evaluation for OSA, your physicians should consider it. Sleepiness during the day is a cardinal symptom of obstructive sleep apnea.
59 51
the solunar tables for lakes are based on studies that show fish and game are more active at certain times during the lunar period. MAJOR 1:28-3:28 a.m.............1:56-3:56 p.m.
MINOR 8:05-9:05 a.m..............7:51-8:51 p.m.
POLLEN COUNTS trees: low Weeds: low grass: Moderate
LOTTERY
60 46
66 55
57 47
LAKE LEVELS
SOLUNAR TABLES the gwinnett daily post (Upsp 921-980, issn 1086-0096) is published Wednesday, Friday and sunday by scni, 725 old norcross road, lawrenceville, ga 30045. periodical postage paid at lawrenceville, ga 30044. postMaster: send address changes to gwinnett daily post, p.o. Box 603, lawrenceville, ga 30046-0603.
HOROSCOPES
Lake Full Yesterday allatoona ............(840.0) .....844.41 Blackshear ......... (237.0) .... 236.07 Blue ridge........(1690.0) .....1676.6 Burton..............(1865.0) .. 1862.54 carters.............(1072.0) ..... 1071.1 chatuge ........... (1927.0) ...1921.63 harding .............. (521.0) .....519.24 hartwell .............(660.0) .....661.44 Jackson..............(530.0) ...... 529.2
Lake Full Yesterday lanier............... (1071.0) ...1075.31 nottely..............(1779.0) ...1766.23 oconee ..............(435.0) .... 434.79 seminole...............(77.5) .......80.24 sinclair ...............(339.8) .... 339.06 thurmond ..........(330.0) .....334.15 tugalo ................ (891.5) .....890.41 Walter F. george.(188.0) .......188.9 West point..........(635.0) .... 632.24
TODAY IN HISTORY
Tuesday cash 3 Midday: 1-9-2 cash 4 Midday: 3-3-0-6 ga. 5 Midday: 8-2-2-3-4 Monday cash 3 Midday: 2-9-9 cash 3 evening: 0-5-8 cash 3 night: 5-5-6 cash 4 Midday: 6-6-4-2 cash 4 evening: 7-2-2-9 cash 4 night: 2-5-2-1 ga. 5 Midday: 7-5-3-5-5 ga. 5 evening: 1-6-4-2-5 Fantasy 5: 6-14-22-24-33 Jumbo Bucks:12-15-28-34-37-41
TODAY’S HISTORY: in 1861, delegates from seven states adopted the constitution of the confederate states of america. in 1888, the “great Blizzard of ‘88” struck the northeastern United states, killing more than 400 people. in 2004, 191 people were killed when terrorist bombs exploded on rush-hour commuter trains in Madrid. in 2011, a magnitude 9.03 undersea earthquake triggered a tsunami that struck Japan, killing nearly 16,000 people and causing meltdowns at the Fukushima daiichi nuclear plant. TODAY’S BIRTHDAYS: lawrence Welk (1903-1992), bandleader; ralph abernathy (1926-1990), civil rights leader; rupert Murdoch (1931- ), business leader; sam donaldson (1934- ), tV journalist; antonin
scalia (1936-2016), U.s. supreme court justice; douglas adams (1952-2001), author; alex Kingston (1963- ), actress; peter Berg (1964- ), actor/filmmaker; terrence howard (1969- ), actor; Johnny Knoxville (1971- ), actor; thora Birch (1982- ), actress; anton yelchin (19892016), actor. TODAY’S FACT: according to Forbes, news corp. ceo rupert Murdoch’s net worth is $18.6 billion in 2020. TODAY’S SPORTS: in 1979, randy holt of the nhl’s los angeles Kings was penalized nine times for a record total of 67 minutes. TODAY’S QUOTE: “all opinions are not equal. some are a very great deal more robust, sophisticated and well supported in logic and argument than others.” —douglas adams, “the salmon of doubt”
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2018
COLUMNIST I AMY DICKINSON
Sexual infidelity causes complications
D
EAR READERS: Every year I step away from my daily column to work on other creative projects. I’ve gathered some topical “Best Of” columns from 10 years ago. Today’s compilation deals with questions related to sexually unfaithful partners. (Some content has been lightly edited.) I’ll be back in two weeks with fresh columns. DEAR AMY: My husband is almost 70 years old. He is a doorman in an apartment building. I just found out that he has been fooling around with other women who work in the building for almost 20 years. We live near where he works, so everyone knows he’s married. He says it means nothing — that it’s just “free booty in the elevator.” He doesn’t want to break up our marriage and said he would die without me. He comes straight home after work and says he is very happy in our marriage, and I’m trying to stay in the marriage. I’m under a doctor’s care and trying to cope. He won’t change, and I know he’ll never leave me! What kind of woman accepts this type of relationship? — Sad Wife DEAR SAD: I can imagine wanting to stay in a long marriage where there is a tre-
mendous emotional tive. She has a goodinvestment. There are ness that few others also valid practical reapossess. sons to stay in a marMy problem is that riage. However, your even though I love her, husband is not only I am not in love with unrepentant about his her. We have not been elevator booty calls, intimate for a long time but according to you Dickinson because I just do not he lacks the intention feel that way about her. and ability to change. Instead, I have sought and I disagree. Any of us is ca- found intimacy with others. pable of change, given the These other women were proper motivation. You should just fulfilling a need. But supply him with this moti- about a year ago I met somevation. one special. She knows about Your husband is sleazy and my fiancee and has presunethical on the job. His be- sured me to break off the havior could (and should) engagement. But I cannot lead to him losing his job. find the way to end it beBeyond your anger and sense cause I know it would devof betrayal, surely you are re- astate my fiancee. calibrating your personal estiShe is much too kind and mation of him. He should be sweet to be hurt in that way. given a clear directive about We have talked about us not his options. He should also being intimate, and I make agree to meet with you and excuses (such as made-up a professional counselor. medical problems causing While you’re working things impotency). out, you should consider stepHow should I handle this? ping up your presence in his — Perplexed in Pittsburgh professional life — if you’re DEAR PERPLEXED: available, you might want to There is an old saying: “The bring him coffee at unexpect- truth will set you free.” Well, ed times and perform your in this case, the truth will own unannounced elevator set your fiancee free. And inspections. frankly, of the two of you, April 2010 she’s the one I’m concerned DEAR AMY: I am a about. 53-year-old male engaged I frequently suggest scripts to a wonderful woman sev- for people to use as blueeral years younger. She is prints for challenging conhonest, sweet and attrac- versations. Here’s yours:
“Honey, I am a lying, skeevy horn dog. I don’t deserve you. I know that people often say that, but in this case, it’s really true. I really don’t deserve you.” Tell her what you’ve been up to. Then apologize to her, to all of the people who suffer from actual sexual dysfunctions (whose maladies you’ve made a mockery of), and to anyone whom you might have used sexually and perhaps emotionally misled in order to fulfill your own needs. You also should suggest that your fiancee get tested for STDs. If you want to make things easier on her, don’t sugarcoat this. Tell her everything. Her relief at being done with you will ease her devastation. May 2010 DEAR AMY: I hope you remind those wives whose husbands cannot be monogamous that they should be tested occasionally for sexually transmitted diseases. This would truly be a valuable public service announcement. — Williamsburg Nurse DEAR NURSE: I agree that anyone in a sexual relationship should be tested for STDs, whether or not they suspect their partner of cheating. Thank you for this healthy reminder. October 2010
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take partnerships seriously. terminate any situations that are holding you back or causing stress. trust in your ability to reach your goal, regardless of whether you do it alone or have an entourage. it’s an excellent year to explore new possibilities and discover what you are capable of doing. PISCES (Feb. 20-March 20) — a past partnership will have a significant impact on you. turn a negative situation into a positive one. live in the moment and strive to make the most of what you’ve got. ARIES (March 21-april 19) — you may think you know what you want, but if you don’t do enough research, your expectations will dwindle. take your time. your actions will determine your success. TAURUS (april 20-May 20) — you’ll end up with additional responsibilities. Use your know-how and reliable support system to ensure everything runs smoothly. an unexpected change will help you put things in perspective. GEMINI (May 21-June 20) — deal with negativity without hesitation. Use compliments and diplomacy to drum up support from your inner circle to get things done correctly and on time. CANCER (June 21-July 22) — Focus on what you can do, not on what you can’t. an excellent professional opportunity will arise. don’t let your emotions stifle your productivity. LEO (July 23-aug. 22) — partnerships will not be as they seem. take a step back, be observant and make your move. consider your motives as well as the motives of the people you deal with today. VIRGO (aug. 23-sept. 22) — Moving in two different directions will lead to uncertainty. it’s time to multitask your way to success. if you can handle both personal and professional requirements, you will make an excellent impression. LIBRA (sept. 23-oct. 23) — traveling, socializing and following a path that speaks to you are favored. control your emotions, keep things in perspective and don’t get sucked into someone else’s melodrama. SCORPIO (oct. 24-nov. 22) — refuse to become part of someone else’s plot. don’t show concern, but do your homework before you commit. When in doubt, follow a path that is yours and yours alone. SAGITTARIUS (nov. 23dec. 21) — you’ll attract attention regardless of where you go or what you do. don’t offend someone by divulging information that was supposed to be kept secret. Moderation is in your best interest. CAPRICORN (dec. 22Jan. 19) — if you take your time, you will end up in a better position. you won’t fool anyone when it comes to emotional matters. tell it like it is and keep moving. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — don’t get caught up in someone else’s belief system. Walk away from demanding people. stop carrying negative baggage. rid yourself of past regrets and keep moving forward.
gwinnettdailypost.com ♦ wednesday, march 11, 2020 ♦ A5
WORLD & NATION
WORLD RESPONSE
Cities deserted, families separated in first day of lockdown Famous tourist sites were deserted, a smattering of bargoers kept at arm’s length from each other at formerly lively establishments and worried citizens stood in line outside once bustling stores in Italy after drastic restrictions were imposed to contain the deadliest coronavirus outbreak outside China Tuesday. There was confusion across the country on the first day of a national lockdown that includes a ban on all public events, the closure of schools and public spaces — including museums and movie theaters — and the suspension of religious services including funerals or weddings. Hundreds of seats lay eerily empty in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican, which was closed to tourists on Tuesday. Like many people here, the Pope was shut away behind closed doors, but he asked priests to have the courage to visit those affected by coronavirus in his daily livestream from his private residence.
Xi Jinping visits Wuhan as China turns corner on coronavirus Chinese President Xi Jinping has made his first visit to Wuhan since the novel coronavirus outbreak began more than two months ago, as new cases of the virus slowed to a trickle in the country where the disease first emerged. As of Tuesday, there have been 80,754 cases of the virus confirmed across China, 67,760 of which were in Hubei, the province of which Wuhan is the capital. Of the 3,136 deaths confirmed in China, all but 112 have been in Hubei. At its worst, Hubei was reporting thousands of new cases per day. On Monday, China’s National Health Commission said there were only 17 new cases confirmed in the province, with two others in other parts of the country — both of which were linked to overseas travel.
Health minister hopes S. Korea has passed outbreak ‘peak’ South Korea’s top public health official hopes that the country has already gone through the worst of the novel coronavirus outbreak that has infected thousands inside the country. “We are hoping that we have passed the peak, taking the numbers into consideration, and cautiously expecting we have passed the peak,” South Korean Health Minister Park Neunghoo said in an exclusive interview with CNN. More than 7,300 coronavirus infections have been confirmed throughout South Korea, killing more than 50. It is one of the largest outbreaks outside mainland China, where the deadly virus was first identified. However, the number of new daily infections in South Korea has declined in recent days. — From wire reports
More passengers aboard ship leave as virus outbreak widens
By Madeline Holcombe and Jason Hanna CNN
A cruise ship that had been held off the coast of California after people aboard tested positive for coronavirus continued disembarking passengers in Oakland, California, Tuesday as fears about the fast-moving virus ripple across the nation’s capital, industries and schools. At least 773 cases of coronavirus have been reported in the U.S., including 21 on the Grand Princess cruise ship. Among the effects of the spreading virus: California’s Santa Clara County, home to San Jose, has temporarily banned gatherings of more than 1,000 people after the county reported dozens of cases — representing one of the widest such orders in the country. Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar said Tuesday the biggest interventions should be reserved for areas with clusters of cases, like Santa Clara County. But he echoed federal health officials’ advice for people at higher risk. “I would encourage any individual who is elderly or is medically fragile to think long and hard about going into any large gathering that would involve close quarters and potential spread,” Azar told CNN’s “New Day.” In Oakland, the Grand Princess cruise ship began to disembark passengers Monday after spending days in limbo off the coast of California. More passengers will be removed from the vessel Tuesday morning, according to an announcement from the ship’s Captain John Harry Smith. The ship’s operator, Princess Cruise Line, said that disembarking passengers would be a “multiple day process.” U.S. stock market indices were darting between positive and negative territory Tuesday afternoon, a day after the Dow had its worst day since the 2008 financial crisis, as the White House began pitching a payroll tax cut to ease the economic fallout. But effects on daily life and business are growing. Pearl Jam postponed the North American leg of its tour; Boston canceled
Josh edelson/aFp/getty images
Canadian passengers are disembarked from the Grand Princess cruise ship at the Port of Oakland in California. its St. Patrick’s Day Parade; US airlines are slashing domestic and international flights; and the United Nations said it would close its New York headquarters to the public starting Tuesday night. Schools including Harvard, The Ohio State University, the University of California and Berkeley are temporarily closing classrooms on campus in favor of online instruction. And as people in six states vote Tuesday in presidential primaries, at least six US lawmakers are self-quarantining or isolating themselves after coming into contact with an infected person — though House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Monday that the Capitol should not shut down.
Cruises in limbo The outbreak has dealt a blow to the cruise industry, with the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the State Department both warning against cruise travel — especially for people with underlying health issues — and two vessels prohibited from entering port over concerns about the virus. The Grand Princess, carrying more than 3,500 passengers and crew members, was finally allowed to dock at the Port of Oakland on Monday after being held at sea for several days. The vessel had been in limbo after officials announced that a passenger who had previously sailed on
the ship had died of the virus. Those showing symptoms and those in need of medical support will be the first off the vessel, ship Capt. John Harry Smith said. Asymptomatic passengers will be taken to military installations in California, Georgia or Texas for screening and a 14-day quarantine. In Florida, the CDC issued a no-sail order to another Princess Cruise Line ship, the Caribbean Princess, after learning two crew members had transferred from another vessel where at least one guest tested positive for the virus. Neither crew member appears symptomatic and they are both remaining in their cabins out of an abundance of caution, Princess Cruises said in a statement. The Caribbean Princess will make a brief stop at Grand Cayman for test kits and then set sail for Florida. The ship is expected to remain anchored off the coast of Florida until the no-sail order is lifted by the CDC, the statement said.
180 cases in Wash. At least 26 people have died from the virus in the United States — 22 in Washington state, two in Florida and two in California. A nursing home in a Seattle suburb has become the epicenter of the US outbreak. Nineteen people with ties to the Life Care Center of Kirkland have died. Dozens of residents have
Azar: ‘We don’t know’ how many tested Azar, the Health and Human Services chief, said Tuesday his department does not know how many Americans have been tested for coronavirus. “We don’t know exactly how many, because hundreds of thousands of our tests have gone out to private labs and hospitals that currently do not report in” to the CDC, Azar told CNN’s “New Day” when asked how many Americans have been tested for coronavirus at this point. The HHS chief also said there are 2.1 million testing kits currently available and more than 1 million have been shipped. later, Dick’s pulled firearms and hunting accessories from 10 stores as a test. That went well: Overall sales increased at those stores. The company then pulled guns and ammunition from 125 additional stores in March 2019.
NATION
White House to pitch stimulus proposals to wary GOP senators President Donald Trump and top economic officials pitched wary Senate Republicans on a payroll tax cut and other policy proposals meant to ease the economic fallout of coronavirus during a closeddoor lunch on Tuesday, a senior administration official told CNN. White House economic officials planned to lay out additional measures to try and arrest the economic pain stemming from the spread of the virus, including proposals to implement paid sick leave, deferral on tax collection on specific industries including airlines, cruise lines and hotels, and specific proposals to make small business loans more available and with flexible repayment options, accord-
been transferred to hospitals, leaving 55 residents at the facility that housed 120 in mid-February. Three deaths were announced Monday: a woman in her 70s; a woman in her 80s, and a woman in her 90s. They died at area hospitals. Many of the nation’s coronavirus cases have been in Washington, where at least 180 people have been infected. In New York state, at least 173 cases have been reported. Officials there have urged more than 2,500 people to self-quarantine, and Gov. Andrew Cuomo declared a state of emergency Saturday.
Pentagon identifies Marines killed in clash
saUl loeB/aFp/aFp via getty images
President Donald Trump speaks about the coronavirus alongside Vice President Mike Pence and members of the Coronavirus Task Force in the Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House in Washington, D.C, on Monday.. ing to the two people.
The Pentagon has identified two U.S. Marines who were killed in Iraq on Sunday in what is being called one of the “most intense” battles U.S. forces have been involved in recent months, according to the US-led coalition. Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Diego D. Pongo, 34, of Simi Valley, California, and Capt. Moises A. Navas, 34, of Germantown, Maryland, were killed in a joint Iraqi-U.S. helicopter assault on a suspected ISIS-occupied cave complex in the Makhmur Mountains of northern Iraq. — From wire reports
U.S. RESPONSE
Lawmakers advised to give ‘Star Trek’ greeting Lawmakers on Capitol Hill must now deal not only with the threat of coronavirus to the American public, but also the risks they themselves face from the virus as it continues to spread. The disease was a topic of discussion during a closeddoor meeting of the House Democratic caucus on Tuesday morning with members receiving advice on how to interact with others as the virus spreads and what capacity exists to support remote work if necessary. The conversations included a chat about the internal infrastructure that exists to handle teleworking, a person familiar told CNN, with the chief administrative officer saying that they can support 10,000 staff teleworking if need be, and that they also have the capability to rush laptop orders and ensure they are following cyber security measures.
Films set to screen at canceled SXSW offered new platform An online community for entertainment creatives is offering filmmakers affected by the cancellation of South by Southwest a chance to give their movie exposure, free of charge. Stage 32, an online platform for creators in the entertainment industry, announced on Tuesday it will offer filmmakers whose work was set to screen at SXSW an opportunity to have their films made available for streaming on the site. SXSW was canceled last week over concerns about the spread of coronavirus. “As filmmakers, producers, screenwriters and actors ourselves, all of us at Stage 32 are devastated for everyone impacted by the cancellation of SXSW. Given the sad reality that the Coronavirus will likely cause more festival cancellations, we want to assure that these filmmakers and their connections get the exposure their work and efforts so richly deserve,” said Richard “RB” Botto, CEO of Stage 32.
Federal health workers not knocking on doors in N.J. over virus PSA, folks: People from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are not going door-to-door to conduct coronavirus-related surveillance. Police departments in New Jersey are warning residents not speak to anyone claiming to be from the CDC or to let them into their homes. The warnings follow social media posts that seem to indicate people are knocking on doors, claiming to be seeking information about the novel coronavirus, police said. “There have been social media posts regarding individuals going door to door claiming to be from the CDC,” the Moorestown Township Police Department in Burlington County said in a statement. “The CDC is not deploying teams of people to go door to door to conduct surveillance. People should be warned to not let them in their homes or to speak with them. They are imposters.” — From wire reports
Dick’s Sporting Goods will stop selling guns at 440 additional stores this year, escalating the company’s methodical
elimination of firearms from its stores. The move follows a series of decisions at Dick’s to scale back gun sales. A few days after the Parkland, Florida, school shooting in February 2018, the company announced it would stop selling semi-automatic weapons like the one used in the event. A few months
“Maury VoiceKadal, you are NOT the father!” the zoo announced in a Facebook post. Komodo dragons have evolved to reproduce both sexually and parthenogenetically because they mainly live isolated in the wild and become violent when approached, according to the zoo. Parthenogenesis happens when another egg, rather than sperm, fertilizes an egg, according to Scientific
American. The biological process of making an egg cell, called oogenesis, typically produces a polar body, which contains a duplicate copy of egg DNA. “Normally, this polar body shrivels up and disappears. In the case of the Komodos, though, polar bodies evidently acted as sperm and turned ova into embryos,” courtesy chattanooga Zoo Scientific American said in Two of the three baby Komodo dragons that were born at 2006 when the first cases of Tennessee’s Chattanooga Zoo by parthenogenesis, or without parthenogenesis in Komodo male involvement. dragons were reported.
Dick’s Sporting Goods will stop selling guns at 440 more stores
Komodo dragon with no male partner gave birth to three hatchlings By Alicia Lee CNN
Charlie, a female Komodo dragon at the Chattanooga Zoo in Tennessee, has proved to be the ultimate independent lady after successfully giving birth to three hatchlings without a male partner. Even though Charlie and a potential mate named Kadal were placed together in hopes of breeding, the first-time mother produced the three brothers, named Onyx, Jasper
MUST READ and Flint, on her own through a phenomenon called parthenogenesis. It’s extremely rare among vertebrates: Only 70 backboned species can do it, which is about 0.1% of all vertebrates, according to Scientific American. The hatchlings were born last August, but since zoo staff were never able to confirm any successful breeding between Charlie and Kadal, they ordered a DNA test.
A6 ♦ Wednesday, March 11, 2020 ♦ gWinnettdailypost.coM
PILOT From A1 named Mercedes, whose mother tells her about the “Chocolate Pilot,” who dropped candy to West Berliners when ground supply lines to the city had been cut off. The Chocolate Pilot himself, Col. Gail Seymour “Hal” Halvorsen, met Mulberry fifth graders during one of their class periods on Tuesday though a video chat. Halvorson and his daughter, Denise Williams, answered students’ questions on a video conference from their home in Utah. Students asked Halvorsen what inspired him to enlist in the military and become a pilot, what it was like to fly in inclement weather and why he chose particular types of candy. “You can try to imagine something, but you might not be getting the full picture,” fifth grader Ellington Curtis said. “They have the full picture because they lived it. You’re only imagining what was told to you, and what was told you might not be the whole entire story.” Halvorsen, who is 99, seemed delighted to answer all of their questions while dressed in his flight suit and wearing a German presidential medal. He started flying at 17 years old after spending years on his family farm. “I was out working in a sugar cane field, and I’d look up in the sky and see an airplane go by then go back to the sugar cane,” Halvorsen said. “When the opportunity came, I applied and got accepted and they were going to teach me how to fly.” Halvorsen’s plan, called “Operation Little Vittles,” unfolded during the Berlin Airlift when British and American forces air dropped supplies to Berliners during a Soviet Union blockade. Halvorsen had the idea to drop candy parachutes to Berlin children he had met at the barbed wire fence next to the runway at Tempelhof airport. He dropped gum and chocolate attached to tiny parachutes from his plane. The Berlin Airlift is considered the largest humanitarian efforts in U.S. Air Force history, and helped relieve the plight of some 2.5 million beleaguered West Berlin residents. Relating to Mulberry students, Halverson remembered the optimism of some of the children he met that were the same age as the kids listening to him on Tuesday afternoon. Some of them, he said, seemed wise beyond their years. “The would say, ‘Someday we’ll have enough to eat, but if we lose our freedom we may never get it
staff photso: taylor denman
Mulberry Elementary School students wave to Colonel Gail Halvorsen and his daughter Denise Williams during a video chat on Tuesday.
left: Mulberry Elementary School students wave to Colonel Gail Halvorsen and his daughter Denise Williams during a video chat on Tuesday. right: Mulberry Elementary School students watch Colonel Gail Halvorsen and his daughter Denise Williams during a video chat on Tuesday. Students were reading a book, “Mercedes and the Chocolate Pilot”, about how Halvorsen dropped candy from his planer during the Berlin Airlift to lift the spirits of children in Berlin. back,’” Halvorsen said. Curtis said through meeting Halvorsen she feels fortunate to live in safety with food security, and realizes that poverty is still prevalent in some parts of the world. “We may be a little more lucky than others, even in other countries, and we have to give them what we have in order to help them more,” she said. Halvorsen was connected to Mulberry Elementary through teacher Sara Brotherton, whose family is
former neighbors to the Halvorsens. Before Brotherton was born, Halvorsen’s children would babysit her older siblings. Her family has kept in touch with them, and she’s been reading “Mercedes and the Chocolate Pilot” to her classes for several years. Since book was donated to Mulberry’s school library, other social studies teachers began to integrate it into lessons plans. “It was sort of a ripple effect,” Brotherton said. Mulberry Elementary’s first-year principal Mandy Yearby said the
book aligns well with standards for fifth grade social studies and provided an engaging way for students to make connections. The school’s access to technology took the lesson a step further and provided an opportunity for students to actually ask Halvorsen questions. “Technology just opens doors for us that we can’t always open for ourselves,” Yearby said. “Being 99, he can’t necessarily get on a plane and travel here on be in a car and travel to us. We were able to get the same level of engagement and in-
volvement by way of a virtual visit. It still made it really for our kids even if they weren’t able to see him faceto-face or in person.” Claude-Henry Pierre, a Mulberry fifth grader, said his biggest takeaway was Halvorsen’s courage and initiative. “Being courageous and providing hope to people always pays off,” Pierre said. At the end of the video call, Halvorsen passed his heroic torch to students. “The world depends on you all now,” Halvorsen said.
OBITUARIES Cumming
Dacula
Maudie Danko (Smith)
Mary Bearden Mary Elizabeth Bearden, most recently of Cumming, GA, passed away on March 5th, 2020 at 79 years old. She is survived by her loving husband, Felix Bearden; her two sisters, Jane Driggers and Juddy Becco; and her two daughters, Angela Markwalter & Kelly Caldwell; two sons-in-law, Gary Markwalter & Dale Caldwell; grandchildren, Caitlyn & Ian Sadler, Dani Caldwell, & Abi Sweitzer; and a plethora of nieces and nephews whom she treasured. The funeral service will be Thursday, March 12th, 2020 at 2 PM at Midway United Methodist Church; 5025 Atlanta Highway, Alpharetta, Georgia, 30004. She requested before her passing that every attendee wear bright colors instead of black, as she wanted this to be a celebration. In lieu of flowers, we request that donations be made to the American Cancer Society and a basket will be set up for donations of small items for Family’s Promise, a ministry for the homeless. Ingram Funeral Home & Crematory, 210 Ingram Ave, Cumming, GA 30040 is in charge of arrangements. Condolences may be made at www.ingramfuneralhome.com.
HOSCHTON
Mary Gooch
Mary Blondean Gooch, age 84, of Hoschton Maudie Smith Danko, passed away Monage 77, of Dacula, GA day, March 9, 2020. passed away Sunday, March 8, 2020. She was preceded in death by her husband of fifty-three years, Charles Danko in 2016. Mrs. Danko is survived by her children, GAINESVILLE Kevin and Allison Danko, Lisa Heine Dacula, GA, Kimberly Bofshever, Parkland, FL; Lisa Jeanne Heine, 51, of grandchildren, Justin Gainesville passed away Bofshever, Julia Bofshev- Wednesday, March 4, er, Jordanna Bofshever, 2020. Cameron Danko, Makenna Suwanee Danko; sisters, Annette Roderick E. McDonNicholson, Suwanee, GA, Alice and Lynn Bandy, ald Asheville, NC; nieces, Roderick E. McDonald, nephews and cousins. 86, of Suwanee, GA died Mrs. Maudie Smith Danko March 7, 2020. A memowas born October 11, rial service will be held 1942 in Eufaula, AL. She Saturday, March 14, 2020 was a 1961 graduate of at 3:00 p.m. at Bill Head Autauga County High Funeral Home Duluth School, Prattville, AL and Chapel. Mr. McDonald, was retired from Harbor a native of Sharpsburg, Federal Bank. Mrs. Danko GA was a member of the was a member of Hebron Winder First UMC and Baptist Church, Dacula, had previously attended GA and a member of the Duluth First UMC. He Adult Sunday School class is survived by his wife, at Hebron Baptist Church. Hatha Rae McDonald of There will be a graveSuwanee, GA; daughters, side service on Saturday, Melinda R. McDonald March 14, 2020 at 1:00 and her husband, Frank p.m., at Prattville MemoQuattrochi of Atlanta, rial Gardens, 841 Fairview GA, Martha A. Kocis Avenue, Prattville, AL and her husband, Stephen 36066. The family will re- of Suwanee, GA; sister, ceive friends on WednesBetty D. Yarborough of day, March 11th from 5:00 Suwanee, GA; grandp.m. until 8:00 p.m. at children, Colin Douthit, Flanigan Funeral Home, Clark Douthit, Hunter Buford, GA. Kocis, Matthew Kocis; great grandchildren, Samuel Douthit, Josephine Douthit. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Mt. Gilead United
Methodist Church, 2651 Hwy 16 East, Sharpsburg, GA 30277 (770)254-8876. Online condolences may be sent by visiting www. billheadfuneralhome. com. The family will receive friends, Saturday, March 14, 2020 from 2:00 p.m. until the time of the service at Bill Head Funeral Homes & Crematory Duluth Chapel (770)476-2535.
Cleveland
Sheila Diane Pugh (Wheeler) Sheila Wheeler Pugh, age 54, of Cleveland, GA, formerly of Buford, GA, passed away Sunday, March 8, 2020. She was preceded in death by her sister, Sheryl Bullock; father-in-law and motherin-law, Bud and Dorothy “Dot” Pugh. Mrs. Pugh is survived by her husband of thirty-seven years, Donald S. Pugh, Cleveland, GA; children, Hannah and Patrick Lowendick, Cleveland, GA, Heather and Cody Baker, Cleveland, GA, Hailey and Smith Floyd, Demorest, GA; five grandchildren, Grayson Lowendick, Irayah Lowendick, Hudson Baker Layli, Kate Baker, Lucy Baker; parents, Butch and Jackie Wheeler, Sugar Hill, GA, sister, Stacy Wheeler, Cumming, GA; brother, Vance and Anna Wheeler, Sugar Hill, GA; brothersin-law and sisters-in-law,
Ronald Pugh, Oakwood, GA, David and Lisa Pugh, Clemmons, NC; sister-inlaw, Runnette Maddox, Birmingham, AL; brotherin-law and sister-in-law, Bobby and Genny Lancaster, Lawrenceville, GA; several nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins. Mrs. Pugh was born July 7, 1965 in Buford, GA. She was a 1983 graduate of North Gwinnett High School, Suwanee, GA. Mrs. Pugh was a Pre-K teacher with White County School System. She was a member of Lanier Church of God, Buford, GA and enjoyed singing on the Praise Team. Mrs. Pugh loved cooking and adored her family and grandchildren. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, March 11, 2020 at 1:00 p.m. in the Chapel of Flanigan Funeral Home with Pastor Jimmy Dunn officiating. Interment will follow at Broadlawn Memorial Gardens, Buford, GA. Family will receive friends 4:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. Tuesday, March 10th at the funeral home.
Dacula
Jesse Towler Jesse Towler, age 34, of Dacula, GA passed away Sunday, March 8, 2020. He is survived by his loving wife of 13 years, Missy Morris Towler, children, Dixie Towler and Justin Towler; father, Jerry Towler; mother,
Valerie Black; brother, Jason (Peggy) Towler; sister, Stacy (Mauricio) Pimienta; brother, Jerry (Shelli) Towler; loving in-laws, Jerry and Tammy Morris; as well as many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Jesse was a devoted husband and father, and his family was his #1 priority. He was a huge UGA fan and you could always find him rooting for his “Dawgs.” Jesse enjoyed fishing and finding the biggest mud hole to go muddin. Those who knew Jesse loved him, to him everyone was considered family. He had the biggest heart and will be deeply missed by all those who knew him. A funeral service honoring the life of Jesse will be held on Saturday, March 14, 2020 at 2:00pm at Tom M. Wages Lawrenceville Chapel with Courtney Smith officiating. Interment will follow at Eternal Hills Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends on Friday, March 13th from 4pm-8pm in the funeral home. In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial donations be made to Gwinnett County Animal Shelter in Jesse’s memory. Condolences may be sent to or viewed at www.wagesfuneralhome.com. Tom M. Wages Funeral Service LLC, “A Family Company” 120 Scenic Hwy Lawrenceville, GA 770-963-2411 has been entrusted with the arrangements.
GDP-3/11/2020
sports
gwinnettdailypost.com
SECTION B ♦ WEdNESday, MarCh 11, 2020
PrEaSEaSON ParTy
Stripers unveil plans for new fan experience By Alan Cole
Staff Correspondent
David McGregor
Buford girls basketball players celebrate after winning the AAAAA state championship in Macon.
rOLLEr COaSTEr Emotional ups and downs surround Gwinnett’s teams in state basketball finals
By David Friedlander david.friedlander@gwinnettdailypost.com
There was a little bit of everything for Gwinnett County’s five boys and girls high school basketball teams playing for state championships at the Macon Centreplex this past weekend, including plenty of high drama, surprise and a roller coaster of emotion. In the end, the girls teams at Buford and Greater Atlanta Christian were the only two to come home with championship trophies, and their paths to their titles in Class AAAAA and AAA respectively were paved with some interesting comparisons and contrasts. The main similarity has to do with overcoming dry spells that could have sunk their chances in their title games. In GAC’s case, the Spartans (22-10) endured a nightmarish third quarter in their 54-44 win over Beach in the Class AAA title game Thursday in which they were held to only six points. That drought turned a 24-22 halftime lead into a 32-30 deficit and confronted they with a moment of truth, one they stared down to recover and grab hold of
LAWRENCEVILLE — With a roster full of prospects from one of the top-rated farm systems in Major League Baseball, the Gwinnett Stripers figure to have an exciting team on the field this year at Coolray Field. But the experience in the ballpark goes beyond just what happens between the lines, and Stripers vice president and general manager Adam English is very excited about everything that will be coming to the ballpark this season. “It’s going to be fun,” English said during the Stripers’ Preseason Party Sunday at Coolray Field. “We’re going to have a tremendous product on the field. And ultimately, this is a great community gathering place, and a great relaxed atmosphere to watch some really high quality baseball.” The Stripers finished last season 80-59, good enough to win the International League’s South division for the first time since 2016. That record included a 41-28 clip at home, and that’s something English is hoping they can build upon for the 2020 season in the stands. “Absolutely,” English said on trying to use last year’s momentum going forward. “I think we’re going to continue to put on some great firework shows and we’re going to continue to do some innovative giveaways.” One of those giveaways English is especially looking forward to will come right out of the gate in just the third home game of the season, when the Stripers will give fans a little taste of the road with their first giveaway of the season on April 18. “Oftentimes our fanbase doesn’t get to see our road jerseys,” English said. “So we’re doing a Ronald Acuña Jr. road T-shirt giveaway. It’s going to See STRIPERS, B2
Anthony Stalcup
Greater Atlanta Christian girls basketball players and coaches pose for a photo after winning the AAA state championship in Macon. GAC’s first state title since 2007 behind a “Down the line, grit and determination team effort led by Kaleigh Addie’s 28 points won the game for us,” GAC coach Jessica and Ava Irvin’s 13 points on the offensive Guarneri said. “We only scored six points end and a determined defensive effort led by Laurren Randolph. See FINALS, B2
Jamie Spaar
A young fan tries to catch The Fridge during the Gwinnett Stripers Preseason Party on Sunday.
World War II veteran a hit at Swarm game By Alan Cole Staff Correspondent
Kyle Hess
629332-1
Luciano “Louis” Graziano, 97, performed the ceremonial opening face-off Sunday at the Georgia Swarm’s home game at Infinite Energy Arena. Graziano, who lives in Thomson, is the last living eyewitness of the official German surrender at Reims, France that ended the European Conflict in World War II.
DULUTH — Minutes before the referee dropped the ball to start a big game between the Philadelphia Wings and Georgia Swarm on Sunday at Infinite Energy Arena, another man participated in his own face-off with the two captains. The 97-year-old Luciano “Louis” Graziano performed the ceremonial opening faceoff, receiving a standing ovation from the home crowd of 8,662 fans as he entered the field.
Graziano currently lives in Thomson, and is the last living eyewitness of the official German surrender at Reims, France that ended the European Conflict in World War II. Graziano was in the concourse meeting fans and signing copies of his book “A Patriot’s Memoirs of World War II — Through my Eyes, Heart and Soul” before the game, and he also delivered a speech in the Swarm locker room before the game. “It’s great to be honored to come over here and tell them some of my experiences,” Graziano said. “They can
read all about that in my book I wrote.” He was in attendance Sunday as part of the Georgia Swarm’s Heroes Night, something the Swarm have done all five years they have been in Georgia. “It’s an opportunity for us to not only recognize the local first responders you know in Gwinnett County and in some cases metro Atlanta,” Swarm vice president of marketing and communications Dan Levak said. “But (Swarm owner and general manager and coSee SWARM, B2
gwinnettdailypost.com ♦ wednesday, march 11, 2020 ♦ B3
Getting To Know ... Kai Lambert
There are certain athletes who simply cannot stay away from the game once they retire as active participants. Count former Gwinnett County high school basketball standout Kai Lambert among them. Though the 2016 Collins Hill grad has played his last game after three seasons of college ball — one at Gordon State College in Barnesville and two more at Truett-McConnell College in Cleveland, Ga., he is already getting a jump on his coaching career while still working his bachelor’s degree as a community assistant coach with the girls program at Collins Hill. He recently spoke with staff writer David Friedlander on such subjects as just how much he misses basketball, the circumstances that brought him back to his alma mater and joining Brian Harmon’s staff with the Eagles. DF: This is your first coaching job, right? KL: Yes. DF: Did you ever dream you’d be back at your alma mater so quickly with the girls program, much less be involved with a state runner-up team? KL: No. It actually caught me off guard. There were a lot of schools … that are kind of spread out throughout Gwinnett County and Georgia that I had reached out to over the summer about working with them. None of those really went through. Then, I don’t know why, but Collins Hill was one of the last place on my mind to contact. I never thought of hitting up Coach Harmon because me and him didn’t really talk a lot when I was in high school because he was only there one year (during my high school career). But when I talked to him, there was no hesitation. He put me through the whole process, probably within one or two days. He was excited to have me come help. DF: So it was kind of
special photo/ty Freeman
Even though he recently stopped playing basketball for good after a three-year college career, Collins Hill grad Kai Lambert (center) simply couldn’t stay away from the game and has returned to Gwinnett County as a community coach for the girls program at his alma mater. one of those situations that came about by accident? KL: I wouldn’t say accident. It’s more like it was a perfect situation that presented itself. DF: So you’re getting ready to graduate (college) soon? KL: I actually haven’t graduated yet. I have about a year left of school. I took this year off. This is my first year not playing basketball anymore. So I just took this year off. And then I figured, as far as this year not playing, … I was going to go ahead and get my foot in the door with coaching because when I do go back and finish (and get a bachelor’s degree), I do want this to be my longterm career. DF: I guess that even though you knew you wanted to coach some point in the future, is the fact you jumped into it so quickly after stopping playing for good is an indication just how much
Brookwood girls, Dacula boys win titles
you knew you were going to miss basketball after you walked away as a player? KL: Yeah, I had to be around the game somehow. When I go watch my friends play basketball — for example, I have a friend, Jordan Lyons, who plays at Furman. I go up to his games, and I’m sitting in the crowd and I catch myself yelling out stuff, like when screens are coming. It’s like I’m still playing with him. I just knew it was hard to stay away from the game. DF: It’s almost like you have to sometimes catch yourself heading to the scorer’s table to check into a game. KL: Yeah, it’s crazy. Even with coaching our girls, it’s like … I can’t wait to get out there and do something, especially when we watched our boys this year. They had a good team, and sometimes, I just wanted to get out there and help. DF: So what do you
think you’ve learned about basketball and yourself during a year coaching in the girls program? KL: Definitely, the girls game I a lot different than the guys. You have to be a lot more precise about the things that you’re doing on the court because you’re not going to have as many athletes jump up high above the rim. The (girls) game’s played a lot on the ground. So your fundamentals have to been strong, and your IQ has to be on point. So it’s a lot more teaching in regards to that. DF: Since you were in high school only four short years ago, did you know any of the current seniors at Collins Hill. KL: I’ve seen a few of them playing AAU (ball). … I’ve worked with Brandon Clay, he does a lot of girls basketball events over the summer and spring time. So I’ve been working for him since I was a sophomore in high school,
and I’ve gotten a chance to see some of these girls play before I even … got to meet them this year. DF: Did that make the transfer from being a male player to being a coach on staff of a girls team easier? KL: Honestly, I walked into a situation where these girls, from Day 1, … they were all new faces to me. So honestly, I didn’t really get really, really close with (the players), or they didn’t really get comfortable with me until we went to Panama City (Fla. for the Beach Bash tournament in December). They got a chance to really talk to me and see me outside of the basketball court, have a little one-on-one conversations, whether it be about life of stuff that’s going on. And they got a chance to really see who I was outside of coaching. DF: Do you think there’s more of a trust factor with the players because of that?
KL: Yes, 100 percent. We just ended our season two days ago (with another postseason loss to Westlake in the state championship game), unfortunately. But I already have some of the girls wanting to work out and further their games because they’re hungry and they know that they have something on their minds and they have something to work for next year, and especially with this summer coming up. This is a big summer for a lot of the girls. We have a lot of juniors on our team. DF: You’ve got one more year of school left before getting your bachelor’s degree. I guess the next step would he to try to finish up your bachelor’s degree and go after your master’s? KL: I’m a psychology major the last two years, … and I’ll probably try to end up being some sort of counselor. I’ve already talked to the principal (Kerensa Wing) and our (athletic director Scarlett Grantham) at Collins Hill about maybe doing some type of internship when I go back to school or when I finish school so I can stay where I’m a little bit known. DF: So are you going to finish at Truett-McConnell? KL: No, I’ll probably start taking classes back over here near my house at (Georgia Gwinnett College) to have as smooth a transition going back in without having that aspect of sports. DF: I guess that will give you a chance to continue doing some community coaching while you’re finishing up school? KL: For sure, I would love to continue coaching and working with these girls, especially since we just had a great year. … I just want to see them finally get over that final hump. Even if it’s not winning that state championship, it’s getting them to college because they all deserve to be playing somewhere.
GWINNETT LACROSSE LEAGUE
From staff reports
The Brookwood girls and Dacula boys won the team championships, both by substantial margins, at Saturday’s Jerry Arnold Challenge at Mill Creek. Brookwood won the girls division with 145.5 points, well ahead of runner-up Jefferson’s 89. Mill Creek was fourth, Greater Atlanta Christian was fifth, Peachtree Ridge was seventh and Dacula was 10th in the 23-team Morgan girls field. Bentley Dacula had 126 points to win the 26-team boys competition over runner-up Carrollton’s 86. Brookwood’s boys took third at 70.5, while Peachtree Ridge (fifth), Meadowcreek (eighth) and Lanier (10th) also finished in the top 10. Brookwood’s girls team got two victories from Morgan Bentley, who won the long jump at 17 feet, 4 inches and the triple jump in a meet-record leap of 38-6 3/4. Teammate Mya Swaby was first in the high jump (5-2) and the Broncos also finished first in the 1,600-meter relay in 3 minutes, 56.49 seconds. The GAC girls also had two event-winners — Simone Roberts (200, 25.88) and Alana Thomas (shot put, 39-3). Peachtree Ridge’s Nia Hicks had a victory in the 400 (57.96). Dacula’s boys team won an impressive seven individual events, including a sweep of the throws by Adam Watkins. He won the shot put at 53-3 1/2 and the discus at 167-6. Tevon Shuler was first in the triple jump (45-2 1/2), Chris Scott won the 100 (10.98) and Trenton Jones was first in the 400 (49.92). The Falcons also won the 400 relay (42.93) and 1,600 relay (3:28.23). Ian Jackson led the Brookwood boys with victories in the 300 hurdles (39.49) and the high jump (6-2). The Broncos also won the 3,200 relay in 8:25.60. Other Gwinnett boys event-winners were Peachtree Ridge’s Evan Wells (200, 21.93), Meadowcreek’s Quincy Bonner (110 hurdles, 14.83) and Mill Creek’s Parker Wroble (long jump, 22-3 1/2).
Jeff Fairchild
Archer and Mountain View players battle during a Gwinnett Lacrosse League game last weekend. The Gwinnett Lacrosse League’s play- Junior boys: Preston Valentine ers of the week (athletes were selected Senior boys: William Oliver by his or her coach): George Walton Archer Bantam boys: Markell Weaver Bantam boys: Kayden Beckett Lightning boys red: Brantley Bergen Lightning boys: Spencer Marshall Lightning boys black: Cash McGoldrick Junior girls: Brehana Jowers Junior boys: Robbie Perkins Senior boys: Tiedrell Ansley Brookwood Lightning girls: Caroline Harsh Mill Creek Senior girls: Olivia Brinson Lightning girls Palmer: Bailee Carroll Lightning boys: Benjamin Greene Lightning girls White: Olivia Wilson Junior boys: Michael Howard Junior girls: Kennedy Martin Senior girls: Brittney Ramon Bantam boys Bentley: Eli McLendon Buford Lightning girls: Katie Patchen Bantam boys Schulman: Mason Hudson Junior girls: Ava Still Lightning boys Walsh: Zeke Wright Senior girls: Megan Canavan Junior boys Smith: Tommy Connaire Bantam boys: Dylan Iszard Senior boys: Carson Carroll Lightning boys Philmon: Lucas Surmain Lightning boys Caspar: Carter Coleman
Mountain View Lightning girls: Marley Robinson Junior girls: Brook Clifford Senior girls: Gabby Palomba Bantam boys: Jojo Henry Lightning boys: Peyton Long Junior boys: Nick Hall Senior boys: Anderson Kesinger Parkview Junior girls: Gabby Johnson Senior girls: Savannah Reed Bantam boys: Preston Strother Lightning boys: Liam Forrester Junior boys: Jackson Wolfe Peachtree Ridge Lightning girls: Logan Lind Junior girls: Brianna McDaniel Senior girls: Christiane Weir Bantam boys: Julian Fleury Senior boys: Thomas Dye
B4 ♦ Wednesday, March 11, 2020 ♦ gWinnettdailypost.coM
PERSPECTIVES
Gwinnett Daily Post www.gwinnettdailypost.com
Todd Cline,
Editor and SCNI Vice President of Content todd.cline@gwinnettdailypost.com
COLUMNIST|DAVID CARROLL
I
If you can’t say something nice...
don’t know many super-rich people. She’s just doing this for attention.” One woman quoted another country Where I grew up, if you had a house, a car, and a job, you were better off star, saying, “That don’t impress me much. than most. Come to think of it, that still What’s the big deal, she’s got so many more millions just lying around.” holds true today. Others slammed the singer for her choices Occasionally, I would hear whispers: “That guy over there is a millionaire.” It in clothing, complained that she has “forsaken country music,” and criticized was usually said about someone her political preferences. “Take who owned a lot of land. The conyour liberal money somewhere cept of anyone I anyone I knew else,” wrote one Facebook critic. ever becoming a millionaire seemed So to review, a celebrity gave a outrageous. Back then, a “thoumillion dollars to help total strangsand-aire” seemed to be a more ers who had just lost loved ones realistic goal. and all their possessions. Some Of course, a million dollars topeople reacted by taking time out day isn’t what it used to be. In Carroll of their day to insult the donor on 1985, there were about 800,000 millionaires in the United States. Today a public forum. Certainly, many others reacted posithere are more than 12 million, many of whom have crossed the golden thresh- tively, and quite a few came to her deold since the recession ended about ten fense. As they rightly pointed out, “No one made her do this.” Even some who years ago. The rest of us fantasize about winning admitted they are not among her fans the lottery. “If I ever win that Powerball,” wrote, “I don’t care for her music, but at we say, “I’d take care of my family, and the least she’s trying to help.” And there was rest would go to charity.” Most of us will this: “It’s none of my business if she’s donever be able to deliver on that promise, ing it for publicity. People who are trying but hopefully some winners actually do. to rebuild don’t care where the money’s After last week’s tornado outbreak in coming from. They just need help!” Personally, I’m not passionate one way middle Tennessee, our region’s trademark generosity was in full force. Folks drove or the other about Taylor Swift’s wardrobe, hundreds of miles to help clear debris, music, lifestyle or politics. I am, however deliver necessities, and comfort victims. very impressed by her giving heart. You One donation stood out. Singer Tay- can find numerous stories about her visits lor Swift donated a million dollars to the to sick children, some of whom expressed relief efforts. This was reported on the their dying wish was to meet the singer. news, and soon landed on social media. Yes, some of these are publicized, often This is where it gets interesting, and by family members who wish to acknowledge Swift’s kindness. But many are not, stomach-turning. You see, my sweet mother tried to and have become known long after they teach me to be a good person. I have took place. Superstar entertainers can stay in their never quite lived up to her very realistic expectations, but it’s not for lack of try- protective cocoons, emerging only for luing. I am flawed, as are all of us. How- crative concerts and awards shows. Many ever, since she was my moral compass of them do just that. Taylor Swift’s million for the first half-century of my life, surely dollar donation to Tennessee’s tornado victims was not her first act of kindness, something rubbed off on me. There’s no telling how many times she and surely won’t be her last. As some of said, “Son, if you can’t say something her detractors pointed out, she does innice about someone, just don’t say any- deed have “millions more dollars.” She often exercises her right to share her forthing at all.” Those are solid words to live by, but tune with others. not everyone had a momma like mine. If she chooses to help those in need, we Social media sites like Facebook and can react with negativity, or we can apTwitter are heavily populated by people plaud her kind gesture. who rarely say anything nice. They were This column has given me a chance to ready to pounce when Ms. Swift made say something nice about her. I believe her million dollar donation. my mother would approve. Said one man, “Her giving a million is David Carroll, a Chattanooga news anchor, like me giving $1.25. She only did it for is the author of “Volunteer Bama Dawg,” the publicity, she knows it will translate available on his website, ChattanoogaRadioTV. to millions in sales.” com. You may contact him at radiotv2020@ Another chimed in, “If I lost everything yahoo.com, or 900 Whitehall Road, I had, and she tried to give me a check for a million dollars, I’d tell her to keep it. Chattanooga, TN 37405. the gwinnett daily post encourages letters to the editor on topics of general interest, but reserves the right to edit them for content and length. letters should be no longer than 400 words and must include the writer’s name, address and daytime phone number for verification purposes.
COLUMNIST|CAL THOMAS
J
COLUMNIST|TOM PURCELL
Just when we need it, Irish wit, wisdom abound
W
e could use some Irish wit To be sure, the outcome of a “free” and wisdom right now. government service is best explained Here’s a good start: “You’ll by American humorist P.J. O’Rourke: never plow a field by turning it over “If you think health care is expenin your mind.” sive now, wait until you see what That’s a lesson well-taught by the it costs when it’s free.” many Irish immigrants, including The great Irish playwright Oscar my great-grandfather, who boldly Wilde said, “Seriousness is the only came to America to make a better refuge of the shallow.” life for themselves and their famiAren’t too many of us getting lies – and whose hard work lost – particularly in socialgreatly benefited our country. media pontification – in the “For every mile of road, narrowness and silliness of there are two miles of ditches,” our serious points of view? reads another Irish saying. Irish levity offers a soluTrue success in life isn’t tion, and, thankfully, it’s in something that can be givabundance this time of year. en to us, but something we Here’s a joke I hope we all must earn. As the Irish say, still agree on: “You’ve got to do your own Purcell Q: Why are Irish jokes so growing, no matter how tall short? your father was.” A: So members of Congress can However, all successful teach- understand them. ers, entrepreneurs, executives and Here’s another: It was so cold in others have met multiple setbacks Washington, D.C., the politicians along the way – but refused to let had their hands in their own pockets. the setbacks stand in their way. And another: Kate, a young Irish Vibrant civilizations are built by girl, asked her father, “Daddy, do people who live this way. Here’s a clever line that relates to all fairy tales begin with ‘Once upon the blarney common to presidential a time?’” “No, Kate,” said the father. “Lots campaigns: “Help a man when he is in trouble and he will remember of them begin with, ‘If elected presyou when he is in trouble again.” ident I promise that … .” The Irish know there’s “nothing It has the opposite ring from “Give better than warm words on a cold a man a fish, you’ll feed him for a day, but teach him to fish and he night.” Such words can do us all a bit of good right now. will feed himself for life.” So I’ll leave you with this sweet It’s more in line with this quote Irish blessing: by Irish playwright George Bernard May love and laughter light your Shaw: “A government [or politician] that robs Peter to pay Paul days, and warm your heart and home. May good and faithful friends can always depend on the support be yours, wherever you may roam. of Paul.” May peace and plenty bless your The wise understand that there are no easy fixes in life or in poli- world with joy that long endures. May all life’s passing seasons bring tics and that somebody must pay for every government program. We the best to you and yours! somebodies are called “taxpayers,” Tom Purcell is a Pittsburgh and one of the world’s cleverest wits, Tribune-Review humor columnist. who remains unknown, determined Send comments to Tom at Tom@ that the taxes withheld from our TomPurcell.com. paychecks are our “contributions.”
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The shame of Chuck Schumer
ust when you may have thought that the low quality of political rhetoric in Washington could not get any worse, along comes Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) to prove otherwise. At a pro-choice demonstration outside the Supreme Court, which is considering a Louisiana law requiring doctors who perform abortions to have admitting privileges at nearby hospitals, Schumer delivered what sounded to many ears like a physical threat to two of the court’s conservative justices: “I want to tell you, (Neil) Gorsuch, I want to tell you, (Brett) Kavanaugh, you have released the whirlwind, and you will pay the price.” Chief Justice John Roberts issued a rare statement in which he said of Schumer’s comments: “Statements of this sort from the highest levels of government are not only inappropriate, they are dangerous.” Schumer responded that Roberts is “biased.” After heavy criticism, including denunciations from liberals such as Harvard law professor Laurence Tribe, who called Schumer’s comments “inexcusable,” Schumer took to
the Senate floor and offered a wimpy 18 U.S.C. (United States Code) Secnon-apology: “I should not have used tion 351. It states that it is a felony the words I used yesterday. They did to threaten “all Federal employees ... not come out the way I intended ... when such threat is done with intent I’m from Brooklyn. We use strong to impede, intimidate, or interfere language.” He added he was in “no with” such federal employee “while way” threatening the justices. He latengaged in the performance of offier “explained” he was talking about cial duties, or with intent to retaliThomas the price Republicans will pay at the ate against” such federal employee. polls if Gorsuch and Kavanaugh vote Schumer’s comments clearly were to uphold the Louisiana law. meant to intimidate and even impede the If you watch the video, you see Schumer court’s deliberations on the Louisiana law. turning and pointing directly at the court Otherwise, why did he make them? His fibuilding. It is difficult to accept either of ery remarks were not made on the Senate his explanations. floor and thus he is not protected by the The left regularly reminds us that words immunity enjoyed by senators. have consequences. They regularly condemn Schumer also resurrected the “war on speech from conservative talk radio hosts women” label that Democrats have used they claim contributes to everything from in the past, hoping, no doubt, to scare racism to violence. But when they spew in- suburban women especially into voting cendiary language it is fine with their fel- for Democratic candidates. low ideological travelers and much of the The real war on women is coming from media. It’s good to be a Democrat. Planned Parenthood and the left. Since the There is a law prohibiting, among other Roe v. Wade decision in 1973, sixty-one things, verbal threats against federal offi- million babies have had their lives snuffed cials. It is known in the legal community as out before taking their first breath. Some
politicians are fine with allowing babies to be killed when they are fully viable, and even in some cases should they survive an abortion. Forty-one Democratic senators voted against the “Born Alive Act,” a bill that “would have required doctors to provide standard medical care to newborn infants who survive abortion procedures.” The bill did not win a necessary 60-vote majority in order to pass. Neither does one hear about the many women who have regretted their abortions and say they would have made a different choice had they seen a sonogram of their baby and been given more information about available alternatives. Shame is something politicians in Washington abandoned long ago, but if it were to make a comeback, Schumer’s remarks would be at the top of a list of bad examples. Readers may email Cal Thomas at tcaeditors@ tribpub.com. Look for Cal Thomas’ new book “America’s Expiration Date: The Fall of Empires and Superpowers and the Future of the United States” (HarperCollins/Zondervan).
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Sudoku is a number-placing puzzle based on a 9x9 grid with several given numbers. The object is to place the numbers 1 to 9 in the empty squares so that each row, each column and each 3x3 box contains the same numSolution to today's Sudoku ber only once.
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Today’s Answer: Hair
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