Esper: US, Taliban Take Step Toward Talks Defense Secretary Tells Allies That Agreement in Principle to Reduction of Violence Could Lead to Peace Deal

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Volume 78, No. 215 ©SS 2020 FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2020 $1.00

AFGHANISTAN Esper: US, Taliban take step toward talks Defense secretary tells allies that agreement in principle to reduction of violence could lead to peace deal

BY JOHN VANDIVER peace deal, Esper said. allies supported U.S. efforts to negotiate a peace Stars and Stripes “But in all things, our approach to this process deal with the Taliban. will be conditions-based,” Esper said. “Let me “We welcome any steps that can lead to the re- The U.S. and Taliban have agreed in principle to say it again: conditions-based. So it will be a con- duction of violence, (but) the Taliban have to show a “seven-day reduction in violence” in Afghanistan, tinual evaluative process as we go forward, if we a real will and a real ability to deliver a reduction of which could lead to a peace deal to end 18 years of go forward.” violence on the ground,” Stoltenberg said. war in the country, Defense Secretary Mark Esper Esper declined to comment on whether the U.S. American and Taliban negotiators have also laid said Thursday at the end of a meeting of NATO de- would cease counterterrorism operations during the foundations for a political agreement in Af- fense ministers in Brussels. any period of reduced violence, saying talks were ghanistan, Esper said. Seven days would be “sufficient” to test whether ongoing. the Taliban was serious about moving toward a Esper NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said SEE ESPER ON PAGE 3

BY JOSHUA KARSTEN group’s commodore, said in a statement. Stars and Stripes Bataan and its amphibious ready group comprises Thousands of Marines 2,500 Marines from the 26th Marine Expeditionary MANAMA, Bahrain — The amphibious assault ship Unit, the transport dock ship USS New York and the USS Bataan transited the Strait of Hormuz into the dock landing ship USS Oak Hill, the statement said. enter Persian Gulf Persian Gulf on Wednesday, becoming the first U.S. Also traveling with the group is the destroyer USS Navy “big deck” to enter the strategic waters in 2020. Carney and cargo ship USNS McClean. “Our passage through this important strait and with USS Bataan The last big deck to transit the strait before the Bataan continued presence in the area plays a critical role in maintaining the freedom of navigation key to regional was the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, which Amphibious Ready Group security and stability here,” Capt. Lance Lesher, the SEE BATAAN ON PAGE 6

The amphibious assault ship USS Bataan, front, is flanked by the amphibious dock landing ship USS Oak Hill, left, and the guided-missile destroyer USS Carney, right, as they transit through the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday. The Bataan became the first Navy “big deck” to enter the Persian Gulf since the U.S. killed an Iranian general and Iran launched a rocket attack on a base in Iraq that left more than 100 U.S. service members with traumatic brain injuries.

LEVI DECKER/U.S. Navy PAGE 2 F3HIJKLM •STARS AND STRIPES• Friday, February 14, 2020 BUSINESS/WEATHER EUROPE GAS PRICES EXCHANGE RATES

Country Super E10 Super unleaded Super plus Diesel Military rates Switzerland (Franc)...... 0.9780 Germany $2.682 $3.105 $3.358 $3.173 Azores -- -- $3.349 -- Euro costs (Feb. 14) ...... $1.1162 Thailand (Baht) ...... 31.11 Change in price -3.6 cents -3.0 cents -3.0 cents -4.6 cents Change in price -- -- -3.0 cents -- Dollar buys (Feb. 14) ...... €0.8959 Turkey (Lira) ...... 6.0503 British pound (Feb. 14) ...... $1.34 (Military exchange rates are those Netherlands -- $3.741 $3.947 $3.873 Belgium -- $2.878 $3.196 $3.217 Japanese yen (Feb. 14) ...... 107.00 Change in price -- -2.5 cents -7.9 cents -11.1 cents Change in price -- No change No change No change available to customers at military banking South Korean won (Feb. 14) ...... 1,150.00 facilities in the country of issuance U.K. -- $3.105 $3.268 $3.083 Turkey -- -- $3.159 $2.974* Commercial rates for Japan, South Korea, Germany, the Bahrain (Dinar) ...... 0.3769 Change in price -- -3.0 cents -3.0 cents -4.6 cents Change in price -- -- -3.0 cents -4.6 cents Netherlands and the United Kingdom. For British pound ...... $1.3044 nonlocal currency exchange rates (i.e., Canada (Dollar) ...... 1.3246 purchasing British pounds in Germany), China (Yuan) ...... 6.9763 check with your local military banking Denmark (Krone) ...... 6.8821 facility. Commercial rates are interbank PACIFIC GAS PRICES Egypt (Pound) ...... 15.7500 rates provided for reference when buying Country Unleaded Super unleaded Super plus Diesel Euro ...... $1.0858/0.9210 Hong Kong (Dollar) ...... 7.7661 currency. All figures are foreign currencies Japan -- $3.149 -- $2.959 South Korea $2.499 -- $3.179 $2.989 to one dollar, except for the British pound, Change in price -- -3.0 cents -- -5.0 cents Change in price -4.0 cents -- -3.0 cents -5.0 cents Hungary (Forint) ...... 310.70 Israel (Shekel) ...... 3.4244 which is represented in dollars-to-pound, Okinawa $2.469 -- -- $2.959 Guam $2.479** $2.909 $3.159 -- Japan (Yen) ...... 109.75 and the euro, which is dollars-to-euro.) Change in price -5.0 cents -- -- -5.0 cents Change in price -4.0 cents -3.0 cents -3.0 cents -- Kuwait (Dinar) ...... 0.3049 INTEREST RATES Norway (Krone) ...... 9.2485 Philippines (Peso)...... 50.50 Prime rate ...... 4.75 * Diesel EFD ** Midgrade Poland (Zloty) ...... 3.92 Discount rate ...... 2.25 Saudi Arabia (Riyal) ...... 3.7506 Federal funds market rate ...... 1.58 For the week of Feb. 14-19 Singapore (Dollar) ...... 1.3885 3-month bill ...... 1.54 South Korea (Won) ...... 1,182.58 30-year bond ...... 2.09 WEATHER OUTLOOK FRIDAY IN THE MIDDLE EAST FRIDAY IN EUROPE SATURDAY IN THE PACIFIC

Misawa 39/36 Kabul 41/14 Seoul 55/37 Baghdad 63/42 Kandahar 54/33 Osan Tokyo Mildenhall/ Drawsko 58/41 56/41 Lakenheath Pomorskie Busan 49/37 38/33 56/44 Iwakuni 53/50 Kuwait Bahrain Zagan Sasebo City 63/59 Brussels 42/39 Guam 66/47 49/42 Ramstein 62/49 80/77 Lajes, 43/40 Riyadh Doha Azores Stuttgart Pápa 70/38 67/46 62/59 45/40 49/41 Aviano/ Vicenza 51/34

Naples 59/52 Okinawa Morón 71/68 65/48 Sigonella Rota 63/35 The weather is provided by the Djibouti Souda Bay American Forces Network Weather Center, 83/74 61/48 59/56 2nd Weather Squadron at Offutt Air Force Base, Neb.

T O D A Y IN STRIPES

American Roundup ...... 18 Classified ...... 48, 50 Comics ...... 42, 46-47 Crossword ...... 42, 46-47 Faces ...... 43 Opinion ...... 44-45 Sports ...... 54-64 Weekend ...... 21-42 Friday, February 14, 2020 •STARS AND STRIPES• F3HIJKLM PAGE 3 MILITARY Esper defends Stars and Stripes decision

BY COREY DICKSTEIN said the newspaper not only provides ser- Stars and Stripes vice members “a little piece of home” or a “welcome diversion” from tough missions, WASHINGTON — Defense Secretary but it also provides independent, free-flow- Mark Esper on Thursday defended the ing information that they need to exercise Pentagon’s effort to strip Stars and Stripes their rights as Americans. of all of its federal funding as part of its The proposal has received pushback fiscal year 2021 budget request, telling from various directions, including lawmak- reporters in Brussels that the independent ers, a former commander of U.S. European news organization is not a priority. Command and a key journalism advocacy “So, we trimmed the support for Stars and education organization. and Stripes because we need to invest that Military veteran lawmakers Rep. Gil money, as we did with many, many other Cisneros, D-Calif., and Rep. Ruben Gal- programs, into higher priority issues,” lego, D-Ariz., tweeted their support for Esper said during a news conference at Stars and Stripes this week. NATO headquarters. He listed space, nu- “Stars & Stripes was a link to home when clear programs, hypersonic missiles and I was in Iraq and Okinawa,” wrote Gallego, “a variety of systems” as places the money a Marine veteran. “It’s an A+ indie take on — slightly more than $15.5 million — could everyday DoD news, f*** ups, and Admin- be reinvested in the $705.4 billion Defense istration & General Officer BS. No wonder Department spending proposal. this President wants to cut it. He’s got a Pentagon officials acknowledged fight on his hands.” Wednesday for the first time that the bud- Cisneros, a Navy veteran, wrote Stars get proposal completely cuts the subsidy and Stripes “provides a crucial voice on that the department provides Stars and the DOD, VA, and other military matters.” Stripes to print and distribute newspapers “We need their reporting,” he tweeted. to troops deployed around the world, in- Other members of Congress reached cluding remote and often dangerous loca- this week for comment said they needed tions in places such as Afghanistan, Iraq to take a close look at budget documents and Syria. before speaking. One member expected to Stars and Stripes receives about $8.7 be briefed on the Stars and Stripes funding million annually in operations and mainte- proposal this week. nance funds and about $6.9 million in con- In an email, a former top commander of tingency operations funds, said Marine Lt. American and NATO troops in Europe de- Col. Chris Logan, a spokesman for Deputy fended Stars and Stripes. Defense Secretary David Norquist. “Every day in my office as commander The cut to Stars and Stripes’ annual [of] U.S. European Command, I would Pentagon subsidy equals about half of the read Stars and Stripes,” said retired Navy news organization’s annual funds to pay Adm. James Stavridis, who served as expenses. Stars and Stripes’ remaining EUCOM chief and NATO Supreme Allied money comes from sales, subscriptions Command from 2009 to 2013. “It was an and advertising. invaluable, unbiased, and highly profes- Pentagon officials confirmed Monday sional source of information which was that the budget request would cut at least critical to me in my role overseeing U.S. some funding to Stars and Stripes, but they military throughout Europe.” declined to provide monetary figures at- The Society of Professional Journalists tached to the proposal. Stars and Stripes’ called on Esper to rethink the funding cut leadership was informed of the proposed to Stars and Stripes, which it said would be cuts by Pentagon leadership also Monday, “a huge disservice to the men and women after The Wall Street Journal reported the who serve our country” who rely on the news organization was eyed for a funding CHAD GARLAND/Stars and Stripes physical newspaper in areas where they reduction. cannot access the internet. Stars and Stripes first appeared during Spc. Angel Ruszkiewicz, 21, a combat camera specialist from Milwaukee , reads a “Since it was first published during the the Civil War, and it has been continuously copy of Stars and Stripes in Erbil, Iraq, in December before a flight to Syria. Civil War, Stars and Stripes has been a bal- published since World War II. It produces anced and objective source of information daily newspapers for U.S. military troops knowledged Stars and Stripes’ value dur- to support our warfighters in the most crit- for members of the military,” SPJ National around the world and a website, which is ing its seven decades of continuous service ical areas of need. Therefore, the depart- President Patricia Gallagher Newberry updated with news 24 hours a day. Though to the U.S. military community. ment has made the difficult decision that, said Wednesday in the statement. “Its abil- it is part of the Pentagon’s Defense Media “Their hard work and dedication in re- beginning in fiscal year 2021, it will no ity to inform troops about issues important Agency, Stripes retains its editorial inde- porting on issues that matter the most to longer provide appropriated funds to Stars to them must not be hindered.” pendence and is congressionally mandat- the military community continues to be of and Stripes.” value,” he said. “However, as we look for- The news organization’s value to Ameri- Stars and Stripes reporters Slobodan Lekic and ed to be governed by First Amendment John Vandiver contributed to this report. principles. ward to the current budget proposal and can troops has been proven, said Ernie [email protected] In Logan’s statement Wednesday, he ac- beyond, the DOD must prioritize spending Gates, Stars and Stripes’ ombudsman. He Twitter: @CDicksteinDC Esper: NATO defense ministers US: Troops killed Syrian combatant vow to contribute more to Iraq effort Associated Press cluding armed men who fired at with Russian, Syrian government the soldiers and pelted them with and Turkish troops. They are BEIRUT — The U.S. military FROM FRONT PAGE reduce some of its roughly 5,000 stones and Molotov cocktails. deployed in part to maintain the troops there and refocus them said Thursday its troops fired Spokesman for the U.S-led co- peace but also in the latest tug “Progress has been made on on and killed a Syrian combat- this front and we’ll have more to on other missions. Allied defense alition Col. Myles Caggins said over territorial control in Syria’s ministers agreed “in principle” ant when government supporters report on that soon, I hope,” he the person killed was a combat- 9-year-old conflict. to enhance the NATO mission in attacked an American convoy in said. ant. He said the U.S. soldiers had Caggins said the patrol was Iraq. Neither they nor Esper said northeastern Syria a day earlier. come under fire and responded in planned, and the route passed During the two-day meeting which countries would be adding The clash Wednesday was a self-defense. Syrian government through a pro-government area. of NATO defense ministers, in forces to an alliance training mis- rare direct confrontation between media maintained the person The convoy of U.S. armored ve- addition to consulting with allies sion in the country. a Syrian pro-government group killed was a civilian. hicles passed through a Syrian about the potential pause in fight- Allies also considered ways that and U.S. troops deployed in the The U.S. maintains hundreds military checkpoint, but govern- ing in Afghanistan, Esper got NATO can do more in the broader increasingly crowded are near of troops in the area as part of its ment militia were also present. commitments from them to con- Middle East and North Africa, the border with Iraq and Turkey. fight against Islamic State group The U.S. maintains lines of tribute more troops to NATO’s ef- which has been a priority for U.S. A convoy of U.S. armored vehi- militants. In recent weeks, and communication with Russia, Da- fort in Iraq. President Donald Trump. cles drove into a government-con- following a Turkish invasion of mascus’s ally, to avoid such con- Esper has called on NATO to do [email protected] trolled area and was attacked by villages and towns along its bor- frontations. It wasn’t clear if the more in Iraq so that the U.S. can Twitter: @john_vandiver pro-government supporters, in- ders, the area has been swarming route was deconflicted. PAGE 4 F3HIJKLM •STARS AND STRIPES• Friday, February 14, 2020 PACIFIC Philippines’ plan to end pact is ‘fine’ with Trump

BY WYATT OLSON Philippines President Rodrigo “As we try and bolster our Stars and Stripes Duterte, a critic of the United presence and compete with States long before he was elected [China] in this era of great power President Donald Trump said in 2016, had ordered the agree- competition, I think it’s a move he’s “fine” with the Philippines’ ment terminated. in the wrong direction for the intent to terminate a security pact Military cooperation with the long-standing relationship we’ve with the United States despite the Philippines is seen by the Defense had with the Philippines for move’s potential effect on Ameri- Department as a key component their strategic location, the ties can efforts to contest China’s in- in pushing back on China’s broad between our peoples, our coun- fluence in the South China Sea. but disputed claims to sovereign- tries,” Esper said. “That’s fine — we’ll save a lot of ty over most of the South China Duterte spokesman Salvador money,” Trump said Wednesday Sea. Panelo said Wednesday the ter- in the Oval Office in response to In his Oval Room comments, mination should have come “a a reporter’s question. “I have a Trump did imply that the move long time ago” because it was RICK RYCROFT/AP very good relationship there, but displayed ingratitude by the Phil- advantageous only to the U.S., ac- Adm. Philip S. Davidson, commander of the U.S. Indo-Pacific I really don’t mind if they would ippines for U.S. military assis- cording to a state-run newswire. Command, said Thursday he hopes for a “successful outcome” after like to do that.” tance in helping put down a jihadi He said Esper’s reaction was the Philippines terminated its security pact with the U.S. Philippines Foreign Secretary uprising in the southern part of expected, “given that the VFA Teodoro Locsin Jr. announced the country in 2017. favors the U.S. and its abrogation lateral decision may be filed as versity, Manila, in a commentary Tuesday that a notice of termina- Trump said “we came in and affects its global strategic defen- early as next week. posted online Tuesday by the tion of the Visiting Forces Agree- literally single-handedly were sive positioning.” Early in his term, Duterte sig- Center for Strategic and Inter- ment, which allows U.S. forces able to save them from vicious at- Panelo told reporters Tuesday naled he would not implement the national Studies, a Washington, to train and visit in the former tacks on their islands.” that Manila is expecting “pref- 2014 Enhanced Defense Coop- D.C.-based think tank. American colony, had been sub- The U.S. provided Philippine erential attention” from the U.S. eration Agreement with the U.S., Now, two years before the end mitted to the U.S. Embassy in forces with assistance and train- following the revocation of the se- which was signed by the former of his term, Duterte “believes Manila that day. The pact, which ing in the areas of intelligence, curity pact. administration. The agreement that the [Armed Forces of the has been in place since 1999, is surveillance and reconnaissance On Thursday, Philippines Sen- gave America greater access to Philippines] will now support his scheduled to end 180 days after ate President Vicente Sotto said through a rotating group of spe- rotate troops and store supplies move since he has increased the that notification. cial operations troops that did lawmakers may take Duterte’s in a handful of military bases defense budget, funded the mil- Adm. Philip S. Davidson, com- not number more than 100 at any decision to end the military pact throughout the country. itary’s modernization program, mander of the U.S. Indo-Pacific given time, according to a Penta- to the country’s Supreme Court, But Duterte was confronted by and promoted senior officers who Command, said Thursday that gon statement at the time. Ameri- according to ABS-CBN News. “resistance within his own mili- will be loyal to him,” Cruz De he hoped the 180-day timeframe can troops were not involved in The Visiting Forces Agreement tary and defense bureaucracy” Castro said. would “allow some time for dip- direct combat. was approved by lawmakers and and appears to have waited for lomatic efforts to be pursued Trump’s remarks ran counter needs their concurrence if it’s “a more opportune moment” to Information from The Associated Press was used in this report. here.” to Secretary of Defense Mark to be set aside, the broadcaster alter the military status quo, said [email protected] “I hope we can get to a success- Esper’s comments to reporters quoted Sotto as saying. Sotto told Renato Cruz De Castro, a profes- Twitter: @WyattWOlson ful outcome,“ he told a foreign Tuesday that the move sent the a Philippine radio station that a sor in the International Studies policy think-tank in Sydney . wrong message to China. petition to review Duterte’s uni- Department at De La Salle Uni- US, Philippines expected to hold Balikatan drills

BY MATTHEW M. BURKE Visiting Forces Agreement, this cerns that other agreements be- pines,” he added. “It’s difficult to Stars and Stripes year’s planned military exercises tween the two countries may now deter China in maritime South- with the Americans shall proceed be in peril, namely the 1951 Mu- east Asia from Guam, Okinawa Joint military exercises with as scheduled within the 180 days tual Defense Treaty. That treaty or Darwin. They’re simply too far the United States will go on as that the VFA remains in force,” requires both countries to defend away … Beijing will certainly be planned ahead of the termination Lorenzana said Thursday in a one another should they be at- happy with this.” of a long-standing security pact statement released by his office. tacked by a third party. President Donald Trump said between the two allied nations in “However, our American coun- Security experts have said that he was “fine” with the Philip- six months’ time, Philippines Na- terparts may opt to discontinue ending the Visiting Forces Agree- pines’ decision when queried by tional Defense Secretary Delfin the scheduled exercises before ment could do real damage to the a reporter Wednesday in the Oval Lorenzana said Thursday. the 180 days are up.” longtime Pacific allies’ defense Office. The multinational Balikatan Once the termination is final, relationship as well as harm U.S. “That’s fine — we’ll save a lot exercise has taken place in the the Philippines would “cease to efforts to deter China in the South of money,” Trump said. “I have a Philippines every spring for 35 have exercises” with the U.S., China Sea. very good relationship there, but years. However, Philippines of- Lorenzana said. The Philippines is locked in I really don’t mind if they would ficials announced Tuesday they The U.S. Embassy in Manila a series of maritime territorial like to do that.” had notified the U.S. Embassy in could not be reached for com- disputes with China and military A Duterte spokesman said Manila of their intention to termi- ment Thursday afternoon. U.S. cooperation between the Philip- Wednesday that the agreement nate the Visiting Forces Agree- Indo-Pacific Command did not pines and the U.S. is seen as key should have been terminated “a ment, which permits U.S. troops immediately respond to requests to containing China and push- long time ago,” because it was to deploy in the country. seeking comment, and a spokes- ing back against its territorial only advantageous to the United Philippines President Rodrigo man for the III Marine Expedi- claims. States. Duterte ordered the termination tionary Force in Okinawa, Japan, “Washington will [be] less like- after Washington reportedly can- referred all questions to the ly to continue to commit to Philip- Balikatan, which translates celed the U.S. visa of Sen. Ronald embassy. pine defense in the South China to “shoulder to shoulder” from Dela Rosa, a stalwart ally and for- Gen. Felimon Santos Jr., chief Sea, given that there was no way Tagalog, took place April 1-12 mer Philippines National Police of staff of the Philippines armed for its troops to be in Filipino in locations around the Philip- chief. Dela Rosa has been cited forces, said the Philippines would territory,” Jeffrey Ordaniel, as- pines last year. It featured 4,000 for human rights violations relat- look to “increase” training and sistant professor of international Filipino, 3,500 American and 50 ed to Duterte’s bloody drug war exercises with other allied na- security studies at Tokyo Interna- Australian troops taking part in that began when he was elected tions like Japan and Australia to tional University, told Stars and amphibious operations, live-fire president in 2016. make up for the absence of U.S. Stripes in January. training, urban operations, avia- The agreement, in place since troops, the ABS-CBN television “One of the very few options tion operations and counterter- 1999, is slated to end 180 days network reported Thursday. available for the U.S. to influence rorism response on the islands of after notification. Politicians in the country ques- China’s behavior in the South Luzon and Palawan. “With the formal serving of tioned the constitutionality of the China Sea, long term, is to work [email protected] the notice of termination of the termination and expressed con- with its alliance with the Philip- Twitter: @MatthewMBurke1 Friday, February 14, 2020 •STARS AND STRIPES• F3HIJKLM PAGE 5 PACIFIC New rotational brigade transitions to S. Korea

BY KIM GAMEL at the southern port of Gwang- Stars and Stripes yang, then taken to its destination on the South Korean rail system, SEOUL, South Korea — Tanks it added. and other armored vehicles rolled The brigades will hold the offi- off a ship onto the Korean Penin- cial transfer of authority ceremo- sula this week in preparation for ny in early March, officials said. the arrival of the new rotational It’s the Dagger Brigade’s first ro- brigade. tation to South Korea. The Fort Riley, Kan .-based 2nd The rotational system was in- Armored Brigade Combat Team, troduced in 2015 when the Army 1st Infantry Division, known as deactivated the permanently sta- the Dagger Brigade, will be the tioned unit that had served near eighth rotational brigade to serve the border with North Korea for in South Korea since the system five decades. began in 2015. The Army said that it exposes It is replacing the 3rd Armored more soldiers to South Korea’s Brigade Combat Team, 1st Caval- operating environment and en- ry Division, which will return to hances the alliance between the Fort Hood, Texas, after its nine- two countries that fought together month rotation. in the 1950-53 Korean War. The transition comes as the Maj. Gen. Patrick Donahoe, U.S. and South Korean militaries the Eighth Army’s deputy com- are expected to begin joint exer- mander for operations, praised cises next month. The allies have the outgoing Greywolf Brigade, reduced the scale of the drills in which arrived in June 2018. a bid to avoid antagonizing North “They arrived at a high state U.S. Army Korea amid stalled diplomatic of readiness and we’re returning efforts to persuade it to give up them to Fort Hood better trained Tanks and other equipment are off-loaded at a port in South Korea ahead of the arrival of the Fort Riley, nuclear weapons. and more experienced, like any Kan .-based 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division. The brigades bring their own unit marked for rotation” to South equipment to the peninsula and Korea, Donahoe said. “We’re reas Washington has insisted that it tanks and armored vehicles,” the call for dialogue, which it has remove some of it when they ally looking forward to the Dag- remains open to talks despite the Korean Central Broadcasting been speaking of in front of the leave, including M1 Abrams ger Brigade’s arrival and expect prolonged stalemate. Station was quoted as saying in world.” tanks and M2 Bradley Infantry nothing but the best from a unit of “The brigade announced the mid-January. “Such U.S. attitude [email protected] Fighting Vehicles. the Army’s oldest division.” launch of transfer of its latest discloses the deceitfulness of its Twitter: @kimgamel “The logistical process allows North Korea, which commonly for proper maintenance and ser- denounces U.S. activities on the vice of the old equipment and divided peninsula as threats, has aligns our deployed forces with criticized plans for the rotational current Army-wide moderniza- deployment of the new unit after ‘ We’re really looking forward to the Dagger Brigade’s arrival and tion and readiness efforts,” the it was officially announced in expect … the best from a unit of the Army’s oldest division. military said Thursday in a press early December. ’ release. State-run media called it a vio- Maj. Gen. Patrick Donahoe The equipment was offloaded lation of the spirit of negotiations, Eighth Army deputy commander for operations Jewish American soldiers killed in WWII receive Star of David headstones

BY MATTHEW M. BURKE were replaced include: Stars and Stripes Pvt. Louis Wolf, 25, of Phila- delphia and the 454th Ordnance The American Battle Monu- Company (aviation), who was cap- ments Commission at a ceremony tured at Corregidor and died of Wednesday replaced Latin cross- malnutrition and dehydration in a es with Star of David headstones Japanese prison camp in 1945. over the graves of five Jewish sol- Pvt. Arthur Waldman, 27, of diers buried at the Manila Ameri- Detroit and the 200th Coast Ar- can Cemetery and Memorial in tillery Regiment, who survived the Philippines. the Bataan Death March and The crosses were originally in- died of beriberi heart failure at a stalled in error following the sol- Japanese prison camp in Tokyo in diers’ deaths during World War 1944. II, officials said. The new grave First Lt. Robert Fink, 25, of markers were requested by the New York City, and the 583rd Sig- families of the fallen soldiers with nal Air Warning Battalion, who support from Operation Benja- died of scrub typhus on his birth- min, a nonprofit dedicated to rec- tifying grave marker errors for day at a Papua New Guinea hospital in 1944. Jewish-American soldiers around the world. Pv t . A l l a n F r a n k e n , 2 0 , o f The ceremony was attended by New York City, and the 24th In- family members of the service fantry Division, who died from a members, U.S. Ambassador to the gunshot wound in Mindanao, Phil- Philippines Sung Kim and officials ippines, in 1945. from the monuments commission. Sg t . J a c k G i l b e r t , 3 7, w h o w a s “These young men left their born in Poland and drafted in New families, the comfort of their York, of the 161st Signal Photo- homes and their faith communi- graphic Company. He was killed ties to answer their nation’s call,” by an enemy shell on Bougainville, commission secretary William Papua New Guinea, in 1944. Matz said in a statement. [email protected] The soldiers whose headstones Twitter: @MatthewMBurke1 PAGE 6 F3HIJKLM •STARS AND STRIPES• Friday, February 14, 2020 MIDEAST Rise in friction with Iran so soon after arrival in Elevated threat Mideast ‘like a splash of cold water in the face’

BY DAN LAMOTHE The Washington Post ABOARD THE USS NOR- MANDY IN THE NORTH ARA- BIAN SEA — The captain of this warship loaded with Tomahawk missiles delivered the news to his crew: Hours earlier, the United States had killed Iran’s most powerful military commander in a drone strike. Navy Capt. Christopher Stone said it wasn’t clear how Iran might respond to the death of Qassem Soleimani. But the Nor- mandy, escorting the USS Harry S. Truman near the Persian Gulf, had to be ready for anything, he said. “We must be prepared for direct military action,” Stone recalled telling the crew. With the warning and an elevated threat level, the sailors prepared for potential combat. Additional precautions put in place on the Normandy required them to carry flame-resistant balaclavas and gloves to complement their flame-resistant uni- forms, and the Internet service they used to speak to family members was temporarily cut. Across the region, U.S. military officials made other changes as vessels were dispatched to sea, where they would be better MICHAEL H. LEHMAN/U.S. Navy positioned. The Navy’s schedule for ships going into port also was Seaman Charles Mazer, from Mantua, N.J. , scans the horizon aboard the guided-missile cruiser USS Normandy in the Gulf of Oman, on altered. Sunday. USS Normandy was on high alert after Iran launched missiles at two sites with U.S. troops. The previously unreported details and interviews with more cans and dozens of fighter jets are “sentry” duty, offering security than 20 sailors on three Navy deployed, the situation felt similar to commercial mariners while warships paint a picture of a mili- Bataan: Navy assault ship’s trip for some sailors. larger warships like destroyers tary that was bracing for war in Seaman Desiree Allen, who carry out “sentinel” duty by using the wake of Soleimani’s Jan. 3 across strait is to ‘reassure allies’ operates aviation support equip- powerful sensors to watch for po- death in Baghdad. Days later, ment on the carrier, said “of tential attacks. Iran launched ballistic missiles course I was scared” when she On one 12-hour day at sea, the at two sites in Iraq housing U.S. FROM FRONT PAGE commerce,” skipper Capt. heard about the rising tension Tempest sailed dozens of miles troops, briefly deepening the cri- departed last November dur- Greg LeLand said. with Iran. One of the most chal- into the Persian Gulf. Sailors sis until it became clear that no ing its record-breaking 10- “Our continued commitment lenging parts was not being able briefly deployed a battery-oper- Americans were killed. month deployment. to our partner nations lends to to share specifics with worried ated Puma drone from the ship’s the strength of nations here in The events point to a new real- The 96-mile-long Strait of family members about what was deck to test its abilities, practiced the Gulf and elsewhere in the ity: While tensions have cooled Hormuz is bounded to the happening, she said. facing harassment from a speed- region,” LeLand said. for the moment, the Pentagon is Still, she added, she knew she boat and sailed in formation with north by Iran and to the south The transit comes after a still feeling out whether Iran will had a job to do and put her faith in smaller American vessels, in- by Oman and the United Arab month of tension in the region retaliate again, and how. the ship’s defenses and her fellow cluding two Mark 6 patrol boats Emirates. Around a fifth of the following the January killing “I have spent 26 years in this sailors. and two Coast Guard cutters. world’s oil passes through the by the U.S. of Iranian general Navy not hoping for war, but “At the end of the day, the car- Cleveland, who has been in preparing for war so that we can strategic shipping route, which Qassem Soleimani and retalia- rier is one of the most protected is only 21 miles wide at its nar- tory rocket attacks on an air- command of the Tempest since keep our nation safe,” Stone said ships, so I felt protected,” she June, said all nations have a right rowest point. base in Iraq that left more than said. “I know what we’ve got on in an interview on his warship. “I to sail in international waters and Bataan’s passage through 100 U.S. service members with board, and I know they don’t have would say overwhelmingly, the that the Navy is looking to de-es- response I saw was a crew that the strait was to “reassure al- traumatic brain injuries. nothing on us.” calate tensions. But his crew is was very focused.” lies” and ensure “stability and [email protected] Navy officials declined to spec- “ready for anything,” he said. After Iran’s missile attack, security essential to maritime Twitter: @joshua_karsten ify what prompted the elevated Rear Adm. Andrew Loiselle, President Donald Trump declared threat level or how high exactly who oversees the Truman, Nor- on Twitter that “all is well!” But it was, citing security concerns. mandy and other ships as com- defense officials have reported a oversees weapons and is on his the highest I had ever heard.” They also asked The Post to with- growing number of service mem- third deployment to the Middle Chief Warrant Officer Jordan hold other specific information mander of a carrier strike group, bers who suffered mild traumatic East. Buck said Stone’s announcement about the steps the Navy took in said even at the height of the brain injuries. As of Monday, the There was “almost an eerie about Soleimani was a “shocking response. threat from Iran, the Sentinel Pentagon said 109 had been diag- feeling” afterward because the moment.” The USS Tempest, a 170-foot mission continued. But he vague- nosed, with 75 treated in Iraq and threat against U.S. forces at sea With 17 years in the Navy and patrol craft, was at sea shortly ly acknowledged that it changed, returned to duty, 21 sent back to seemed to dissipate so quickly, several deployments to the Mid- after the strike on Soleimani. But saying the Navy returned to the the United States and others still he said. Days earlier, Remmers dle East, Buck said he arrived Lt. Cmdr. Andre Cleveland, the mission “almost immediately under evaluation in Germany. had told his sailors they needed to on the Normandy on Dec. 28 and commanding officer, said it has after the cessation of hostilities.” “Our great American forces are make sure the Normandy’s weap- “just thought it was my luck” that been quiet throughout his crew’s Standing on the bridge of the prepared for anything,” Trump ons were ready to use. a crisis erupted days later. He deployment. Normandy, Stone watched as a said in a televised address. “Iran “I’ve never really spoken to soon began refreshing sailors on The ship, sailing out of Bahrain, succession of fighter jets landed appears to be standing down, anyone who has deployed to any how to use life rafts. is part of a rotating fleet involved nearby on the Truman. A single which is a good thing for all par- [area of operations] that has ex- “The threat level being elevated in Operation Sentinel, a mission fighter jet streaked by the Nor- ties concerned and a very good perienced a threat warning level like it was, I had never seen that,” the United States established mandy’s port side with a roar, its thing for the world.” that we were at,” Remmers said. Buck said. “It was like a splash of with several partner countries afterburners glowing in the twi- Aboard the Normandy, sailors “My experience, speaking to cold water in the face.” last year to protect commercial light as it pulled into a climb. watched Trump’s speech, said other people who have been in Nearby on the Truman, a 1,092- vessels from Iranian attacks. The “He’s just showing off for you,” Navy Lt. David Remmers, who high-tension situations, is it was foot vessel where 5,000 Ameri- Tempest spends some time on Stone said with a grin. Friday, February 14, 2020 •STARS AND STRIPES• F3HIJKLM PAGE 7 MILITARY Marine Raiders in California will move to NC base

BY CAITLIN DOORNBOS Marine Raiders are elite op- Stars and Stripes erators who must complete a rig- orous, seven-month individual The Marine Corps will move its training course to earn their title. Raider battalions at Camp Pend- Marine Raiders earned fame in leton, Calif., to North Carolina, World War II, but the current the East Coast home of Marine command was created in 2006. Raiders, by 2022, officials an- The cost-savings decision is in nounced Wednesday. The move means all personnel line with the 2018 National De- with Marine Forces Special Op- fense Strategy’s call on defense /AP DIMITRI MESSINIS erations Command will be based agencies to “build a more lethal Experts in a speed boat examine the damaged hull of the USS Cole at the Yemeni port of Aden, on Oct. at Camp Lejeune in Jacksonville, force and reform the depart- 15, 2000, after an al-Qaida attack that killed 17 sailors. Sudan’s transitional government said it has N.C., according to a special oper- ment for greater performance reached a settlement with families of the victims . ations command statement. and affordability,” Marine Forces About 900 Marines, sailors and Special Operations commander civilian employees attached to the Maj. Gen. Daniel Yoo said in the 1st Marine Raider Battalion and statement. Sudan’s government reaches deal the 1st Marine Raider Support The Camp Pendleton Raid- Battalion at Camp Pendleton will ers will move to Camp Lejeune start their moves in summer 2021, in three phases to complement with families of USS Cole victims the statement said. They will join normal Marine Corps permanent the 2nd and 3rd Raider battalions change of station timelines and BY NOHA ELHENNAWY mity. Observers and Sudanese man, Faisal Saleh, told The As- already based at Lejeune. officials have said that the settle- sociated Press over the phone manage the population increase Associated Press Locating its special opera- ment with the USS Cole victims that Justice Minister Nasr-Eddin in the Jacksonville, N.C., area, actions battalions in one place will CAIRO — Sudan’s transitional was among the last hurdles faced Abdul-Bari had traveled last cording to the statement. have “significant impacts to time government said Thursday it has by Sudan on its path to being re- week to Washington to sign the Camp Lejeune officials are reached a settlement with fami- moved from the U.S. list of state deal, which included compensa- and money,” according to the working with area schools to plan lies of the victims of the 2000 at- sponsors of terror. tions for both those wounded and statement. for increases in student popula- tack on USS Cole in Yemen, in a At the time of the Oct. 12, the families of those killed in the The service will save about $55 tion “to ensure that all students million between 2021-26 by reduc- bid to have the African country 2000, attack in the Yemeni port attack. will be accommodated effectively ing housing allowances and the taken off the U.S. terrorism list of Aden that killed 17 sailors and He said the figures could not be and receive a quality education,” cost to move Marines and their and improve relations with the wounded more than three dozen disclosed because the Sudanese according to the statement. West. families between duty stations, others, Sudan was accused of pro- government is still in negotiations The Marine Raider Training The settlement is the latest step the Marine Corps Times reported viding support to al-Qaida, which to reach a similar settlement with Center, which assesses and selects from Khartoum to end its interna- claimed responsibility for the families of victims of the 1998 Wednesday. Raiders will no lon- special operations candidates and tional pariah status. Earlier this attack. bombings of U.S. embassies in ger need to make cross-country week, Sudan’s provisional rulers Today, Sudan’s interim authori- Kenya and Tanzania. More than moves when switching units. trains designated Marines in in- said they had agreed to hand over ties are desperate to have its list- 200 people were killed in the at- However, the move will leave dividual, basic and advanced spe- longtime autocrat Omar al-Bashir ing by the U.S. as a state sponsor tacks and more than 1,000 were the Pacific without a Raider unit cial operations, is also based at to the International Criminal of terror lifted, in order to receive wounded. as the service trains to meet a Camp Lejeune. Court to face trial on charges of an injection of badly needed The initial figures on the table “great power” challenge from [email protected] war crimes and genocide during funds from international lending had been in the billions, he said, China in East Asia. Twitter: @CaitlinDoornbos the fighting in the western Dar- institutions. Sudan’s justice min- but Sudan’s interim government fur region. istry said that the agreement was had “inherited an empty trea- Also, Sudan’s interim leader, signed with the victims’ families sury.” He said he hoped the in- Gen. Abdel-Fattah Burhan, earli- last Friday but its statement gave ternational community would be er this month met in Uganda with no details of the settlement. sympathetic to the situation. ‘ [The move will have] significant impacts Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin There was no immediate com- “We expect the United States to time and money. Netanyahu, who announced that ment from Washington. and the world to understand and ’ Israel and Sudan would normal- Sudan’s information minister to be supportive instead of impos- Special operations command statement ize relations after decades of en- and interim government spokes- ing more obstacles,“ he said. U.S. Marine Corps Governor OKs reforms in how Wis. National Guard handles assault cases

BY TODD RICHMOND vention and equal opportunity employment statement that the plan will reassure sol- Wing security squadron had brushed off Associated Press positions are a priority. diers and airmen that the Guard metes out at least six sexual misconduct complaints Victims will be referred to National discipline in sexual misconduct cases. dating back to 2002. MADISON, Wis. — Gov. Tony Evers ap- Guard Bureau attorneys at every step of “Simultaneously, our commanders, ju- One of the most glaring problems in- proved a plan Monday to improve how the their cases and information about disciplin- nior leaders, and all our service members vestigators found was commanders open- Wisconsin National Guard handles sexual ary actions will be passed down the chain will have visibility on trends and issues ing internal sexual assault investigations misconduct complaints. of command to individual soldiers and air- across the force, and see that discipline is rather than referring complaints to Army The plan includes a ban on internal men while protecting victim privacy. administered consistently and with trans- or Air Force criminal investigators as re- sexual assault investigations. All com- The Guard said the plan will be imple- parency across the force,” he said. quired by federal law and Department of plaints will be reported to the adjutant mented in phases and will be fully in place Evers issued an executive order calling Defense policy. general, local police and the federal Na- by Aug. 31. for the plan in December after the NGB The Wisconsin Guard’s top commander, tional Guard Bureau’s Office of Complex “There is still much work to be done to conducted a top-to-bottom review of Guard Maj. Gen. Donald Dunbar, resigned at Investigations. ensure that our service members are safe sexual misconduct reporting protocols. Evers’ request hours before the report was The plan also calls for a new electronic and supported while carrying out their The review resulted in a report revealing made public. Air Force officials confirmed case tracking system and a new council led mission, but we are taking important steps multiple shortcomings. last month that Dunbar is under investiga- by the adjutant general to provide state- to implement needed reforms,” Evers Evers and U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin re- tion for allegedly opening an internal in- level oversight of all sexual assault, sexual said. quested the review in March after Master vestigation last year even though he knew harassment and retaliation cases. Recruit- Brig. Gen. Gary Ebben, the Wisconsin Sgt. Jay Ellis complained to Baldwin in the NGB investigators had identified such ing for judge advocate, sexual assault pre- Guard’s interim adjutant general, said in a 2018 that commanders in his 115th Fighter practices as problematic. PAGE 8 F3HIJKLM •STARS AND STRIPES• Friday, February 14, 2020 MILITARY Army unit to train African forces on security

BY CAITLIN M. KENNEY Stars and Stripes WASHINGTON — Members of the Ar- my’s 1st Security Force Assistance Bri- gade will deploy to Africa soon to provide training and assistance to African forces as a way to compete with Chinese and Rus- sian influence on the continent, the Penta- gon announced Wednesday. The SFAB unit, based at Fort Benning, Ga., will be deployed to conduct missions to train, advise and assist “in spotlight Af- rican countries,” said Alyssa Farah, the chief Pentagon spokeswoman, in a prepared statement. No countries were listed in the statement nor how many people from the brigade will deploy. The deployment will be the “first of many decisions regarding [U.S. Africa Command’s] mission,” according to the statement. The SFAB soldiers will replace members of an infantry brigade from the 101st Airborne Division out of Fort Campbell, Ky., who will return home in the coming weeks. “Army SFABs are manned, trained and equipped specifically for the train, advise and assist mission. This allows them to perform this important great-power competition role more effectively and more efficiently than conventional units,” the /U.S. Army statement reads. PATRICK ALBRIGHT Defense Secretary Mark Esper has been Soldiers from the 1st Security Force Assistance Brigade conduct an exercise in July at Fort Benning, Ga. conducting a review of the military’s combatant commands to determine how they and training opportunities with African not far from the strategic American base The U.S. Army Africa commander em- can be aligned better with the 2018 Na- partner countries. U.S. military forces and there, and members of the Wagner group, phasized Esper’s review was not taking tional Defense Strategy, which prioritizes local partners have conducted operations a Russian mercenary organization, are AFRICOM away from its commitments to great-power competition against China in Somalia against the al-Shabab terrorist known to operate in Libya. the region. and Russia. group, which is seen as a serious threat in Cloutier said African allies know the “The purpose is to make sure that what eastern Africa. U.S. is a better military partner than Rus- “The message I’m relaying to my part- we’re doing is aligned with the National While al-Shabab is considered one of the sia or China. ners is that we’re not walking away. We are Defense Strategy, so I get the force sizing biggest threats on the continent, “competi- “So the competitive advantage that we still engaged,” he said, adding U.S. Army right, that the activities, the actions and tion with Russia and China on the continent have on the African continent, I think, is Africa will have its largest exercise — Ex- tasks right in each theater of command,” is critically important. We think we have a the professional nature of our military, the ercise African Lion — in late March with Esper said Tuesday to reporters traveling competitive edge there,” Maj. Gen. Roger discipline of our soldiers, the great train- about 9,000 soldiers from the U.S., African with him to Europe. Cloutier, the commander of U.S. Army Af- ing that we can provide, and the fact that For several years, AFRICOM has been rica, said Wednesday to reporters at the we believe we’re the partner of choice. So partners and allied nations participating. focused primarily on counterterrorism op- Pentagon via a teleconference from Italy. that’s how we compete head-to-head with [email protected] erations as well as building relationships China has a military base in Djibouti, them,” he said. Twitter: @caitlinmkenney National Guard leaders seek Space Force National Guard

BY COREY DICKSTEIN Alaska National Guard, added: which all have Army and Air Na- forces have talked with lawmak- expected to move into the new Stars and Stripes “I don’t think they would func- tional Guards, would not be cost ers about the need to establish a military service. tion very well if we didn’t have a effective to taxpayers. Space Force National Guard. The Space Force on Monday WASHINGTON — Top Na- Space National Guard.” “We’re not looking to stand Army Maj. Gen. David Bald- unveiled a $15.5 billion bud- tional Guard leaders want the The National Guard’s current up 54 Space [Force] National win said he hopes Pentagon offi- get request for fiscal year 2021, Pentagon to create a Space Force space operations force is small Guards,” said Air Force Maj. cials determine on their own that which made no mention of a Na- National Guard, which they said but growing, with some 1,100 Air Gen. James they should build a space guard, tional Guard or reserves compo- Wednesday was needed to ensure National Guard troops in space Eifert, the but if not, he and other top guard nent. However, Air Force senior continuity between guard space operations and another 300 or so adjutant gen- leaders would lobby congressio- leadership, which oversees the operators and their active-duty Army National Guard members. eral for Flor- nal lawmakers directly to add it Space Force within the Air Force counterparts who will soon join It has units that conduct space ida’s guard. into the fiscal year 2021 National Department, has backed a Space the new military branch. missions in Colorado, California, “The con- Defense Authorization Act, which Force National Guard publicly. Most of the National Guard’s Florida, Alaska, New York, Ohio cern it would sets Pentagon policy. The National Guard leaders almost 1,500 space-focused be creating and Arkansas, and is in the pro- “It is being received very well said the lack of clarity is concern- troops would be moved into a this huge, cess of establishing such units in by the members on The Hill,” ing, as they are prepared to begin Space Force National Guard so Hawaii and Guam. bureaucratic Baldwin said. “We are hopeful … planning for a Space Force Na- they can keep pace with chang- Guard space operators are in- overhead is we don’t have to [lobby Congress], tional Guard as soon as possible. es certain to occur as the Space volved in a variety of operations, really not but we are prepared to do that.” “We are a proven model. We Force, established late last year, including space intelligence, Loh what we Pentagon leaders are in the grows and develops its own cul- homeland missions such as mis- envision as how it would be and process of building the Space feel like it’s a pretty simple solu- ture, techniques and procedures, sile defense, and offensive elec- operate.” Force, the first new branch of the tion,” Eifert said. six National Guard generals told tronic warfare, the generals said. The generals said officials in military established since the Air “We’re not big fans of another reporters at the Pentagon. Guard planners have proposed Defense Secretary Mark Esper’s Force in 1947. Gen. Jay Raymond, yearlong study to examine the “Personally, I don’t see how limiting Space Force National office are debating the merits or the chief of space operations, is same things we have already we have a Space Force without Guard operations to those nine structure of a Space Force re- now the only official member of spent some time studying. We a Space Guard,” said Air Force states and territories who already serves component. They are re- Space Force, but officials expect feel like it’s a pretty simple solu- Maj. Gen. Michael Loh, the adju- have or will soon have space quired to report their plans for it to grow to about 6,000 troops tion, we’d like to be part of the so- tant general for the Colorado Na- capabilities. such an organization to Congress during the next year, beginning lution, and we would like to move tional Guard. “I really don’t.” They said attempting to have by late March. with the transfer of Air Force air- forward with it.” Air Force Brig. Gen. Torrence a Space Force National Guard in Already, top generals from men who work on space missions. [email protected] Saxe, the adjutant general for the all 50 states and four territories, many of the states that have space Army and Navy troops are also Twitter: @CDicksteinDC Friday, February 14, 2020 •STARS AND STRIPES• F3HIJKLM PAGE 9 MILITARY GAO: DOD effort on kid-on-kid sex assaults has gaps

Associated Press and prosecutors respond to cases. AP found that federal prosecutors The U.S. Department of De- with jurisdiction over many large fense is struggling to change how domestic bases and all overseas it handles the abuse of military bases rarely prosecute. On some kids, including cases involving bases, state prosecutors have ju- sexual assault by other children, risdiction — and were much more according to a report commis- likely to take a case. Unlike the sioned by Congress. federal system, states have juve- The military has been slow nile justice programs that focus to implement reforms that law- on rehabilitation. makers mandated more than a GODOT GALGANO/U.S. Army Another recommendation cited year ago, said the report released a lack of pediatric sexual assault Wednesday by the U.S. Govern- forensic examiners to help build Effort not flagging ment Accountability Office. The cases based on physical evidence Pentagon still doesn’t know the — the military there are only 11 extent of child-on-child sexual such specialists, the report said. Staff Sgt. Kelsey Schroeder runs the ball up the middle during the 103rd Expeditionary Sustainment assaults, in part because some of- Command “Super Bowl” flag football game at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, on Sunday . The Pentagon agreed that more ficials dismiss incidents without expertise was needed and said reporting them and the Pentagon it was working on building that has no one place to track all cases expertise. that have been logged. Generally, the changes related Worldwide, more than 1.2 mil- to child-on-child sexual assault Soldier hurt paratrooper in brawl lion school-age children live with so far have focused on revising military families, many on large written policies for how to handle bases that include schools, rec- and track reports. The military’s on street in Germany, Army says reation centers, playgrounds and equivalent of social services, other trappings of civilian life. the Family Advocacy Program, BY IMMANUEL M. JOHNSON has units in Grafenwoehr and in cenza, including a fight in which While the report credited the published new guidelines as did AND MARCUS KLOECKNER Vicenza, Italy. He was treated for one Italian man had his jaw frac- Pentagon and some armed ser- the Army and the Pentagon-run Stars and Stripes his injuries and returned to duty, tured and another sustained bro- vices for making policy changes school system, Department of Bradley added. ken ribs. on paper, it concluded ground- Defense Education Activity. GRAFENWOEHR, Germany The other person involved was The incident in the Italian city’s level change was lagging. AP’s investigation documented — An American soldier was in- also an American soldier, said old town in November led the “I’d say their intentions are nearly 700 sex assault reports jured in a brawl Saturday night on Bradley, but it was unclear to 173rd Airborne Brigade’s com- good. They’re starting to make on U.S. bases worldwide over 10 a Grafenwoehr street that’s home progress,” said Brenda Farrell, which unit he was attached. mander to put Contra Pescherie years, a certain undercount be- to several bars, German police the report’s primary author. “But German police detained the Vecchie — which, like Alte Am- cause the Pentagon did not sys- and U.S. military officials said. suspect and handed him over to it has a long way to go in order to berger Strasse in Grafenwoehr temically track cases. “At this time, we are investi- U.S. military police, said Stopfer. get it to the point where they have is home to several popular bars The GAO also found that the De- gating a 21-year-old man” who is By the time German police of- oversight in place to be able to say — off limits to brigade soldiers fense Department didn’t know the suspected of injuring the soldier ficers had arrived on the scene that things are actually improv- full scope of the problem because for 45 days. in the brawl, said Werner Stop- from Eschenbach, about seven ing or that they’ve got this par- data kept by its various branches Patrols by military police will fer, chief of police in the town of miles away, about two dozen ticular area under control.” was incomplete — and a central- Eschenbach, whose officers re- people were involved in a street be stepped up this weekend in Lawmakers tasked Congress’ ized tracking system is a long way sponded to calls about the melee brawl, said Stopfer. It was un- the Grafenwoehr area “to ensure watchdog agency with doing its from reality. The Pentagon said it at around 2 a.m. on Alte Amberg- clear if everyone involved in the proper discipline and provide review after an Associated Press awarded a contract to develop a er Strasse in Grafenwoehr. fight was an American service support to any soldiers in need,” investigation detailed how justice database in mid-November. The injured soldier is from member. said Bradley. failed both victims and offenders The Defense Department “has the 173rd Airborne Division, Soldiers from the 173rd have [email protected] in child-on-child sexual assaults not yet identified all information said Maj. Christopher Bradley, been accused of being involved in [email protected] on bases. AP’s reporting showed requirements, developed a plan spokesman for the division, which numerous violent incidents in Vi- Twitter: @Manny_Stripes how the Pentagon and Depart- for how it will use the data it col- ment of Justice were failing both lects, or established a schedule victims and offenders. Cases that for development and implemen- investigators made often died on tation,” GAO said of a tracking the desks of prosecutors, even database. Soldier, 21, dies at Bagram Airfield when an attacker confessed. Vic- The report also found that tims were denied help because some complaints weren’t get- BY PHILLIP WALTER WELLMAN but said an Defense Service Medal and the regulations granted counseling ting classified as abuse by staff Stars and Stripes investigation Afghanistan Campaign Medal only if the attacker was an adult. at military bases. That staff has has been with Campaign Star. In response, Congress passed “considerable discretion” in de- KABUL, Afghanistan — A U.S. launched. Troops from the 10th Combat legislation that required a series ciding whether complaints are soldier has died in a noncombat “Our Aviation Brigade deployed last of reforms, starting in fall 2018. investigated or recorded in inci- Wednesday’s report amounted to incident at Bagram Airfield in thoughts fall for a nine-month rotation to dent-tracking data. Afghanistan, the Defense De- a progress check. and prayers support the U.S. mission in Af- In the DOD’s education system, partment said Thursday. The report recommended 23 for example, the GAO identified are with the ghanistan, replacing the 1st Ar- Spc. Branden Tyme Kimball, changes, which the GAO’s Farrell incidents of student misconduct, family and mored Division Combat Aviation 21, from Central Point, Ore., died said was a high number. including unwanted genital con- Brigade out of Fort Bliss, Texas. Wednesday at the base, which is friends of “If the leadership sends the tact, that base schools didn’t treat Spc. Bran- Official photos posted online the U.S.’ largest outpost in the Kimball message this is a high priority, as serious and report to the upper country, the Pentagon said. den Kimball show some elements of 10th CAB then everyone else will start to administration. The aircraft structural repair- during this very difficult time,” rotating back to the U.S. in De- fall in line,” Farrell said. “As a result, systemic issues er was assigned to 3rd Battalion, said Lt. Col. Kamil Sztalkoper, cember and January. In responses included in the re- within a particular school or dis- 10th Aviation Regiment of the 10th Mountain Division spokes- Kimball is the seventh U.S. port, DOD generally agreed with trict may never be reported to 10th Mountain Division (Light man . “He will be missed from service member to have died in the suggestions. DoDEA’s leadership,” said the Infantry) Combat Aviation Bri- our formations.” Afghanistan this year. Four of the On one recommendation, the report, “and any additional re- gade, based at Fort Drum, N.Y. Kimball joined the Army in deaths have been combat-related. Pentagon said it was working with sources that a school or district The Pentagon provided no fur- August 2016. His awards and [email protected] the Department of Justice to im- needs to prevent future incidents ther details about the incident decorations include the National Twitter: @pwwellman prove how criminal investigators may not be identified.” PAGE 10 F3HIJKLM •STARS AND STRIPES• Friday, February 14, 2020 NATION Critics: Trump on ‘retribution tour’ after trial

Associated Press to institutions. Some Republican senators, in- WASHINGTON — In the week cluding Tennessee’s Lamar Al- since his acquittal on impeach- exander, Maine’s Susan Collins ment charges, a fully embold- and Alaska’s Lisa Murkowski, ened President Donald Trump is said they found Trump’s effort demonstrating his determination to pressure Ukraine’s President to assert an iron grip on govern- Volodymyr Zelenskiy inappro- ment, pushing his Justice De- priate. But they also expressed partment to ease up on a longtime hope following his acquittal that friend while using the levers of Trump had learned a lesson from presidential powers to exact pay- the episode. EVAN VUCCI/AP back on real and perceived foes. Murkowski acknowledged Trump has told confidants in President Donald Trump speaks during a meeting Wednesday with Ecuadorian President Lenin Moreno Wednesday that “there haven’t in the Oval Office in Washington. Trump has begun a removal process of everyone he deems unloyal recent days that he felt both vin- been very strong indicators this from his administration after his acquittal. dicated and strengthened by his week that he has.” acquittal in the Senate, believing After Trump vented on Twit- Alexander Vindman, who pro- fore them next month to answer gleaned from being just the Republicans have rallied around ter this week about federal pros- vided damaging testimony about questions. third president to endure an im- him in unprecedented fashion ecutors recommending up to the president in the impeachment Former Justice Department peachment trial: “Democrats are while voters were turned off by nine years in federal prison for inquiry. officials struggled to recall a crooked. ... They’re vicious, they the political process, according his confidant Roger Stone, the That came after White House precedent, describing it as norm- to four White House officials and shouldn’t have brought impeach- Justice Department abruptly an- officials last week told Vindman shattering turmoil that raises ment and that my poll numbers Republicans close to the West nounced that it would reevalu- and his twin brother, also an Army troubling questions about the ap- Wing who spoke on the condition are 10 points higher because of ate the recommended sentence. officer who had been detailed to parent politicization of an agency fake news.” of anonymity because they were Justice officials insisted the tim- the White House National Secu- meant to function independent of Sen. Sherrod Brown, an Ohio not authorized to speak publicly ing was coincidental; they’d al- rity Council, that their services White House sway. Democrat, accused Trump of about private conversations. ready been planning to pull the were no longer needed and that “I’ve never seen anything like being on a “retribution tour” and Since then, Trump and his recommendation. they would be reassigned to new it,” said Michael Bromwich, a suggested that Senate Repub- aides have moved with haste to In recent days, the White House duties by the Pentagon. former federal prosecutor and licans — with the exception of clear his administration of those has yanked a senior Treasury De- “We are witnessing a crisis in Justice Department inspector Utah’s Mitt Romney, who voted he sees as insufficiently loyal, partment nomination away from the rule of law in America — un- general who has been represent- reaching all the way back to the a former Justice Department offi- like one we have ever seen being former FBI Deputy Director with Democrats to convict Trump time of former special coun- cial who supervised the prosecu- fore,” Senate Minority Leader Andrew McCabe in a criminal in- on the abuse of power count — en- sel Robert Mueller’s probe into tions of several Trump advisers. Chuck Schumer said in a speech vestigation before the same U.S. couraged the president by turn- Russian interference in the 2016 The administration also fired on the Senate floor Wednesday. attorney’s office. ing a blind eye to his conduct. election. an EPA official who claims he was Schumer called for the Justice Trump turned testy during an “It’s pretty clear the president Democrats and outside analysts ousted because he was deemed Department’s independent in- Oval Office appearance when re- of the United States did learn a are raising red flags that Trump too friendly with Democrats. spector general to probe the porters asked him about interfer- lesson: the lesson he can do what- is exhibiting a post-impeachment Trump even suggested this department’s action in the Stone ing in the Stone case and whether ever he wants, whenever he wants, thirst for vengeance that’s gone week that the Pentagon investi- case. Later, House lawmakers he learned anything from his im- he can abuse his office, he’ll never beyond bending norms and could gate and potentially discipline announced Attorney General peachment ordeal. ever be held accountable by this potentially cause lasting damage former White House aide Lt. Col. William Barr would come be- He described the lesson he Senate,” Brown said.” Congress left adrift after impeachment with elections near

BY LISA MASCARO tion that the legislative branch ident would learn his lesson. The Associated Press can only carry the country so far lesson the president learned was as a check on the executive. It’s that the Republican Party will WASHINGTON — Inside the now up to voters to decide. not hold him accountable no mat- Capitol, it’s as if the impeachment The outcome leaves Congress ter how egregious his behavior,” of President Donald Trump never adrift, its legislative agenda un- he said. happened. certain, its oversight role chal- Some Republicans who indicat- One week after the historic lenged. Both parties are in flux as ed the president might temper his undertaking shuttered to a close, the nation’s political energy turns behavior acknowledged Wednes- Congress is feverishly back at toward the presidential primaries day the limits. work emboldened but also argu- ahead of the November election, “I said before that I would hope ably diminished by the outcome. when voters will also decide con- that the president would learn Senate Republicans are flex- trol of the House and Senate. from that experience,” said Sen. ing their new status as Trump’s “Everything is at stake in No- Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn. unshakable allies, hitching their vember,” said Rep. Hakeem Jef- Asked if the president has election pursuits to his and look- fries of New York, the Democratic ing the other away as the presi- caucus chairman, as he implored learned any lessons from im- dent seems to dole out favoritism Americans to prepare to vote “as peachment, Sen. Marco Rubio, R- for friends and payback for critics if your life depends on it.” Fla., said: “He seems the same as J. SCOTT APPLEWHITE/AP with apparent impunity. They’re Democrats warn that Trump, he did two weeks ago.” back to confirming record num- Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., talks to reporters far from having learned lessons Democrats, though, are dis- bers of judicial nominees viewing following a GOP strategy meeting at the Capitol on Tuesday . from becoming the third im- playing only tepid enthusiasm for impeachment politically as a net peached president, is in fact en- digging deeper into Trump’s al- gain. cally reviving their kitchen-table firewall against potential wrong- gaged in an escalating pattern of leged wrongdoings after the Sen- “We won and they lost,” de- agenda of health care and pock- doing by the president. retribution and political favorit- ate voted last week to acquit him clared Senate Majority Leader etbook priorities, a direct appeal What has become clear in the ism that started as soon as he was of the charges of abuse of power Mitch McConnell. to voters after spending the past aftermath of the impeachment acquitted by the Senate. and obstruction of Congress in House Democrats are franti- months focused on erecting a proceedings is the stark realiza- “Republicans thought the pres- the Ukraine matter. Friday, February 14, 2020 •STARS AND STRIPES• F3HIJKLM PAGE 11 NATION 2020 hopefuls focusing on Super Tuesday

BY WILL WEISSERT skipped the first four states to Associated Press deploy a political shock-and-awe campaign after that, spending WASHINGTON — Nevada heavily on television ads while votes next and then South Caro- already hiring more than 2,100 lina. But top Democrats vying for staffers in 40 states and U.S. ter- their party’s presidential nomina- ritories, including all voting on tion are already looking ahead to Super Tuesday. the biggest prize on the primary Past candidates have tried to calendar: Super Tuesday, the forgo the early states in favor of slate of contests when more than larger ones voting later, with little a dozen states go to the polls. success — including another for- Sen. Elizabeth Warren is hold- mer New York mayor, Rudy Giu- ing a town hall on Thursday night liani, in 2008. But Bloomberg is in the Washington suburb of Ar- making a larger bet on doing so lington, Virginia, a day before than anyone has. He’s worth an Sen. Bernie Sanders makes two estimated $60 billion and has al- North Carolina stops, then hits ready spent more than $200 mil- Texas. Pete Buttigieg, the former lion to hastily build a campaign mayor of South Bend, Ind. , will — with promises of plenty more campaign in California between where that came from. fundraisers in San Francisco and The candidates doing battle be- Silicon Valley. fore Super Tuesday, meanwhile, All four states vote March 3, are a study in contrasts. Warren along with a crush of others from has deep campaign infrastruc- Alabama to Colorado and from ture in around 30 states but little Maine to Utah, as well as Warren’s momentum. Former Vice Presi- /AP home state of Massachusetts and ANDREW HARNIK dent Joe Biden left New Hamp- Sanders’ native Vermont. More Democratic presidential candidate and former South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete Buttigieg arrives to speak shire for South Carolina before than 1,300 delegates to the Demo- to supporters at a primary night election rally at Nashua Community College on Tuesday in Nashua, N.H. the polls even closed Tuesday, has cratic National Convention are at important connections there and stake, about a third of the total. And for everyone, it’s a chance Bloomberg’s chances of resonat- states while stockpiling enough is counting on that to carry him The focus on Super Tuesday to prove they won’t cede this ing in his state and beyond. money to keep themselves in the in other southern Super Tuesday comes at a pivotal point in the swath of delegate-rich states to So far, there’s no sign that can- conversation in the bevy of con- states. But he, so far, has fared campaign. For Sanders and But- Michael Bloomberg, the billion- didates are completely bypassing tests unfolding next month. War- worse than Warren. tigieg, who have emerged in aire former New York mayor who Nevada or South Carolina. Every ren, for instance, will be in South Fresh off his New Hampshire strong positions after contests in has spent months building his leading contender will be in Ne- Carolina on Friday but is pulling win, Sanders has already pre- Iowa and in New Hampshire, the campaign around Super Tuesday. vada this weekend as early voting television advertising from the dicted victory in Nevada and travel gives them an opportunity He campaigned in Tennessee on begins. Democrats will caucus state after this weekend. Some of California, pointing in part to his to show their national appeal and Wednesday and will be in Texas there on Feb. 22. that money will instead go to the campaign’s outreach to Hispanic woo larger concentrations of non- and North Carolina on Thursday. But some are shifting their Super Tuesday state of Maine. voters. But he’s also bet on record white voters. For struggling can- “All bets are off this cycle,” resources as they begin an awk- Bloomberg, who is self-fund- turnout that never materialized in didates like Warren, it’s a signal said Texas Democratic strategist ward balancing act of paying at- ing his campaign, doesn’t have to Iowa, despite his efforts to grow that they are still in the fight. Colin Strother, who is bullish on tention to the remaining early make such considerations. He’s the electorate. Bloomberg aims to move past old remarks $60M raised

Associated Press long record to sift through to try ity? Yes, it does.” for Trump CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. to highlight unflattering moments During his time as mayor, — Michael Bloomberg sought of his career. Bloomberg also faced controver- in January to move past newly resurfaced “There’s so much content to be sy after The Associated Press un- unearthed,” she said. “He was covered a widespread New York years-old comments in which he Associated Press defended the controversial “stop- the mayor of New York City for 12 Police Department surveillance and-frisk” policing tactic that has years. That’s a lot of talking.” program targeting Muslims, a WASHINGTON — Pro-Trump been found to disproportionately Indeed, the comments that program he continued to defend groups raised more than $60 million in January and have more affect minorities. resurfaced Tuesday came from after it became public. than $200 million on hand for this The billionaire former New a 2015 appearance Bloomberg Billionaire activist Tom Steyer, year’s general election, shatter- York City mayor, who is now seek- made at the Aspen Institute. He who is working to attract black advocated for putting “a lot of cops voters in South Carolina ahead ing fundraising records on the ing the Democratic presidential where the crime is, which means of that state’s Feb. 29 primary, path toward a goal of raising $1 nomination, launched a two-day in minority neighborhoods.” called the comments “extreme- billion this cycle. tour of the South intended to build Michael Nutter, the former ly disturbing” and said that all The Republican National Com- relationships with African Amer- Philadelphia mayor and Bloom- candidates should disavow such mittee and President Donald icans, who are a crucial voting berg’s national political chair, “racist stereotypes.” Nina Turn- Trump’s campaign have raised bloc for the party. During a stop decried the former mayor’s 2015 er, a national co-chair for Bernie more than $525 million since the in Chattanooga on Wednesday, he GEORGE WALKER IV/AP remarks — but insisted that they Sanders’ campaign, said that the start of 2019 together with two told reporters: “We’re going to do didn’t match the man he knows comments reveal “the true na- joint fundraising committees. very well in the African Ameri- Democratic presidential today. ture” of Bloomberg and called on The January haul coincided can community. candidate Michael Bloomberg “The language on that tape him to drop out because of them. with most of the Senate’s im- “They need a good economy, speaks at a rally at Rocketown in right there at the end was just Bloomberg has apologized for peachment trial, which resulted they need better schools, they Nashville, Tenn., Wednesday. insensitive, it was inappropri- his oversight of the stop-and-frisk in the Republican president’s ac- need more health care, they need ate and lacking in the kind of program. But in Tennessee, he quittal earlier this month. jobs and those are the kinds of demonstrated that while Bloom- empathy and understanding of refused to directly apologize for “We already have 500,000 vol- things that I can bring to the berg has successfully generated the human condition that I know the 2015 comments. In response unteers trained and activated, table,” he said. attention for his campaign by Mike Bloomberg has within him,” to repeated questions, he said, “I and this record-breaking sup- His trip began the same day skipping the early voting states, he said. don’t think those words reflect port is helping us grow our grass- a trio of endorsements was an- flooding the airwaves with ads But during that same event, how I led the most diverse city in roots army even more,” said RNC nounced from members of the and traveling to multiple states a Bloomberg weighed in on in- the nation. Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel. Congressional Black Caucus. day, he hasn’t faced the tradition- equality in remarks that would “I apologized for the practice The pro-Trump effort said that The question facing Bloomberg al scrutiny that comes with being seem strikingly out of place in and the pain that it caused,” he it has gained more than 1 million is whether that strategy will work a presidential candidate. today’s Democratic Party. He de- said Wednesday. “It was five new digital and direct mail do- as the intensity of his campaign Progressive Democratic strat- clared that he’d “love to get more years ago. And it’s just not the nors since Democrats launched grows. The controversy over his egist Rebecca Katz noted that billionaires coming to New York. way that I think, and it doesn’t re- their push to impeach Trump in 2015 “stop-and-frisk” remarks Bloomberg’s rivals will have a Does that give you more inequal- flect what I do every day.” September. PAGE 12 F3HIJKLM •STARS AND STRIPES• Friday, February 14, 2020 NATION Senate votes to restrict Trump’s options on Iran

Associated Press ‘this decision is fundamental, and we have rules that we are going WASHINGTON — The Senate to follow so we can make a good approved a bipartisan measure decision,’ that’s a message of Thursday limiting President Don- strength,” Kaine said. ald Trump’s authority to launch Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, agreed. military operations against Iran. SUSAN WALSH/AP Lee supports Trump’s foreign The measure, authored by Sen. Former Ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch speaks at Georgetown University on Wednesday . Tim Kaine, D-Va., says Trump policy, including toward Iran, but must win approval from Con- said Congress cannot escape its gress before engaging in further constitutional responsibility to military action against Iran. act on matters of war and peace. Ex-Ukraine ambassador: State “We want to make sure that Eight Republicans joined with Democrats to pass the resolution any military action that needs by a 55-45 vote. to be authorized is in fact prop- Department leaders lack vision Kaine and other supporters erly authorized by Congress. said the resolution was not about That doesn’t show weakness. Trump or even the presidency, That shows strength,” Lee said BY BEN FOX But she noted that the State De- efforts to press the government of but instead was an important re- Wednesday. Associated Press partment is being “hollowed out” Ukraine to address long-standing assertion of congressional power The principle of congressional under Trump and that the art of U.S. policy concerns about cor- to declare war. approval is established for an im- WASHINGTON — The career diplomacy has become less of a ruption. At that time, a back-chan- While Trump and other presi- portant reason, Kaine said. “If U.S. diplomat who was ousted priority under his administration. nel effort led by Trump’s personal dents “must always have the abil- we’re to order our young men and from her post in Ukraine by “Right now, the State Depart- lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, sought to ity to defend the United States women ... to risk their lives in war, President Donald Trump, then ment is in trouble,” Yovanovitch push the government of the east- from imminent attack, the execu- it should be on the basis of care- was criticized by him as she testi- said in accepting the award. “Se- ern European nation to dig up tive power to initiate war stops ful deliberation by the people’s fied at his impeachment hearings, nior leaders lack policy vision, political dirt to help Trump’s there,” Kaine said. “An offensive elected legislature and not on the warned that the State Department moral clarity and leadership.” reelection. war requires a congressional de- say-so of any one person.” is facing a crisis with senior lead- Secretary of State Mike Pom- She did not address the back- bate and vote.” Trump disputed that, arguing ers who lack “vision.” peo has been criticized by former channel efforts explicitly, but The Democratic-controlled in two tweets Wednesday that a Marie Yovanovitch, accepting diplomats and others for not com- warned about the state of diplo- House passed a separate, non- vote against Kaine’s proposal was an award at Georgetown Univer- ing to the defense of Yovanovitch, macy at a time when authoritari- binding war powers resolution important to national security . sity on Wednesday, portrayed the a charge he has denied. anism seems to be on the rise. last month. The House could take Kaine has long pushed for ac- department as “in trouble” and Yovanovitch praised the “quiet “To be blunt, an amoral, keep- up the Senate resolution later tion reasserting congressional under threat even as she sought to work of diplomacy” as a way to ‘em-guessing foreign policy that this month, said House Majority power to declare war. At Republi- encourage her audience of mostly ensure peace and prosperity in substitutes threats, fear and con- Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md. cans’ request, he removed initial students not to give up on diplo- the world. fusion for trust cannot work over Two-thirds votes in the House language that targeted Trump in macy as a career. “It sounds so old-fashioned in the long haul,” she said. and GOP-run Senate would be favor of a generalized statement Yovanovitch urged students to our high-tech world, but diplo- Trump publicly criticized her as needed to override an expected declaring that Congress has the follow in her footsteps because macy is about human interaction, she testified before Congress, say- Trump veto. sole power to declare war. The the U.S. “needs diplomats that are and creating relationships of trust ing on Twitter that “everywhere Answering a claim by some of resolution also directs Trump to ready and capable. is more important than ever,” she Marie Yovanovitch went turned Trump’s supporters and Trump terminate use of military force “This country needs a robust said. “It’s not as exciting as send- bad.” Yet, in a nearly 34-year ca- himself that the measure would against Iran or any part of its gov- foreign policy,” Yovanovitch, the ing in the Marines, but it’s cheap- reer at the State Department, she send a signal of weakness to Iran ernment without approval from former ambassador to Ukraine, er and usually more effective in received a series of promotions and other potential adversaries, Congress. said as she accepted the Trainor the long term.” under both Republican and Dem- Kaine said the opposite was true. Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, Award for excellence in diploma- Yovanovitch was making her ocratic administrations, with po- “When we stand up for the rule a co-sponsor, called the reso- cy from the Institute for the Study first public appearance since her sitions that included ambassador of law — in a world that hungers lution “much needed and long of Diplomacy at Georgetown. testimony to Congress about her to Kyrgyzstan and Armenia. for more rule of law — and say overdue.” Trump slams ex-adviser who defended key impeachment witness

Associated Press mouth shut … which he actu- Council. against him. istration up until that phone call, ally has a military and legal ob- “He did exactly what we teach Trump has insisted that his call the policy of the U.S. was militar- WASHINGTON — On Thurs- ligation to do,” Trump tweeted them to do from cradle to grave,” to Ukraine President Volodymyr ily to support Ukraine in their day, President Donald Trump lashed out against former White about Kelly. “His incredible wife, said Kelly, a retired Marine gen- Zelenskiy was “perfect.” During defensive fight against … the House chief of staff John Kelly Karen, who I have a lot of respect eral who served as Trump’s chief the conversation, Trump asked Russians,” Kelly said. “And so, for being disloyal after the ex- for, once pulled me aside & said of staff from the summer of 2017 Zelenskiy to do him “a favor” and when the president said that con- adviser came to the defense of strongly that ‘John respects you until early last year. “He went and look into former Vice President tinued support would be based on a former national security aide greatly. When we are no longer told his boss what he just heard.” Joe Biden and his son’s business X, that essentially changed. And who offered key testimony in the here, he will only speak well of The Army officer was ousted dealings in Ukraine. that’s what that guy (Vindman) impeachment inquiry. you.’ Wrong!” from his job on the White House Vindman testified that he was most interested in.” The president’s comments tar- Kelly, speaking at a public National Security Council last raised his concerns inside the Trump initially tapped Kelly geting Kelly came after Kelly forum on Wednesday in Mor- Friday, just two days after the White House after concluding after the 2016 election to serve as defended Lt. Col. Alexander Vind- ristown, N.J., said that Vindman Senate acquitted Trump on abuse that Trump was inappropriately his secretary of Homeland Secu- man, who was among administra- did exactly as he was trained in of power and obstruction of jus- conditioning nearly $400 million rity before Trump asked him to tion officials who raised concerns raising concerns to his superi- tice charges. He is to be reas- in military aid to the country on become his chief of staff. Kelly about Trump’s July phone call ors after hearing “questionable” signed by the Pentagon. getting Zelenskiy’s help digging suggested at the forum he had with Ukraine’s president. That comments from Trump, accord- Kelly came to Vindman’s de- up dirt on the Republican presi- some hesitation about joining the call spurred the president’s im- ing to a report by The Atlantic fense after Trump suggested this dent’s political rival. administration, but ultimately de- peachment trial, which ended in magazine. Vindman was ousted week that the Pentagon should Kelly said at the forum that cided to at the urging of his wife. an acquittal last week. last week from his position as a review Vindman’s conduct in Vindman’s decision to raise his “I frankly think he needs you “Like so many X’s, he misses Ukraine specialist detailed to the the Ukraine episode and poten- concerns was valid. and people like you,” Kelly re- the action & just can’t keep his White House National Security tially consider disciplinary action “Through the Obama admin- called his wife telling him. Friday, February 14, 2020 •STARS AND STRIPES• F3HIJKLM PAGE 13 NATION Official says Weinstein lawyer: Puerto Rico lost $2.6M in Prosecutors have email scam Associated Press

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — ‘movie,’ not case Puerto Rico’s government has lost more than $2.6 million after fall- Associated Press ing for an email phishing scam, “You don’t have to like Mr. according to a senior official. Weinstein,” she told jurors. “This NEW YORK — Harvey Wein- The finance director of the is not a popularity contest.” stein’s lawyer told jurors Thurs- island’s Industrial Development Weinstein is charged with rap- day that prosecutors in the rape Company, Rubén Rivera, said in a ing a woman in a Manhattan hotel case against him were acting like complaint filed to police Wednes- room in 2013 and forcibly per- moviemakers, creating a world day that the agency sent the forming oral sex on a different where “women are not respon- money to a fraudulent account. woman, Mimi Haleyi, in 2006. sible” for how they interact with Rivera said the government Other accusers testified as part men. agency transferred the money on of a prosecution effort to show he Weinstein is innocent, attorney Jan. 17 after receiving an email used the same tactics to victimize Donna Rotunno said, appeal- that alleged a change to a banking to jurors to ignore “outside many women over the years. Weinstein, who did not testify, ing account tied to remittance forces” and use their “New York payments, according to a police City common sense” in weighing has maintained any sexual en- counters were consensual. statement. a case seen as a watershed for the Manuel Laboy, executive direc- #MeToo movement. It was fueled The Associated Press has a policy of not publishing the names of tor of the agency, told The Asso- by the downfall of Weinstein, who ciated Press that officials found was once one of Hollywood’s most people who allege sexual assault RICHARD DREW/AP without their consent. It is without about the incident earlier this influential figures. Harvey Weinstein defense attorneys Donna Rotunno and Arthur week and immediately reported it Rotunno, who has taken heat holding name of the rape accuser because it isn’t clear if she wishes Aidala, left, arrive at court for his rape trial, in New York, on Thursday . to the FBI. from #MeToo supporters for her “This is a very serious situa- advocacy for the disgraced movie to be identified publicly. stein and the women. During the trial, the jury also tion, extremely serious,” he said. producer, argued that prosecu- The jury is scheduled to hear She pointed to a 2007 message heard about emails in which the “We want it to be investigated tors had to come up with a “sinis- the prosecution closings Friday from Haleyi asking how Wein- victim of the alleged rape wrote until the last consequences.” ter tale“ about him because they before getting instructions on the stein was doing and signing off to Weinstein afterward to accept Laboy declined to say how of- don’t have the evidence to prove law from Judge James Burke next with “lots of love” — the year after party invitations from him, give the charges. week and starting deliberations. ficials found out about the scam, he allegedly sexually assaulted him new phone numbers and even “The irony is that they are the In often emotional testimony, whether anyone has been dis- Haleyi, whom he had gotten a job express gratitude. One message producers and they are writing Weinstein’s accusers said he missed or how the company’s the script,” Rotunno said. “In lured them to hotels in New York on the Weinstein-produced TV read: “I feel so fabulous and beau- operations have been affected by their universe, women are not and Los Angeles on the pretense show “Project Runway.” tiful, thank you for everything.” the missing funds. He said an in- responsible” for their behavior of promoting their acting ca- “Not an email you send to your Rotunno delivered her closing ternal investigation is underway when they engage with men, she reers and then sexually assaulted sexual assaulter, even in the world argument less than a week after to determine whether someone added. them. The defense countered by they want to create,” Rotunno told she came under fire on social was negligent or did not follow Rotunno faces a tricky task: confronting some accusers with jurors. “This is where you need to media for telling The New York standard procedure, adding that convincing the jury of seven men warm emails and other commu- say, ‘Wait a minute — do I have Times’ podcast “The Daily” she’d government officials are trying and five women that there are nications with Weinstein that con- doubt about the story she’s tell- never been attacked “because I to recover the money. too many inconsistencies and tinued for months or even years ing?’ How could you not?” would never put myself in that “I cannot speculate about how contradictions in the testimony after the alleged attacks. Witnesses testified about want- position.” these things might happen,” he of Weinstein’s accusers, without In her closing argument Thurs- ing a professional relationship Prosecutor Joan Illuzzi-Orbon said, addressing heavy criticism breaking her earlier promise that day, Rotunno said the emails of- with Weinstein, Rotunno said, rebuked Rotunno for calling the from Puerto Ricans who were jurors wouldn’t hear any “victim fered “real-time evidence” of “because if they label it what it prosecution’s witnesses “liars” in incredulous upon hearing the shaming.” what happened between Wein- was, we wouldn’t be here.” the interview. news. Census Bureau at risk of being unprepared, report says

BY MIKE SCHNEIDER census that could jeopardize a gressional district of the partner- Associated Press ‘ This administration’s failures risk causing complete and accurate count,” ships the agency had established Democratic Rep. Carolyn Malo- in each congressional district. With the start of the 2020 cen- grave harm to this year’s census that ney of New York said. Dillingham said some partners sus just a month away for most U.S. Reps. Alexandria Ocasio- could jeopardize a complete and accurate hadn’t given permission to make U.S. residents, the U.S. Census Cortez of New York and Debra Bureau is behind in recruiting count. Haaland of New Mexico, both their affiliation with the Census workers and establishing part- ’ Rep. Carolyn Maloney Democrats, asked what the Cen- Bureau public. nerships with civic groups, and D-N.Y. sus Bureau was doing to over- The 2020 Census started last it is at risk of missing some income misperceptions that there month in a remote part of rural formational technology testing was a question about citizenship goals, according to a report re- Alaska. on the 2020 questionnaire. leased Wednesday. including one that will allow peo- Dillingham testified that the But the rest of the nation won’t While the Census Bureau has ple to self-respond and another bureau was on its way toward The U.S. Supreme Court last be able to start answering the year rejected a Trump adminis- succeeded so far in early tasks for following-up with households reaching its goals for hiring and questionnaire until the middle of that haven’t answered the ques- partnerships. tration attempt to add a citizen- of verifying addresses across the next month. tions on their own. “We are confident that we are ship question to the form. U.S. and launching an advertis- For the first time, the U.S. Cen- ing campaign, the agency’s readi- “Where the risk is, is just time. on mission, on budget and on tar- Research indicates that people ness for upcoming operations is We are in a pressure cooker of get,” Dillingham said. “The 2020 respond to positive messages sus Bureau is encouraging most mixed, according to the report time to get things done,” said census is positioned for success.” about the 2020 census, so instead participants to fill out the form from the Government Account- Nick Marinos, the GAO’s director The chairwoman of the House of focusing on what could be con- online, although they can still an- ability Office. of information technology. Committee on Oversight and Re- sidered a negative, like the citi- swer the questions by telephone The report was made public Lawmakers held the hearing form said the GAO report was zenship question, “we enforce the or by returning a paper form. Wednesday to get an update from sending “flashing red lights” that positive,” Dillingham answered. Wednesday during a hearing by The 2020 count will help deter- the House Committee on Over- Census Bureau director Steven the bureau wasn’t ready. Other lawmakers, led by Dem- mine the allocation of $1.5 tril- sight and Reform. Dillingham and other agency of- “Whether through incompe- ocratic Rep. Debbie Wasserman The GAO report said the bu- ficials on its readiness for the tence or intentional action, this Schultz of Florida, were unhappy lion in federal spending and how reau was at risk of missing testing largest and most complex head administration’s failures risk that the bureau hadn’t yet shared many congressional seats each milestones for five IT operations, count in U.S, history. causing grave harm to this year’s with them a breakdown by con- state gets. PAGE 14 F3HIJKLM •STARS AND STRIPES• Friday, February 14, 2020 NATION Suit seeks to block transgender athletes

Associated Press remain silent,” Miller said. “I am a girl and I am a runner. I participate in athletics just HARTFORD, Conn. — The families like my peers to excel, find community, of three female high school runners filed and meaning in my life. It is both unfair a federal lawsuit Wednesday seeking to and painful that my victories have to be at- block transgender athletes in Connecticut tacked and my hard work ignored.” from participating in girls sports. Selina Soule, a senior at Glastonbury Yearwood said she also is a girl and has High School, Chelsea Mitchell, a senior at been hurt by the efforts to “tear down my Canton High School and Alanna Smith, a successes.” sophomore at Danbury High School are “I will never stop being me!” she said in represented by the conservative nonprofit her statement. “I will never stop running! organization Alliance Defending Free- I hope that the next generation of trans dom. They argue that allowing athletes youth doesn’t have to fight the fights that with male anatomy to compete has de- I have. I hope they can be celebrated when prived them of track titles and scholarship they succeed not demonized. For the next opportunities. generation, I run for you!” “Mentally and physically, we know the The American Civil Liberties Union said outcome before the race even starts,” said it will represent the transgender teens and Smith, who is the daughter of former Major defend the Connecticut policy in court. League pitcher Lee Smith. “That biologi- Attorney Chase Strangio, deputy director cal unfairness doesn’t go away because of for Trans Justice with the ACLU LGBT & what someone believes about gender iden- HIV Project, said transgender girls also tity. All girls deserve the chance to com- are protected by Title IX. “The idea that the law only protects the pete on a level playing field.” PAT EATON-ROBB/AP The lawsuit was filed against the Con- individuals with XX chromosomes as com- necticut Association of Schools-Connecti- Danbury High School sophomore Alanna Smith speaks during a news conference pared to individuals with XY chromosomes cut Interscholastic Athletic Conference Wednesday at the Connecticut State Capitol in Hartford, Conn. is found nowhere in the legislative history and the boards of education in Bloom- of Title IX, in any implementing regulation field, Cromwell, Glastonbury, Canton and lieves the policy is “appropriate under both to Miller and usually behind Yearwood. or in any other aspect of the interpretation Danbury. state and federal law.” Mitchell finished third in the 2019 state of Title IX over the last 50 years by the “Forcing girls to be spectators in their The lawsuit follows a Title IX complaint championship in the girls 55-meter in- courts,” he said. own sports is completely at odds with Title filed last June by the girls’ families and the door track competition behind Miller and The attorneys for Alliance Defending IX, a federal law designed to create equal Alliance Defending Freedom with the U.S. Yearwood. Freedom is asking the court to prevent the opportunities for women in education and Education Department’s Office for Civil “Our dream is not to come in second or transgender girls from competing while athletics,” attorney Christiana Holcomb Rights, which is investigating the policy. third place, but to win fair and square,” the lawsuit moves forward. No hearing said. “Connecticut’s policy violates that The lawsuit centers on two transgender Mitchell said. “All we’re asking for is a fair date on that request had been scheduled law and reverses nearly 50 years of ad- sprinters, Terry Miller and Andraya Year- chance.” Wednesday, the day before the state’s in- vances for women.” wood, who have frequently outperformed Yearwood, a senior at Cromwell High door track championships begin. The Connecticut Association of Schools- their cisgender competitors. School, and Miller, a senior at Bloomfield Connecticut is one of 17 states that al- Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic The two seniors have combined to win 15 High School, issued statements vehe- lowed transgender high school athletes to Conference says its policy follows a state girls state indoor or outdoor championship mently defending their right to run in girls compete without restrictions in 2019, ac- anti-discrimination law that says students races since 2017, according to the lawsuit. events. cording to Transathlete.com, which tracks must be treated in school by the gender The three plaintiffs have competed di- “I have faced discrimination in every state policies in high school sports across with which they identify and the group be- rectly against them, almost always losing aspect of my life and I no longer want to the country. Media seek open hearing on NFL team’s emails with church

Associated Press gone to court to keep the emails for release of hearing. priests would be named in the list from being made public, say- the emails. Judge Ellen Hazeur was set to of “credibly accused” clergy pub- New Orleans news outlets were However, set to argue Thursday for an open ing court rules would ordinarily hear arguments at Civil District lished by the archdiocese. hearing on the confidentiality of keep them under seal and that the the Feb. 20 Court in New Orleans. Attorneys for about two dozen emails between Roman Catho- plaintiffs’ lawyers want them re- hearing be- The Saints, whose devoutly men suing the church allege in lic officials and the city’s NFL leased “for publicity purposes.” fore the spe- Catholic owner Gayle Benson is court filings that the confidential franchise concerning clergy sex- A state court hearing is sched- cial master close friends with the local arch- emails show executives joined in abuse scandals. uled in New Orleans next week was to be bishop, have disputed as “outra- the church’s “pattern and prac- As The Associated Press re- before a court-appointed special closed to the geous” any suggestion that the tice of concealing its crimes.” ported last month, victims’ law- master to determine whether public. team helped cover up crimes. The attorneys contend that in- yers allege that hundreds of they may be released. Benson The own- They have accused plaintiffs’ cluded taking an active role in Saints emails show team execu- The AP has been allowed to ers of The attorneys of mischaracterizing helping to shape the archdiocese’s tives did behind-the-scenes pub- intervene in the effort to get the Times-Picayune/The New Or- what is in the emails. list of 57 credibly accused clergy, lic relations damage control amid emails released and lawyers for leans Advocate, WVUE-TV, Benson said in a news release a roster an AP analysis found the Archdiocese of New Orleans’ the news cooperative are being al- WWL-TV and WDSU-TV have Monday that the NFL team played was undercounted by at least 20 clergy abuse crisis. The team has lowed to participate in arguments filed a motion for access to the no role in determining which names. Iowa Democratic Party chairman resigns in wake of caucus chaos

Associated Press the presidential primary season “While it is my desire to stay the results on Feb. 3, it took until was unable to declare a winner, and led both front-runners to re- in this role and see this pro- Feb. 6 for the state party, which based on the available informa- WASHINGTON — The chair- quest a partial recanvass of the cess through to completion, I do operates the series of roughly tion. The results as reported by man of the Iowa Democratic results. believe it is time for the Iowa 1,700 local meetings statewide, the Iowa Democratic Party, the Party announced his resignation “The fact is that Democrats de- Democratic Party to begin look- to issue what it said are complete AP believes, may not be fully Wednesday after a disastrous served better than what happened ing forward, and my presence in results. accurate. caucus process beset by technical on caucus night. As chair of this my current role makes that more In those figures, released by Price had called the delays in glitches led to a dayslong delay in party, I am deeply sorry for what difficult.” the party, former South Bend, reporting results “unacceptable.” reporting the results, inconsisten- happened and bear the responsi- Price said his departure would Ind. , Mayor Pete Buttigieg leads He said the party would conduct cies in the numbers and no clear bility for any failures on behalf occur as soon as the state party Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders by a “thorough, transparent and in- winner. of the Iowa Democratic Party,” elects a replacement, and he two state delegate equivalents out dependent examination” of what The embarrassing episode also Chairman Troy Price wrote in called an emergency Saturday of 2,152 counted. That is a margin caused the delays. threatened Iowa’s cherished sta- a resignation letter a week and a meeting to do so. of 0.09 percentage points. He apologized for the break- tus as the first voting contest of half after Iowa’s caucuses. After a breakdown in tallying The Associated Press said it down in the process. Friday, February 14, 2020 •STARS AND STRIPES• F3HIJKLM PAGE 15 NATION

AP photos A ship sails into the harbor at Pago Pago, American Samoa. Residents of the U.S. territory are concerned about how a court ruling on citizenship will affect their way of life. ‘We are so proud of who we are’ American Samoans weigh in on federal court’s ruling on US citizenship

Associated Press statement. American Samoa is the only HONOLULU — Growing up in U.S. territory where residents American Samoa, Filipo Ilaoa’s have no birthright claim to citi- neighbors were his cousins on zenship. Instead, those born in a plot of land full of banana and the cluster of islands some 2,600 breadfruit trees shared by his ex- miles southwest of Hawaii are tended family and overseen by a chief elected by his relatives. granted “U.S. national” status, He worries that a federal meaning that they can’t vote for judge’s recent ruling in Utah U.S. president, run for office out- saying those born in the U.S. ter- side of American Samoa or apply for certain jobs. The only federal Dancers representing Hawaii and the Samoas join to form a link at a ceremony celebrating the launch of ritory should be recognized as a new fiber optic cable in Pago Pago, American Samoa. U.S. citizens could threaten “fa’a election they can cast a vote in is Samoa,” the Samoan way of life. the race for American Samoa’s nonvoting U.S. House seat. for those who want it, but some say This includes cultural traditions that it’s costly and cumbersome. like prayer curfews, communal Supporters of automatic citi- Roy J.D. Hall Jr., who lives in living and a belief that the islands’ zenship say that it would benefit the village of Viatogi, says that lands should stay in Samoan fam- the estimated 150,000 to 160,000 he became a citizen more than ily hands. nationals who live in the states . 50 years ago, when it was easier. “Basically, what it comes down The territory’s population is As an attorney, he helps others to is freedom — the freedom to about 55,000. Yet many there say obtain citizenship, which he said own communal land,” said Ilaoa, they’re happy being nationals 66, a retired Marine Corps ser- and worry that birthright citizen- now requires more documents geant major who works at the ship would influence customs, and a $750 fee. Such roadblocks American Samoa government’s like their unique land ownership are unfair, he said. office in Hawaii. system. Pa’uulu opted to remain a na- In December, U.S. District “Right now, the government tional, even though her soldier Judge Clark Waddoups sided of the United States doesn’t own husband became a citizen. with three people from Ameri- a square inch of land in Ameri- Maintaining the land owner- can Samoa who live in Utah and can Samoa,” said Ilaoa, who left ship structure is important to sued to be recognized as citizens. his village of Leone at 18 to join Pa’uulu, in part because she plans The judge ruled that the Utah the Marines and later became a to return someday. The land “ties residents are entitled to birth- citizen to qualify for military jobs Filipo Ilaoa, left, and Bonnelley Pa’uulu pose with the American you back to your family name, right citizenship under the 14th that require top-secret clearance. Samoa flag at the American Samoa government office in Honolulu. and it’s like where you belong,” Amendment. He then put his rul- “We build what we want. Any she said. ing on hold pending appeal. time we want.” every family’s need that occupies being Christian, according to the From a legal perspective, citi- The U.S. government, which Most property in American that land,” said Tisa Fa’amuli, American Samoa government. zenship won’t lead to the down- argues that automatic citizenship Samoa is owned communally who owns Tisa’s Barefoot Bar in Bonnelley Pa’uulu, acting di- fall of American Samoa’s land should be a decision for Congress, among families. Family members the village of Alega on Tutuila, rector of the American Samoa ownership system, said Rose Cui- filed an appeal Friday. The Amer- select chiefs, or matai, to regulate the largest island in the Ameri- government’s office in Hawaii, son-Villazor, an expert in immi- ican Samoa government filed its village life and oversee the land. can Samoa archipelago. remembers how village police gration, citizenship and property notice of appeal Monday, said Samoan law restricts the sale “At the end of the day, we are would ring a 6 p.m. bell that sig- law at Rutgers Law School in New Michael Williams, a Washington of most property to anyone with so proud of who we are,” she said. naled it was time to go indoors for Jersey. lawyer representing the territory less than 50% Samoan ancestry. “We love who we are, and we family prayer. “Citizenship would not have the in challenging the lawsuit. Some are uncomfortable with a don’t want to change that.” Imposing “blanket adult cur- domino effect people are worried “We look forward to showing faraway judge making decisions There also are concerns that fews to United States citizens about,” said Sean Morrison, a for- the Court of Appeals that Judge about their relationship with the automatic citizenship would dis- could be unconstitutional under mer American Samoa assistant Waddoup’s decision is incorrect U.S., Williams said. rupt religious norms such as existing case law,” the American attorney general now living in as a matter of law and needlessly “Everybody else will come and prayer curfews that are enforced Samoa government said in a court New Orleans. “I think the biggest dismissive of Samoans’ self-de- impose their right in the village by local leaders in a territory filing opposing the lawsuit. worry is … you don’t know what a termination rights,” he said in a that is perfectly designed to fit where 100% of Samoans report A path to U.S. citizenship exists future judge might say.” PAGE 16 F3HIJKLM •STARS AND STRIPES• Friday, February 14, 2020 WORLD Spike in China cases with new way of counting

BY YANAN WANG as if they already have the dis- Associated Press ease, even in the absence of lab confirmation.” BEIJING — China on Thurs- China also appointed new day reported a sharp spike in high-level officials in Hubei and deaths and infections from a new Wuhan. virus after the hardest-hit prov- Former Shanghai Mayor Ying ince of Hubei applied a new clas- Yong succeeded Jiang Chaoliang sification system that broadens as the ruling Communist Party the scope of diagnoses for the out- chief in the beleaguered province, break, which has spread to more the Xinhua state news agency re- CHINATOPIX/AP than 20 countries. ported, while Wang Zhonglin took A doctor checks the conditions of a patient in Jinyintan Hospital, designated for critical COVID-19 The new diagnostic approach over from Ma Guoqiang as the patients, in Wuhan in central China’s Hubei province on Thursday. came on the same day that Hubei party secretary in Wuhan. and its stricken capital, Wuhan, The appointments follow the replaced their top officials in an sacking earlier this week of two apparent response to public criti- leaders of the provincial health cism of how authorities have han- commission. State media also re- Japan reports its 1st death from dled the epidemic. ported that a slew of others were The death toll in China reached expelled from the party for trans- 1,367, up 254 from the previous gressions related to the epidemic. virus and 44 more cases on ship day. The number of confirmed The public has widely criti- cases jumped 15,152 to 59,804. cized local officials for failing to The unusually large increases respond quickly and decisively BY MARI YAMAGUCHI earlier have severe symptoms and are on artifi- were due to the change in Hubei’s to the new virus. Authorities ini- Associated Press cial respirators or under intensive care. approach. tially assured people that there The government has decided to allow passen- The total now includes more was little to no risk of human-to- TOKYO — Japan announced Thursday its first gers older than 80 to get off the ship after testing than 13,000 cases of “clinical di- human transmission, a statement death from a new virus from China, hours after negative for the virus, Kato said. He said the re- agnosis” in Hubei, which appears that was later retracted. Wuhan confirming 44 more cases on a cruise ship quar- sults of tests on about 200 eligible passengers are to include those based on a doc- residents said hospitals were antined near Tokyo as fears of the spreading dis- underway, and those with chronic health prob- tors’ analysis combined with lung overcrowded and lacked suffi- ease mount in the country. lems or in cabins without operable windows will imaging, as opposed to waiting cient medical supplies. Doctors Health Minister Katsunobu Kato said the first be given priority. for laboratory test results. who tried to share information fatality is a woman in her 80s who had been hos- Kato said the measure is to reduce health risks pitalized since Feb. 1 when she was diagnosed In breaking down the large early on were reprimanded by for passengers stuck in rooms under difficult with pneumonia. Her confirmed diagnosis came number of new cases in China, police for “spreading rumors.” conditions. Those who are released will be asked after her death, he said. The woman, a resident of National Health Commission Many countries have imple- to stay at a designated facility through the end of Kanagawa prefecture near Tokyo, had no record spokesman Mi Feng said Hubei mented travel restrictions on re- the quarantine period. of traveling to China or contacts with Chinese had adopted a revised diagnosis cent visitors to China, which has “We are doing our utmost for the health of visitors, and health officials are investigating and treatment plan aimed at ac- more than 99% of the world’s re- crew members and passengers who remain on celerating the identification and how she contracted the virus. ported infections. the ship,” Kato told a news conference. treatment of patients. Kato also confirmed two other cases of the In an unprecedented measure Some experts have questioned Japan’s strat- That adds a “clinical diagnosis virus, a Tokyo taxi driver in his 70s and a doc- to contain the disease, recently egy of isolating the passengers and crew in a po- case” classification to identify sus- tor in his 50s who works at a hospital in western named COVID-19, the Chinese tentially virus-affected environment on the ship pected cases who appear to have Japan. government has placed the hard- while the disease is already slowly making its pneumonia so that patients can be est-hit cities — home to more than Earlier Thursday, he announced 44 new cases way into the country. accepted as soon as possible and 60 million — under lockdown. One on the Diamond Princess, which is still carrying “On the ship, infections are getting very dense,” treated as confirmed cases, Mi district in Shiyan, a city in Hubei, nearly 3,500 passengers and crew members. The said Shigeru Omi, an infectious disease preven- said, adding that should “reduce has implemented “wartime mea- ship now has 218 people infected with the virus tion expert and former regional director for the severe illness and mortality.” sures,” barring residents from out of 713 tested since it entered Yokohama Port One expert said the changed leaving even their apartment on Feb. 3, the largest cluster of infections outside World Health Organization. “It’s like we are see- case definition in Hubei likely compounds for two weeks. China. ing a very condensed version of what could hap- speaks to the crush of patients According to a local govern- In all, Japan has 250 confirmed cases of the pen in a local community.” the health system is experienc- ment notice, neighborhood com- new disease that apparently started in Wuhan, a Later Thursday, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe ing and the backlog of untested mittees will distribute basic city in central China, in December. announced a $139 million economic package to samples. necessities at a fixed time and China has reported 1,367 deaths among 5 9, 804 fight the virus, including funding for the devel- “Clearly in Wuhan, the health at fixed prices, as well as help cases on the mainland. Two other locations out- opment of vaccines and virus test kits, support system is under extreme pres- residents purchase any medicine side the mainland, Hong Kong and the Philip- for hundreds of returnees from Wuhan and measure and so the first priority has they might urgently need. pines, have recorded one death each. sures to strengthen border controls to minimize to be the patient,” said Mark Xu Min, a resident of Shiyan’s Kato said five of the patients sent to hospitals the spread of the virus in the country. Woolhouse, a professor of infec- Zhangwan district, said her tious disease epidemiology at the neighborhood entrance was being University of Edinburgh. guarded by community workers only lab-confirmed cases but also Geng Shuang said at a daily on- press cited a senior official of He said it wasn’t unprecedent- and security staff. clinically diagnosed cases based line briefing. Vinh Phuc province as reporting ed for case definitions to rely on “It doesn’t have too much of on symptoms and exposure,” “The purpose of the joint mis- an increase in cases in Son Loi. doctors’ diagnoses rather than an impact on our life, except that Jasarevic said in an email to The sion is that experts of both sides Vietnam has confirmed 16 cases, wait for laboratory confirmation, we’re not allowed to go out,” Xu Associated Press. can have in-depth communication most of them in the province. and that these kinds of changes said. “The jump in cases today re- on the situation and efforts of pre- Another cruise ship, the West- flects the broader definition,” he vention and control, and come up usually happen when there are World Health Organization erdam, finally docked Thursday simply too many patients to pro- spokesman Tarik Jasarevic said said. with advice for China and other in Cambodia after being turned cess in a fast-moving outbreak. the agency is seeking more clar- An advance team of WHO ex- affected countries,” Geng said. “I’m not surprised that this has ity from China on the updates to perts has been in China since In Vietnam, official media re- away by several Asian and Pacif- happened given the way the out- its case definition and reporting Monday. The team is here to ported that a village of 10,000 ic governments. No cases of the break has been going in China,” protocol. “discuss specific arrangements northwest of the capital, Hanoi, viral illness have been confirmed Woolhouse said. “You have to be “It is our current understand- for the China-WHO joint mis- was put in lockdown due to a clus- among its 1,455 passengers and pragmatic and take the concerns ing that the new case definition sion with the Chinese side,” Chi- ter of cases there. 802 crew members, according to of the patient first and treat them widens the net, and includes not nese foreign ministry spokesman The online newspaper VN Ex- operator Holland America Line. Friday, February 14, 2020 •STARS AND STRIPES• F3HIJKLM PAGE 17 PAGE 18 F3HIJKLM •STARS AND STRIPES• Friday, February 14, 2020 AMERICAN ROUNDUP Missing bald eagle found safe

ASHFORD — A bald CT eagle missing from a Connecticut raptor rehabilitation center and feared stolen was found. The Horizon Wings Raptor rehabilitation and education center announced Tuesday on Facebook that Atka, a 10-year-old male eagle that cannot fly because of a permanent shoulder injury, was found on the organization’s Ash- ford property. No additional details were disclosed. Mary-Beth Kaeser, owner and founder of the nonprofit, found the door to Atka’s aviary open and the lock on the ground when she went to feed him Monday. Atka came to the center about nine years ago and is used in its education programs. City’s last call might be a little earlier

MIAMI BEACH — The FL mayor of Miami Beach wants the last call for alcohol to be a little bit earlier for spring break. Mayor Dan Gelber wants alcohol sales to end at 2 a.m. in the South Beach entertainment district for 17 days in March. It’s 5 a.m. now across the city. The Miami Herald reported the proposal was to come before KELSEY BRUNNER, THE ASPEN (COLO.) TIMES/AP the city commission for a preliminary vote. It could then be finalized at a Feb. 26 commission It takes two meeting. The rollback would begin Twins Colette Abrahams, 6, left, and Emilie Abrahams, hold on to each other while waiting for instructions from coach Drew Barr during March 6 and continue for 17 days. an Aspen Gymnastics practice Tuesday at the Red Brick Gym in Colorado. Barr said this group of girls have the potential to be the next It would affect the sale of alcohol competitive team. for on-site consumption, like at bars and restaurants. cer he was a sheriff’s deputy and THE CENSUS sion returned a record dividend showed a gun. of more than $83 million in fiscal Dead birds disguised When the detective said he was The approximate weight in pounds of seized cocaine the year 2019, the Idaho Press reas cat food confiscated an officer, Mitchem fled in his Coast Guard offloaded at Naval Base San Diego. The co- ported. That’s about $6.8 million Chevy Tahoe, according to the caine, estimated to be worth $338 million, was seized in more than the previous year. complaint. Mitchem was eventu- 20K the eastern Pacific Ocean in eight operations by the crews Idaho resident’s purchases mir- CHANTILLY — A ally arrested and charged with of four cutters between mid-November and mid-January. ror a national trend, Anderson package of tiny dead VA impersonating a peace officer The Coast Guard said the campaign against drug cartels involves numerous U.S. said, with consumption of spirits birds passed off as pet food was and felon in possession of a fire- agencies as well as the Navy. increasing at the expense of beer. confiscated by Customs agents at arm, police said. But Idahoans still consume less a Virginia airport. U.S. Customs and Border Pro- liquor overall compared to na- Meteorologists: 209 mph sands of dollars in store merchan- area home , stealing a TV and a tection said the package came in tional averages. dise that he then resold on the gun from the residents, accord- to Dulles International Airport on gust likely a mistake a flight from Beijing on Jan. 27. internet. ing to records filed in Davidson Man gets trampled by Agents discovered the bag of SOUTH LAKE TAHOE Nedeltcho Vladimirov of Cross County court. deer in parking lot dead birds in the baggage of a CA — A gust of 209 mph Lanes was charged in a criminal But prosecutors said Goddard recorded atop a California peak complaint with acquiring near- left something behind that al- passenger who was on their way LOCUST — A suspect recently was likely not a new ly 3,700 stolen items that were lowed authorities to solve the case to Prince George’s County, Md. escaped from a hit and state wind record but a mistake later resold for profit, U.S. Attor- — a notebook that listed multiple NC The passenger said the package run in a North Carolina McDon- resulting from a faulty sensor, ney Mike Stuart said at a news addresses, including one for an- was cat food. The plastic packag- ald’s parking lot last month. But ing had pictures of a cat and dog. meteorologists said. conference. other home a few miles away that police aren’t looking for who’s The birds are barred from im- The wind recording was made Vladimirov, who is charged had been burglarized that same responsible. portation to prevent the spread of by an instrument at 9,186 feet with money laundering, alleg- day, The Tennessean reported. avian flu. on Kirkwood Mountain south of edly paid cash to the shoplifters Investigators were able to iden- Ken Worthy was leaving the Lake Tahoe. If accurate, it would for a fraction of the stolen items’ tify the suspect, in part, through restaurant in Locust with his wife Man posed as deputy have broken the previous wind worth. Many of the shoplifters notes his daughter left in the jour- and a Diet Coke in hand, when he record of 199 mph at Ward Moun- then would use the money to sup- nal, along with her address. saw something approaching him, to undercover cop tain west of Lake Tahoe in 2017. port their drug habits. Goddard was caught on video the victim told news outlets. But forecasters now suspect the kicking in the back door of an- What he saw coming wasn’t a ALBUQUERQUE — sensor wasn’t working properly, Officials: Thief dropped other house the next day, court car, but a frenzied deer that had NM A New Mexico man said Cory Mueller, a meteorolo- list of homes to hit records state. run startled, likely from woods is facing charges after authori- gist with the National Weather nearby, and was stopping for ties say he tried to impersonate a Service in Sacramento. nothing in its way. Security video NASHVILLE — Au- Spirits sales soar, sheriff’s deputy to an undercover taken from the store showed the thorities in Tennessee but beer buying sinks police officer. TN animal barreling toward Worthy A criminal complaint said Man accused of paying said they busted a well-organized before plowing him over him and Daniel Mitchem was arrested addicts to shoplift burglar after he allegedly dropped BOISE — Idaho resi- continuing on. following a high-speed chase in a notebook during a break-in that ID dents are buying less Albuquerque. CHARLESTON — A contained a list of other places he beer and more liquor, according Worthy and his wife were sur- According to police, Mitchem, WV West Virginia man is planned to target. to the state Liquor Division. prised, but not hurt during the in- 46, had approached an under- accused of organizing a network Robert Shull Goddard, 49, is Director Jeff Anderson told cident, he told the station. In fact, cover detective during an auto of shoplifters, many of them drug accused of smashing a glass door the legislature’s budget-writing he didn’t even spill his Diet Coke. theft operation and told the offi- addicts, to steal hundreds of thou- and breaking into a Nashville committee that the Liquor Divi- From wire reports Friday, February 14, 2020 •STARS AND STRIPES• F3HIJKLM PAGE 19 WORLD Climate change makes its mark on Alpine skiing

Bloomberg genuine threat. Climate change is expected to cost Austrian tourism At the northern edge of the 300 million euros a year, accord- Alps, ski runs near the foot of ing to one of the country’s leading Germany’s highest mountain environmental protection organi- snake down the greenish-brown slopes in narrow white ribbons of zations. In France, authorities in artificial snow. Tignes delayed the start of the ski Like other resorts at relatively season by several weeks, citing low altitude, global warming the effects of global warming on MICHAELA HANDREK-REHLE/Bloomberg has left its mark on Garmisch- the Grande Motte glacier. Partenkirchen — the site of the “If greenhouse-gas emissions A snow-covered jump is seen last month in Olympic Stadium in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany. 1936 Winter Olympics — putting continue at the same level, snow the town’s identity and affluence will almost disappear at lower it won’t have the same role as it become unavoidable to cope with regions in the central Alps, and at risk. It’s January, and there’s levels by the end of the century,” does now,” he added after a day global warming. are more attuned to welcoming so little natural snow that anxiety said Marc Olefs, head of depart- on the slopes. The higher runs “Some regions and areas will guests around the year, Steiger ment for climate research at is building whether upcoming ski were in good shape but the lower lose ski tourism by the mid of said. Vienna’s Central Institute for Me- races can go ahead. ones needed cannons spraying the century, or even earlier,” said Already, the summer gener- teorology and Geodynamics. In Garmisch and across the artificial snow to keep them pass- Steiger, who has studied the im- ates 60% of the tourism intake, At an elevation of 800 meters, Alps, tourism is a key support for able, Hilla said. pact of climate change on tour- according to Garmisch Mayor local economies. In neighboring Garmisch — known for its land- To make up for a lack of natu- ism. “Higher areas will survive, mark ski jump — has little pros- Sigrid Meierhofer. That’s a devel- Austria, it makes up just over 6% ral snowfall, resorts switch on but they will have to invest more opment seen elsewhere. In Swit- of economic output, while in the pect of maintaining its status as a in snowmaking and to cope with the cannons, although they’re zerland, summer overnight hotel mountainous region of Tyrol the winter-sports mecca. energy intensive and unpopular the additional tourist inflow.” stays were a third higher than the share is more like 18%. The ratio Among visitors, the chang- with environmentalists. Produc- Another option is snow farm- is similar for the Swiss canton of ing conditions are accepted with ing artificial snow will get hard- ing, where mounds of the pre- winter of 2018- 19. Graub thanks to resorts like St. quiet resignation. er as temperatures rise, Olefs cious white flakes are collected in At Garmisch City Hall, Meier- Moritz, Klosters and Davos. Juergen Hilla, a school teacher predicted. spring and covered with sawdust hofer is putting on a brave face, In France’s Auvergne-Rhone- from near Frankfurt, predicted The practice didn’t start be- for use later in the year. citing the town’s brisk conference Alpes region, home to Courchevel that skiing and other winter sports cause of climate change originally Areas most affected by warm- business. and Val d’Isere, tourist spending may not be viable in Garmisch in — it was meant to make ski resorts ing are on the outskirts of the “Of course, we have to come totaled $23 billion in 2018, gen- the longer term and that he and less dependent on the whims of Alps — in Austria’s east, the up with concepts to maintain the erating nearly a 10th of gross do- his wife may have to consider al- nature, according to Robert Stei- foothills in France and Italy and winter tourism that we still have,” mestic product and 171,000 jobs. ternatives for their ski vacation. ger, an assistant professor at the in Germany. They were never as she said. “You say it’s brown, I say That source of income is under “Probably in 20 or 30 years, University of Innsbruck. But it’s dependent on ski tourism as some the hiking paths are open.” Fire sale: An Iran plant makes the US flags protesters burn

Associated Press workers said. Iran continues larly been high since President to support anti-Israeli militant Donald Trump unilaterally with- KHOMEIN, Iran — Near the groups like Hamas in Gaza and drew America from Tehran’s hometown of the late Ayatollah Hezbollah in Lebanon. nuclear deal with world powers Ruhollah Khomeini, workers at Diba Parcham Khomein pro- in May 2018. a small Iranian factory diligently add all 50 stars and 13 red-and- duces 1.5 million flags a year, In the time since, regional ten- white bars to what are supposed many bearing Islamic phrases sions across the Mideast have to be U.S. flags, and carefully for religious and official occa- steadily worsened, leading to the imprint the blue Star of David on sions across the country. The fac- Jan. 3 U.S. drone strike in Iraq Israeli ones. tory also makes Iranian flags and that killed Soleimani as he was That’s even as all their work is a small number of Iraqi national leaving Baghdad’s international destined to go up in flames. flags for export. airport. The company Diba Parcham But on a recent visit by the AP, Smiling images of Soleimani Khomein serves as a major pro- the American and Israeli flags and Iran’s Supreme Leader Aya- ducer for the American and Is- stood out, each 59 inches by 39 tollah Ali Khamenei appeared on raeli flags constantly burned at inches . The factory makes as small Iranian flags in the factory, pro-government rallies in the Is- many as 6,000 American, Brit- hanging behind women working lamic Republic. Such flag-burn- ish and Israeli flags in a year, all at sewing machines on American ings are a sign of support for Iran’s EBRAHIM NOROOZI/AP destined to be passed onto retail- flags. embattled clerical rulers and a ers. Iranian political hard-liners Khanjani said burning the A worker sews a U.S. flag at the Diba Parcham Khomein factory then purchase them for around American flag offered Iranians a throwback to the iconic images of Saturday in Heshmatieh village, a suburb of Khomein, Iran. the 1979 Islamic Revolution that $2 apiece to be stomped on, torn direct way to express their anger branded the U.S. Iran’s greatest and ultimately set ablaze. at U.S. policies, including the eco- foe and the “Great Satan.” many middle-class Iranians, still The factory itself is in the “In recent years, the production nomic sanctions now choking the Another batch of flags was pre- hopes for better relations between nearby suburban village of Hesh- of the U.S. flags has been tripled,” country. pared for Tuesday’s celebrations Tehran and the U.S. matieh, where staffers first dye Khanjani said. “What eventually “Does the production of U.S. marking the 41st anniversary of “I hope there is a day that the the blue canton containing the 50 happens to my products is on its flags for burning pose any danger the Iranian revolution. The cele- flags we produce are presented white stars of the American flag end user.” to anyone? Does it hurt anyone? brations had special symbolic im- as a gift,” factory owner Abolfazl on linen before dyeing its seven Khanjani, 36, identifies himself My answer is no. It is an insult at portance amid renewed tensions Khanjani told The Associated red stripes. as supporting Iranian reform- worst,” he said. “But what about with Washington after a U.S. Press. The flags then hang to dry in ist groups that want to slowly the production of weapons, bombs drone strike in Baghdad killed That day, however, has yet to the factory. As Iran does not rec- change, and open up, the Islamic and drones for terror that have Iran’s top general, Qassem Solei- come to Khomein, a city best ognize Israel as a country, the Republic. But he acknowledged been used against our people and mani, last month. known as the birthplace of the Is- factory adds “Death to Israel,” the anger hard-liners feel toward our country’s general? Has it not Yet the factory’s owner, like lamic Republic’s founder. written in Farsi on those flags, the U.S. Tensions have particu- harmed my country?” PAGE 20 F3HIJKLM •STARS AND STRIPES• Friday, February 14, 2020 WORLD Riding high Annual llama race in Ecuador draws attention to wetlands

Associated Press LLANGANATES, Ecuador — The tiny rider sat — well, was tied — atop the towering steed that would carry him to victory in the annual llama races at Ecuador’s Llanganates National Park. Wellington Barrera, clad in a wool poncho, sheep-leather pants and a cowboy hat, was the only finisher in his under-3 category, bouncing 1,640 feet to victory. But two dozen children in other Above: Riders race age groups also competed in an their llamas at the annual event meant to draw atten- Llanganates National tion to the park’s high wetlands Park, Ecuador, on and the need to preserve them. Saturday. Wooly llamas The park, roughly 80 miles east become the star for of Quito, is famed for dramatic a day each year when Andean vistas, and the race took Ecuadoreans dress up place between the wetlands at al- their prized animals for titudes nearing 15,000 feet. children to ride them A llama named Rayo McQueen in 500-meter races. carried Eric Javier Chicaiza, 6, to Right: A child sits on a a win in his category. His mother, llama before racing it. Fatima Guanotuna, said the ani- Bottom right: Milena mal was a gift to the family when Jami whips her llama to the boy was born, and the two win first place in a race have always been close. for children ages 7 and Ibeth Santafe, 9, three times a 8. Bottom left: A girl winner in past races, was som- waits for the start of a ber after finishing third. But she race. came out a winner in a llama- Photos by Dolores Ochoa/AP training contest, showing mas- tery over her beast. Friday, February 14, 2020 •STARS AND STRIPES• F3HIJKLM PAGE 21 Jessica Simpson tells her story Books, Page 38

Co-founder of Lumineers shares inspiration

behind personal latest album Page 36

Travel — 27-34 Music — 36-37 Books — 38 Fitness — 40 Crossword — 42 PAGE 22 F3HIJKLM •STARS AND STRIPES• Friday, February 14, 2020 WEEKEND: GADGETS GADGET WATCH Lock a cabinet with your phone

BY GREGG ELLMAN H05 Bluetooth headband. Tribune News Service While my TMA-2 HD headphones were perfect for me, the elock’s AI.X1 Smart company allows you to choose Hidden Cabinet Lock the pieces you want in your is a simple do-it- customized headphones based on Wyourself kit to give a your listening and how they are drawer added security. going to be used and, of course, The kit consists of a lock, your budget. which installs in an easy three- The TMA-2 modular head- minute process inside the drawer phones are available in more with 3M tape, and without drills, Disney Plus than 1,000 combinations; the holes or anything to damage the wireless versions will give you Disney Plus is one of the latest subscription streaming services to offer fantastic new programming, lock or drawer. about 16 hours of battery life. such as the wildly popular Star Wars series “The Mandalorian,” above. If only it consistently worked. Bluetooth is built into the Each part of the headphones is Smart Hidden Cabinet modular, enabling you to Lock to make a con- swap out the speakers, nection with your headband and ear smartphone so the cups to get your drawer can be preferred sound, ‘Please stand by’ locked or unfi t and feel. locked in seconds When ordering with the We.Lock the headphones app (Android and on the AIAIAI iOS). site, you’ll see How to troubleshoot the inexplicable I only used it choices and recom- for a short time to mendations for avoid exhausting BY JAMES LILEKS Just kidding. “Oh no!” was the result. users on the move, the 3 AA batter- I went to the next step: nuking the app, down- DJs, in the studio Star Tribune (Minneapolis) ies, but there’s loading it again and signing back in with my e- and at the a low battery AIAIAI/TNS ave you heard of Disney Plus? mail and password. What was that password? Oh, offi ce. reminder when It’s a new streaming service that lets yeah, it was my address. The TMA-2 Modular Headphone Speaker they need to be you watch, for a monthly fee, the mov- “Password not recognized,” the app said. System from AIAIAI allows you choices with replaced. If the ies you saw in theater, then bought on Granted, it was nice to get some other message to choose the pieces you want in 40 mm driv- H batteries do go VHS, then bought on DVD, then bought on DVD than “Oh no!” But this wasn’t getting us any- your customized headphones. ers ($65 to again because the kid put the disk in the toaster, where. Then I realized that I forgot to capitalize totally dead, the $130) include then bought on Blu-ray, then rented because the one of the letters. Same drawer will automatically open neutral, punchy, warm, vibrant Blu-ray box was empty and the disk was probably COMMENTARY result. I tried capital- trouble-free. and detailed, and each option’s under the sofa but you’ll look later. izing a different letter, Timers can also be set for sound profi le is described. The I signed up for a seven-day free trial, which is to no avail. So I tried convenience and access can be top-of-the-line S05 speakers another way of saying I committed to the service capitalizing all the letters. Nothing. shared with others to unlock. are 40mm drivers engineered for the rest of my life. Yes, the deal said that I can Finally it hit me: I had registered this account The lock is made of anti-UV with a speaker diaphragm made cancel at any time, but we — and by that I mean when we were at the old house. When I used that material (corrosion and wear re- from stiff Bio-Cellulose for more me and the Disney company — all know that I address, it worked. sistant), which is aging resistant defi ned high-frequency details, won’t. Eventually I expect to fi nd myself saying, Except by this point I was getting tired and to ensure newness for long term. more pronounced mid-range Online: “Maybe Disney will go out of business and the wanted to go to bed. Plus, it was depressing. welockglobal.com; $26 sound, better dynamics and charges will stop.” It wasn’t supposed to be like this, was it? The more natural tonality, according There is plenty of new content I hadn’t seen, streaming era would liberate us from cable pack- The TMA-2 Modular Head- to AIAIAI. though. But fi rst, let’s watch all the “Star Wars” ages that had 128 channels we could not possibly phone System from AIAIAI is an Six choices of headbands ($30 movies again! Now let’s watch “The Mandalo- want, including those shopping channels that had interesting concept, but fi rst and to $125) range from slim with rian,” because it’s supposed to be good. Hey, it’s shows like “Toe Fungus Remedy Now!” And 65 foremost produces great sound. PU foam padding lightweight great! It’s so good it makes you angry at the other sports channels that had shows about the 1965 I’m not into head-banging Polycarbonate headband with “Star Wars” movies that now seem like silly kid- Jai-Alai Regional Championships and all those in- sound at high volume; I prefer a soft durable PU foam head die romps. Can’t wait to watch another one. fomercials about products that sound really neat medium sound level as long as padding, up to high-end H06 So ... turn on the TV. Go to the TV’s menu. Go until you order one and discover that you’ve been it’s crystal clear and comfort- Bluetooth headband with built-in to the Input menu. Go to the AppleTV menu. Go conned for the 122nd time. able. And right away, the TMA-2 microphone. Wireless options to the Disney+ menu. Rub some liniment on your Now we can subscribe to Amazon Prime, HD Bluetooth headphones gave offer high-quality audio trans- menu-button fi nger, which has started to cramp. AppleTV, HBO Now, HBO Then, HBO In The me exactly that, so they were a mission and 20 hours of playback Ah, there’s the Disney+ options. Select “Star Foreseeable Future, Hulu, Crackle, Pluto, and winner in my book. time. Wars.” Select “The Mandalorian.” everything else that replaced the act of watching My sharp-looking and light- Ear cups have four choices “Oh no!” TV with the interminable prowl to fi nd something weight TMS-2 HD wireless ($25-$55) ranging from on-ear Really, that’s what the screen said. “Oh no! you might want to watch, perhaps later. sample ($350 Bluetooth, $295 cushion covered in microfi ber for Something went wrong.” Before: “I’m paying $115 for all this stuff I wireless) had a direct and open sound repre- That’s a rather broad statement, isn’t it? It never watch! Let me choose my channels indi- modular design sentation, good for all-around covers “your password has expired” on one end vidually, OK?” of S05 40mm purposes. and “an unexpected supernova has destroyed the Now: “I’m paying $116 for all this stuff I never drivers, E08 If you go wireless, obviously electrical infrastructure of the West Coast with watch, but the quality is incredible! I’ve never not earpads and a you don’t need a cord. But if you a gamma-ray burst” on the other. So you turn to watched so many good shows in my life.” go corded, you have choices Google in hopes of seeing what this means. But then, when we fi nally make an effort to sit ($25-$50) in colors, coiled There are no news headlines about a supernova, down and watch something, “Oh no!” happens. or straight, length, so cross that one off the list — unless, of course, It was so much better in the old days. Let’s microphones and the supernova wiped out the news transmissions, imagine it’s 1964. You turn on the TV. There is a controllers. too. But there’s only so much a person can worry picture. It’s fuzzy, but you’re used to a little static. While selecting about at a time, and right now it’s “Star Wars.” Perhaps you adjust the antenna atop the TV set; features, an ani- I went to a site that troubleshoots Disney+, and perhaps you jiggle the wires that attach the TV to mated version of there it said that the simplest solution is try again. the roof antenna. Then a card appears on the TV. your choices is put So I tried again. “Technical diffi culties,” it says. “Please stand together right in “Oh no!” said the screen. by.” front of your eyes, What else could I try? The website, which could Disappointing? Sure. But not nearly as frustrat- with a description be accessed only if the internet was working, said: ing as now. Because in those days, all you could and sound details “Make sure your internet is working.” do was stand by and wait for someone else to listed in treble, The next step: Turn the internet off and then fi gure out what was wrong. mids and bass. back on. This I did, and it worked. Simpler times. I miss them too. Or you can’t go wrong with the WELOCK/TNS TMA-2 HD Wire- ON THE COVER: Stelth Ulvang, Lauren Jacobson, Jeremiah Fraites, Wesley Schultz and Byron Isaacs Welock’s AI.X1 Smart Hidden Cabinet Lock less out of the box. are members of the Lumineers, who are now on a U.S. tour. allows you to use your smartphone to lock or Online: aiaiai. Big Hassle Media unlock your cabinet in seconds. audio Friday, February 14, 2020 •STARS AND STRIPES• F3HIJKLM PAGE 23 WEEKEND: MOVIES

‘Parasite’s’ Oscar win for best picture suggests a new Hollywood globalism

BY STEVEN ZEITCHIK that the industry club that until relatively recently had The “Parasite” gathering following the Oscars — es- The Washington Post ensured that its big prize didn’t go to fi lms made outside sentially a more darkly lighted and well-tailored version of the studio system, let alone one made in a country 6,000 an election-night victory party — was taking place at Soho everal hours after he left the Oscar stage, “Para- miles away, had fractured. House, the private club atop a skyscraper that serves as a site” director and producer Bong Joon-ho took Agents, producers, directors and publicists — but kind of cultural nerve center for modern Hollywood. It is another stage a few miles west in Beverly Hills, notably no major studio executives — who populated the space where deals are hashed out over meals during SCalif. the party wondered if “Parasite,” with $36 million in the day and triumphs are celebrated at night; every net- The man behind the newly minted best-picture winner U.S. box offi ce receipts and likely a bunch more after the work or studio in town has hosted an event there. was introduced by Tom Quinn, the head of the fi lm’s U.S. Oscar exposure, is a sign that globalism That it was the place where the night’s best picture was distributor, Neon, and a key player in its Oscar campaign, will now cut the other way. celebrated was not a surprise. at a party celebrating the win. “I think what you’re seeing here That such a celebration was fi lled with repre- “Tonight was so unbelievable,” Bong told the invita- sentation of Korean culture was. is that this isn’t just Hollywood tion-only crowd, to loud cheers. A Korean boy band, A.C.E., played, telling people in Europe, Asia “Parasite’s” big win turned what had previously been jumped and danced in matching suits as and everywhere else what simply a night of outliers — with director, screenplay they gave shoutouts to the movie. In one to see,” Celine Sciamma, and international-feature victories for “Parasite” earlier corner sat Miky Lee, the 61-year-old South in the evening — into the stuff of history. Screenplay the French director whose Korean media magnate who, as vice chair and directing wins for non-English movies are rare, but drama “Portrait of a Lady of the country’s CJ Group, fi nanced not unprecedented. Before Feb. 9, however, every best on Fire” was nominated for a “Parasite” along with many other picture in the 91-year history of the Oscars had been Golden Globe this year, said in shows, movies and K-pop outfi ts. predominantly in English. “Parasite” is in Korean. an interview at the party. “It’s a She held court, greeting a long Quinn added his observation. “Tonight, we put the dialogue, and sometimes the rest of line of well-wishers while sitting industry in check,” he said, to another decibel-shattering the world might tell America what’s next to the legendary American surge of cheers. worth seeing, too.” music producer Quincy Jones, It would be hard to overstate the disruption caused by The Oscars were created for an essen- making literal the transpacifi c “Parasite’s” win. Hollywood has exported its product tially local industry that now exists in moment that “Parasite’s” win to countries around the globe with increasing vigor in a world that’s gone beyond the local. represented. recent years. Overseas box offi ce exceeded $31 billion Sciamma raised the questions that had CONTINUED ON PAGE 24 in 2019, a record, and nearly 2 ½ times the amount the been percolating even before Oscar studios generated in the U.S. voters decided to offer an answer: Above: South Korean Yet importing other countries’ output has been much What are now the responsibilities newspapers report on rarer. Broad hits from outside the English-speaking of an industry that exports so the success of the fi lm world until now were almost non-existent; the previous much of its product to the rest of “Parasite,” written and foreign-language best-picture nominee to be released the world to hear what the rest directed by Bong Joon-ho, widely in theaters, 2012’s “Amour,” generated $7 million of the world has to say in return? left, which won four Oscars, in U.S. receipts. Can it continue looking outward for including best picture. And the best-picture award was the ultimate sign money but turn inward for glory? AP photos PAGE 24 F3HIJKLM •STARS AND STRIPES• Friday, February 14, 2020 WEEKEND: MOVIES Casting doubt Asians still waiting to be well-represented among Academy Awards’ acting nominations

BY ELAHE IZADI Hollywood Diversity Report released last The Washington Post week by the University of California at Los Angeles. Some fi lms featuring largely he cast of “Parasite” gasped and Asian casts have received academy jumped from their seats last recognition. But while “Last Emperor,” month when they heard the news: “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,” AL SEIB, LOS ANGELES TIMES/TNS TThey won the Screen Actors “Memoirs of a Geisha,” “Slumdog Million- Guild award for best ensemble, a fi rst for aire” and “Life of Pi” all received more Jeong-eun Lee, Woo-sik Choi, Sun-kyun Lee, Song Kang Ho and So-dam Park a foreign-language fi lm. Hollywood’s big- than fi ve Oscar nominations, none was for celebrate their best ensemble cast victory Jan. 19 at the Screen Actors Guild Awards gest stars gave them a standing ovation as acting. in Los Angeles. The Academy Awards does not have an ensemble category. they collected the prize bestowed upon on Other fi lms have racked up at least them by their fellow actors. the same number of nods with no rec- “with scotchtaped eyes,” said Elaine Kim, are more likely to have star power and a “Although the title is ‘Parasite,’ I think ognition for acting, including this year’s a professor emerita of Asian American history of appearing in top fi lms. “To even the story is about coexistence and how “1917.” But of the 58 movies that reach and Asian diaspora studies at UCB. be put in the dialogue about who gets to we can all live together,” lead actor Song that threshold, ones featuring Asians and Kim cited decades of policy that exclud- deserve the awards — do we even know Kang-ho said through an interpreter. Asian Americans are overrepresented, ed Asian immigrants from entering the who this person is?” said culture critic and “But to be honored with a best ensemble said Ben Zauzmer, author of “Oscarmet- United States as infl uencing perceptions “They Call Us Bruce” podcast co-host Jeff award,” he jokingly added, “it occurs to rics.” of Asians, including on-screen. “Until Yang. “We have a self-fulfi lling prophecy me that maybe we haven’t created such a “Historically and to the present day, the recently, many Americans thought that of people who have already gotten visibil- bad movie.” academy is more willing to honor fi lms Asians were foreigners who could never ity getting more visibility.” By every metric available, South Ko- with Asian casts than to honor individual be considered ‘American,’ so naturally it The conversation around representa- rea’s “Parasite” is far from a bad movie. It Asian actors,” Zauzmer said. would be jarring, they thought, for white tion has become more prominent in the did well at the box offi ce, earned near-uni- The history of Asian and Asian viewers to see Asians portraying ‘Ameri- wake of the #OscarsSoWhite campaign. versal praise from critics and won four of Americans in Hollywood has been one cans’ on the silver screen even as black The academy made pledges to diversify its the six Oscars it had been nominated for, of troubling or very little representation, Americans were coming to be thought of membership and, since 2016, the share of including best picture. But despite the ac- said Catherine Ceniza Choy, a professor as quintessentially ‘American,’ ” Kim said voting members who are people of color colades for Bong Joon-ho’s biting drama, of Asian American and Asian diaspora via email. has doubled — to 16 percent. none of the fi lm’s actors received nomina- studies at the University of California at And while “yellow face” may no longer The lack of acting nods for “Parasite,” tions, and their performances were given Berkeley. be a standard Hollywood practice, “white- as well as “The Farewell,” another criti- little consideration this awards season They’ve been shown on-screen “as washing” — white actors playing Asian cally acclaimed fi lm with Asian and Asian beyond the SAG trophy. one-dimensional stereotypes,” such as characters — still happens, from Emma American actors, speaks “to the member- It follows a familiar pattern. Just a subhuman villains, “a racialized horde or Stone’s casting in “Aloha” to Tilda Swin- ship of the academy and who is actually handful of actors of Asian descent have invasion” or “superhuman” model minor- ton in “Doctor Strange.” doing the voting,” said #OscarsSoWhite ever won an Oscar, including Miyoshi ity characters, she said. The moviegoing “Asian and Asian Americans couldn’t founder April Reign. Umeki, a Japanese American who won public, including Oscar voters, may there- even play themselves, the assumption Because new members are being best supporting actress for 1957’s “Sayo- fore be conditioned to seeing Asians as “a being that talented acting belongs to added to an Oscars voting body that was nara,” and Ben Kingsley, whose father type, as opposed to a human being with white, Western actors,” Choy said. “That overwhelmingly older, white and male, was of Indian descent, who won best actor an individual personality who would be of has also infused the industry’s conscious- “it’s going to take years and years before for 1982’s “Gandhi.” interest, a nuanced character,” she added. ness, as well as of the general public.” you approach anything resembling the Asian actors have historically had few During the silent-fi lm era, Asian actors To be considered in the Oscar acting diversity of America,” said Darnell Hunt, roles in major theatrical releases; in 2018, were confi ned to playing stereotypical categories, Asian and Asian American a sociologist and dean of social sciences at they held 4.8 percent of roles in the 200 parts, and soon the movie industry’s actors often have to compete against their UCLA who co-authors the annual Holly- top-grossing fi lms, according to the latest depiction of Asians came via white actors better-known white counterparts, who wood Diversity Report.

FROM PAGE 23 was to seed the grassroots fi rst. media conglomerate but owned The convergence was not lost Werner and his team courted and funded by the Gulf States on people throughout the fi lm “fi lm Twitter” out of the movie’s Toyota mogul Dan Friedkin, who industry. Cannes premiere last May and also fi nances Neon’s sister enti- Thierry Fremaux, the direc- then in the award-season months ties 30 West and Imperative — a tor of the Cannes Film Festi- that followed in the fall. kind of mini-cluster of indepen- val where “Parasite” got its The idea was that the group dent fi lm fi nancing, production start, said that “this shows that had become instrumental and distribution. America and Cannes can come enough to basically send the buzz It remains to be seen what the the other way — from its own award efforts from the studios, together, not live apart.” He also digital wilds up to mainstream who dived in massively this year added that “it means cinema media outlets, then on to younger as Universal, Sony and Warner belongs in theaters” — a clear academy members and ultimate- Bros all made big plays with jab at Netfl ix, with which the fes- ly to an older academy guard studio fi lms — and all came up tival has feuded and which came that is still required to secure the short for the big prize. That was away with just an acting and best-picture vote. Far from just particularly true in the case of documentary prize Feb. 9 despite measuring the buzz, “fi lm Twit- Universal, which had one of the spending hundreds of millions of ter” propelled it. year’s biggest bombs in “Cats” dollars to produce and market its “You need the right movie, the but an apparent surefi re best- awards contenders. AHN YOUNG-JOON/AP right moment — all of that,” said picture winner in “1917,” the Producers were equally an executive at a rival company prohibitive frontrunner. That the buoyed. “Parasite” actor Jeong Hyeonjun, left, and his mother, Lee Min Jae, who spoke on condition of ano- movie has grossed $288 million “I think it changes Hollywood cheer as they watch director Bong Joon Ho receive the Academy nymity. “But does anyone doubt around the world might help ease forever,” said Rodrigo Teixeira, Award for best original screenplay, in Seoul, South Korea, on Feb. 10. these champions online played a the sting. the Brazilian-born producer be- big role in this win?” The execu- One sales agent said he was hind both foreign- and English- professional animating principal, Oscar campaigning, consul- tive said he believed it would be a certain that, in a culture of global language fi lms, including this “Do you really want to risk losing tants say, has changed. Where playbook others would follow. franchises, the academy might year’s cult favorite “The Light- the next best-picture winner?” many past best-picture win- Many awards experts said the swing more toward foreign-lan- house” (English), “The Father’s packs a big pitch-meeting punch. ners have been part of efforts win showed that, foreign-language fi lms but that studios were Shadow” (foreign language) and “Parasite’s” disruption was not organized by studios that aim guage or not, the academy has unlikely to take the plunge. Even past Oscar winner “Call Me By limited to its global aspects. directly at the top — members of now become the place that sees if they don’t, companies with Your Name” (multilingual). Also behind the movie’s suc- Academy of Motion Picture Arts no distinction between studios the “Parasite” mindset might Already he and others are rel- cess was social media, particu- and Sciences — the “Parasite” and independent companies, and carry the baton. Imperative has ishing the chance to pitch proj- larly “fi lm Twitter,” the loose campaign worked differently. in fact sometimes prefers the lat- recently fi nanced “Mosul,” a new ects to fi nanciers with “Parasite” collection of critics, fans and Orchestrated by Quinn and a ter. This marks the third time in dramatic thriller about an Iraqi in their back pockets. In a town other voices whose support has consultant group led by long- fi ve years the top prize has gone police force directed by a Hol- that elevates a fear of missing become increasingly important time indie-fi lm marketer Ryan to an independent studio. Neon is lywood fi lmmaker. Its primary out from social-media anxiety to in recent years. Werner of Cinetic Media, its goal certainly that, not part of a global language? Arabic. Friday, February 14, 2020 •STARS AND STRIPES• F3HIJKLM PAGE 25 WEEKEND: MOVIES ‘I love this character’ Ben Schwartz voices excitement over ‘Sonic’ role

BY PETER SBLENDORIO title character arriving on Earth from a New York Daily News faraway planet and attempting to evade the evil Dr. Robotnik, played by Jim Carrey, en Schwartz was up to speed on who wishes to capture the spunky blue Sonic the Hedgehog long before hedgehog and use his unmatched powers he voiced the lightning-quick to dominate the planet. Bcharacter in a new movie. The movie features a live-action cast The comedian grew up playing the other than Sonic, who was created using Sonic video games on SEGA Genesis with computer animation. The fi lm’s release friends in the Bronx during the early was pushed back after Fowler opted to re- 1990s, so it was a dream come true when design Sonic’s appearance, including teeth the chance to star in the upcoming “Sonic that some viewers deemed humanlike, the Hedgehog” fl ick presented itself. following feedback from fans. “We would go after school, we would The eagerness for excellence from the watch ‘Disney Afternoon,’ and then when fan base left Schwartz feeling excited. that was over, we would play Genesis,” “I love this character,” Schwartz told Schwartz, 38, recalled recently. The News. “I hope people cared. Then the “We would play Sonic. We would play trailer came out, and you saw that there Sonic 2. I remember the thing that made it were millions of people that cared. This so exciting is that you could play a board fan base, which is so passionate, came out at a certain speed, and then you could play and really showed itself and showed how the same board trying to go as fast as you much they care about this thing. ... So it can, and you could have a totally differ- just made me want to make them really ent experience. ... I have incredibly fond proud.” memories of it.” Schwartz is hopeful the movie intro- Fast-forward to present day, and duces the franchise to new fans as well. He Schwartz is still making fond memories credits the writers for including references with the rapid-running Sonic. to the Sonic and Super Smash Bros. video The actor, who played Jean-Ralphio on games that audiences can look for as they “Parks and Recreation,” initially became watch. attached to the new fi lm when director Jeff Schwartz says Sonic’s attitude and speed Fowler and producer Tim Miller asked always stuck out to him in the games, and him to lend his voice to Sonic in a test read- after the actor read the movie’s script, he ing as they pitched the movie to studios. found other attributes he wanted to bring “It was the quickest ‘yes’ in the uni- to the character, too. verse,” Schwartz said. “Then I got lucky “It’s like this little kid that’s fi lled with enough that they loved my voice so much energy and positivity and wants to get out that I guess it didn’t matter that there were and just, like, do everything he couldn’t Ben Schwartz attends a “Sonic the Hedgehog” screening probably more famous people out there do for all these years,” Schwartz said. “It’s Jan. 30 at Vue Westfi eld in London. The live-action that wanted to play the role. They just liked like, ‘I want to live life for the fi rst time and adventure is inspired by the classic Sega video games. my performance so much that they let me not be in the shadows.’ It’s this great story keep doing it.” of an outsider ... that fi nally gets to live his GETTY IMAGES FOR PARAMOUNT PICTURES/TNS “Sonic the Hedgehog” centers on the life.” ‘Sonic’ is swift, smart and brings back the Jim Carrey we missed ALSO PLAYING

BY KRISTEN PAGE-KIRBY Special to The Washington Post ‘The Photograph’ Ah, the joy of a kids’ movie that doesn’t have any fart jokes. When famed photographer Christina Or at least one that comes close. “Sonic Eames unexpectedly dies, she the Hedgehog” may have one moment leaves her estranged daughter Mae of fl atulence, but this hybrid of live-ac- Morton (Issa Rae) full of questions. tion and CGI animation gets away with it, When a photograph tucked away in otherwise bypassing the all-too-common a safe-deposit box is found, Mae cheap laughs for a story that’s loaded with fi nds herself on a journey delving smart humor, snappy dialogue and the big into her mother’s early life and blue heart beating at its center. ignites an unexpected romance Inspired by the popular series of video with a rising-star journalist, games, “Sonic” tells the eternal tale of a Michael Block (Lakeith Stanfi eld). blue hedgehog from another planet who A review of “The Photograph” was runs at near-warp speed. After a rela- PARAMOUNT PICTURES/Sega of America not available at press time. The romantic drama is rated PG-13 for tively pointless exposition — there are James Marsden, right, and Ben Schwartz (voice of Sonic) star in “Sonic the Hedgehog.” a lot of plot elements audiences will just sexuality and brief strong language. Running time: 106 minutes. have to roll with — Sonic (voiced by Ben the road to San Francisco in search of a help him get off the planet; and ultimately Schwartz) arrives in a small Montana lost bag of rings that enable Sonic to travel ending up with a sincere friendship. town where he has to hide his speed, be- between planets . Now that Sonic has been Carrey’s Robotnik makes for an ego- cause otherwise people will want to steal spotted by the Feds, it seems he has to tistical, slightly unhinged villain, whose ‘Fantasy Island’ it. There, he lives a solitary existence, head off-planet for his own protection. fundamental weirdness is fun to watch, The enigmatic Mr. Roarke makes peering into the lives of the townspeople These shaky plot elements exist only to without ever being really scary . This the secret dreams of his guests in an attempt to assuage his loneliness. set up Sonic and Tom’s westward odys- version of Carrey has been missing from come true at a remote tropical During a one-man baseball game, Sonic sey. Luckily, the destination is worth the screens for a while. The last time we saw resort. But when the fantasies turn runs fast enough to produce an electronic journey. Sonic is grateful to have someone anything remotely similar was in 2014’s into nightmares, the guests have pulse that not only knocks out the town’s to converse with — when he’s on his own, “Dumb and Dumber To.” to solve the island’s mystery in power, but causes satellites to go wonky, he talks to himself — and that sweetness Jeff Fowler’s direction keeps the movie order to escape with their lives. A attracting the attention of some vaguely tames what could have been a character moving at a brisk pace and includes a few review of “Fantasy Island” was not menacing government fi gures. Along with built solely on snark. Sonic’s engag- scenes that are creative enough, visually, available at press time. The horror said government fi gures arrives Dr. Ivo ing and expressive face, combined with to be truly impressive. fi lm stars Michael Pena and Maggie Robotnik (Jim Carrey), a brilliant, slightly Schwartz’s always-excellent voice acting, “Sonic” is quippy without being mean, bent scientist now fi xated on tracking creates a character worth rooting for. and sweet without being sappy, making Q, and is rated PG-13 for violence, down and experimenting on our fuzzy Marsden is charming as he goes through this a trip that’s well worth taking. terror, drug content, suggestive friend. In an effort to escape from Robot- the traditional arc usually found in this material and brief strong language. “Sonic the Hedgehog” is rated PG for action, some Running time: 156 minutes. nik, Sonic teams up with the town’s sheriff, type of movie: fi rst, bewilderment at his violence, rude humor and brief mild language. Tom (James Marsden), with whom he hits discovery of Sonic; followed by a desire to Running time: 100 minutes. PAGE 26 F3HIJKLM •STARS AND STRIPES• Friday, February 14, 2020 WEEKEND: VIDEO GAMES

Despite glitches, VR lifts Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners above zombie cliches

BY CHRISTOPHER BYRD that marred my enjoyment. munity while the Reclaimed are up, soiled, or of otherwise cheap shoulder I pull out and replace Special to The Washington Post Set in New Orleans, Saints & more anarchic. The former is quality; thus, it’s practical to use a shotgun. On the left side of my Sinners casts the player as the led by an authoritarian leader, one of the crafting tables next chest is my fl ashlight ; on my n the decrepit blue man- Tourist, a person trying to make the latter by a charismatic one; to the school bus to create bet- right is my notebook where I sion, I waited behind the their way to the Reserve, which you can choose to help, harm or ter supplies. This emphasis on can fi nd information about my doorway of one of the is a place reputed to be rich in ignore either faction. crafting, coupled with the scarce current tasks. On either side of upstairs bedrooms for the the sort of supplies one would Your base in Saints & Sinners number of checkpoints in the my unseen hips are holsters that zombie to approach. Its monosyl- want in a zombie apocalypse. is a weathered school bus hidden game, makes Saints & Sinners I can place weapons into. Rarely labic grumblings gave it away. I (The devastated landscapes of away by a cemetery. Nearby is feel a bit grindy. has inventory management felt raised a shiv above my head. The the city evoke the aftermath of a skiff — your portal for fast Reaching over the left side so tactile. blade extended from the bottom Hurricane Katrina.) Aside from travel. There is a recycle bin in of my shoulder, with an Ocu- Playing the game on an i5- of my fi st, as Norman Bates did being overrun by zombies, the the bus. Items found in the world lus Touch controller, takes out 4690K computer with a sec- in the famous shower scene from streets are a place for armed can be placed into the bin to be a knapsack. An item found in ond-generation Nvidia Titan X “Psycho.” combat between two large converted into parts for crafting the world can be placed in it graphics card, I encountered Then, as the lumbering groups of survivors, the Tower weapons, food, medical supplies, by using one of the controllers, plenty of framerate hiccups as zombie reached the threshold and the Reclaimed. The Tower etc. The items you fi nd while out which doubles as my hands in the well as audio glitches where the of the room, I stepped into its prides itself on order and com- and about are generally banged- game. Reaching across my right sound dropped in or out. Frame- view. Before rate hitches in VR are immer- it could react, sion-shattering. Although I rare- I plunged the ly get motion sickness from VR, shiv into its there were times where technical skull and gave issues prompted me to close my the knife an eyes for a moment or take off the extra push to headset. Of particular annoyance sink the blade is the fact that to crouch in the in up to its hilt. game you must press a button on The action is the controller rather than simply one of the most crouching down. To ward off visceral I have (relatively light) vertigo as best I performed in any video game could, I found myself haphazard- and, generally speaking, I could ly trying to synchronize button not care less about zombies. presses with crouching down in In virtual reality, visual cli- my living room so that the shift ches are reinvigorated. Though I in scale wouldn’t bother me as it can’t count the number of times would if I remained standing up. I’ve seen a variation of the scene I hardly thought of the Saints & in which someone stands around Sinners storyline because I was a corner, clutching a weapon, more focused on the game’s per- waiting for their mortal enemy formance issues. If you have a to pass to catch them unaware, PC capable of running the game I’d never, until recently, acted smoothly, congrats — you’ll cer- out such a scenario with all of its tainly have a more comfortable accompanying physical fanfare. experience than I did. It’s for reasons like these that I Platforms: Cosmos, HTC Vive, found The Walking Dead: Saints Oculus Rift, Oculus Rift S, Ocu- & Sinners to be a captivating Skydance Interactive photos lus Quest (via Link cable), and survivor horror game, regardless Valve Index of the technical and design issues The game takes place in a New Orleans reminiscent of the city in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Online: vrwalkingdead.com Friday, February 14, 2020 •STARS AND STRIPES• F3HIJKLM PAGE 27 WEEKEND: QUICK TRIPS Europe More than golden, light beer Historic 16th-century architecture surrounds Pilsner Urquell brewery

BY IMMANUEL JOHNSON 1559. Special exhibitions are held in the Stars and Stripes lobby, and in a room behind that, there’s a scale model of Pilsen center as it was in ou may know Pilsen in the Czech days of yore. Both are open and accessible Republic as the birthplace of free of charge from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. light, golden pils beer and the Also in the square is the Plague Col- Yhome of the Pilsner Urquell umn, by local sculptor Kristian Widman. brewery, but there are other things to do The column dates back to 1681, when it in this town than just drink a good brew. was erected to give thanks for the fact that For a start, you could visit Republic the plague didn’t come to the city. Square, one of the largest squares in Eu- But even with all that history and rope. There, you’ll ﬁ nd the cathedral of St. architecture to marvel at, the jewel in Bartholomew, Pilsen’s 16th-century city the crown of this city is, to my mind, the hall, and, at the right time during winter, Pilsner Urquell brewery. a Christmas market. Tours of the brewery are offered in The cathedral dominates the landscape Czech, English, German and Russian and in Pilsen with its 337-foot spire, the tallest last around two hours. The brewery also in the Czech Republic. Inside, the Pilsen offers workshops — there’s currently one Madonna graces the main altar, while on how to correctly pull a draft pils. Many, outside, there’s a statue depicting Jesus on if not all, of the tours include tastings at the Mount of Olives, protected by angels the end for those 18 and older. who, local legend has it, will grant you one Tour sizes are limited, so it’s best to wish. make reservations in advance. Near the cathedral is City Hall, a [email protected] renaissance jewel built between 1554 and Twitter: Manny_Stripes

PHOTOS BY IMMANUEL JOHNSON/Stars and Stripes Pilsen’s City Hall is located in Republic Square, one of the largest squares in Europe. ON THE QT DIRECTIONS Pilsen is about 90 minutes east of Grafenwoehr. To get to the brewery, put Plzensky Prazdroj in your GPS. The brewery is also a five-minute The cathedral of St. Bartholomew has the tallest church spire in the Czech Republic. walk from the main train station. TIMES The brewery is open daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. from April to September, and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. from October to March. COSTS The cost of tours varies. To reserve a spot on a tour, email reservations@asahibeer. cz. (Yes, that’s the Japanese Asahi Breweries. They bought Pilsner Urquell in 2016.) INFORMATION More information about Pilsen in general is online atpilsen.eu/tourist. For brew- The unique strain of yeast used to make The brewery tour ﬁ nishes inside the The Plague Column in Pilsen’s Republic Square ery tours and information, go Pilsner Urquell lager is stored in yeast cellars at the Pilsner Urquell brewery in was built in 1681 by local sculptor Kristian toprazdrojvisit.cz/en. banks like this one in Pilsen. The others Pilsen, Czech Republic, where you can Widman to express thanks that the town was — Immanuel Johnson are in Prague and London. taste unﬁ ltered pilsner beer. spared the ravages of the plague. PAGE 28 F3HIJKLM •STARS AND STRIPES• Friday, February 14, 2020 WEEKEND: TRAVEL Europe Britain still a great destination post-Brexit

ritain, even while engulfed in Edinburgh Festival performances. Brexit politics, is constantly Several London sights are temporar- investing in renovations and ily closed for renovations this year. The Bfi rst-class exhibits to share its Orangery at Kensington Palace is under- heritage — and, in so many ways, Britain’s going a multi-year restoration; during this heritage is linked to ours. time, its famous tea service will be hosted While many travelers are understand- at the equally elegant Kensington Palace ably curious about how Brexit is affecting Pavilion. The Cour- tourists, from my experience it isn’t, at tauld Gallery, which least not yet — but even if Britain ends up exhibits medieval to taking an abrupt exit from the EU, I don’t Post-Impressionist expect American travelers to face any paintings, will remain signifi cant disruptions. The only impact closed until 2021. The I’ve found is that the country is cheaper Museum of the Home for visitors (with the pound weaker than (formerly known as it’s been in a while), and that the tourism the Geffrye Museum), industry seems to appreciate visitors even which covers the his- more than usual. (And, for those who like Rick Steves tory of making, keep- to talk politics, the topic is a fascinating ing and being at home conversation starter.) over the past 400 years, will reopen this Here’s a rundown on the latest for trav- summer after a thorough renovation. elers going to Britain in 2020: The big transportation news in Lon- Timed-entry tickets and advance don is the construction of the fi rst new reservations are becoming increasingly underground line since 1999: the 73-mile- popular throughout Europe, as popular long Elizabeth line, aka Crossrail, which DOMINIC ARIZONA BONUCCELLI/Ricksteves.com sights grapple with growing crowds. More promises to relieve congestion on some of Canterbury Cathedral, a masterpiece of English Gothic architecture, is being renovated. than ever, it’s worth considering book- London’s main Tube lines, while provid- ing advance tickets — especially in peak ing a faster public-transit option to Heath- Elsewhere in England, several big sites has a new steel footbridge that spans the season — for some of London’s top sights: row Airport. Travelers will see plenty of are undergoing changes. At Canterbury chasm between the two parts of the castle the Churchill War Rooms, Houses of construction underway this year, but no Cathedral — the mother church of the (once joined by a natural land bridge that Parliament, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Tower new trains — the project’s completion has Anglican Communion — a new welcome collapsed several centuries ago). of London, London Eye, any West End been pushed back (again) to next year. center complex, with an info desk and In England’s idyllic Lake District, poet play you’re set on seeing, and the new- And a promised improvement in interna- viewing gallery, will open this spring. But William Wordsworth’s home — Dove Cot- est addition inside Westminster Abbey, tional train travel — direct Eurostar train in 2020, visitors are still likely to see scaf- tage — is currently closed for restoration. the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Galleries service from Amsterdam to London — is folding and some missing stained glass, as It will reopen as Wordsworth Grasmere (which offers nice views of the nave and also delayed beyond 2020. (Until then, the church’s multiyear structural restora- this spring, marking his 250th birthday, a small museum with objects from royal travelers need to change in Brussels for tion isn’t due to wrap up until next year. with updated museum exhibits. ceremonies). Beyond London, it’s also passport control.) At least travelers going Cornwall’s dramatic Tintagel Castle, good to book ahead for visits to Stone- in the other direction, from London to where King Arthur was supposedly born, Rick Steves (ricksteves.com) writes European travel guidebooks and hosts travel shows on pub- henge, Tintagel Castle, the Lennon and Amsterdam, do already have direct-train now requires timed-entry tickets, which lic television and public radio. Email him at rick@ McCartney homes in Liverpool, and any options (three direct trains per day). are best booked ahead . The castle also ricksteves.com and follow his blog on Facebook. TOP TRAVEL PICKS

Kew Gardens celebrates a route stretching through the city’s historical center, instal- orchids lations display the journey of As most of Europe eagerly light through space, a painting of awaits the coming of spring, Lon- Claude Monet, luminous lanterns don’s Kew Gardens fast-forwards and other visual delights. The into the positively balmy weather lights can be experienced from 7 that characterizes Indonesia, an p.m.-11 p.m. nightly through Feb. equator-straddling land of 17,000 16. Entry is free. Online: bright. islands known for its tremendous brussels/en biodiversity in terms of both The Salon du Chocolat is a plants and animals. Karen Bradbury traveling fair that makes its Through March 8, an exhibi- rounds through some of the tion simply titled “Orchids” Read more about things to do world’s major cities. This edi- transports nature lovers into the in the Europe Traveler blog: tion unites some of Belgium’s Wikipedia Commons heart of the rain forest and onto stripes.com/blogs/europe-traveler biggest names in chocolate and the slopes of volcanoes, where pastry under one roof. Attendees Native to Asia, the delicate, heart-shaped fl owers of the bleeding brightly-hued displays of exotic can enjoy perusing the stands, heart make it a popular plant this time of year. It’s one of the many orchids can’t fail to delight the river within just half an hour or workshops, tastings and a demo plants visitors may encounter at London’s Kew Gardens. eye. Organizers promise an im- thereabouts. They’re open from stage with a lineup of top chefs. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily. Owing to mersive journey through several Chocolate sculptures and a fash- by the artists Hubert and Jan Eyck. An optical revolution,” its popularity, booking a specifi c zones displaying the myriad ion show in which models wear Van Eyck dating back to 1432. featuring 13 of the 22 works by time slot for a visit to the exhibi- facets of Indonesia’s nature. creations made of chocolate are Restorers, having discovered the Van Eyck to have survived into tion is essential. This can be Life-size models of an orangutan, always event highlights. artwork had been painted over the present era. These will re- done upon purchase of an online a tiger and a rhinoceros are The salon takes place at the sometime in the 16th century, main on display alongside works ticket at a cost of 16.50 pounds, decked with hundreds of tropical Tour & Taxis. Entry goes for stripped away the old paint to re- by Van Eyck’s contemporaries or about $21.45. Entry to Orchids blooms, and cleverly arranged 10 euros adults and 5 euros for veal a lamb with an intense gaze at the Museum of Fine Arts is included in the regular price of those aged 6-12. Online: brussels. orchids evoke the image of an and front-facing eyes. Smithson- through April 30. “Lights on Van entry to the gardens. First-time salon-du-chocolat.com erupting volcano. An archway ian Magazine deemed it “alarm- Eyck,” a multimedia spectacle visitors will want plenty of time crafted of carnivorous pitcher ingly humanoid,” and social at the St. Nicholas Church, runs to explore other parts of the ex- Ghent celebrates plants is likely to spark a squea- media users were quick to chime from March 28-Nov. 1. “Van pansive grounds. Online: kew.org mish form of delight. Jan Van Eyck in with similar opinions. Eyck in Depth” is the title of a On the evenings of Feb. 27- Cocoa and a warm glow Lovely Ghent, perhaps one of The confrontational, contro- pop-up exhibition on perspective 28 and March 7-8, separately Belgium’s lesser-known gems, versial lamb and the Ghent Al- and geometry, using Van Eyck’s ticketed After Hours events will in Brussels has gained mention in the art tarpiece are just one of the city’s famous masterpiece Virgin and offer cultural immersion through Brussels promises to be sweet and travel press of late for an un- attractions. Throughout 2020, Child with Canon van der Paele ensembles playing traditional by day and bright by night usual reason: the restoration of a Ghent celebrates the great Flem- as its focus. This shows March gamelan music, traditional danc- through the weekend. painting unveiled in December ish Master Jan Van Eyck with a 21-Dec. 30 in the Ghent Univer- ing and cooking demos. Bright Brussels is a light fes- features a disconcerting render- year of events and exhibitions. sity Museum, a science museum The gardens are located tival best experienced by means ing of a lamb’s face. In addition to calling in at the slated to open next month. More just west of London in Rich- of a walking tour leading past The Adoration of the Mystic new visitor’s center at St. Bavo’s on Ghent’s offerings online: visit. mond and can be reached from some 20 playful and interac- Lamb forms the center panel Cathedral to see the altar, art afi - gent.be/en/omg-van-eyck-was- central London by bus, rail or tive light installations. Along of the Ghent Altarpiece, a work cionados won’t want to miss “Van here Friday, February 14, 2020 •STARS AND STRIPES• F3HIJKLM PAGE 29 WEEKEND: FOOD & DINING Europe ROESLEIN

Address: Rathausplatz 6, 90402 Nuremberg Battle Hours: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily; grill closes 10:30 p.m. Prices and menu: Between six and 15 euros, depend- OF THE BRATS ing on number of bratwurst; more extensive list of Bavarian-Franconian dishes, including duck, liver Bratwursthausle or Roeslein: dumplings, pork knuckle, sauerbraten. Information: 0911-214-860; Who will win between these PHOTOS BY ERIK SLAVIN/Stars and Stripes Online: bratwurst-roeslein. Bratwurst and sauerkraut, a Nuremberg specialty, are served at the de Nuremberg bratwurst kings? restaurant Roeslein in the city’s center.

BY ERIK SLAVIN were told to take any seats we Stars and Stripes liked inside the beer hall-style restaurant that can accommo- uremberg’s bratwurst AFTER date hundreds, but which was is a pretty big deal in about a third full. Germany’s vast pan- HOURS We were able to fl ag down Ntheon of sausages. a waiter after 15 minutes. I They’re emulated all around GERMANY ordered a rotbier, which is also the country, but often lack the an old city specialty. The waiter nuance and preparation that sets came back with two beers and them apart in this Bavarian city, left quickly. where historians say they were The most noticeable thing fi rst served more than 700 years about my rotbier — which is Ger- ago. man for “red beer” — was that it The links don’t look at all like was yellow. The less noticeable hefty Milwaukee ballpark brats but more serious problem was in buns or the footlong-plus brat- that one in our party ordered a wursts at Germany’s seasonal nonalcoholic beer and her face carnivals. began turning red as she drank, “Three in a bun’’ bratwurst a pretty solid cue that it was a They’re tinier, golden brown, is popular street food found seasoned with marjoram and regular beer. throughout Nuremberg. When the waiter came back seared over beechwood. They with the food, he insisted that were the fi rst sausages granted While we waited for our we had a rotbier and a nonalco- protected geographic status by bratwurst dinners, we munched holic beer on the table. We were the European Union, and like on an array of large pretzels and somewhat surprised, but tried to beer and many other things Ger- bread — they’ll ask what you ate forget about it and dug in. man, regulations govern every- at the end of the meal and charge The bratwurst was just ... fi ne. thing about them. accordingly. They tasted like sausage, without Nuremberg bratwurst are The bratwurst came out quick- the beguiling spice or the beech- often eaten as street food with an ly, considering the crowd, and it wood aroma. The sauerkraut was order of “drei im weggla,” local was everything it’s cracked up also respectable but unnotewor- slang for “three in a bun.” But if to be. The aged wood and spice thy. One member of our party I’m going to eat sausages backed blend gave the tender sausages did think the similarly vinegar- by this much hype, I’m going to something I’ve never associated based potato salad here outdid A few people relax with beer and bratwurst on Dec. 21 outside do it right. with German food — subtlety. the one at our dinner. Roeslein in Nuremberg, Germany. Bratwurstgloecklein and its The sauerkraut accented with When the bill came, it clearly sister restaurant, Bratwurst- juniper had a soft texture that showed that my rotbier was actu- hausle (pronounced hoyss-leh), reminded me of the version ally a nonalcoholic beer and what originated the full bratwurst found across Germany’s western should have been a nonalcoholic meal in its current form in the border in Alsace. beer was a radler, a mixture of 19th century, complete with an The potato salad wasn’t the beer and lemonade. even number of links, sauer- chunky, mayonnaise-dominant The waiter walked away, kraut, potato salad and horserad- stuff of childhood picnics, but pretending not to hear when we ish as a condiment. an artfully sliced side dish with asked to see the manager. Roeslein, near the St. Lorenz a vinegar base that served as a So if you like combative church in the city center, bills counterpoint to the bratwurst. service, potentially dangerous al- itself as the largest bratwurst I spent about 16 euros on din- cohol mix-ups and above-average restaurant in the world. ner, drinks and service with a potato salad, by all means go to I fi gured the differences smile. Roeslein was going to have Roeslein. But even if you do get a better server, Bratwursthausle between the two would be the to be pretty spectacular on our should be the clear fi rst choice. twists typically found among visit the next day for lunch to top restaurants that aim to turn the that. [email protected] Twitter: @eslavin_stripes mundane into the sublime — a We walked into Roeslein and German version of the Pat’s vs. Geno’s cheesesteak rivalry in Philly, or Chick-fi l-A against Popeye’s. Alas, I was mistaken. The Bratwursthausle’s terrace The smoky, marjoram-laced links at Bratwursthausle pair very well was closed for the winter, but with sauerkraut and a vinegar-based potato salad. we were immediately seated inside at a small communal table surrounded by rustic wood and hanging copper kettles. Two BRATWURSTHAUSLE older women at the table from Stuttgart somehow learned BEI ST. SEBALD everything about the past 10 years of my life from my family Address: Rathausplatz 1, euros; smaller and larger sizes during the fi ve minutes I was 90403 Nuremberg available. Menu also has pork using the bathroom. The beers Hours: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. knuckle, tongue and heart. were already on the table and daily; grill closes at 9 p.m. Information: 0911-227-695; the servers were ready to take Prices and menu: Eight Online: die-nuernberger- our order, which is astonishingly bratwursts with sides, 10.70 bratwurst.de quick service for Germany. Bratwursthausle’s “three in a bun’’ brats taste good outside or inside. PAGE 30 F3HIJKLM •STARS AND STRIPES• Friday, February 14, 2020 WEEKEND: TRAVEL Europe

Where sustainable cuisine is a palatable option

a gritty center of herring fi shing, now it’s the site of sleek Chefs in Sweden’s Malmo new hotels and Malmo Live, an event center that opened in 2015 and serves as home to Malmo Symphony Or- chestra. Stroll another 20 minutes and you end up in an make exquisite dishes out ultramodern neighborhood anchored by the neo-futuris- tic Turning Torso, a mesmerizing skyscraper that twists a full 90 degrees from base to roof. Completed in 2005, of what’s locally available it’s Scandinavia’s tallest building. But despite these symbols of modernity, an Old World, locally focused sensibility defi nes how many restaurants BY LIZA WEISSTUCH operate. In countless cities, restaurants brandish “local” Special to The Washington Post ingredients as a badge of honor, but in Malmo they are ost days, chefs around the world call their de rigueur. At Lyran, a compact neighborhood restaurant distributors to order food items for the days with an open kitchen, rustic decor and a humble brick ex- ahead. They might order seasonal produce, terior that belies its posh yet relaxed elegance, the local or a standby ingredient for a signature dish. ingredients dictate the menu. It’s presented as a simple M list of ingredients, with entries such as “Chanterelles Not so for Erik Andersson Mohlin. He’s at the whim of his distributors. Regular menu items are as relevant from Mushroom-Mike” and “Yogurt from our neighbor.” to the chef-owner of Spill as a vintage Burgundy is to a Chef Jorgen Lloyd carries out what he calls “instinctive fast-food joint. You see, every dish on the nightly menu is cooking,” a practice that’s partially improvisational and made with ingredients that were destined for the rubbish entirely focused on low-impact dining. Traditional Swedish pastries, such as these cinnamon bin, often because they’re bruised or slightly overripe. One thing that stood out over the few days I spent But here in Malmo, a port city in Skane, Sweden’s south- rolls topped with pearl sugar, are easy to fi nd around exploring Malmo’s restaurants and bars is the way large ernmost province, one distributor’s trash is a visionary Malmo, but these days old-world treats are just a small and small food and drink businesses work together to chef’s treasure. part of this city’s culinary allure. spotlight one another. It’s a practice evident at Bishops On a weeknight this past September, that treasure took Arms, a Swedish chain with more than 40 outposts the form of prime rib in smoked-tomato, chile, pickled around the country. It has all the trappings of a classic cabbage and carrot. My skepticism quickly vaporized. English pub, but the beer on tap veers wildly from the As fl avorful as it was colorful, it was the kind of meal you standard ales and lagers one expects at a pub chain. I mourn when it’s gone. was stunned to spot an IPA from Alewife Brewing Com- This city of 344,000 is about 30 minutes by train from pany, a brewpub just a few miles from my apartment in Copenhagen Airport over the Oresund Bridge, a fi ve-mile Queens. But more intriguing were the hyperlocal beers. marvel completed in 2000, and three-ish hours south of Sure, brewpubs serving beers made in-house proliferate Gothenburg, along Sweden’s western coast. Yet despite its in most cities. But this particular Bishops Arms locale accessibility, it gets far fewer visitors than those popular has exclusive rights to the beers produced at Minus-1, destinations. Over the past few years, however, in part a brewing cooperative located downstairs from the bar. as a result of the increased access the bridge provides, Eight brands brew at the facility on a revolving schedule, construction has boomed and an urban renaissance has much like a commissary for food start-ups. And the beers begun to take shape. The creative and progressive, sus- are excellent. Four of the eight producers, including the tainability-focused food and drink scene, a major point women-run Secret Sisters, make beer that landed them of interest in most Scandinavian cities, has blossomed one of the 30 coveted spots on a “best of” list from Un- accordingly and helped put Malmo on the culinary tappd, a popular beer app. traveler’s radar. But long before Minus-1, there was Malmo Brewing The cityscape is a tableau of old and new. The canals Co. and Taproom. The colorful, high-ceilinged space PHOTOS BY LIZA WEISSTUCH/The Washington Post that ring the center of the city, built as a defense system was a brewery when it opened in the late 1800s and after in the early 1800s, delineate the old city. Half-timbered Above: At Meeting Place, the eatery at Hallakra housing other operations, it’s a brewery again. The owner buildings around the cobblestoned Lilla Torg (Little Vineyard, meals prepared in the open kitchen include is Anders Hansson, a warm host with an epic beard and a Square) date back to the late 16th century, only to be salmon, burnt butter and lime on a bed of searocket. burly stature that suggests he can trace his lineage back outdone by the centrally located Gothic-style St. Peter’s to the Vikings. Anders, a creative type whose Technicolor Church, completed in the 14th century near one of the Top: Canals and centuries-old architecture delineate the Pop Art-style prints adorn the walls on the second fl oor, town’s canals. The western harbor, a short walk away, center of Malmo, a southern Swedish port city with a has seen a construction boom in the past 20 years. Once progressive restaurant scene. CONTINUED ON PAGE 31 Friday, February 14, 2020 •STARS AND STRIPES• F3HIJKLM PAGE 31

FROM PAGE 30 started brewing in 1983. He was 12. The beers he makes today oc- cupy at least 15 of the 42 taps at the bar on any given night. Scandinavia has become known for its molecular gastron- omy, but before spherifi cation or foams there were just the unique, fragrant fruits themselves. Sweden’s native berries and lush orchard fruits are being made the most of these days by drink producers like Anders. At MJ’s, an airy bistro with a vibe that blends Victorian grandma and Fort Lauderdale patio-chic, there are several Fruktstereo cider options on the menu, all listed along with the sparkling wines, not with the beer, as is typical for ciders. A long-standing barrier, broken. Each of the two I tried takes the base fruit — pears or apples or berries or some combination thereof — and amplifi es the fl avor. It’s delivered with an understated carbonation that evokes twinkles of light in the night sky. If traditional Norman- dy ciders — dry and only subtly sweet — are acoustic, these are surround sound. Stereo, indeed. Karl Sjostrom, Fruktstereo’s co-founder, is a lanky man of muted intensity with a shoulder- length ginger mane and a full beard to match. He makes his ciders using an ancient method of bottle-fermentation long practiced in winemaking. But don’t let the esoteric technicalities scare you. In fact, the company’s primary goal is to eradicate snobbishness. To that end, each cider has a winking music-related name (see: Ciderday Night Fever, Britney’s Pears). Karl made his fi rst batches about 25 miles east of Malmo at Hallakra Vineyard. He quickly outgrew the winery’s space and moved to a facility next to Mal- mo’s central train station. But his ciders are still offered at Meeting Place, the vineyard’s restaurant. The farmhouse dining room is a portrait of nature-inspired, stripped-down glamour, the kind Williams-Sonoma catalogues aim to emulate. Hallakra, a small family farm, was transformed into a vineyard in 2003 by Hakan Hansson, a fi fth-generation family member and reformed banker. Sweden isn’t a globally noted wine country, but the sandy soil here is chalky and packed with minerals like many European wine-producing regions. Unlike many European nations, however, there are no established rules for Swedish wine production, so Hakan is pioneering the style. His natural wines, most notably a sparkling and rose, are dry, light, fresh and fl oral. All this was explained to me by Michael and Joanna Daly, newlyweds who run the kitchen here — he as a manager and she, a trained sommelier, as the chef. On this night in September, she prepared an exquisite meal that started with a medley of salmon, burned butter, lime and sea-rocket, a whimsically named relative of wild radish. The Swedes are not a fl ashy or dramatic people. There is no pomp or pretense in the serene landscapes, either, be it the seaside villages or fi elds anchored by ancient castles. The region’s food and drink are an extension of that, an articulation of the earth, the place. Like everything else in Malmo. PAGE 32 F3HIJKLM •STARS AND STRIPES• Friday, February 14, 2020 WEEKEND: QUICK TRIPS Pacific ON THE QT History DIRECTIONS First and second fl oors of Japan Sport Olympic Square at 4-2 Kasumigaoka-machi, Shinjuku Ward, Tokyo. A 5-minute walk from exit 3 illuminated at Gaienmae Station on Tokyo Metro’s Ginza line; 10 minutes from exit 2 at Kokuritsu Kyogiyo Station on the Toei Oedo line; 12 minutes from Japan Olympic Museum highlights Sendagaya or Shinanomachi stations on the Chuo and Sobu signifi cance of the Olympic Games lines.

BY HANA KUSUMOTO and continues into the beginning TIMES Stars and Stripes of the modern Olympics and how Open daily (except Mondays), wars had affected countries’ 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Must enter ith the Tokyo Olym- participation. before 4:30 p.m. If a Japanese pics and Paralym- A discus made from stone to holiday falls on a Monday, it pics just around the show what the Olympians in the is open on that day but will Wcorner, get psyched ancient Olympics were using is be closed on the following up for the games with a trip to on display. I was surprised how day. Also closed during the the newly opened Japan Olympic heavy it was as I was unable to end of the year and New Year Museum. lift it with one hand. holidays. Could be closed on Just across the street from Also on display were torches an irregular basis. Check the New National Stadium in central used in past Olympic open- website for closing dates. Tokyo’s Gaien area, this museum ing ceremonies going back to offers history and insight to the the 1936 Berlin Games, which COSTS Olympics and Paralympics. inaugurated the torch relay. A Visitors are fi rst welcomed costume worn by a performer Admission is free for the by a large Olympic rings statue during the closing ceremony at fi rst-fl oor exhibits. 500 yen for outside of the museum. Even on the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics adults and 400 yen for those a cold winter day, visitors lined is part of the collection. 65 years or older for the sec- up to take photos by the rings One section is devoted to ond-fl oor exhibit. High school with the new stadium in the Japan’s participation in the students and younger enter background. Olympics. In it, visitors will fi nd for free. The small, two-story museum posters and tickets from Olym- opened in September to pro- pics held in Tokyo, Sapporo and PHOTOS BY HANA KUSUMOTO/Stars and Stripes FOOD mote the Tokyo Olympics and Nagano. There is also a display Paralympics and illuminate the Visitors to the Japan Olympics Museum in Tokyo check out steps A small cafe within the mu- history and signifi cance of the on the 1940 Tokyo Olympics, representing the stride of Jamaican gold medalist Usain Bolt. seum sells beverages. There games. which was canceled due to war. are a variety of restaurants The fi rst fl oor is free to enter, The exhibit features posters and around the nearby train sta- with a small museum shop, cafe tickets meant for those events. tions. and a big-screen TV showing In another section, visitors memorable moments of past using simulators can compare INFORMATION themselves with Olympians’ Olympics. Visitors may browse Online: japan-olympic a small library of books on the physical ability. Using interactive screens, visitors can experience museum.jp/en Olympics and settle on nearby — Hana Kusumoto sofas for a read. shooting, ski jumping and pairs At a table holding paper for fi gure skating and compare their origami, visitors are encouraged results with Olympians. to fold the paper according to At one section, visitors imitate instructions and write messages a ski jumper and jump onto a for the Japanese athletes partici- cushion to measure their balance pating in the Summer Games. and then compare the result to On the day I visited, a small how an Olympic athlete would display highlighted the role of perform. There were also videos Pierre de Coubertin, father of on the Paralympic Games and the modern Olympics. interviews of Olympic athletes. The second fl oor, which costs Although the museum is small, 500 yen for adults, offers a it’s an in-depth learning experi- detailed history of the Olympics ence that’s defi nitely worth a Torches from past Summer and of Japan’s participation in visit if you’re in the area. and Winter Games opening the games. The history starts [email protected] A visitor tries a shooting simulator that allows people to compare ceremonies are dispayed at the with the ancient Greek Olympics Twitter: @HanaKusumoto their aim to an Olympic athlete. Japan Olympic Museum.

A visitor poses with the Olympic rings near the National Stadium. A woman points to the name of a past Japanese Olympian etched in a glass wall at the museum. Friday, February 14, 2020 •STARS AND STRIPES• F3HIJKLM PAGE 33 WEEKEND: TRAVEL Unleashing the food influencer within With a little research, anyone can ﬁ nd social media-worthy places to dine

BY NEVIN MARTELL if I suddenly have a break in my pastor tacos at La Chiapaneca, Special to The Washington Post schedule or if an establishment is which were some of my favorite unexpectedly closed. bites of the trip. While I was had to stop looking at Before leaving home, I’ll trace walking to the latter, I discov- your Instagram posts, out a tentative itinerary and ered Ki’bok Coffee, which serves because they were make any reservations neces- excellent espresso and notable “Imaking me hungry sary, especially at any hard-to- handmade pastries, including a and jealous,” a friend half-told, access restaurants. If you have jammy blackberry bar. half-accused me after I returned personal connections to any of Other highlights included from a trip to Tulum, Mexico, the places you’re dining, let your Safari, which I fi rst saw on last year. contact know when you plan on Instagram, a charmingly offbeat “Sorry, not sorry,” I replied stopping by. It can be helpful to taqueria crafting unconventional good-naturedly. After all, I was have a friendly face guiding you options (the highlight was one just doing my job as a food and through the experience — and packed with roasted octopus) out travel writer-photographer. maybe offer you VIP perks, like of an Airstream-turned-kitchen “So how do you fi gure out a kitchen tour or an introduction with an open fi re out front. A where you’re going to eat?” she to the chef. rep from the visitor’s bureau asked. Don’t think your work has mentioned NU, which specializes It’s a question I get asked a ended once your travel begins. in picture-ready contemporary lot. People seem to think I have Keep your eyes open, quiz ev- Mexican fare. And there were access to secret information oth- eryone you meet — cabdrivers, several outstanding breakfasts erwise unavailable to the public. concierges, bartenders, chefs and at Casa Malca — suggested by Don’t get me wrong, I have an fellow travelers can be particu- several friends on Facebook — a edge thanks to more than two larly helpful — and adjust your chic beachfront hotel populated decades of experience and my itinerary accordingly. I often fi nd by contemporary artworks industry connections, but I ferret a natural fl ow develops. Tulum sourced by its gallery owner and out many of my favorite meals BY NEVIN MARTELL/For The Washington Post was no different. Because it was designed to look good from every on the road through thorough the most recommended place on angle, so it was impossible to go research that people could do Grilled green beans at Arca in Tulum, Mexico. The secret to fi nding my list, I made a point of dining more than a few minutes without themselves. Frankly, I’m glad Instagram-worthy places to dine? Research. twice at Arca, an exceptionally seeing someone take a selfi e in most travelers don’t bother, executed, modernist- minded front of something. because I make a living from it. regularly at high-end restaurants list of all the potential spots venture from Mexican Ameri- All in all, my two weeks in But by following a few simple requires a certain budget and to visit, making sure to tally can chef Jose Luis Hinostroza, Tulum were packed solid with tips, anyone can dine around the lifestyle, so for many people, multiple mentions of a place. an alum of Noma and Alinea. I memorable meals, many of world like a food writer. visiting them is a rare occasion. Ultimately, I save those that had a chance to chat with him, which I documented in envy-in- These days, I start my explor- This often means they will either pique my interest most on Google so I asked him about his favorite ducing pictures I posted on Ins- atory process on social media, have unrealistic expectations or Maps, so I can get an overview taquerias. He turned me on to tagram. It was a trip worthy of a usually months before a trip. fail to notice the many small but of options. The map also makes the cochinita pibil stuffed ones food writer — or anyone willing On Facebook and Twitter, I’ll immensely signifi cant compo- it easier to decide where to eat at Honorio Taqueria and the al to do the research. ask my friends and followers to nents that go into creating a next- chime in with suggestions on level dining experience, such as where to eat — no boundaries. In service elements, the minutiae the case of Tulum, I was on the of the beverage program or rar- lookout for places ranging from efi ed culinary techniques. humble roadside taco stands You can’t just rely on the web and open-air markets to high- to guide your decisions. I per- end restaurants and hotels with sonally ask anyone I know who great restaurants. Though my might have been to the region acquaintances in the hospital- — passionate travelers, die-hard ity world often have excellent foodies, hospitality professionals, recommendations, some of the and people with familial or cul- best tips come from everyday tural roots there. If you know the travelers (or the friends they Italian chef at your favorite trat- tag), eager to share their favor- toria, by all means ask her where ite discoveries. Next, I switch to eat before you go to Umbria. over to Instagram to see who is And don’t forget to reach out to posting the most enticing food the local visitors’ bureau, as it pics from the destination. I’ll can offer a wealth of information, virtually stalk regional infl uenc- including news about restaurants ers and food-focused infl uencers that are on the verge of opening. who have visited recently, then It’s helpful to read up on the do deep dives into their posts and culinary traditions and history of likes from the area. the region to ascertain what you It’s helpful to review the food should expect and what special- and travel publications you trust. ties to seek out, so pick up a few I always check to see what Bon relevant guidebooks, cookbooks, Appetit, Travel + Leisure, Food travelogues or memoirs before & Wine, Eater and The Wash- you go. They will help give you a ington Post have written about richer sense of a place and may a destination. Review sites such push you to explore unexpected as Tripadvisor and Yelp can be activities. Before departing for helpful for places not thoroughly Tulum, I fl ipped through Moon’s covered by journalists, though I Tulum guidebook and “Yucatan: am leery of the advice of strang- Recipes From a Culinary Expe- ers whose motives and exper- dition” by David Sterling. The tise I can’t ascertain. Another latter inspired me to seek out a caveat: I seek out these sites’ cooking class at Riviera Maya advice only for restaurants in Kitchen, where I made tortillas the low- to middle-price range, from scratch while learning because I fi nd the reviews of about the foundational role corn fi ne dining establishments are plays in Mexican cuisine. often uninformed and unhelp- As I’m doing my online and ful on a variety of levels. Eating offl ine survey, I compile a digital PAGE 34 F3HIJKLM •STARS AND STRIPES• Friday, February 14, 2020 WEEKEND: TRAVEL

Passport for a broken heart

7 travel destinations around the world to avoid after a breakup

BY NATALIE B. COMPTON The Washington Post here are a lot of reasons to travel after your heart gets broken. All of the new Tsights, sounds and smells you encounter on a trip can distract you from the dizzying, all-encompassing pain throbbing in your chest. Travel- ing can boost your confi dence at a time when you’re feeling broken and vulnerable. But traveling post-split can be a terrible idea at the wrong destination. Going full “Eat Pray Love” in India? Great idea. Spending a week at a major honeymoon magnet? You’re probably better off weeping at home. Here are a few places to avoid if you’re still healing. Paris It’s perfectly possible to have a fantastic time alone in Paris, but it’s referred to as the City of Love for a reason. The city oozes romance from every cobblestone corner, there are lovers drinking wine Certain islands Any Sandals resort Las Vegas everywhere you look, and even the archi- Do not, under any circum- Have you ever seen a com- Las Vegas may sound like a great place tecture manages to looks romantic. stances, plan a post-breakup mercial for Sandals Resorts? to rebound when your heart feels as If the sight of beautiful, scarf-wearing trip to the Maldives or a They’re composed of though it’s been ripped out of your chest, people kissing each other’s necks might comparable far-fl ung scene after scene of then lit on fi re, and even though it’s out send you into a grief-wracked downward island nation such as Fiji couples walking down of your chest you can still feel it being spiral, skip Paris. A better alternative for or Bora Bora where the beach holding burned alive — but beware. Even if you’re brokenhearted fans of European food and you’re stranded on a hands, couples with friends, Vegas can be incredibly architecture is Lisbon. resort with nothing laughing in hot lonely. Although there’s something for but honeymooners tubs, couples eat- everyone here, you’ll fi nd yourself sur- Venice and couples celebrating dinner alone rounded by a lot of couples and a lot of sad ing big anniversaries. under the stars. distractions. You don’t have to skip Italy completely. Sure, you could hole up These commercials If you’re still hellbent on going to Vegas, There are other cities there that will, in your overwater villa and should serve as a signal don’t end up sobbing on the Strip guzzling yes, be full of lovers, but have lower bawl your eyes out. But if you that adults-only all-inclu- down yardsticks of Long Island iced tea. potential for sending you into a wailing plan to eat dinner outside your sive resorts, like Sandals, are Instead, try seeing Vegas like a local. You fi t in a canal. Like Florence. The Renais- quarters, you’re going to be sur- made for pairs. And you want to can eat, drink and attempt to be merry in sance city has so much to offer besides a rounded, perhaps exclusively, suffer at a couples’ paradise neighborhoods like Chinatown, Fremont close-up of Michelangelo’s “David.” Get by tables of two. in the wake of a broken East and the Arts District. lost in the food and fl ower markets of Escape to our planet’s heart? No. No, you do not. Sant’Ambrogio, or hike off your pecorino other beach destinations, like Save Sandals for your coma on the paths near Piazza Desiderio. Indonesia, where you can next big relationship, and Santorini, Greece pour your heart out to friend- get swept up in the magic Couples from across the world are Hawaiian resorts ly backpackers who might of Mexico’s culture this pulled to the Greek island of Santorini like be on the road for the same time around. Choices moths to a fl ame. Maybe it’s the twinkling Hawaii is a spectacular place to visit reason. A few options include abound for the despondent Aegean Sea that shines beyond the cliff- for people who love the outdoors, tropical Bali, where you’ll fi nd all of to fi nd solace south of the perched towns, or the spectacular sunsets weather, incredible food, culture and surf- the modern conveniences border. For beaches and that dazzle. Regardless of the romantic ing. However, Hawaii is also a destination- known to man against a back- mezcal, there’s Oaxaca. reason, the happy couples are all over. wedding and honeymoon magnet. The drop of tropical jungles and For endless art and fi ne Dodge the hordes of Instagram hus- islands are teeming with couples . mesmerizing ocean views, or dining, there’s Mexico bands dutifully photographing their Skip the islands altogether while you’re the more remote Gili Islands, City. For architecture and beaming brides, and opt for a trip else- mourning your relationship. Instead, try where the roads are rough but the natu- your Instagram clout, there’s San where in Greece. Start with a few days Tel Aviv, where you can eat and surf just ral beauty is just as stunning. Miguel de Allende. in Athens, nursing your wounds in its as well, plus distract yourself from the relaxing hammam baths and sampling fact that your heart was shattered into a cocktails and fantastic meals. Then get billion pieces: Dance until dawn, thanks to your sun-and-sea fi x with a few days in the Israeli city’s world-famous nightlife. the other Cyclades. Friday, February 14, 2020 •STARS AND STRIPES• F3HIJKLM PAGE 35 WEEKEND: LIFESTYLE

Traditional retailers aim to boost proﬁ ts by offering clothing rental but face challenges

BY ANNE D’INNOCENZIO Associated Press enting clothes could be the future of fashion — or it could just be a fad. But traditional retailers can no longer afford to wait on the sidelines to fi nd out. That’s why a growing number are now offering customers the option to rent clothes for a monthly fee instead of buying them. Bloomingdale’s, Ba- Rnana Republic and Urban Outfi tters are the latest to offer the services. Even footwear chain Designer Brands says it’s considering launching a rental service for shoes. Now a booming $1 billion business, the clothing rental sector is expected to reach $2.5 billion by 2023, according to research fi rm Global- Data. When combined with resale, it will account for 13% of the total $360 billion U.S. clothing market within the decade, up from 7.3% today. Clothing rentals are one more piece of the sharing economy, where customers — particularly those in their 20s and 30s — are less interested in owning or making big investments but still want access to different brands and services, says Steve Barr, consumer markets leader at PwC. “You no longer have to buy into the myth of continuous consumption and that there’s pride in wearing something as opposed to pride in owning something,” said Jennifer Hyman, CEO and co-founder of Rent the Runway, which in 2009 pioneered the business model that many retailers are now trying to replicate. For clothing retailers, rentals offer a glimmer of hope at a time when they are dealing with mounds of unsold goods that often need to be deeply discount- ed. Several have already gotten into the secondhand business — another popular trend in the sharing economy led by companies like The Real Real and ThredUp. You no longer have J.C. Penney and Macy’s, for instance, have partnered with ThredUp to sell gently to buy into the worn clothes in a couple dozen locations. Nordstrom is testing resale at its women’s fl agship store in Manhattan and online. myth of continuous Many in the industry consider these necessary steps as clothing retailers watch consumption and their fortunes erode. They, along with department stores, are expected to see their that there’s pride in fourth-quarter earnings sink 11.3% compared with a 5.7% drop for the overall retail sector, according to research fi rm Retail wearing something Metrics LLC. Last year, clothing retailers Elizabeth Kashin, 53, of Indianapolis, Vara Pikor poses for accounted for an outsized share of retail as opposed to says she tried Urban Outfi tter’s Nuuly rent- a picture in front of bankruptcies, according to a recent report al service last month. She never received a Rent The Runway by consulting fi rm AlixPartners. her package of six items but was charged store before returning “Clothing retailers are dealing with pres- pride in owning anyway. After contacting customer service items in Manhattan sures on multiple fronts,” said Ken Perkins, via social media, she got another package last November. Pikor president of Retail Metrics. “Heavy promo- something. but said the clothes didn’t look clean. is wearing some of the tions, chronic traffi c declines, e-commerce “I can go to a secondhand store to get a items she rented from Jennifer Hyman the company, including investment. And now they’ve got rental and CEO and co-founder, Rent the Runway better experience,” she said. resale services as well. The rental market Urban Outfi tters said that it is constantly her jacket and earrings. is small, but it’s going to grow, and they listening to feedback so that it can “make SETH WENIG/AP have to invest in it.” the experience even better for Nuuly’s sub- Christine Hunsicker, CEO and founder scribers.” It says it’s on pace to have 50,000 of CaaStle, a startup that manages inventory and shipping for retailers, subscribers in the fi rst 12 months of operation. says rental services have anywhere from a 20% to 25% operating profi t Retailers also face the same challenges that still dog Rent the Run- compared with only 5% for traditional retailers. Last year, Hunsicker’s way. Consumers complain about spotty customer service and a slew of retail clients saw total spending for both renting and buying increase added fees. For example, Rent the Runway charges $50 for every day two-fold on average for each customer. that a customer is late in returning an item, up to double the retail value But unlike Rent the Runway, a dedicated rental service for high- of that item. end designer clothing, the economics for traditional retailers — from There is also the issue of too few locations to return rented items. Re- marketing to dry cleaning and shipping, on top of running their normal tail expert Melissa Gonzalez says retailers should have kiosks in their day-to-day operations — pose signifi cant challenges. stores in key cities but right now, most don’t have any and shoppers About a dozen retailers, including Banana Republic and Blooming- must drop off their garment bags at a UPS or the post offi ce. Rent the dale’s, have left it to CaaStle to handle the logistics. But Urban Outfi t- Runway has fi ve stores and nearly 50 drop-off locations. ters, which lets shoppers rent their brands as well as outside labels like Rent the Runway itself has had to adapt to an increasingly demanding Reebok and Levi’s, is doing it all on its own — a formidable task. customer. It started out with special occasion dresses but its customers “(Retailers) are very used to marketing products, not services, so now rent on average more than 120 days per year. The New York-based it’s challenging knowing which customers to message, and how often,” company launched children’s wear last year and later unveiled pillows Hunsicker said. and other home decor items through a partnership with home furnish- Some experts wonder whether it even makes sense for lower-priced ings retailer West Elm. clothing chains to get into the rental business since customers could just Vara Pikor, 26, an insurance broker from Manhattan who’s been using buy the clothes used, or get them at a deep discount. Also, the clothes may Rent the Runway for many of her clothing needs, says she is hooked. not hold up well after multiple wears, says Rod Sides of Deloitte LLP. “This could be my forever habit,” she said. PAGE 36 F3HIJKLM •STARS AND STRIPES• Friday, February 14, 2020 WEEKEND: MUSIC

The Lumineers don’t mince words about addiction on latest album

BY ERICA THOMPSON The Columbus Dispatch, Ohio eleased last September, the Lumineers’ album “III” tells the story of the fi ctional RSparks family in three chapters. (There are three bonus tracks on the album that aren’t part of the Big Hassle Media narrative.) sion in those moments, even yourself into believing that you Fraites kept your bond and The listener is wrapped though some people hearing that could do just about anything your songwriting strong during would say, “Wow, that’s really with that attitude, (but) it’s not so the past 15 years? in a saga that spans three cold” or “that’s really cruel.” simple as that. We’re just each trying to generations, each touched When you love an addict and How has revisiting these search for the best idea, and may you’re going on the ride with topics impacted you personally the best idea win. That’s what by a common problem: them emotionally, I think that night after night? kept us trusting each other all there’s a lot of confusion and You think I’d be a depressed this time. We weren’t like, “Well, addiction. there’s a lot of resentment mixed person because I’m singing why do you want that idea on the with that love, and there’s a lot of about these things that can be song?” It was always, “I know “There’s been so much feedback or anger. There’s so much disso- kind of heavy, but I think to you’re doing that for the right outpouring of emotion, meeting people nance there. And I think trying express those things publicly reasons.” And I think that’s kept to capture that in a song, you like that with a group of people us really honest. I think it was around talking about these songs on can’t just sing and say there’s has been quite cathartic, and it’s way easier to be in a band when dissonance. I think you have to a good reason to sing. You don’t there were these lean years. In this album in a way that was pretty tell stories to display that. really feel like you’re perform- 2011, we were in (Los Angeles) You portray three genera- ing. It’s not like a Broadway show and we got robbed of almost unexpected,” said Lumineers co- tions of one family struggling where you’re putting on a face all of our instruments. And we with some of the same prob- every night. ended up playing a show that founder and singer Wesley Schultz. lems. Were you trying to ex- Speaking of performing, how night with borrowed instruments Listeners can glean more from the plore the idea of generational will you present this concept and kept going on the tour. And curses or patterns? album at the show? that was a galvanizing experi- story by watching accompanying We talked a lot about the sins It’s a lot of (video) footage ence that brought us together. of the father, the sins of the and sometimes unseen b-roll And then a year later, you videos on the Lumineers’ website mother and what is passed down. or archival footage that we shot had a massive hit with “Ho My dad was a psychologist, while on set. And so it’s kind of Hey”! How do you handle being (thelumineers.com); seen together, they and I wanted to work for him. I like you’re transported into that defi ned by that song? create a short fi lm. admired my dad a lot, and I was world. If you’ve never seen the If I thought that was what we naturally interested in people videos, I think people are a little were defi ned by, I would feel Schultz, 37, also gave more insight into and psychology. So I’m looking bit caught off guard by some of defeated. That song was a huge at, if addiction is a social disease, the imagery. Bringing that to shot in the arm or a kind of “III.” how does that work? Or is it ge- the live show has been really dy- icebreaker. It got us known to a netics or a mixture of the two? namic (and helps) tell the story. lot of people. But there are a lot Columbus Dispatch: What Were you cautious about the I’m realizing that it’s defi nitely We’re trying to be entertaining of bands that have a big song and inspired you to tackle addic- way you wanted to portray ad- not only your willpower at play up there, but also it’s really fo- kind of quickly burn out or go tion as subject matter for the diction? here. And I think as a musi- cused on the music. We just want away. And I think we were really album? I think the thing you want cian, as a person who tries to be the music to stand up for itself. interested in writing music, and Schultz: My wife and I have to avoid as a writer is trying to driven and motivated, you trick How have you and Jeremiah we’ve been doing that ever since. been caring for a loved one for make too much of a caricature about 10 years, and that person of something. And so in order has been in and out of rehab. And to avoid that, I was trying to then for (Lumineers co-founder say things in an unfl inching or ‘ When you love an addict and you’re going on the Jeremiah Fraites), he lost his honest way. And I think that brother (to) a heroin overdose. I when you do that, even though ride with them emotionally, I think that there’s a lot think we thought, “Well, we went some of the things that are said through these things as individu- are harsh, like, “Maybe when of confusion and there’s a lot of resentment mixed als, but we’re probably pretty she’s dead and gone, I’ll get some with that love, and there’s a lot of anger. unique in that way or alone.” sleep” (in “Leader of the Land- ’ But I realized that addiction has slide”) or “There’s easier ways to Wesley Schultz touched many more lives than I die” (in “Gloria”). Lumineers co-founder and vocalist could have imagined. I think there’s a lot of compas- Friday, February 14, 2020 •STARS AND STRIPES• F3HIJKLM PAGE 37 WEEKEND: MUSIC REVIEWS

Warner Records Age hasn’t mellowed Green Day

ation and drug use run addiction (“Everybody is a star”) and how through the album, we’re failing our kids (“Burning books in ‘Father of All...’ as urgent and angry and as do violence and ag- a bulletproof backpack.”) Bassist Mike gressive language. But Dirnt shines on “Junkies on a High” and anti-establishment as previous albums the vocals sound more drummer Tre Cool propels “Graffitia,” a distant than when song that is as close to Bruce Springsteen we last heard a crisp BY MARK KENNEDY album cover — but the spirit of punk lives as Green Day can get. urgency to Armstrong Associated Press on in the band, even if you’ll detect some Perhaps the best song, “Fire, Ready, Green Day delivering such songs Aim,” sounds a little like the Hives, and strong rockabilly tendencies. as “Bang Bang” in Green Day recently caught some people Father of All... it’s a driving scream about daily outrage. “Father of All...” represents Green (Reprise/Warner) 2016. unaware. The trio performed at the NHL’s Day’s first album in the Donald Trump The NHL has bought the song and seems All-Star Game in St. Louis, and singer The ’50s-ish sock era, and the trio’s angry, anti-establish- hop of “Stab You in the Heart” is undercut to want it to be their equivalent to the Billie Joe Armstrong dropped some swear NFL’s “Are You Ready for Some Football.” words into the mix. NBC had to bleep the ment voice has been missed. “What a by murderous lyrics, while the band even One wonders if they really spent time band. What did everyone expect? mess because there’s no one to trust,” approaches doo-wop in “Meet Me on the Age hasn’t blunted the band’s ur- Armstrong screams in the title track. Roof.” (By the way, maybe skip the date with the lyrics. “Knock your teeth out / gency. Green Day come out of the gate, On “Sugar Youth,” he warns: “All hell is with Armstrong on the roof: “How high is To the ground / You’re a liar,” Armstrong as always, snarling on its latest release, breaking loose.” your low gonna go, girl?”) sings. Watching this corporate tie between “Father of All...” They may have pulled It’s a very lean album, clocking in at On the glam rocker “Oh Yeah,” which hockey and punk will be interesting. back on the official title — if you want to just over 26 minutes. Two of the 10 songs samples a tune by Joan Jett and the Someone’s teeth are going to end up on the know what the ellipses replace, look at the don’t even hit the 2-minute mark. Alien- Blackhearts, the band mocks social media ground indeed.

Stone Temple Pilots taken over from Various Artists (with a twist of ven- original frontman geance, of course), by Birds of Prey: The Album Perdida (Rhino) Scott Weiland. But (Atlantic Records and Warner Bros.) way of the Charlotte What a strange trip it’s been for fans of these 10 songs show Lawrence single Stone Temple Pilots. Two decades ago, off the musicianship The all-female roster assembled for “Jokes on You.” Then they gave us the grunge masterpiece of the band and its “Birds of Prey: The Album” represent there is “Smile” by members’ versatility, English singer Maisie “Plush.” Now they are offering folk songs uniquely different worlds, and a variety sounding organically Peters, whose sweet with ﬂ ute solos. of music styles, but their message on the acoustic, not reverse-engineered. movie soundtrack is singular: DON’T voice delivers an awesome dose of Quinn- That’s not a knock, just a gentle warn- The songwriters — Gutt, DeLeo, and MESS WITH US. inspired communication: “... got bridges to ing. Bands evolve, and the Pilots have DeLeo’s bass-playing brother Robert It’s a perfectly on-brand message burn, and places to run / yeah this smile is moved so beyond their sonic beginnings — even offer the wordless “I Once Sat at from the girl gang, as they channel the a loaded gun.” that they’ve followed their muse into a Your Table.” An acoustic instrumental? explosiveness, unpredictability and ba- The in-your-face energy of the 15-song completely different genre. They deserve That wasn’t what many were likely ex- dassery of Harley Quinn, the unhinged soundtrack doesn’t stop, making it just credit — and listeners. pecting from Stone Temple Pilots. You’ll DC character, whose romance with the the companion piece that “Birds of Prey” Acoustic songs are more delicate than get used to it. Joker has ended just as “Birds of Prey,” calls for. electricity-fueled ones and there’s more — Mark Kennedy the ﬁ lm, begins. — Melanie J. Sims pressure on singer Jeff Gutt, who has Associated Press Naturally there’s a breakup anthem Associated Press PAGE 38 F3HIJKLM •STARS AND STRIPES• Friday, February 14, 2020 WEEKEND: BOOKS Juicy details are only part of Jessica Simpson’s story Singer, actress and fashion designer shares her inner monologue and most intimate struggles in ‘Open Book’

BY EMILY YAHR “Now that it was everybody else making The Washington Post it, I didn’t think it was funny.” “In on the joke” alludes to her perfor- ven casual readers of celebrity news have prob- mance as Lachey’s ditsy wife on “Newly- ably seen the headlines over the last few weeks weds,” MTV’s popular early 2000s reality as excerpts from pop star-turned-fashion mogul show that followed Simpson and Lachey, Jessica Simpson’s new memoir, “Open Book,” the 98 Degrees boy-band star, through leaked to the internet: their fi rst years of marriage. E“Jessica Simpson Details the Last Time She Slept with Ex In one of the most notorious “Newly- Nick Lachey: ‘I Could Feel His Hate’ ” weds” episodes, Simpson held a can of “Jessica Simpson Had An ‘Emotional Affair’ with Johnny Chicken of the Sea tuna and said: “Is this Knoxville While Married to Nick Lachey” chicken that I have, or is this fi sh? I know it’s “Jessica Simpson Revealed Justin Timberlake Kissed Her tuna, but it says ‘Chicken by the Sea.’ ” That to Win a Bet with Ryan Gosling” line cemented Simpson’s pop culture image “Jessica Simpson Takes the Narrative Back From as she and Lachey became international stars John Mayer, Who Seems To Be Even Worse Than We All and paparazzi obsessions. She emphasizes that Thought” she played up her mistakes for the cameras, Websites also published the more serious revelations: and it worked: Her album sales skyrocketed When Simpson was young, she was sexually abused by the as people thought they were seeing the “real” daughter of a family friend. Several years ago, she got sober; Jessica Simpson. “Being the butt of the joke ironi- at the time, she was drinking so much that her friends, who cally gave my music credibility,” she writes. feared for her life, had started planning an intervention. She spends time detailing her toxic relation- But taking in each anecdote indi- ships. She met Lachey when she was 18 and he vidually is a disservice to someone was 25, and she turned to him for guidance for who has a truly unique story of almost everything. But their relationship soured fame to tell — particularly because soon after the wedding. If you want more proof of Simpson was one of our fi rst reality the drawbacks of fame, she admits that she was TV stars, before anyone could absorb terrifi ed to go to couples counseling because she the psychological damage it could thought a therapist might sell them out to the tabloids. cause. At one point, she writes about One person who comes off terribly is musician John the disorienting experience of going Mayer, whom Simpson describes as obsessed with home to Texas for Christmas with her, “sexually and emotionally,” in their on-and-off the camera crew from “Newlyweds: relationship. He would suddenly break up with Nick and Jessica” in tow and being her only to show up and want to get back together. forced to act like everything was fi ne, During that time, her self-esteem plummeted, and even as her marriage to Lachey was her drinking increased. He also drove a wedge crumbling. between her and Dallas Cowboys quarterback “Nowadays, I see so many people performing their identi- Tony Romo, whom she dated after Mayer. ties on social media, but I feel like I was a guinea pig for Although Simpson’s alcohol consumption that,” Simpson, now 39, writes. “How was I supposed to live a reached frightening levels after years of anxi- real, healthy life fi ltered through the lens of a reality show? If ety, in 2017, she got sober. To support her, her my personal life was my work, and my work required me to husband, Eric Johnson (with whom she has play a certain role, who even was I anymore?” three children), also stopped drinking. It’s a passage that should send chills down the spines In the book, she makes a point of refl ect- of aspiring infl uencers, hoping to one day be followed by ing on her mistakes but is cognizant of the cameras. But they probably won’t care, because, as Simpson pressures and expectations that others put on readily admits, “Fame and money are great distractions.” her. She’s most proud of what she’s achieved Many of Simpson’s issues stemmed from the fact that for on her own, which she sums up in many years, she was defi ned by the men in her life. The fi rst an anecdote about the fi nancial was her father, a former Baptist minister who encouraged settlement during her divorce. Simpson’s career after she was nearly cast on “The All-New She ultimately agreed to pay Mickey Mouse Club” in middle school: Producers “told him Lachey a large sum. Her his daughter was a star, and it was his responsibility to make father was furious, but that happen for me.” He eventually became her manager, Simpson assured him and she felt increasing pressure to be her family’s breadwin- that she would earn ner. (Years later, she fi red him.) all that money back. Then there was record executive Tommy Mottola, who “And then I took a keen interest in Simpson when she signed with Sony’s did,” she wrote. Columbia Records in 1997; she was their blond response “Give or take a to Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera. One of the fi rst billion.” things he said to her: “You’ve got to lose 15 pounds.” “It was as if he tied my value as an artist to my weight right there, like a rock, and then threw it out the window of the thirty-second fl oor of the Sony building,” she writes. When her fi rst single, “I Wanna Love You Forever,” became a huge hit, she says Mottola’s reaction was, “This video is great. But you can do better. I want a six-pack for the next video.” It kick-started her lifelong body-image issues and adds more upsetting context to the conversation around Simp- son’s infamous “mom jeans” incident in 2009, when she wore high-waisted jeans to perform at a chili cook-off and the internet exploded with mockery about her weight. She was devastated. “I had always been in on the joke, and that gave me power,” she writes. INVISION / AP Friday, February 14, 2020 •STARS AND STRIPES• F3HIJKLM PAGE 39 WEEKEND: TELEVISION & DVD NEW ON DVD

“A Beautiful Day in the Neigh- borhood”: In these trying times, even small acts of empathy can feel radical, but this story featur- Diversifying ing a certain beloved TV host feels revolutionary. Inspired by a 1998 Esquire profi le by Tom Junod, the fi lm follows jaded journalist Lloyd Vogel (Matthew Rhys), who is Austen’s world sent to interview Fred Rogers (Tom Hanks, giving a soothing performance) while his deadbeat dad (Chris Cooper) attempts In PBS’ ‘Sanditon,’ Crystal Clarke to come back into his life. As Lloyd struggles to accept Fred’s plays Miss Lambe, the sole character vibe as genuine, Fred’s seeming ability to see through to the soul of color in author’s works prompts a journey of forgiveness. Director Marielle Heller beau- tifully captures each character’s humanity, from the prickly to the patient, the pleading to the peaceful. The narrative beats and visual style encourage the viewer to slow down and express gratitude for life, no matter how messy, much like the real-life Rogers did . And while it’s not quite as much of a tear-jerker as the 2018 documentary “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?,” it’s sure to tug at the heartstrings. “Jojo Rabbit”: Jojo (Roman Griffi n Davis) is an enthusiastic member of the Hitler Youth who PHOTOS BY RED PLANET PICTURES , PBS/ AP fawns over der Fuhrer to such an Crystal Clarke stars as Miss Lambe in the series “Masterpiece: Sanditon,” airing Sundays stateside on PBS. extent that Hitler (Taika Waititi) is his imaginary friend. After BY LYNN ELBER tunity: Miss Lambe, the sole 19th century approached, she drama’s central female charac- discovering his idealistic mother Associated Press character of color in Austen’s said, about 1% of the city’s popu- ter, Charlotte (Rose Williams), (Scarlett Johansson) is hiding a works. lation of around 1 million. meet and bond as visitors to Jewish teenage girl (Thomasin rystal Clarke could When the script fi rst came to Austen, who famously re- the seaside village of Sanditon. McKenzie) in their home, the 10- imagine herself her, Clarke, 26, approached it ferred in letters to “the little bit Charlotte’s love interest, Sidney year-old grapples with his blind playing the heroine with understandable reserva- (2 inches wide) of ivory” as her (Theo James), is the orphaned fanaticism and innate humanity. of a period costume tion. What would such a woman artistic canvas and “four or fi ve Lambe’s guardian on the series Waititi, who also wrote and drama, a genre that be if not in the background and families in a county village” airing stateside through Feb. 23 directed the fi lm (based on “Cag- Cregularly makes its way to TV servile? its contained focus, should not and available online at pbs.org. ing Skies” by Christine Leu- and fi lm screens with potential “It’s just going to be another be viewed as uninformed or “It would seem quite natural nens), took home the Academy breakout roles for young ac- (expletive) maid,” she recalled indifferent to the outside world, that Charlotte would befriend Award for best adapted screen- tresses. But the African Ameri- thinking. “When I was reading Looser said. her, because Charlotte is a very play at this year’s ceremony. can tempered her expectations. it, I was like, ‘Wait a minute, (He’s the fi rst person of Maori “This idea that she wasn’t open-minded sort of character “I had hope for myself and I there’s actually a lot to it.’ I was paying attention to history or and quick to see injustice and descent to win an Oscar.) knew what I could do. But the really surprised at what kind The visual style and snappy politics is false. I think she was call it out, ” Davies said. “They’d sad part comes in: ‘Oh, other of character this was they were very keyed into history and poli- be natural companions, and I dialogue screams “Wes Ander- people around me would never trying to create. ” son meets the Nazis,” though the tics,” she said, which in Austen’s thought it would be fun to give see me that way,’ ” said the New Lambe is a historically cred- time would have required an Miss Lambe quite a playful and “satirical” story aspects tend to Jersey-born Clarke, a graduate ible fi gure, not modern wish fall fl at. It’s tough to pull off that understanding of the anti-slav- rebellious sort of character, so of the Royal Conservatoire of fulfi llment for diversity, accord- ery movement. Two Austen as to give Sidney a hard time.” zaniness while also trying to be Scotland whose credits include ing to an expert on Austen and simultaneously emotionally mov- works, “Mansfi eld Park” and From the start, Clarke “Black Mirror” and two Star her times. “Emma,” mention slavery, with refused to approach the role ing and biting. The tonal shifts Wars fi lms. “Race relations were a real are jarring, with more schtick one character defending another passively. Then Jane Austen came to thing and very complex in 18th- as “always rather a friend to the “I was very wary because the than social commentary. Still, it’s the rescue. When the novelist century Britain,” said Devoney ambitious, with plenty of mo- abolition.” writers are white, producers are died in the summer of 1817, she Looser, author of “The Making Wherever Austen intended to white, director is white,” she ments both tragic and touching. left behind an unfi nished draft of Jane Austen” and an Arizona Also available on DVD: take her incomplete novel, the said. “There were some things that served as source material State University professor. task of developing it for “Sandi- that, through nobody’s fault ex- “Midway”: Six months after for PBS’ “Masterpiece” drama There were an estimated 10,000 the attack on Pearl Harbor, the ton” fell to screenwriter Andrew cept not knowing, didn’t sit well series “Sanditon” and offered people of African or Afro-Carib- Davies, whose Austen adapta- with me and that I would want infamous World War II battle be- Clarke an unexpected oppor- bean descent in London as the tween the Japanese and Ameri- tions include 1995’s “Pride and changed to suit the perspective can forces begins. Prejudice” miniseries. The of a character who’s supposed “21 Bridges”: A New York characters he inherited this to be so much in her power, or detective (Chadwick Boseman) time around included the briefl y trying to fi nd her power.” searches the city for a pair of cop sketched Lambe, a young, Among her concerns: story killers while all of Manhattan’s biracial heiress from the West lines that suggested Lambe’s bridges are closed. Indies — the center of the Brit- wealth would have protected “Frankie”: A famous French ish slave trade that was part of her from racism, and a scene in movie star with terminal cancer her heritage. which she laments that a man’s (Isabelle Huppert) gets her “There were only two words anti-slavery efforts were taking extended family together in used by Jane Austen to de- precedence over her. Portugal in an attempt to wrap scribe Miss Lambe, ‘chilly’ “She would never say that. up her affairs. and ‘tender.’ And I took ‘chilly’ She grew up on a plantation, and “Disturbing the Peace”: An very literally to mean that she she understands the horrors of ex-Texas Ranger (Guy Pearce) found the climate very unpleas- it,” Clarke said. ”It’s very much faces a biker gang. ant,” Davies said. “ ‘Tender’ is of an important thing to her.” “The Twilight Zone”: The fi rst ambiguous. I took it to mean It was at the fi rst cast dinner season of the CBS All Access vulnerable, quick to see slights that Clarke realized that she and series based on Rod Serling’s and prejudice in others, which Lambe were in good hands. The 1959 original series stars Jordan she does fi nd, of course.” producers assured her that “‘we Peele as the narrator of the eerie She became a more spirited don’t want to just have you here. sci-fi vignettes. character in Davies’ hands. We want to make sure that it’s — Katie Foran-McHale/TNS From left, Jyuddah James, Rose Williams and Crystal Clarke. Georgiana Lambe and the done right,” she recalled. PAGE 40 F3HIJKLM •STARS AND STRIPES• Friday, February 14, 2020 WEEKEND: HEALTH & FITNESS Q&A

iStock ‘Guys need the cover of the group’ Social worker says peer support improves outcomes for men with depression

BY GAIL ROSENBLUM and have built friendships. But we’re not What did they say helped most in anxiety rating scales they were provided Star Tribune (Minneapolis) a therapy organization. I wanted them those therapy sessions? in therapy. Twenty-fi ve of the 27 men said to also go to therapy and have it be more The guys loved the psychologist because they strongly agreed or agreed that their ark Meier knows there’s effective. We kind of promised these guys he’s direct. Some attended sessions with depression improved because of the com- only one thing tougher that we could help them in a new way. I their wives. The psychologist shared real- bination of peer support and fi ve therapy than getting a man into sent out an email about this new program , life stories and did skills-based therapy sessions. A few of the men are still seeing therapy — and that’s and it was like I was selling tickets to the with these guys, such as guided imagery, the psychologist. keeping him in therapy. seventh game of the World Series. breathing techniques, (the eye movement Is this a pricey proposition? Meier M is a licensed clinical social worker In other words, they’re hungry approach) EMDR — not just talk It was actually very cost-effective. We and co-founder of the Face It Foundation for professional help, but in a therapy. negotiated a substantially reduced hourly (faceitfoundation.org), whose mission way they can best receive it. What did you and Face It co- rate with the psychologist to maximize is to help men understand and recover The men who come in this founder Bill Dehkes hear in the number of therapy sessions the men from depression. Face It, founded in 2009, door are starved to get your group sessions while could attend. And I facilitated all 15 peer offers individual and group support, com- better. They’re experienc- the men were also seeing support groups. Based on market rates, munity events and training for mental the psychologist? ing depression, anxiety, we accomplished our goal at half the cost health professionals in the Minneapolis Sometimes it was a lot of hospitalizations and achieved better outcomes because of area. In 2019, the nonprofi t launched and suicide attempts. funny. When we’d gather our coordinated efforts. an unusual program pairing traditional They’re 40, 50, 60 years in our friendly group Where did funding come from? therapy with peer support to see if that old, fi nally revealing environment, they’d say, The O’Gara Family Foundation has combination improved outcomes for men. secrets they’ve carried “What just happened?” Early results look promising. Meier talks their whole lives, includ- Or, “I don’t understand been instrumental in helping Face It grow about the program and what men need ing sexual and physical how that tapping works.” and in supporting this project. Richard most to get and stay mentally healthy. abuse. They’ve been medi- But they also said they had and Deborah O’Gara connected us to the (Star Tribune ) You’ve said that men cating with alcohol, drugs, started sitting at work listen- Katherine B. Andersen Fund of the St. will go to therapy, but they tend to only gambling. Many no longer have ing to his guided meditations Paul Foundation, which has also helped stay with it for a session or two. Why? relationships with their part- Mark Meier. above, and they’d feel less anxious. to fund this project. Thanks to individual The literature is clear that men stop ners or kids. They’re alone. cofounded the Their confi dence was going and family foundation funding, we can going to psychotherapy after one or two How many men par- Face It Foundation up. We started seeing opti- serve more than 200 men, ranging in age visits. For a number of reasons, it hasn’t ticipated in the initiative in with Bill Dehkes. mism in them. from 32 to 70, and we don’t charge them a served them well. Sitting down for 50 min- 2019? Mark Meier What were some measur- nickel. utes of talking is counterintuitive for most We had three groups of able outcomes? This is tough work. Why do you do it? men. These guys never got Emotion 101. nine men each. Each group met for about Ninety-eight percent of the men com- Bill (Dehkes) and I started it because of Guys need the cover of the group. eight weeks, seeing the therapist individu- pleted all fi ve therapy sessions. Fifty-one our own desire to help ourselves. In turn, So you provided that cover while still ally fi ve times. Then they came back to percent strongly agreed, and 39% agreed we’ve helped a lot of people. requiring that they see a therapist. And Face It for four peer-led sessions where that having a peer support group to attend Will you offer this combination pro- they were good with that? they could discuss and reinforce the skills was an important component in helping gram again? These are all men who have already they were learning in the professional them complete the fi ve therapy sessions. If we can get funding, we’ll do more. participated in Face It support groups. therapy sessions with a clinical psycholo- And, most important, they showed signifi - It’s a no-brainer. I’d do fi ve cohorts if we Many have been coming to us for years gist. cant improvement on the depression and could get the dollars. It works. Friday, February 14, 2020 •STARS AND STRIPES• F3HIJKLM PAGE 41 WEEKEND: FAMILY

THE MEAT AND Take a bite out of picky eating POTATOES OF LIFE To break through food aversions, try therapy Lisa Smith Molinari

BY JOSH SCHONWALD A day set aside for Chicago Tribune he breakthrough bite took torture, tenderness place about 30 minutes into treatment. My daugh- Tter Kate bravely raised a s much as I’d like to blame Hallmark, FTD, cracker to her mouth and, with little Whitman’s Sampler, Russell Stover, Brachs and hesitation, took a bite. That cracker The Melting Pot for inventing Valentine’s Day had cinnamon in it, a spice she Ato benefi t the blood-sucking consumer industry, hadn’t tried in years. unfortunately I can’t. The fact is, February 14th has com- Most parents have struggled with memorated Saint Valentine, the patron saint of romantic picky-eating children. But Kate, my love, since A.D. 269. funny, ordinarily easygoing 12- However, that day was not a happy one with chocolates year-old daughter, is an extremely and lace doilies. It was the time in history that Valentine, picky eater. a holy priest, was arrested on orders from Roman Em- She has never met a fruit she peror “Claudius the Cruel” for refusing to deny Christ. likes. She won’t sit next to some- He was sentenced to death — imprisoned, beaten with one eating bananas, blueberries clubs, and when that didn’t kill him, beheaded on Feb. 14. or yogurt. And she’s so choosy Romantic, huh? Believe it or not, it gets worse. about breakfast and lunch foods A couple hundred years later, in A.D. 496, Pope Gela- that for the past four years, she’s sius wanted to put an end to an ancient pagan fertility been drinking Ensure, a nutritional festival called Lupercalia, celebrated annually on Feb. supplement, for those meals. 15 in Rome, involving a brutal matchmaking lottery, the That’s what led us to seek the aid colors red (blood) and white (milk), and drunken naked of Karen Dilfer, a Chicago-based men whipping women with strips of sacrifi ced goat skin. CAMILLE FINE, CHICAGO TRIBUNE/TNS occupational therapist who spe- Understandably, the Pope wasn’t thrilled by Lupercalia, cializes in food therapy. There are Kate Schonwald, 12, tops a pizza for dinner Dec. 2 in her home in so he banned it, and declared the Feast of Saint Valentine many pediatric food therapists in Evanston, Ill., while working with occupational therapist Karen Dilfer. an acceptable Christian substitute. the Chicago area who cover a wide Although there was no real evidence connecting St. range of issues — from infants Valentine to the patronage of romantic love, myths and struggling to swallow food, to pre- Empowerment Toolkit, treatment plan legends cropped up over time. One story was that Valen- schoolers with sensory processing Of all of her experiences with Dilfer demonstrated a method tine was martyred because he was defying Claudius the challenges, to teens with food-re- food, Kate says the worst happened she called “redefi ne try it” on one Cruel’s order banning marriages, performing secret cer- lated anxieties — but Dilfer was one at camp. Extra-anxious, away from of Kate’s biggest needs: breakfast emonies for couples in love. Another tale told of impris- of a smaller subgroup of therapists home, surrounded by cabin mates foods. The method looked, at fi rst, oned Valentine curing his jailor’s daughter of blindness, who worked with kids similar to at breakfast, her counselor pushed like a lab examination of a cracker. and having grown fond of her, writing her a letter signed, Kate: 7 to 18, often bright, well-ad- her to clean her plate and eat “more Dilfer guided Kate through sev- “From your Valentine.” But it wasn’t until Chaucer wrote justed, with no other special needs than bread.” She was shamed and eral steps — she looked, touched, poems inspired by mating birds in the fourteenth century that Feb. 14 was fi nally able to shed its dark history and or medical issues. embarrassed. smelled and listened to the sound of take on the sweet sappiness that it encompasses today. Here are our most valuable take- Dilfer made it clear that “clean the cracker. After each step, Kate Undoubtedly, today’s Valentine’s Day has questionable aways: your plate” should never happen in was asked to describe what she origins and costs consumers nearly $2 billion per year, our house. And after meeting one- thought the cracker would taste like. but is there anything wrong with reserving one day a Change in attitude on-one with Kate, she presented It wasn’t until going through the year for a little love and tenderness? Instead of focusing on what Kate us with a six-point list titled “Food pretasting process, gaining com- As a child, I clipped construction-paper hearts, opened didn’t eat, Dilfer sought to under- Guidelines” and posted it on our fort and confi dence at each step, cards emblazoned with Ziggy and Snoopy, and crunched stand why Kate has certain taste refrigerator. that Kate actually tasted a cracker Necco Sweethearts stamped with “Cutie Pie” and “Be preferences, and went from there. These said that Kate could refuse crumb. Although tasting just a Mine,” imagining innocent love. During my desper- It was a glass-half-full view of picky food and never had to eat more than crumb struck Kate as comical, that ate teen years, my best friend and I ordered each other eating. she wanted. method has extraordinary success Valentine’s Day $1 carnations at school, and signed them Dilfer started with lots in palate changing, according “from your secret admirer,” in case we didn’t receive any of questions — about goals, to research. from boys. The only boy who ever bought me a fl ower challenges, Kate’s likes, ‘ If she says no to a food, After the crumb, Kate took was nicknamed “Goober,” but my dreams of romance dislikes, former likes, turning that’s fi ne. That’s her right. a “mousebite,” and decided persisted. points, hardships, even our she didn’t like the cinnamon I was fi nally able to experience this bliss after meeting family food history. Dilfer’s That cannot be the end of the cracker. “If she says no to a my Navy husband in 1992. There is nothing quite like questioning helped develop food,” Dilfer said, “that’s fi ne. true love, and in the early years, we spent hours picking her treatment strategy, but it story. You have to say, it’s OK, That’s her right. That cannot out cards for each other, covering every square milli- also gave us more insight into and keep presenting her with be the end of the story. You meter with hand-written words professing how doggone Kate’s pickiness. After shar- have to say, it’s OK, and keep happy we were to have found our soul mates. ing some details from Kate’s new options. That’s the art. ’ presenting her with new op- In the decades that followed, we tried to fulfi ll Val- history with fruit, Dilfer tions. That’s the art.” entine’s Day’s expectations of us. Some years, we suc- observed that she likely has a Karen Dilfer The therapist recommends ceeded, like the year we were stationed in Germany and hypersensitive sense of smell, Occupational therapist specializing in food therapy trying a combination method went on a Valentine’s Day wine tasting trip in France. But which could be a reason for too. It’s pairing a new food other times, Francis would race home from work, stop- some of her aversions. Her with a liked, familiar fl avor, ping at the 7-Eleven for a lousy card that he signed hast- dislike of fruits is also consistent ily in the car, only to fi nd me in our kitchen, frantically with her taste profi le: She favors Decades of research on children using dips and spreads. When Kate and feeding has found that pres- found a chocolate cracker that she trying to feed the kids while folding laundry and helping “savory over sweet.” our daughter study for a chemistry test. We’d exchange a When I confessed, almost shame- suring children to “clean the plate” was just OK with, Dilfer encouraged is bad for kids. Dilfer, who trained her to try spreads. Hazelnut? But- quick kiss and our hastily scribbled cards with still-wet fully, the details of my kid’s diet glue. He’d rush to change out of his military uniform, with Marsha Dunn Klein, food ter? Peanut butter? She kept saying — pasta with cheese, pizza, ham- and I’d spritz on perfume to hide the scent of tater tots. therapist and author of “Anxious “no.” Dilfer kept brainstorming. Fi- burgers, Cheez-Its — Dilfer put a We’d dole out the requisite bedtime threats to the kids, Eaters, Anxious Mealtimes,” uses nally, they stumbled on an approved positive spin on it. Kate liked savory, climb into our dirty minivan and fi ght traffi c to make our had a protein-heavy diet, and was an approach that focuses on reduc- option: chocolate and peanut butter restaurant reservation. Once there, we’d make our best comfortable eating at restaurants. ing anxiety around mealtimes by on saltine crackers. effort at romance, ordering wine, holding hands, sharing Even Kate’s ramen habit had an building trusting relationships and Her diet won’t completely change dessert. But thanks to middle-aged fl uctuations in blood upside: “Noodles are a food group.” making mealtime a “safe place.” overnight, and it will require energy sugar, we’d start yawning before the clock struck nine. The value of this positive attitude Kate’s newfound power also came and patience, but Dilfer’s visit Our “hurry-up-and-be-romantic-before-I-fall-asleep” readjustment soon became clear. with new roles. Under the new affected us more than expected. Valentine’s Day routine was sometimes the best we could Our goal was to start in Kate’s order, she would play a bigger role Learning more about Kate’s per- muster. We learned that even the most tortured schedule food comfort zone, and then use a in shopping, preparing and serving spective, and thinking differently can squeeze in a little time for tenderness. technique called “stretches,” so she food. Even if she didn’t like a food, about our role in feeding her has Read more of Lisa Smith Molinari’s columns at: could have positive experiences Dilfer encouraged us to give her a already made us more thoughtful, themeatandpotatoesoflife.com with new foods. role, such as serving the salad. creative and relaxed about food. Email: [email protected] PAGE 42 F3HIJKLM •STARS AND STRIPES• Friday, February 14, 2020 WEEKEND: CROSSWORD AND COMICS NEW YORK TIMES CROSSWORD

GUNSTON STREET RESULTS FOR ABOVE PUZZLE

“Gunston Street” is drawn by Basil Zaviski. Email him at [email protected], and visit gunstonstreet.com. Friday, February 14, 2020 •STARS AND STRIPES• F3HIJKLM PAGE 43 FACES ‘Wagon Wheel’ rolling Darius Rucker song certified 8 times platinum, making it one of the top 5 country singles ever

BY KRISTIN M. HALL the radio,” said Rucker, who had already Associated Press had a highly successful rock career as lead singer of Hootie and the Blowfish. Country singer Darius Rucker couldn’t He joked about seeing his CMA new art- quite believe it when he was surprised this ist of the year trophy behind glass, noting week with the news that his song “Wagon it happened for him when he was in his 40s. Wheel” was certified eight times platinum, But the South Carolina native also repre- making it one of the top five most popular sents the changing face of country music, country singles ever. as one of two black artists among the On Wednesday, Rucker stopped by the RIAA’s top country singles. Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum “Lil Nas X being up there, it just shows to see his items in an exhibit, but his label, that country music is starting to open its Universal Music Group Nashville, sur- doors and broaden its horizons and realize prised him with a plaque featuring eight there’s a lot of different faces, a lot of dif- platinum-colored records. ferent colors and a lot of different things to After repeating the word “Wow!” over country music,” Rucker said. and over, Rucker muttered to himself, It’s another interesting chapter in a song “That can’t be true,” as he inspected the with a unique history. Ketch Secor, lead plaque in his hands. singer of string band Old Crow Medicine AP According to the Recording Industry Show, first encountered the song when he Association of America, “Wagon Wheel” heard a Bob Dylan bootleg that contained Darius Rucker, shown in 2018, can barely play the first chord of his eight-times-plati- now joins other multiplatinum hits among an outtake of a song called “Rock Me, num song “Wagon Wheel’ at his concerts before fans start cheering. country music’s biggest songs in RIAA’s Mama” that was mostly just a chorus and 60-year history, including Taylor Swift’s a muddled verse. Secor wrote verses about country style cover version at his child’s These days, he can barely get past the “Love Story,” Lady Antebellum’s “Need being homesick for the South and made it a school. first chord of the song before fans start You Now,” Florida Georgia Line’s “Cruise,” signature song for the popular folk band in Rucker’s version, released in 2013 and cheering. and Lil Nas X’s “Old Town Road.” the early 2000s. featuring backing vocals from Lady Ante- “You hit that first chord and people just “It’s amazing to me because I came here For years, the foot-stomping banjo and bellum, went to the top of the country chart lose their minds, cause by the time we get to make country music, and I didn’t ex- fiddle song “Wagon Wheel” was popular for multiple weeks, earned him a Grammy to the third chord they know exactly what pect success and I didn’t expect to be on on the live circuits. Then Rucker heard a for best country solo performance. it is,” Rucker said. Snoop apologizes to Gayle King for rant over Bryant AP TNS BY NEKESA MUMBI MOODY Associated Press Bieber says he let fear Kinney writes another After days of blistering criticism, Snoop Dogg keep him from music ‘Wimpy Kid’ spinoff has finally apologized to Gayle King for attacking /AP her over her interview with former basketball star RICHARD SHOTWELL, INVISION Justin Bieber admits getting The “Wimpy Kid” and author Lisa Leslie about the late Kobe Bryant. Rapper Snoop Dogg has apologized to Gayle back in the studio to record his Jeff Kinney are both embarking “Two wrongs don’t make no right. when you’re King for lashing out at her over an interview first album in five years wasn’t on new paths. wrong, you gotta fix it,” he said in an Instagram easy. Amulet Books announced post on Wednesday. where she asked about a sexual assault charge against late NBA star Kobe Bryant. “I was dealing with a lot of Thursday that Kinney’s latest “So with that being said, Gayle King, I publicly fear,” the singer told Zane Lowe novel is called “Rowley Jefferson’s tore you down by coming at you in a derogatory in an interview with Apple Music Awesome Friendly Adventure” manner based off of emotions of me being angry comments were among the most inflammatory released on Thursday. “Just was and comes out April 7 with an an- at a question you asked. Overreacted,” he said. “I and seen as a threat. King’s best friend, Oprah afraid of, at that point, just even nounced first printing of 3 million should have handled it way different than that, I Winfrey, said that King was “not doing well” and the process; what am I going to copies, among the highest for any was raised way better than that, so I would like getting death threats because of the interview. talk about again, is it gonna be fiction writer. Rowley Jefferson, to apologize publicly for the language that I used Soon, an avalanche of support came in for King, received. I’m starting to compare “Wimpy Kid” Greg Heffley’s best and calling you out your name and just being from the head of CBS News to former Obama ad- friend, is the book’s narrator. He disrespectful.” ministration official Susan Rice to award-winning with other artists.” will tell the story of “Roland the Snoop Dogg was furious that the “CBS This author Ta-Nehisi Coates, who in an Instagram post Bieber releases his first album Kind” and “Garg the Barbarian” Morning” anchor brought up rape allegations from chastised black men who attacked her. of new music since 2015 on Friday and their quest to vanquish the Bryant’s past in her interview with Leslie, a friend “We did not calmly express our dislike of the with “Changes,” the follow-up to evil White Warlock. of Bryant. The retired Lakers star was killed in a question. We were too weak for that. We threat- his Grammy-winning, multiplati- Kinney also plans an unusual helicopter crash last month along with his young ened. We dragged. And we attacked,” he wrote. num album “Purpose.” promotional tour this spring. daughter and seven others. “It’s wrong. We should want more. We should be Bieber has talked about endur- There is no advance itinerary, not Snoop Dogg called King crude names on Insta- better.” ing several challenges in the past even for Kinney. Every day a new gram. He also said she had better back off “before Snoop Dogg was also heavily criticized in essays few years, including dealing with destination, decided upon by his we come get you,” and posted a slew of insulting in black media, including one that accused him of depression, recovering from past photos and memes about her. hating black women. drug use and contracting Lyme publisher and various booksell- King herself was angry at CBS News for pro- Last week, Snoop Dogg responded to some of disease, which he says seriously ers, will be announced. Kinney moting a snippet of what was a wide-ranging inter- the backlash and denied threatening King, but in affected his health. will “surprise children at under- view on social media, which drew sharp reaction Wednesday’s post, he offered a full apology. He Bieber says it wasn’t until he served schools and meet his fans and accusations from some that she crossed the said in the post’s caption that a talk with his moth- performed on stage with Ariana at independent bookstores, all line. King, in her own Instagram message last er set him right. Grande last year at the Coachella without knowing where he will be week, said she could see why people might be “I didn’t mean for it to be like that. I was just Valley Music and Arts Festival heading next.” upset if they only saw a brief portion of what was expressing myself for a friend that wasn’t there to and received an ovation that he Kinney said in a statement that discussed. defend himself,” he said. got a “boost of confidence.” he’s “ thrilled for the adventure Snoop Dogg, a friend of Bryant and ardent Lak- He noted that he knows some people look up “It kind of reminded me ... this that awaits, and I’m looking for- ers fan, was hardly the only one who was angry him, so it added to his importance to apologize. is what I do, this is what I’m good ward to epic moments with my at King for her questioning — LeBron James and “Anytime you mess up, it’s OK to fix it, it’s OK to at, and I don’t need to run away fans along the way.” even Bill Cosby were among her critics — but his man up to say that you’re wrong,” he said. from it,” he said. From The Associated Press PAGE 44 F3HIJKLM •STARS AND STRIPES• Friday, February 14, 2020 OPINION Max D. Lederer Jr., Publisher Lt. Col. Sean Klimek, Europe commander Lt. Col. Richard McClintic, Pacific commander Trump just pretending to tackle deficit Caroline E. Miller, Europe Business Operations Joshua M. Lashbrook, Pacific Chief of Staff BY DOYLE MCMANUS Vought, the acting director of the Office clean air and clean water. He’s done none Los Angeles Times of Management and Budget, told report- of those things. ers. The promises are still there, he said. Presidents’ budgets are often little more EDITORIAL WASHINGTON They’ve just been scaled back. than a wish list that Congress politely ig- romises made, promis- , Editor They’re also still wildly unrealistic. nores. But Trump’s new budget, with that Terry Leonard es kept” has been one of [email protected] Trump’s proposed budget forecasts 2.8% mountain of magic asterisks, is wholly un- President Donald Trump’s growth this year, growing to a steady 3% tethered from reality. Robert H. Reid, Senior Managing Editor frequent boasts in his cam- after that. Those numbers are way above [email protected] “P His 2016 campaign promises were al- paign for a second term. reputable economists’ estimates. ways unrealistic. You can’t cut taxes and Tina Croley, Managing Editor for Content So it was a little awkward this week when With 3% growth, Vought said, the federal balance the budget at the same time with- [email protected] his own proposed budget acknowledged, in budget could come into balance 15 years out cutting spending so deeply that even the fine print, that several of his key prom- from now, in 2035. That’s 10 years later Republicans will blink. Sean Moores, Managing Editor for Presentation ises haven’t been kept at all. than Trump promised, but who’s counting? [email protected] So Trump blames Democrats for failing When Trump ran in 2016, he promised His pie-in-the-sky growth number is what to embrace the Republican agenda of gut- Joe Gromelski, Managing Editor for Digital that if Congress enacted big tax cuts for budgeteers call a “magic asterisk” — a ting domestic programs. [email protected] corporations, economic growth would soar statistical device that allows a president “We have not been able to make progress to 4% or more. “I actually think we can go to claim that he’s meeting his goals even … because Democrats in Congress have higher,” he said. when he’s not. Obama and earlier presi- opposed his previous budgets,” Vought BUREAU STAFF He promised to balance the federal bud- dents used them too. said. “We hope that changes. We probably get in eight years, a longstanding Republi- Europe/Mideast But Trump’s election-year budget plan need to have a national election before it can aim that those economic growth rates uses a second magic asterisk to make the Erik Slavin, Europe & Mideast Bureau Chief does.” Translation: If Trump wins a sec- [email protected] could make possible. deficit look better. It assumes that the Fed- ond term and the GOP takes control of the +49(0)631.3615.9350; DSN (314)583.9350 Neither goal is being met — not even eral Reserve will keep interest rates low House, those budget cuts will begin to look close. for the next 10 years, which will reduce the Pacific possible. Aaron Kidd, Pacific Bureau Chief In 2017, a Republican Congress ap- cost of interest on the national debt. That’s proved Trump’s corporate tax cut. It gave a wish more than a forecast. Many moderate Democrats want to be [email protected] fiscally responsible, just as Republicans +81.42.552.2511 ext. 88380; DSN (315)227.7380 the economy a boost, but only a tempo- And a third magic asterisk, maybe the rary one. Growth reached 2.9% in 2018 biggest: It assumes Congress will enact once were (and still might be, under a dif- Washington but slowed to 2.3% last year. It’s running all of Trump’s proposed cuts in domestic ferent president). But if a Democrat wins Joseph Cacchioli, Washington Bureau Chief about 2% now, according to private-sector spending, from Obamacare and Medicaid the White House, the first thing GOP lead- [email protected] economists. to environmental protection and the Cen- ers in Congress will do is demand a bal- (+1)(202)886-0033 anced budget and claim that Democrats Brian Bowers, Assistant Managing Editor, News That has extended the long economic ex- ters for Disease Control and Prevention. [email protected] pansion that began under President Barack That’s not going to happen. House Dem- are responsible for the $1 trillion deficit Obama, as well as reduced unemployment ocrats have promised to resist draconian Trump bequeathed them. CIRCULATION and raised wages — all good things. But cuts in the social safety net, health and the All the Democratic presidential can- it’s far short of Trump’s initial 4% promise, environment, just as they did last year and didates say they would reverse Trump’s Mideast tax cuts. Republicans will say it’s bad for Robert Reismann, Mideast Circulation Manager and it’s done nothing to balance the federal the year before. [email protected] budget. Quite the contrary; Trump’s tax Republicans in the Senate have rejected growth and unfair to hardworking corpora- [email protected] cut ballooned the deficit by about $1 tril- many of Trump’s proposals, too, including tions. They’ll claim the only way to reduce DSN (314)583-9111 lion a year — and his new budget forecasts cuts in farm subsidies and foreign aid. the deficit is to cut domestic spending. that pace to continue. Many of his domestic spending pro- Don’t listen. Trump’s fantasy budget Europe proposal shows how cynical that argument Karen Lewis, Community Engagement Manager To which Trump’s budget chief said as posals represent other broken promises. [email protected] he unveiled the new budget this week: When he ran last time, Trump pledged he is. [email protected] Never mind. would not touch Medicaid. He promised to Doyle McManus is a Washington columnist for the +49(0)631.3615.9090; DSN (314)583.9090 “This president is a ‘promises made, replace Obamacare with a better, cheaper Los Angeles Times and director of the journalism promises kept’ kind of president,” Russell health insurance plan. He vowed to protect program at Georgetown University. Pacific Mari Mori, [email protected] +81-3 6385.3171; DSN (315)227.7333 CONTACT US New Hampshire brightens Dem s’ prospects Washington tel: (+1)202.886.0003 633 3rd St. NW, Suite 116, Washington, DC 20001-3050 BY GEORGE F. WILL than seriousness. Sanders’ coming defeat the equivalent of a no-nonsense sedan, an Washington Post Writers Group might send some of his most dyspeptic agreeable contrast with the gaudy chrome- Reader letters supporters — those most like him — into and-tailfins of Trump, a human land yacht. [email protected] WASHINGTON hibernation or opposition. Pouting would Bloomberg’s demeanor is that of someone fter three failures as the be in character for true believers who are who knows how to smile but resists the Additional contacts Democratic presidential nominee stripes.com/contactus self-righteous and ideologically inebriated. inclination. There are, however, credible (1896, 1900, 1908), Nebraska’s But it would not necessarily be fatal to the reports of a dry — arid, actually — Bloom- OMBUDSMAN AWilliam Jennings Bryan, a popu- Democratic Party, which has survived de- berg witticism. Asked about a possible fall list teetotaler, told a story about a drunk fections before . campaign between two billionaires, he re- Ernie Gates who, after being hurled out of a club a third Mike Bloomberg’s 30-second ads do not plied: Who would be the second one? time, dusted himself off and said: “They resemble the Federalist Papers but neither Bloomberg has a knack for getting The Stars and Stripes ombudsman protects the free flow can’t fool me. Those fellows don’t want me do they lower the intellectual tone set by under Trump’s microscopically thin skin. of news and information, reporting any attempts by the in there.” Joe Biden can sympathize. military or other authorities to undermine the newspaper’s the Democrats’ “debates,” and they have His needling of Trump would augment independence. The ombudsman also responds to concerns He was already in his third Senate term propelled him into contention. There is, the public stock of harmless pleasure, and and questions from readers, and monitors coverage for fair- when he sought the Democrats’ 1988 nomi- however, some point at which such blast could leave Trump wallowing waist deep ness, accuracy, timeliness and balance. The ombudsman welcomes comments from readers, and can be contacted nation. His campaign expired before Iowa, marketing has steeply diminishing effec- in his insecurities, a sight that members by email at [email protected], or by phone at in September 1987. In 2008, his campaign tiveness. In the last five months of the 2016 of his cult need to see and everyone else 202.886.0003. collapsed the night he received 0.9% of campaign, in two hotly contested metro- would enjoy seeing. Iowa’s vote. He has never won anywhere politan areas in swing states, Las Vegas Among Democratic activists, a nascent outside Delaware , which has not elected saw 20,471 presidential campaign ads and Anybody But Bloomberg faction is decry- Stars and Stripes (USPS 0417900) is published week- days (except Dec. 25 and Jan. 1) for 50 cents Monday a Republican as congressman since 2008, Columbus, Ohio, saw 15,658. Such media ing New York’s “stop and frisk” anti-hand- through Thursday and for $1 on Friday by Pacific Stars and as senator since 1994, or as governor since blitzkriegs become like wallpaper — there gun police measures during his mayoralty, Stripes, Unit 45002, APO AP 96301-5002. Periodicals 1988. but not noticed. measures often applied to young minority postage paid at San Francisco, CA, Postmaster: Send address changes to Pacific Stars and Stripes, Unit 45002, In New Hampshire, Elizabeth Warren Whether Bloomberg’s campaign suc- males. This policy probably was more la- APO AP 96301-5002. finished fourth and closer to last than to ceeds or fails, the republic will benefit. If mented by white liberals living in buildings This newspaper is authorized by the Department of third. This effectively ended one of the two nominated, he might go on to fumigate the with doormen than by minorities living in Defense for members of the military services overseas. However, the contents of Stars and Stripes are unofficial, candidacies that could have guaranteed Oval Office, and the political scolds who danger. Nevertheless, a party whose most and are not to be considered as the official views of, or Donald Trump’s reelection. The other, lament “too much money in politics” will fervid members consider “billionaire” an endorsed by, the U.S. government. As a DOD newspaper, that of Bernie Sanders, probably reached Stars and Stripes may be distributed through official chan- be ecstatic about what his spending accom- unanswerable epithet might flinch from nels and use appropriated funds for distribution to remote its apogee Tuesday because the success plished. If, however, his “overwhelming” nominating one of those who was last elect- locations where overseas DOD personnel are located. of Amy Klobuchar, who finished third but spending does not overwhelm, this will ed to office as a Republican. The appearance of advertising in this publication does not constitute endorsement by the Department of Defense much closer to first than to fourth, demon- refute the scolds’ unempirical assertions So, a Bloomberg-Klobuchar ticket is less or Stars and Stripes of the products or services advertised. strated Democrats’ realism about how to about the irresistible power of money- feasible, and probably would be less potent Products or services advertised shall be made available for defeat Trump at a time when 70% of voters bought advertising. In 1957, Ford Motor Co. than, say, a Klobuchar-Deval Patrick (the purchase, use or patronage without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, physical self-identify as moderate or conservative. put its enormous marketing power behind African American former two-term gov- handicap, political affiliation or any other nonmerit factor Today’s nomination process has myriad a new product, but the Edsel’s unhappy life ernor of Massachusetts) ticket. So, after of the purchaser, user or patron. defects but one manifest virtue: It provides lasted just 26 months. Tuesday, it is somewhat less likely that © Stars and Stripes 2020 ample time and small early venues for as- In politics, too, the product itself mat- the Trump-Mike Pence ticket will repeat pirants who, like Klobuchar, start with ters more than the marketing of it. Bloom- its Midwest victories or add Minnesota to stripes.com more pluck than money, and less notoriety berg’s incurable anti-charisma makes him them. Friday, February 14, 2020 •STARS AND STRIPES• F3HIJKLM PAGE 45 OPINION

ever, doesn’t go into effect until it includes What newspapers enough states to constitute a majority of 270 electoral votes. So far it has been endorsed by states representing 196 electoral votes. are saying at home Enforcement of the compact would mean, effectively, that the winner of the popular The following editorial excerpts are se- vote would become president. That would lected from a cross section of newspapers of course be preferable to the current sys- throughout the United States. The editori- tem, but its prospects are also uncertain . als are provided by The Associated Press It’s up to the American people to make it and other stateside syndicates. clear to their elected representatives that the Electoral College is an undemocratic Sanders benefits from anachronism. splintered Democratic vote The Wall Street Journal NFL happy to run with its The good news for democracy Tuesday false social justice narrative was that in New Hampshire they know how The Palm Beach (Fla.) Post to count votes. That’s especially good news Amid the gaudy spectacle and com- for Bernie Sanders, who was denied his mercial blitz of this month’s Super Bowl, a election night TV time in Iowa last week somber advertisement appeared that fea- but not this time as he narrowly won the tured, to our surprise, a Palm Beach Coun- Granite State. Whether that’s good news ty story, a story that, unfortunately, could for the Democratic Party is another story. have taken place anywhere in the U.S. The socialist from next-door Vermont It was the story of Corey Jones, the repeated his triumph from 2016, albeit 31-year-old black man whose car broke with a smaller (26%) share in a much larg- come operative. vote on a winner-take-all basis. Maine and down at an intersection of Interstate 95 er field. The result showed the loyalty of Nor is he the first to engage in rosy fore- Nebraska allocate some electoral votes to in the lonely after-midnight hours of Oct. Sanders’ millennial and left-wing support- casting — but in this case, the exaggeration candidates who finish first in congressio- 18, 2015, and who was shot to death by ers . In poll after poll, in state after state, is especially flagrant. Trump misleadingly nal districts.) an undercover officer of the Palm Beach Sanders has retained that plurality base of projects a future of declining federal defi- But in 2016, as in previous elections, Gardens Police Department who did not more than 20%. cits in part by claiming economic growth some electors decided to support people identify himself. Jones, as it happens, had The New Hampshire win after his near- exceeding consensus forecasts. The Trump other than the candidate who carried the a cousin, Anquan Boldin, a Pahokee native tie in Iowa gives him considerable momen- budget beats the Congressional Budget Of- popular vote in their states. The two cases who became a star wide receiver in the tum going into Nevada, then onto South fice’s projection for the annual growth rate the court will review — one from Washing- National Football League. And now that Carolina and the Super Tuesday states on a decade hence by more than a percent- ton state, the other from Colorado — raise retired player, impelled by the injustice March 3. He is already leading in Califor- age point, enabling him to claim an extra the question of whether states can penalize of Jones’ death, is heading an effort by the nia, the March 3 state with the biggest del- $4.5 trillion in 10-year deficit reduction, or remove such “faithless electors.” The NFL called “Inspire Change.” egate count. That plurality if it holds will according to the Committee for a Respon- court should answer yes. “Inspire Change” is an initiative that lets keep him above the 15% threshold needed sible Federal Budget. Also not forthright is In the Washington state case, three elec- current and former players receive grants to rack up delegates all the way to the Mil- the underlying assumption of the budget, tors voted not for Hillary Clinton, who for their causes as decided by a commit- waukee convention. In a splintered field , which is that the country’s structural fiscal carried the state, but former Secretary of tee of players and team owners. The league Sanders has staying power even if most deficits can be addressed almost entirely State Colin Powell, who wasn’t even on the says it began dispersing money for fighting Democratic voters prefer someone else. through cuts to nondefense discretionary ballot. They were fined $1,000 each for vio- social injustice in April 2018. Donald Trump took similar pluralities all spending . In fact, additional revenue, too, lating a state law binding electors to vote But the NFL did not tell the whole story the way to the Republican nomination and is necessary, yet Trump’s budget adds $1.5 for the popular-vote winner. The Supreme in that commercial. For, while the game the White House in 2016. trillion to the next 10 years’ debt by assum- Court of Washington upheld both the law was underway between the Kansas City The other winners Tuesday night were ing that the individual income tax cut he and the fines. In Colorado, where Clinton Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers, and the Midwesterners Pete Buttigieg (about 24%) and a GOP Congress enacted in December also won the popular vote, Micheal Baca league was basking in its cultural and and, in a mild surprise, Minnesota Sen. 2017 will be extended beyond their sched- was removed as an elector after he tried corporate dominance, the 49ers’ former Amy Klobuchar at 20%. She won a major uled December 2025 sunset. to vote for then-Gov. John Kasich, of Ohio, quarterback Colin Kaepernick remained chunk of late-deciding voters. Inevitably, perhaps, this much dishon- who had lost to Donald Trump in the Re- blackballed after leading the protests that Klobuchar may also have benefited from esty leads to what can only be called cruel publican primary. Baca appealed to the pushed the NFL into the controversies and the campaign implosion of Joe Biden, as inequities. Upper-income tax cuts are pre- U.S. 10th Circuit Court of Appeals, which ultimate compromises that produced such she picked up his theme of electability and served, so Supplemental Nutrition Assis- ruled in his favor, holding that “the Con- a thing as “Inspire Change.” a “return to normalcy” after the Trump tance Program benefits must be denied to stitution provides no express role for the Or, as writer Samer Kalaf put it in an presidency. Her challenge now will be to those who cannot meet tightened work re- states after appointment of its presidential essay for The Washington Post: “ ‘Inspire raise enough money to organize and com- quirements, and redefined to include boxes electors.” The court also said that the defi- Change’ is a shameless strategy for Com- pete as the race expands . She has always of preselected foods rather than spendable nitions of the words “elector,” “vote” and missioner Roger Goodell and the league’s struck us as a candidate with the gravitas funds . The last vestiges of federal cash “ballot” — all occurring in the Constitu- owners to pretend that they not only sup- and message to give Trump a strong race anti-poverty benefits, the Temporary As- tion — imply “the right to make a choice or ported the movement to bring attention to in swing states. sistance for Needy Families block grant , voice an individual opinion.” police violence and systematic oppression Buttigieg capitalized on his apparent would get cumulative cuts totaling $15.2 This is a close question, but the court all along, but that they were really the pro- Iowa victory and showed he can attract billion by 2030. should uphold the laws against faithless genitors of the whole idea.” voters who think Sanders is too far left to This country badly needs an honest de- electors, for two reasons. It was Kaepernick, remember, who beat Trump. The former South Bend, Ind., bate about equitable tax and spending re- First, the overriding goal of the framers started it all by refusing to stand for the na- mayor has enough money to compete in forms. What we are getting instead from of the Constitution was to give states au- tional anthem during the 2016 preseason . the next states, but he will need to show he the administration is this budget, which thority over the selection of electors. While What was a public-relations headache can appeal to minority voters in addition to serves but one useful purpose: to record it’s true that early in American history, for the NFL became a full-blown crisis the white gentry liberals who like his bi- the warped priorities upon which Trump electors were chosen by state legislatures, when President Donald Trump began ography and his ability to speak in Barack is willing to campaign for a second term. states long ago decided that the better ap- tweeting about it in September 2017, twist- Obama-style aspirational tones . proach was to award electoral votes on the ing the protest against police brutality into Overall the results show an unsettled Closer to ensuring candidate basis of the popular vote . Second, ensuring an attack on patriotism and the U.S. armed race, with Democrats still looking for the that voters have the final say in the selec- forces . The controversy soon consumed candidate they hope can beat Trump. For- with most overall votes wins tion of electors is consistent with a trend to- the whole country. As more players joined mer New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg Los Angeles Times ward participatory democracy that is also the protests, voices threatened NFL boy- joins the fray on Super Tuesday with the The Supreme Court has agreed to hear reflected in changes in the Constitution, cotts. Owners got nervous. biggest checkbook in the history of politics. two cases involving the Electoral College, especially the 17th Amendment ratified in In one response, owners started working But as long as the field contains multiple the antiquated system that twice in recent 1913, which took the choice of U.S. senators with a group called the Players Coalition, candidates, Sanders’ socialist plurality has history has installed the loser of the popu- away from state legislatures and provided co-founded by Boldin, to financially sup- the advantage. lar vote for president in the White House for popular election for the Senate. port causes important to players. Kaepe- and could have that perverse result again Of course, the ultimate culmination of rnick broke ranks with them , seeing the Trump’s proposed budget is in 2020. Alas, it’s beyond the power of the that democratizing trend would be a consti- NFL’s offer as hush money. court to do away with the electoral vote tutional amendment to abolish the Elector- Kaepernick stopped playing for the self-serving and dishonest system, but the justices can prevent it from al College and provide for popular election 49ers after the 2017 season . There’s little The Washington Post becoming even less democratic. of the president. But even if approved by a doubt that the NFL has shunned the player, President Donald Trump’s proposed Although U.S. citizens cast ballots for two-thirds vote in both houses of Congress, his politics too unsettling for the business budget for fiscal year 2021, which begins president on Election Day in November, such an amendment would require ratifi- of pro football; the league even settled a in October, is a dishonest exercise. In some they are actually choosing people to serve cation by three-fourths of the states. collusion lawsuit with him. respects, that’s not unusual. Trump is as electors — usually party loyalists — who Because amending the Constitution is It takes a special kind of hypocrisy to hardly the first president to obey his legal convene in state capitals in December to such a daunting proposition, reformers celebrate the activism of players who are requirement to present a spending plan formally choose a chief executive. Laws have proposed an alternative called the concerned about the mistreatment of mi- to Congress by sending one that has no in 29 states and the District of Columbia National Popular Vote Interstate Compact. norities by police departments while at the chance of passing. In fact, Trump signed bind those electors to reflect their citizens’ Under that arrangement, participating same time exiling and erasing the player legislation — a two-year budget agreement votes. (In 48 states, all of the electoral votes states pledge to award all their electoral who was brave enough or foolhardy enough last August — that would have to be re- go to the winner of the statewide popular votes to the candidate who wins the na- to use his celebrity to make a public issue pealed if this budget proposal were to be- vote, and D.C. also allocates its electoral tional popular vote. The compact, how- of it in the first place. PAGE 46 F3HIJKLM •STARS AND STRIPES• Friday, February 14, 2020 Friday, February 14, 2020 •STARS AND STRIPES• F3HIJKLM PAGE 47 PAGE 48 F3HIJKLM •STARS AND STRIPES• Friday, February 14, 2020 Friday, February 14, 2020 •STARS AND STRIPES• F3HIJKLM PAGE 49 PAGE 50 F3HIJKLM •STARS AND STRIPES• Friday, February 14, 2020 Friday, February 14, 2020 •STARS AND STRIPES• F3HIJKLM PAGE 51 PAGE 52 F3HIJKLM •STARS AND STRIPES• Friday, February 14, 2020 Friday, February 14, 2020 •STARS AND STRIPES• F3HIJKLM PAGE 53 PAGE 54 F3HIJKLM •STARS AND STRIPES• Friday, February 14, 2020 SCOREBOARD

Sports College basketball Pro football Pro basketball Sam Houston St. 79, SE Louisiana 70 Wednesday’s men’s scores South Carolina 75, Georgia 59 XFL NBA on AFN EAST Southern Wesleyan 98, Lees-Mcrae 92 East Division EASTERN CONFERENCE Albertus Magnus 105, Lasell 97 Temple 72, Tulane 68 W L Pct PF PA Atlantic Division Albright 74, Widener 71 Tusculum 80, Mars Hill 66 DC 1 0 1.000 31 19 W L Pct GB Alfred St. 74, D’Youville 67 UAB 83, Middle Tennessee 72 New York 1 0 1.000 23 3 Toronto 40 15 .727 — Go to the American Forces American 81, Loyola (Md.) 76 UNC-Greensboro 82, W. Carolina 62 St. Louis 1 0 1.000 15 9 Boston 37 16 .698 2 Anna Maria 79, Bowdoin 74 UNC-Pembroke 81, Lander 66 Tampa Bay 0 1 .000 3 23 Philadelphia 34 21 .618 6 Network website for the most Army 65, Lafayette 48 Va. Wesleyan 69, Hampden-Sydney 65 Brooklyn 25 28 .472 14 Baruch 86, Brooklyn 73 Washington & Lee 71, Roanoke 50 West Division up-to-date TV schedules. Bloomsburg 82, Mansfield 55 MIDWEST W L Pct PF PA New York 17 38 .309 23 Cabrini 94, Marywood 84 Adrian 69, Hope 65 Houston 1 0 1.000 37 17 Southeast Division myafn.net Cairn 82, Bryn Athyn 64 Albion 96, Kalamazoo 70 Dallas 0 1 .000 9 15 Miami 35 19 .648 — Centenary (NJ) 86, Keystone 84 Alma 96, Olivet 88 Los Angeles 0 1 .000 17 37 Orlando 24 31 .436 11½ Charleston (WV) 94, Davis & Elkins 88 Aurora 87, Lakeland 80 Seattle 0 1 .000 19 31 Washington 20 33 .377 14½ Chatham 68, Thiel 67 Blackburn 88, MacMurray 65 Saturday’s games Charlotte 18 36 .333 17 Deals Clarion 79, Edinboro 70 Bluffton 55, Manchester 42 DC 31, Seattle 19 Atlanta 15 41 .268 21 Clemson 72, Pittsburgh 52 Bradley 72, Indiana St. 61 Houston 37, Los Angeles 17 Central Division Coast Guard 108, MIT 93 Butler 66, Xavier 61 Sunday’s games Milwaukee 46 8 .852 — Concord 101, Wheeling Jesuit 75 Calvin 78, Trine 71 New York 23, Tampa Bay 3 Indiana 32 23 .582 14½ Wednesday’s transactions Creighton 87, Seton Hall 82 Capital 76, Heidelberg 73, OT St. Louis 15, Dallas 9 Chicago 19 36 .345 27½ BASEBALL Dominican (NY) 65, Post (Conn.) 54 Carroll (Wis.) 74, Wheaton (Ill.) 61 Saturday, Feb. 15 Detroit 19 38 .333 28½ American League East Stroudsburg 92, Kutztown 90, 2OT Carthage 89, North Park 77 New York at DC Cleveland 14 40 .259 32 Eastern 70, FDU-Florham 54 Chicago 73, Evansville 66 Tampa Bay at Seattle WESTERN CONFERENCE BALTIMORE ORIOLES — Named Nick Elms 115, Lesley 78 Concordia (Neb.) 85, Caldwell 73 White minor league strength and con- Sunday, Feb. 16 Southwest Division Emerson 103, Clark 70 Concordia (Wis.) 102, Wis. Lutheran 94 W L Pct GB ditioning coordinator, Ethan Stewart Fairmont St. 81, Notre Dame (Ohio) 76 Defiance 75, Earlham 74 Dallas at Los Angeles player performance facilitator, Anaima Felician 76, Bloomfield 70 Dominican 77, Marian 60 St. Louis at Houston Houston 34 20 .630 — Garcia education coordinator, Trey Wied- Fisher 78, Pine Manor 54 Eureka 98, Fontbonne 83 Dallas 33 22 .600 1½ man strength and conditioning coach of Framingham St. 67, Mass. College 64 Franklin 73, Rose Hulman 71 NFL calendar Memphis 28 26 .519 6 Norfolk (IL), Jonathan Medici strength Franklin & Marshall 64, Dickinson 53 Greenville 136, Iowa Wesleyan 119 San Antonio 23 31 .426 11 and conditioning coach of Bowie (EL), Franklin Pierce 85, Stonehill 79 Grinnell 124, Illinois College 95 Feb. 24-March 2 — NFL scouting com- New Orleans 23 31 .426 11 Liz Pardo strength and conditioning Frostburg St. 63, Urbana 62 Hanover 73, Anderson (Ind.) 46 bine, Indianapolis. Northwest Division coach of Aberdeen (NYP), Brandon Far- Gallaudet 67, Penn St.-Harrisburg 62 Hiram 95, Kenyon 92, 2OT Feb. 25 — First day for clubs to desig- Denver 38 17 .691 — ish strength and conditioning coach of Gettysburg 75, McDaniel 73 Illinois Tech 66, Edgewood 56 nate franchise or transition players. Utah 36 18 .667 1½ the GCL Orioles and Julio Diaz and An- Goldey-Beacom 67, Holy Family 58 Illinois Wesleyan 85, Elmhurst 73 March 10 — Deadline for clubs to des- Oklahoma City 32 22 .593 5½ dres Tarazona strength and conditioning Goucher 79, Elizabethtown 67 John Carroll 101, Baldwin Wallace 82 ignate franchise or transition players be- Portland 25 31 .446 13½ coaches of the DSL Orioles. Grove City 78, Penn St.-Altoona 68 Knox 90, Monmouth (Ill.) 65 fore 4 p.m. EDT Minnesota 16 37 .302 21 DETROIT TIGERS — Placed RHP Mi- Hartford 66, Albany (NY) 60 Lake Forest 108, Lawrence 76 Pacific Division chael Fulmer on the 60-day IL. Agreed Hilbert 106, Pitt.-Bradford 62 Michigan 79, Northwestern 54 L.A. Lakers 41 12 .774 — to terms with OF Cameron Maybin on a Hood 79, Lebanon Valley 70 Milwaukee Engineering 65, Benedic- L.A. Clippers 37 17 .685 4½ Hunter 76, Staten Island 75 tine (Ill.) 64, OT Phoenix 22 33 .400 20 one-year contract. Immaculata 90, Neumann 65 Tennis KANSAS CITY ROYALS — Agreed to Missouri St. 97, Drake 62 Sacramento 21 33 .389 20½ Indiana (Pa.) 79, California (Pa.) 70 Missouri Western 95, Pittsburg St. 79 Golden State 12 43 .218 30 terms with OF Nick Heath; LHPs Richard Jefferson 78, Wilmington (DC) 62 Mount St. Joseph 75, Transylvania 67 Lovelady and Gabe Speier; Cs Cam Gal- John Jay 60, Medgar Evers 57 Mount Union 81, Marietta 67 New York Open Wednesday’s games lagher and Meibrys Viloria; INFs Kelvin Juniata 67, Catholic 51 N. Iowa 71, Illinois St. 63 Cleveland 127, Atlanta 105 Gutierrez, Jeison Guzman, Nicky Lopez Kansas 58, West Virginia 49 North Central 70, Augustana (Ill.) 55 Wednesday Orlando 116, Detroit 112, OT and Ryan McBroom;and RHPs Scott Bar- Kings (Pa.) 77, Delaware Valley 70, OT Oberlin 74, Allegheny 64 At NYBC Live Brooklyn 101, Toronto 91 low, Brad Keller, Kevin McCarthy, Jake La Roche 82, Franciscan 75 Ohio St. 72, Rutgers 66 New York Washington 114, New York 96 Newberry and Stephen Woods Jr. on one- Lancaster Bible 71, Penn College 52 Oral Roberts 81, Omaha 78, OT Purse: $719,320 Indiana 118, Milwaukee 111 year contracts. Lehigh 89, Holy Cross 82 Otterbein 83, Ohio Northern 66 Surface: Hardcourt indoor Memphis 111, Portland 104 NEW YORK YANKEES — Agreed to Lincoln Memorial 94, Virginia-Wise 76 Ripon 83, Cornell (Iowa) 62 Men’s Singles Charlotte 115, Minnesota 108 terms with RHP Tony Zych on a minor Lycoming 67, ALVR 63 Rockford 100, Concordia (Ill.) 95, OT Round of 16 Dallas 130, Sacramento 111 league contract. Marymount 81, Gwynedd-Mercy 75 South Dakota 85, W. Illinois 72 Miomir Kecmanovic (6), Serbia, def. Phoenix 112, Golden State 106 SEATTLE MARINERS — Agreed to Mass.-Boston 69, Castleton 43 St. Norbert 66, Beloit 43 Paolo Lorenzi, Italy, 6-3, 6-3. Utah 116, Miami 101 terms with RHP Taijuan Walker on a one- Mass.-Dartmouth 77, Keene St. 66 St. Thomas (Minn.) 65, Bethel (Minn. ) 60 Andreas Seppi, Italy, def. Steve John- L.A. Lakers 120, Denver 116, OT year contract. Placed RHP Austin Adams Mass.-Lowell 71, Maine 63 Valparaiso 55, S. Illinois 38 son, United States, 7-6 (4), 6-3. Thursday’s games on the 60-day IL. Mercyhurst 56, Gannon 51 Wabash 71, DePauw 64 Kwon Soon Woo, South Korea, def. L.A. Clippers at Boston TAMPA BAY RAYS — Agreed to terms Messiah 82, Stevenson 76 Wilmington (Ohio) 79, Muskingum 74 Milos Raonic (2), Canada, 7-6 (4), 6-7 (4), Oklahoma City at New Orleans with LHP Aaron Loup on a minor league Mitchell 95, Dean 74 Wis.-Eau Claire 70, Wis.-River Falls 66 6-4. Montclair St. 77, Rutgers-Newark 73 Friday’s game contract. Wis.-La Crosse 94, Wis.-Stout 62 Ugo Humbert (4), France, def. Marcos 2020 Rising Stars Challenge Moravian 68, Scranton 66 Wis.-Oshkosh 66, Wis.-Stevens Pt. 59 National League Morrisville St. 72, Cobleskill 46 Giron, United States, 6-1, 6-0. Team USA vs Team World Agreed to terms Wis.-Platteville 70, Wis.-Whitewater 68 Men’s Doubles ATLANTA BRAVES — Muhlenberg 71, Haverford 50 Wittenberg 77, Ohio Wesleyan 61 Saturday’s games with RHP Josh Tomlin on a minor league NYIT 68, Dist. of Columbia 64 Round of 16 No games scheduled Wooster 93, Denison 72 Jonny O Mara, Britain, and Marcelo contract. Navy 60, Bucknell 59 SOUTHWEST Sunday’s game CINCINNATI REDS — Agreed to terms New England Coll. 80, Becker 67 Abilene Christian 81, Houston Baptist 67 Arevalo-Gonzalez, El Salvador, def. 2020 All-Star Game with INF/OF Derek Dietrich on a minor Niagara 69, Canisius 66 Cent. Arkansas 73, New Orleans 68 Philipp Oswald, Austria, and Marcus Team Giannis vs Team LeBron league contract. Penn St. Behrend 81, Medaille 74 Florida 78, Texas A&M 61 Daniell (3), New Zealand, 6-3, 4-6, 10-8. PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES — Assigned Penn St.-Abington 94, Penn St.-Berks 51 Oklahoma 90, Iowa St. 61 Frederik Nielsen, Denmark, and Ro- RHP JD Hammer outright to Lehigh Val- Pitt.-Greensburg 60, Mount Aloysius 54 SMU 79, UConn 75 man Jebavy, Czech Republic, def. San- NBA calendar ley (IL). Queens (NY) 87, Molloy 75 Stephen F. Austin 75, Texas A&M-CC 67 tiago Gonzalez, Mexico, and Ken Skupski Feb. 14-16 — All-Star weekend, Chi- ST. LOUIS CARDINALS — Placed RHP Ramapo 74, Rutgers-Camden 54 Tulsa 70, East Carolina 56 (2), Britain, 6-4, 6-4. cago. Jordan Hicks on the 60-day IL. Agreed to Rhode Island Coll. 77, E. Connecticut 66 FAR WEST Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi, Pakistan, and April 15 — Regular season ends. terms with INF Brad Miller on a one-year Richmond 74, La Salle 47 Concordia (Cal.) 84, Hawaii Pacific 68 Dominic Inglot, Britain, def. John Isner April 18 — Playoffs begin. contract. Rivier 91, Colby Sawyer 87 Fresno St. 84, San Jose St. 78, OT and Tommy Paul, United States, 6-4, 7-6 Rosemont 95, Baptist Bible (Pa.) 59 May 19 — Draft lottery, Chicago. SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS — Agreed to Nevada 82, UNLV 79, OT (3). May 21-24 — Draft combine, Chicago. terms with INF Wilmer Flores on a two- Rowan 101, William Paterson 61 UC Irvine 63, UC Riverside 59 Nikola Cacic, Serbia, and Hugo Nys, year contract. Signed RHP Trevor Cahill S. Maine 68, Plymouth St. 62 Monaco, def. Ante Pavic, Croatia, and to a minor league contract. SUNY Delhi 98, BNSR 75 Miomir Kecmanovic, Serbia, 5-7, 7-5, 10- SUNY-IT 115, KC 110, 4OT AP Men’s Top 25 schedule 6. WASHINGTON NATIONALS — Agreed Salem International 72, Seton Hill 61 Pro baseball to terms with RHPs Dakota Bacus, Bryan Sciences (Pa.) 78, Georgian Court 74 Friday’s games Quarterfinals Bonnell, Paolo Espino, Javy Guerra, Da- Shepherd 83, West Chester 78 No games scheduled Steve Johnson and Reilly Opelka, Unit- vid Hernandez, Kevin Quackenbush and Shippensburg 87, Millersville 66 Saturday’s games ed States, def. Artem Sitak, New Zealand, Spring Training schedule Derek Self; LHPs Fernando Abad and Slippery Rock 78, Pitt.-Johnstown 75 No. 1 Baylor vs. No. 14 West Virginia and Divij Sharan, India, 6-3, 6-4. Sam Freeman; C Welington Castillo; INFs Springfield 100, Wheaton 76 No. 2 Gonzaga at Pepperdine Friday, Feb. 21 Brandon Snyder, Drew Ward and Jacob St. John’s 80, Providence 69 No. 3 Kansas vs. Oklahoma UConn vs. Boston at Fort Myers, Fla. Wilson; and OFs Emilio Bonifacio, JB St. Joseph (Conn.) 91, Regis 73 No. 5 Louisville at Clemson St. Petersburg Open Southeastern U. vs. Detroit at Lake- No. 6 Dayton at UMass Thursday Schuck and Mac Williamson on minor St. Joseph’s (Maine) 90, Emmanuel 81 No. 7 Duke vs. Notre Dame land, Fla. league contracts. St. Rose 77, New Haven 73 At Sport Club Dinamo Texas vs. Kansas City at Surprise, Ariz. St. Vincent 80, Bethany (WV) 69 No. 8 Florida State vs. Syracuse BASKETBALL No. 9 Maryland at Michigan State St. Petersburg, Russia U. of Minnesota vs. Minnesota at Fort National Basketball Association Stevens Tech 76, DeSales 64 Purse: $782,900 Myers, Fla. Stockton 78, Kean 61 No. 10 Seton Hall at Providence ATLANTA HAWKS — Signed G Brandon No. 11 Auburn at Missouri Surface: Hardcourt indoor Saturday, Feb. 22 Goodwin to a multi-year contract. Stony Brook 75, Binghamton 70 Women’s Singles Tampa Bay vs. Boston at Fort Myers, Fla. Suffolk 82, Norwich 53 No. 12 Kentucky vs. Mississippi Women’s NBA No. 13 Penn State vs. Northwestern Round of 16 Toronto vs. N.Y. Yankees at Tampa, Fla. DALLAS WINGS — Traded G Skylar Dig- Susquehanna 79, Drew 54 Maria Sakkari (6), Greece, def. Alize N.Y. Mets (ss) vs. St. Louis at Jupiter, Fla. Swarthmore 83, Johns Hopkins 69 No. 16 Colorado at Oregon State gins-Smith to Phoenix for the No. 5 and No. 19 Butler vs. Georgetown Cornet, France, 6-2, 6-4. Baltimore vs. Atlanta at North Port, Fla. TCNJ 86, College of NJ 66 Petra Kvitova (3), Czech Republic, def. No. 7 2020 draft picks and a 2021 first- Ursinus 80, Washington (Md.) 66 No. 20 Houston at SMU Minnesota vs. Pittsburgh at Braden- round draft pick, and traded the 2021 Vermont 74, New Hampshire 50 No. 22 Illinois at Rutgers Alison van Uytvanck, Belgium, 7-6 (1), 1- ton, Fla. first-round pick to Chicago for C Astou Villanova 72, Marquette 71 No. 23 Creighton vs. DePaul 6, 6-2. Philadelphia vs. Detroit at Lakeland, Fla. Ndour. Washington & Jefferson 71, Waynes- No. 24 Texas Tech at Oklahoma State Ekaterina Alexandrova, Russia, def. Miami vs. N.Y. Mets (ss) at Port St. Lu- FOOTBALL burg 65 No. 25 LSU at Alabama Donna Vekic (7), Croatia, 6-1, 7-5. cie, Fla. National Football League Wells 71, Cazenovia 65 Kiki Bertens (2), Netherlands, def. Ve- L.A. Dodgers vs. San Francisco at NFL — Reinstated Cleveland DE Myles West Liberty 111, Glenville St. 80 Wednesday’s women’s scores ronika Kudermetova, Russia, 6-1, 6-2. Scottsdale, Ariz. Garrett from indefinite suspension. Westfield St. 99, Bridgewater (Mass.) 71 Women’s Doubles Milwaukee vs. Texas at Surprise, Ariz. JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS — Named Westminster (Pa.) 79, Geneva 71 EAST Quarterfinals Oakland vs. Chicago Cubs at Mesa, Ariz. Ben McAdoo quarterbacks coach. Wilkes 79, Misericordia 63 Albany (NY) 63, Hartford 40 Alexa Guarachi Mathison, Chile, and L.A. Angels (ss) vs. Chicago White Sox SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS — Signed DL Worcester St. 85, Salem St. 76 Boston U. 60, Colgate 58 Kaitlyn Christian (3), United States, def. at Glendale, Ariz. Ethan Westbrooks to a one-year con- Worcester Tech 75, Babson 56 Bucknell 75, Navy 65 Katarina Srebotnik, Slovenia, and Alla Cincinnati vs. Cleveland at Goodyear, tract. York (NY) 74, City Colllege (NY) 66 Dayton 52, UMass 51 Kudryavtseva, Russia, 6-3, 7-5. Ariz. HOCKEY SOUTH Holy Cross 65, Lehigh 62 Caroline Garcia, France, and Johanna Seattle vs. San Diego at Peoria, Ariz. National Hockey League Anderson (SC) 91, Wingate 85 La Salle 61, George Washington 54 Konta, Britain, def. Renata Voracova, Kansas City vs. L.A. Angels (ss) at NHL — Fined Minnesota D Matt Dumba Auburn 95, Alabama 91, OT Lafayette 67, Army 58 Czech Republic, and Cornelia Lister, Swe- Tempe, Ariz. Augusta 87, Francis Marion 67 Loyola (Md.) 56, American U. 47 den, 6-2, 6-2. $5,000 for slashing. Maine 77, Mass.-Lowell 53 Arizona vs. Colorado at Scottsdale, Ariz. LOS ANGELES KINGS — Assigned F Carl Averett 71, Greensboro 65 Sharon Fichman, Canada, and Hayley Washington vs. Houston at West Palm Bridgewater (Va.) 85, Randolph 80 Rhode Island 72, Saint Louis 63 Grundstrom to Ontario (AHL). Recalled F Stony Brook 58, Binghamton 54 Carter (4), United States, def. Monique Beach, Fla. Carson-Newman 70, Lenoir-Rhyne 69 Adamczak, Australia, and Yana Sizikova, Martin Frk from Ontario. Catawba 90, Coker 76 Vermont 44, New Hampshire 42 Sunday, Feb. 23 TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING — Recalled F Central St. (Ohio) 93, Bluefield St. 86 SOUTH Russia, 6-3, 6-3. Houston vs. Washington (ss) at West Alexander Volkov from Syracuse (AHL). Chattanooga 86, VMI 67 New Orleans 85, Cent. Arkansas 73 Palm Beach, Fla. WINNIPEG JETS — Signed coach Paul Clayton St. 81, Georgia Southwestern 80 Richmond 67, Duquesne 64, OT ABN AMRO World Tournament Washington (ss) vs. Miami at Jupiter, Fla. Maurice to a multi-year contract exten- Covenant 80, Piedmont 71 MIDWEST Pittsburgh vs. Philadelphia at Clear- sion. ETSU 91, The Citadel 67 Ball St. 60, Toledo 58 Thursday water, Fla. SOCCER Eckerd 90, Florida Tech 78 Cincinnati 78, Tulsa 53 At Ahoy Rotterdam N.Y. Yankees vs. Tampa Bay at Port Major League Soccer Embry-Riddle 77, Tampa 62 E. Michigan 70, Bowling Green 58 Rotterdam, Netherlands Charlotte, Fla. ATLANTA UNITED — Signed W Manuel Emmanuel 101, King (Tenn.) 87 Kent St. 60, Akron 55 Purse: Euro2,013,855 Detroit (ss) vs. Atlanta at North Port, Fla. Castro on loan from Club Estudiantes Ferrum 98, Emory & Henry 74 Memphis 69, Wichita St. 60 Surface: Hardcourt indoor Detroit (ss) vs. Pittsburgh at Braden- (Primera Division de Argentina) through Florida Southern 77, Rollins 72 N. Illinois 86, Miami (Ohio) 84, OT Men’s Singles ton, Fla. the end of June. Furman 86, Samford 71 W. Michigan 74, Buffalo 62 Round of 16 Toronto vs. Minnesota at Fort Myers, Fla. MINNESOTA UNITED — Loaned G Dayne George Mason 72, VCU 67 SOUTHWEST Jannik Sinner, Italy, def. David Goffin Boston vs. Baltimore at Sarasota, Fla. St. Clair to San Antonio (USL Champion- Georgia College 72, Young Harris 65, OT Abilene Christian 71, Houston Baptist 54 (4), Belgium, 7-6 (7), 7-5. St. Louis vs. N.Y. Mets at Port St. Lu- ship) for the 2020 season. Signed F Aaron Georgia Tech 64, Louisville 58 Baylor 81, TCU 62 Andrey Rublev (7), Russia, def. Alexan- cie, Fla. Schoenfeld from Maccabi Tel Aviv (Pre- Guilford 75, Lynchburg 60 Incarnate Word 76, Northwestern St. 39 der Bublik, Kazakhstan, 7-5, 6-3. Chicago Cubs vs. L.A. Dodgers at Glen- mier League-Israel). Houston 62, South Florida 58 Iowa St. 69, Texas 51 Aljaz Bedene, Slovenia, def. Stefanos dale, Ariz. Maryville (Tenn.) 80, Berea 73 Nicholls 62, Lamar 60 Tsitsipas (2), Greece, 7-5, 6-4. San Francisco vs. Oakland (ss) at COLLEGE Mercer 70, Wofford 68 Sam Houston St. 81, SE Louisiana 75 IOWA — Agreed to terms with wres- Methodist 88, NC Wesleyan 81 Stephen F. Austin 72, Texas A&M-CC 49 Men’s Doubles Mesa, Ariz. tling coach Tom Brands on a contract ex- Miami 85, Boston College 58 Texas Tech 89, Kansas 72 Quarterfinals Chicago White Sox vs. Cincinnati at tension through the 2026 season. Miles 65, Savannah St. 56 UCF 67, Houston 49 Oliver Marach, Austria, and Raven Goodyear, Ariz. MICHIGAN STATE — Named Mel Tuck- Nicholls 69, Lamar 65 FAR WEST Klaasen, South Africa, def. Hubert Hur- Cleveland vs. Kansas City at Surprise, er football coach. North Georgia 73, Columbus St. 66 Boise St. 74, Air Force 69 kacz, Poland, and Felix Auger-Aliassime, Ariz. NORTH CAROLINA — Named John Lilly Northwestern St. 70, Incarnate Word 60 Colorado St. 67, Utah St. 61 Canada, 6-4, 6-7 (5), 10-8. San Diego vs. Milwaukee at Phoenix tight ends coach. Nova Southeastern 104, Lynn 71 Fresno St. 78, San Jose St. 76 Rohan Bopanna, India, and Denis Colorado vs. L.A. Angels at Tempe, Ariz. OHIO STATE — Dismissed CB Amir Palm Beach Atlantic 100, Barry 95, OT Nevada 62, UNLV 59 Shapovalov, Canada, def. Horia Tecau, Texas vs. Seattle at Peoria, Ariz. Riep and LB/S Jahsen Wint from the foot- Queens (NC) 88, Newberry 72 San Diego St. 67, New Mexico 58 Romania, and Jean-Julien Rojer (4), Neth- Oakland (ss) vs. Arizona at Scotts- ball program. SC-Aiken 81, Flagler 72 UC Davis 71, Cal Poly 58 erlands, 6-2, 3-6, 10-7. dale, Ariz. Friday, February 14, 2020 •STARS AND STRIPES• F3HIJKLM PAGE 55 NBA/GOLF Tiger’s pursuit of 83 resumes at Riviera BY DOUG FERGUSON historical perspective. Associated Press It could be Bay Hill, where he has won eight times. Maybe LOS ANGELES — There is no the Masters, where he could set better place for Tiger Woods to the record and tie Jack Nicklaus set the PGA Tour record for most with a sixth green jacket. The career victories than at Riviera. U.S. Open is at Winged Foot, the Because this is where he played first major he played after his fa- his first PGA Tour event as a 16- ther died and the first cut he ever year-old amateur? missed in a major. No. It’s a long list. Because he now is tournament Woods hasn’t decided where he host of the Genesis Invitational, is playing or even how much this giving it the kind of elevated sta- year — even the Mexico Cham- tus — smaller field, bigger purse pionship next week remains up — enjoyed only by Jack Nicklaus in the air — but odds are he will at the Memorial and the late Ar- have won every tournament on nold Palmer at Bay Hill? his schedule except L.A. Not necessarily. Oddly enough, what made the PHOTOS BY KELVIN KUO, ABOVE, AND DAVID ZALUBOWSKI, BELOW/AP Because it’s the course Woods career record feel so inevitable The jerseys of the late Los Angeles Laker Kobe Bryant, right, and his daughter Gianna are draped on the has played the most times — 10 was a tournament he had never seats the two last sat on at Staples Center, prior to the Lakers’ game against the Portland Trail Blazers as a professional — without ever played. in Los Angeles on Jan. 31. Bryant will be announced Friday at All-Star Weekend in Chicago as one of the having won and he’s due? Winning the Tour Champion- finalists for this year’s Basketball Hall of Fame induction class. Not at all. ship (for the third time) at the What makes Riviera ideal is end of the 2018 season was the because it’s the next one on his first step in his comeback from schedule. And the sooner Woods four back surgeries. Winning the can win No. 83 to break the re- Masters (for the fifth time) made Mourning continues for Kobe cord he shares with Sam Snead, the comeback complete, for it was the sooner everyone can stop his first major after a drought of speculating about the inevitable. nearly 11 years. The question came up Tuesday But it was when he returned Lakers great’s tragic death hangs — how could it not? — about how from a fifth knee surgery — this special it would be for Woods to one of the maintenance variety over Hall of Fame announcement set the record at Riviera. He in- — and played the ZoZo Champi- terjected by saying with a smile, onship in Japan where he showed BY TIM REYNOLDS “Yes, that’s been mentioned.” such a comfort level with his Associated Press It was mentioned three weeks swing and with his game that Kobe Bryant will be announced Friday at All- ago at Torrey Pines when he more victories seemed certain to Star Weekend in Chicago as one of the finalists for started the new year, and that follow. this year’s Basketball Hall of Fame induction class, made just as much sense. Tor- So how about now? which isn’t a secret and never was. rey Pines was the first PGA Tour “I’ve played in a number of Bryant always was a lock to be a first-ballot pick. event he attended with his father, events over the years, and for me Fellow first-time nominees Tim Duncan and Kevin the course where he won eight not to win an event that has meant Garnett will almost certainly also be among those times, including that 2008 U.S. so much to me in my hometown announced Friday as finalists. The complete class Open that he played with a dou- ... I’ve done well in San Diego, that will be enshrined at Springfield, Mass., in Au- ble stress fracture and shredded I’ve done well at Sherwood, just gust will be announced on April 4 at the Final Four knee ligaments. haven’t done well here,” Woods in Atlanta. Then again, Woods has left such said. “So hopefully, I can put it to- But Friday’s announcement of the finalists in Chi- an enormous trail in golf that win- gether this week and we’ll have a cago will be largely about the memory of Bryant, ning anywhere would have some great conversation on Sunday.” and rightly so. This All-Star weekend is the first huge gathering of the NBA family since Bryant, his 13-year-old daughter Gianna and seven others were killed in a helicopter crash in Southern California on Jan. 26. They’ll be remembered and honored throughout the weekend. A young fan roots for the Lakers’ LeBron James Giannis Antetokounmpo’s team will play Sunday’s during Wednesday’s game against the Nuggets in All-Star Game wearing the No. 24 on their jerseys, Denver. With James’ 16th All-Star Game start on in tribute to the number Bryant wore in the second Sunday in Chicago, he will break the record of 15 half of his career with the Lakers. LeBron James’ he currently shares with Kobe Bryant. team will wear No. 2 that night, in tribute to Gianna Bryant and her jersey number. Everyone in the Ris- LeBron watch: Assuming he starts on Sunday as ing Stars game Friday, the All-Star Saturday events planned, LeBron James will become the first player and then the game itself will also wear a patch with in NBA history to start 16 All-Star Games. nine stars, one for each of the victims of the crash. He currently shares the record of 15 starts with A week after everyone leaves Chicago, the NBA Bryant. James’ 16th All-Star appearance will be will gather again in Los Angeles for the memorial second-most in NBA history, two shy of matching for Bryant and his daughter. It’s on Feb. 24 — 2/24, the mark of 18 set by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. If he which is not a coincidence. The numbers on the wins MVP, James would tie the record of four such calendar made it seem like the appropriate day, so All-Star trophies — matching Bob Pettit and, again, that’s what Vanessa Bryant, Kobe’s wife and Gi- Bryant. anna’s mom, ultimately chose. James is the All-Star all-time leader in points, That’s not the end, of course. The emptiness that field goals and three-pointers made, plus field goals the league is feeling without Bryant will come up and three-pointers attempted. If he plays 10 min- again in April, when the Hall of Fame officially says utes, he’ll pass Abdul-Jabbar (449) for most All-Star he’s going to be enshrined. Then in June, when some- minutes in a career. one wins a championship. Then in July, when some- All-Star weekend one on the U.S. men’s national team wears No. 10 — Bryant’s Olympic number — at the Tokyo Games. Friday, Rising Stars game in Chicago: The U.S. Then in August, at the Hall of Fame ceremony. Then vs. the World format remains in play this year. in January, the anniversary of the crash. And so on. Saturday, All-Star Saturday in Chicago: A newly DENIS POROY/AP “What I’m looking forward to is the time of heal- tweaked three-point contest, plus the dunk and ing,” USA Basketball managing director Jerry Col- skills events. Tiger Woods watches his tee shot on the second hole during the angelo said. “It’ll give us a chance to kind of focus Sunday, All-Star Game in Chicago: $500,000 at final round of the Farmers Insurance on Jan. 26. Riviera is where on the entire class because everyone is entitled to stake for Chicago-area charities, and an untimed Tiger Woods played his first PGA Tour event as an amateur. It would their due.” fourth quarter with a target score. be a fitting place to set the tour record for most wins. PAGE 56 F3HIJKLM •STARS AND STRIPES• Friday, February 14, 2020 COLLEGE BASEBALL Louisville, Vandy well armed for national title runs

BY ERIC OLSON son game scheduled May 5 in Associated Press Nashville, Tenn. Vanderbilt has two of the col- With almost all of its pitching lege game’s biggest names in staff back from the team that Martin and Rocker. made the program’s deepest post- Martin played mostly third season run, Louisville begins the base last year but is able to play season Friday ranked No. 1 in shortstop or even in the outfield. three of the six major polls. He flirted with .400 last year, fin- Defending national champion ishing at .392, and is in line to join Vanderbilt lost six everyday play- Atlanta Braves shortstop and ex- ers but is atop the other polls Vandy star Dansby Swanson as a largely because it returns possi- No. 1 draft pick. ble No. 1 draft pick Austin Martin The 6-foot-4, 255-pound Rock- and postseason pitching sensation er won 12 games as a freshman, Kumar Rocker. struck out 19 while throwing the Louisville coach Dan Mc- first no-hitter in the NCAA super Donnell embraces the high regionals and was the CWS Most expectations. Outstanding Player. Rocker prob- “When six of your top eight ably will remain the No. 2 starter, WADE PAYNE/AP arms come back and you finish with Mason Hickman (9-0, 2.05 third in the country, and with ERA) moving from Sunday to the Vanderbilt’s Kumar Rocker, a 6-4, 255-pound right-hander, was the talk of the NCAA Tournament after good position players, you feel Friday spot. throwing a 19-strikeout no-hitter against Duke in super regionals and going 2-0 with a 1.46 ERA to earn like, ‘OK, we’re probably going to Vanderbilt went 59-12, setting Most Outstanding Player at the College World Series. be ranked pretty high this year,’ ” a Southeastern Conference re- McDonnell said. “We tried to pre- cord for wins, and tied the league is expected from Jordan Nwogu pare for the kids before Christ- record with 13 players taken in ‘ You put this ‘V’ star on your chest, you’re and Jack Blomgren, among oth- mas as to what the rest of the the draft. Even with a revamped ers. Jeff Criswell will be the No. country will think about us. You outfield and new starters at first going to have a target on your back. 1 starter, and Willie Weiss is back have to be mature in how you base and shortstop, the Commo- Austin’ Martin as the closer. handle that.” dores remain the team to beat. Vanderbilt third baseman Reid Detmers, the 2019 Atlan- They open Friday with a rematch Oklahoma State (40-21) tic Coast Conference pitcher of against CWS finals opponent the year, Bobby Miller and Luke Michigan in Scottsdale, Ariz. The buzz around the Cowboys 48 times the past two years and for Florida’s struggles on the Smith make up the weekend rota- “You put this ‘V’ star on your is about the newcomers. The has a strong supporting cast. The mound (5.37 ERA) — and prized tion. Each started games in the chest,” Martin said, “you’re going recruiting class was ranked as Pac-12 favorites brought in a top- freshman left-hander Hunter College World Series. The Cardi- to have a target on your back. high as No. 3, Kaden Polcovich 10 recruiting class. Barco. Six starters are back from nals also have a proven closer in That’s a given. Everybody wants is Big 12 preseason newcomer Michael Kirian. an offense that has pop. to beat Vanderbilt regardless of Cal St. Fullerton (27-26) of the year and Bryce Osmond is Third baseman Alex Binelas, a what happened last year. That’s preseason freshman of the year. freshman All-American last year, just the mentality everybody The Titans locked up coach Rick Georgia (46-17) The switch-hitting Polcovich hit is among five position players who has.” Vanderhook through 2024 before 12 homers at Northwest Florida are back from a 51-18 team. The Bulldogs will go as far as last season and then missed the The Cardinals lost all three of their starting pitchers take them. State and is projected to start at Arizona State (38-19) NCAA Tournament for the first their games with Vanderbilt last Emerson Hancock’s 1.99 ERA second base. Osmond is in line to time since 1992 and failed to win year, including two in the CWS. No drop-off is expected by one was the best by a Georgia starter be the Cowboys’ No. 2 starter. The last was in a bracket final, of the top offensive teams in the 30 games for the first time in the since 1977. Cole Wilcox got bet- with the Commodores scoring nation. The Sun Devils batted program’s 45-year history. Van- ter as his freshman season pro- Texas Tech (46-20) twice in the ninth inning for a 3-2 .310, hit 94 homers and averaged derhook has reconfigured his gressed. In SEC play, he went Tim Tadlock has coached four win. better than eight runs a game. coaching staff to lead what will 3-1 with a 2.57 ERA and .188 op- of his past six teams to the Col- The teams have a regular-sea- Spencer Torkelson has gone deep be a young team. Cal State Ful- ponent batting average. With the lerton is the preseason Big West top three hitters gone, offense is lege World Series, with the 2019 favorite. the biggest question. Red Raiders making it to the final four. Tech is ranked as high as Florida State (42-23) Miami (41-20) No. 3 and favored to win the Big 12. Dylan Neuse, Brian Klein and Mike Martin Jr. takes over for The Hurricanes made an Braxton Fulford are the core of his father, the all-time wins leader NCAA regional for the first time an everyday lineup that should be in college baseball, and will field since 2016 and are looking to go potent again despite losing a cou- a team that brings back five posi- farther in Gino DiMare’s second ple of sluggers. John McMillon, tion players, two starting pitchers year. The main contributors from Micah Dallas and Clayton Beeter and three relievers who appeared a potent offense are back. Alex headline the pitching staff. in the CWS. Reese Albert, who hit Toral hit 24 of Miami’s 85 hom- nine homers despite missing 18 ers. Fifth-year senior Brian Van games because of injury, will be Belle won 10 games and anchors UCLA (52-11) counted on to bolster the offense. the pitching staff. The Canes also The defending Pac-12 cham- Ten-game winner CJ Van Eyk is are excited about No. 2 starter pion Bruins set school records the ace of a strong pitching staff. Chris McMahon. with 52 wins overall and 24 con- Florida (34-26) ference wins. They also were the Michigan (50-22) No. 1 national seed in the NCAA The Gators won their fewest The Wolverines were the feel- Tournament, losing a thrilling games since 2013 and didn’t make good story of 2019. They made super regional at home to CWS the CWS for the first time since it to the CWS finals in their first runner-up Michigan. There’s /AP CHRIS MACHIAN, OMAHA WORLD-HERALD 2014. SEC coaches nonetheless trip to Omaha since 1984 and plenty of returning talent, led Louisville’s Reid Detmers was the 2019 Atlantic Coast Conference picked the Gators to finish second their runner-up finish was their by All-American Garrett Mitch- pitcher of the year as a sophomore after going 13-4 with a 2.78 in the conference. The spotlight best since the 1962 team won the ell and the nation’s top closer in ERA and 167 strikeouts in 113.1 innings. He set the school record will be on starters Tommy Mace national title. Erik Bakich’s club Holden Powell, and a recruiting for strikeouts and tied the mark for wins. and Jack Leftwich — poster boys lost a couple of big bats, but much class ranked among the top five. Friday, February 14, 2020 •STARS AND STRIPES• F3HIJKLM PAGE 57 COLLEGE BASEBALL 10 players worth watching this season

BY ERIC OLSON Associated Press Ten players to watch in college baseball this season: OF-LHP Alec Burleson, East Carolina Burleson could be the best two-way player in the country as the Pirates’ starting right fielder and closer. He also could play first base or, if needed, be a weekend starter on the mound. Last season he batted .370 with nine homers and 61 RBIs and posted a 6-2 record and five saves with 68 1 strikeouts in 60 ⁄3 innings. LHP Reid Detmers, Louisville The Louisville ace with a devastat- ing curveball made a huge jump from his freshman season. He was 2019 ACC pitcher of the year after going 13-4 with a 2.78 1 ERA and 167 strikeouts in 113 ⁄3 innings. He set the school record for strikeouts and tied the mark for wins. 2B Nick Gonzales, New Mexico State Gonzales’ .432 batting average led the nation, and he had 16 home runs, 80 RBIs, 19 doubles and four triples. He hit 11 homers in his first 14 games last season and reached base in all 55 games. He ended the season on a 66-game on-base streak ETHAN HYMAN, THE (RALEIGH, N.C.)NEWS & OBSERVER/AP dating to 2018, the longest in the country. 1 East Carolina’s Alec Burleson is one of the best two-way players in college baseball. He was 6-2 with 68 strikeouts in 60 ⁄3 innings He showed what he can do with a wood bat and hit .370 with nine homers and 61 RBIs last season. in the Cape Cod League, batting .351 with seven homers. highest-drafted player. He moves to No. 1 in the rotation after going 8-4 with a 2.13 RHP Emerson Hancock, 2 ERA and 130 strikeouts in 88 ⁄3 innings. Georgia His career 5.41 hits allowed per nine in- Hancock is in line to be the first player nings ranks fourth among active players. taken in the the Major League Baseball 1 draft in June. He had a team-high 90 ⁄3 3B Austin Martin, Vanderbilt innings despite a lat injury, went 8-3 and Martin is widely considered the best posted a 1.99 ERA that was lowest by a pure hitter in the nation and is in conten- Georgia starter since 1977. He allowed zero or one run in nine of 14 starts and had tion to be the No. 1 overall draft pick. His 97 strikeouts against 18 walks. SEC-leading .392 batting average was the highest by a Vandy player since 2004. He LHP Asa Lacy, Texas A&M went from one homer as a freshman to 10 last season, with two in the super regional- Lacy is the best left-hander in the coun- clinching win over Duke and two more in try and could overtake Jeff Granger, the the College World Series opener against No. 5 overall pick in 1993, as the Aggies’ Louisville.

RINGO H.W. CHIU/AP UCLA’s Garrett Mitchell led the nation and set a school record with 12 triples, with 10 of them coming over the last 22 games. He also batted .420 over that final stretch.

OF Garrett Mitchell, UCLA of the NCAA Tournament after throwing a 19-strikeout no-hitter against Duke in the Mitchell led the nation and set a school super regionals and going 2-0 with a 1.46 record with 12 triples, with 10 of them ERA to earn Most Outstanding Player at coming over the last 22 games. He batted the College World Series. And he was just a .420 over that final stretch and .349 for the freshman. Rocker enters this season after season. He started 48 games in right field closing 2019 at 10-1 in his last 11 starts. and 14 in center and committed no errors in 124 chances. 1B Spencer Torkelson, OF Dylan Neuse, Texas Tech Arizona State Neuse played a major role in the Red He’s only the third player in Pac-12 his- Raiders making the College World Series tory to hit 20 homers in back-to-back sea- for the fourth time in six years. He led sons and is a projected top-three pick in the Big 12 with six triples and also had 12 the draft. With 48 homers in two seasons, doubles and eight homers, including two he’s 25 away from cracking the NCAA top- grand slams. He started every game in the 10 list and nine from breaking Bob Horn- outfield and made only two errors. er’s school record. Torkelson went deep 23 times last season to become the first player JOSHUA JONES, ATHENS (GA.) BANNER-HERALD/AP since Oregon State’s Michael Conforto to 1 RHP Kumar Rocker, Vanderbilt Georgia’s Emerson Hancock went 8-3 with a 1.99 and 97 strikeouts in 90 ⁄3 innings lead the Pac-12 in homers in consecutive last season and may be the first player taken in the MLB draft in June. The 6-4, 255-pound Rocker was the talk seasons. PAGE 58 F3HIJKLM •STARS AND STRIPES• Friday, February 14, 2020 HIGH SCHOOL/OLYMPICS Far East wrestling Upsets in semis

Several reigning champs fall, showing past accomplishments mean little at Far East

BY DAVE ORNAUER Zama’s Kaito Hayashi in Friday’s Stars and Stripes final. Other wrestlers and coaches OSAN AIR BASE, South Korea said they know all about not let- — Austin Fisher wasn’t expected ting past results affect your to be in this position. preparation. BRENNA MCNEIL/Special to Stars and Stripes Despite pinning defending Far Kubasaki, which won the Far East champion Haydn Peterson of East team title last year, won the Perry’s Nemo Matthews pins Osan’s Marcus Inthavixay in Thursday’s Far East 168-pound semifinal. Kubasaki in last month’s “Beast of “Beast” team title despite Peter- the Far East” Tournament final, son’s loss. the Yokota senior was considered “I know we have it in us,” Drag- Scoreboard an underdog as the 42nd Far East ons coach Brent Cook said of pos- High School Wrestling Tourna- sibly repeating the D-I team title, ment got started on Thursday. “but until we get on the mat, we Far East wrestling tournament But Fisher showed that vic- just don’t know. I’m 22-2 against Thursday at Osan Air Base, South Korea tory in 31 seconds was no fluke. Kadena. Two losses. We’re not Semifinals 101 : Isaac Shane, St. Mary’s, dec. Jer- He pinned Peterson again in unbeatable.” emy Cho, Humphreys 15-8; Nicholaz Agu- the semifinals of the 215-pound “I think there are several teams irre, Kubasaki, pin Kaisei Smith, ASIJ. 108 : Bryce Clement, ASIJ, pin Cruzy weight class on Thursday. that could win the individual team Cruz III, Zama; Aiden Russell, Kadena, Fisher said he was prepared for title,” Kinnick coach Gary Wil- pin Noah Vasquez, Kubasaki. 115 : Ikki Minamikawa, St. Mary’s, pin anything the second time around. son said, adding that Kubasaki is Joel Pacleb, Perry; Vincent Rodriguez, “I knew he was going to be at “solid throughout, with several fa- Kubasaki, pin Juan Smith, Kinnick. 122 : Kaito Hayashi, Zama, pin Marcus his best for this one,” Fisher said. vored to win their brackets. It will Irons, Perry; Caleb Heino, Yokota, pin Upsets ruled the semifinal be close enough, though, that a Jaylan Mayers, Kubasaki. 129 : Take Zoot, ASIJ, tech. Jaythan round of individual-freestyle com- few fifth- and sixth-place matches Baythavong, Perry; Kurt Chapman, Kade- petition. The fifth-place, third- may decide the title.” na, dec. Eiji Kasahara, St. Mary’s. 135 : Victor Saavedra, Kubasaki, tech. place and championship matches Cook describes the D-I team- Caleb Jones, Yokota 12-2; Kenerick Mc- are set for Friday, followed by title chase as “wide open, espe- Danel, Kinnick, dec. Crisean Covington, the dual-meet competition, which Kadena, 10-10 last point. cially the way the brackets are set DAVE ORNAUER/Stars and Stripes 141 : Shi Hikaru Shimada, St. Mary’s, runs through Saturday. up.” mada tech. Adrian Misenhimer, Kubasa- ki, 10-0; Toy Williams, Osan, dec. Josiah Caleb Heino learned a lesson As for the Division II title, that Yokota’s Caleb Heino locks in a cradle on Kubasaki’s Jaylan Mayers Millare, Kinnick, 19-16. similar to Peterson’s last year. The could come down to Perry, which en route to a semifinal pin at 122 pounds. 148 : Ethan Hamilton, Kinnick, tech. Ru- ben Saavedra, Kubasaki, 10-0; Rin Zoot, Yokota senior won the 101-pound just won the DODEA Japan tour- ASIJ, tech. Ramil Celones, Osan, 10-0. title in 2017-18 as a sophomore, nament title last Saturday ; and “If he can wrestle smart, stay in While Osan seeks its first title 158 : Warren Koslow, St. Mary’s, pin Colin Lundberg, Kubasaki; Ethan Hov- but fell short of a repeat, losing Osan, which fielded a near-full good position and go six minutes, since 2009, Perry has yet to win enkotter, Edgren, dec. Benicio Mariscal, 11-1 to his seasonlong nemesis, lineup this season and gave its D- he’ll give China the six toughest one, something the Samurai are Humphreys. 168 : Nemo Matthews, Perry, pin Mar- Jordan Van Druff of Christian I rival Humphreys serious head- minutes of his life,” Cougars coach trying to change. cus Inthavixay, Osan; Alex Lovell, Kinn- Academy Japan in the 108 final. aches all season. Andrew Grant said of Bradley. The DODEA Japan title “was ick, tech. James Ahn, Humphreys, 12-0. 180 : Colin Nation, Kubasaki, tech. Luke Heino says being unable to beat That matchup could hinge on Of their chances at the team definitely a nice thing to accom- Robottom, St. Mary’s, 10-0; Kaleb Leon Van Druff all of last season moti- the last bout, which would pit Guerrero, Kinnick, tech. Dennis Marti- title, Grant said: “I’ve had posi- plish; any history we can set is nez, Humphreys, 10-0. vated him to end his career back two-time defending heavyweight tive conversations with my kids. great,” coach Chris Munsell said. 215 : Austin Fisher, Yokota, pin Haydn Peterson, Kubasaki; Dani Rahman, ASIJ, on top, this season at 122 pounds. champion Marshall China of I’m fairly optimistic. With us only “But obviously, our eyes are on the pin Isaiah Owens, Humphreys. Heino won his semifinal bout, Perry against Osan’s first-year being one weight short, we’re not biggest prize. We’ve been close Heavyweight : Marshall China, Perry, tech. Dontrell Powers, Humphreys, 11-0; against defending champion Jay- wrestler Myles Bradley, who went going to give away a lot of free before. We’re just hoping that this Myles Bradley, Osan, pin Desmond Mar- lan Mayers of Kubasaki, and faces unbeaten this season. points.” is our year.” tin, Zama. They’re on: IOC reiterates virus will not stop Games

BY STEPHEN WADE would go forward, which is the in jeopardy. Associated Press message this time. Saburo Kawabuchi, a for- On Wednesday, the virus forced mer Olympian and the so-called TOKYO — Tokyo Olympic or- the cancellation of a Formula One mayor of the Olympic Village that ganizers reiterated their message race set for April in Shanghai, will house 11,000 athletes and on Thursday at the start of two which draws more than 100,000 thousands more staff members, days of meetings with the Inter- over a race weekend. suggested Tokyo’s hot and humid national Olympic Committee: The The Hong Kong and Singapore summer would stop the virus. 2020 Games will not be waylaid rounds of the World Rugby Sev- “The biggest concern is the by the virus that is spreading ens Series were rescheduled from coronavirus and the infection,” from neighboring China. April to October on Thursday, with he said, speaking in Japanese. “I would like to make it clear organizers saying the decision “Currently we don’t have any clue again that we are not consider- was taken “in response to contin- when this issue will be resolved. ing a cancellation or postpone- ued health concerns relating to” Based on various pieces of infor- ment of the games. Let me make the outbreak of the virus. Also, mation we receive, it seems that that clear,” organizing commit- the SportAccord conference, an this virus is not as strong as the tee president Yoshiro Mori said, event with close ties to the Olym- influenza virus. The virus is sus- speaking through an interpreter pic movement, will not take place ceptible to humidity and heat. In to dozens of top IOC officials gath- in Beijing in April as scheduled, Japan, we have the rainy season JAE C. HONG/AP ered in Tokyo. organizers said Thursday. which could defeat the virus.“ The Olympics open in just more A tourist wearing a mask poses for a photo with the Olympic rings in The virus has also wiped out John Coates, an IOC member than five months, and the torch the background on Jan. 29 at Tokyo’s Odaiba district. the indoor world track and field who heads the regular inspection relay begins next month in Japan championships in Nanjing, golf visits to Tokyo, said he expected — a clear signal the games are among the officials this time was worried that the spread of the in- tournaments, soccer matches, and to receive reports on the virus getting close. Dr. Richard Budgett, the IOC’s fectious disease could throw cold almost all sports in China, includ- from the Japanese government, Although there have been no medical and scientific director. water on the momentum toward ing Olympic qualifying events. It the Tokyo city government and deaths in Japan attributed to the Last week, Toshiro Muto, the the games.” is also keeping Chinese athletes local organizers in order to see coronavirus, Tokyo and IOC of- CEO of the Tokyo organizing He backed down a day later and from traveling to qualify, which the “necessary precautions that ficials are clearly jittery. Sitting committee, said he was “seriously said he was confident the games could put their presence in Tokyo are being taken.” Friday, February 14, 2020 •STARS AND STRIPES• F3HIJKLM PAGE 59 HIGH SCHOOL: DODEA EUROPE Wrestling championships 150 contenders go for 14 individual titles 6-time defending champ Stuttgart may face challenge from Ramstein

BY GREGORY BROOME family wrestling dynasty, lurks Stars and Stripes as a contender. 126: Ramstein senior Con- he main event of the ner Mackie is back to defend his 2019-20 DODEA Europe crown in this class as one of two wrestling season arrives reigning European champs for Tthis weekend as close to the Royals. The younger Panthers 150 contenders take to the mats of enter the tournament without an Wiesbaden’s Clay Fitness Center incumbent champion. on Friday and Saturday. Mackie will be challenged by The six-time defending cham- fellow sectional winners Bren- pion Stuttgart Panthers remain den Castillo of Spangdahlem and the team to beat until an opponent Phillip Rivera of Rota. officially ends their grappling dy- 132: A pair of 2019 runners- nasty. The Ramstein Royals, the up are on the short list of top con- Panthers’ perennial challenger, tenders to win this competitive will try again this year armed class. with an edge in both raw numbers Atreyu Allen of the hometown and championship pedigree. Wiesbaden Warriors is eying an- Individual titles in 14 weight other gold medal to go with the classes are at stake over the two 113-pound title he won two years days as the teams also compile ago. Allen lost to Mackie in a 126- points in pursuit of divisional pound bout a year ago that was team championships. among that tournament’s most The event starts Friday with evenly matched finals. four preliminary rounds. Sat- Ramstein senior Matthew urday holds a fifth and final Oreskovich finished second at preliminary round, followed by 113 pounds a year ago. BRIAN FERGUSON/Stars and Stripes semifinals and third-place bouts 138: Another Stuttgart- and, finally, a slate of 14 Europe- Ramstein showdown is a strong High school wrestlers from across Europe participate in a tournament at Kaiserslautern High School an championship matches. possibility in this class as each Germany on Jan. 18. Many of those wrestlers will be competing this weekend at the European 106 pounds: Stuttgart co-cap- school fields wrestlers with championships, where 14 weight classes as well as team titles will be on the line. tain McKinley Fielding returns elimination-round tournament for another shot at history this experience. Ramstein’s Christian predictable bracket. tender ranks atop this bracket based on the efforts of Brenon season. The junior has finished Griffith lost by decision in the Hauser is the most accom- after an impressive season on Colvin, a favorite to claim victory second in this class in the last two 132-pound championship bout, plished of the group with a semi- the DODEA Europe mats. Jacob in this 11-deep bracket. Colvin, European tournaments, falling while Stuttgart counterpart Cart- final appearance in this class in Caricato, an American enrolled who finished third in this brack- just short of becoming the first er Hanes was a 2019 semifinalist 2019 and a southern sectional tri- at Finland’s International School et a year ago, beat out Vilseck’s female wrestler to win a DODEA at 126. umph last weekend. of Helsinki, became a mainstay Hyrum Draper, last year’s 160- Europe individual championship. Fellow sectional winner Caleb Fellow sectional winners Jack in regular-season meets this win- pound European runner-up, for Fielding is facing as tough a Debeltz of Vilseck ranks among Engelke of Stuttgart and Phil- ter, won the central sectional last the southern sectional’s top seed bracket as she’s seen over her the top candidates to prevent a lip Severance of Lakenheath weekend at Stuttgart and is now last weekend to claim a top seed. three-year run. Among her rivals Royals-Panthers final. join Hauser as top seeds in the in line for a European title run. Wiesbaden’s Daniel Iverson, are sectional champions Jacob 145: Aviano’s Michael Hauser bracket. Caricato will meet resistance Ramstein’s Caleb Hill, Stuttgart’s Rivera of Rota, Ethan Bell of headlines a field of 11 in this un- 152: A well-traveled new con- from Aviano’s Xavier Wells, Noah Carges and SHAPE’s Sam- Brussels and Skyler Hickman of Ramstein’s Tyler Worley and uel Hennig round out the top half Spangdahlem, the latter of whom Stuttgart’s Noah Moten, among of the field. edged Fielding for first place in others. 195: Ramstein’s Nick Mooney last weekend’s central sectional 160: Roberts Swart fell just is the heir apparent to win this qualifier. short of delivering a European weight class after dropping a 7-5 113: This 11-wrestler bracket title to the distant DODEA Eu- decision in last year’s final. might be the first to produce a rope school of Ankara last year, Stuttgart’s Cameron Wolfer head-to-head showdown between dropping the 145-pound title bout will look to keep this title on the Royals and Panthers in Sat- on a technical fall. Swart is back Stuttgart’s side of the ledger, urday’s elimination rounds. And at a bulkier class this year for an- while southern sectional Nick there’s a narrow margin sepa- other shot at the crown. Luminarias works to improve on rating the two: Ramstein has 24 This class also contains a last year’s solid showing. wrestlers in the tournament to Royals-Panthers subplot as 220: Ramstein hopes to finish Stuttgart’s 22. Ramstein’s Dominic Marts and strong with powerful contend- Ramstein’s Brandon Lapitan Stuttgart’s Christian Just won ers in the event’s two heaviest and Stuttgart’s Connor Swaim their respective sectional brack- classes. will seek to swing those valuable ets and are in position to earn Gabe Davis is the favorite to points in their respective school’s valuable points for their squad. win this bracket after a frustrat- favor, while Rota entry Evan 170: A strong defending cham- ing loss by default in last year’s Gantt attempts to aid the Admi- pion sits atop this bracket in the 182-pound championship match. rals’ chase for a repeat Division form of Sigonella’s Amari Pyatt, Vicenza’s Alex Ramos and II championship. who claimed last year’s 170- Alec Meno of the hometown War- 120: Spangdahlem sophomore pound crown with a convincing riors are among Davis’ primary Carson Hicks is coming off a daz- pinfall win in the title bout. obstacles. zling, undefeated debut as a 113- Jimmy Birchfield of Wiesbaden 285: Teddy Ward, the 2019 Eu- pound freshman champion and also returns after a strong semifi- ropean champion at 220 pounds, looking for an equally dominant nal showing in this bracket a year will look to add a heavyweight run to another title this weekend. ago, while Lakenheath’s Nick title to his résumé on Saturday. Fellow sectional champions Scifo, Ramstein’s Oliver Seelig, He’ll face two other foes in search Ethan Gumabon of Naples and Aviano’s Nick Smith and Stutt- of important last-minute points in NORMAN LLAMAS/Stars and Stripes John Odom of Ramstein join gart’s Tyler Savage try to bring Stuttgart’s Danny Rodriguez and Hicks as top seeds in the bracket, Rota’s Vincent Bonavita, top, tries to get the upper hand against new blood to the finals. Rota’s Charlie Everhart. while Stuttgart’s Brogan Fielding, Vilseck’s Max Bellianger during their 160-pound on Jan. 18 at 182: Rota expects to further [email protected] the latest entry in the remarkable Aviano. Bonavita won by pin in the final seconds of the match. add to its Division II points total Twitter: @broomestripes PAGE 60 F3HIJKLM •STARS AND STRIPES• Friday, February 14, 2020 NHL Around the league Vegas has gotten a No shortage of boost from DeBoer talent available BY W.G. R AMIREZ Associated Press Standings have separated out a handful of LAS VEGAS — Peter DeBoer could have chosen a life inside a notable sellers ahead of the trade deadline courtroom arguing in front of a ADAM HUNGER/AP judge’s bench, considering he has BY STEPHEN WHYNO defenseman Alec Martinez is law degrees from th the Univer- The Rangers’ Chris Kreider, left, congratulates goaltender Igor Associated Press drawing interest with a year left sity of Windsor and the University Shesterkin after a win on Sunday . Kreider may be bracing for a trade on his contract. The Kings have of Detroit. that seems inevitable. Chris Kreider watched team- already traded goaltender Jack Instead, he’s enjoyed a mostly mates Mats Zuccarello and Kevin Campbell and forward Kyle Clif- successful career behind an NHL The same goes for Lewis, who gether and get game after game Hayes handle all the speculation ford to Toronto and made no se- bench. In each of his first seasons might be the perfect kind of low- the same kind of efforts,” center before getting traded a year ago cret they are open for business. with the New Jersey Devils and risk deadline pickup that has Sean Couturier said. “You look at and saw others do the same in “We all signed up for the plan,” San Jose Sharks, he took his team proven to be the blueprint for re- our lineup, we have some depth. I previous seasons. first-year Kings coach Todd to the Stanley Cup final. cent Cup winners. Kings general think we can match up with any- With the New York Rangers McLellan said. “We know where But in December, just 33 games manager Rob Blake is attempting one in the league. It’s just a mat- still in the process of transitioning we’re going with the team and into his fifth season with San Jose, to quickly rebuild, but players are ter of doing it night after night.” to contender status, it is Kreider’s what we want to do with it. So, the Sharks fired him after a lack- in wait-and-see mode. turn, and he’s dealing with it his none of this approach to the dead- luster start. He wasn’t out of work “I talk to my agent quite a bit, way. line has been a shocker to us as a long. The Vegas Golden Knights but it’s kind of up to them with Scoreboard “I think I’d be disingenuous to coaching staff.” hired him just over a month later. what they want to do,” Lewis said. try to embody how someone else Duclair was traded three times The 51-year-old veteran coach “Obviously when you play your went about this situation, so I’m his first five NHL seasons, so his can make strong arguments he whole career somewhere, I’m just trying to be myself every approach hasn’t changed despite Eastern Conference can guide the three-year old fran- sure they know you’d like to stay. day,” Kreider said. “I feel like my being in the midst of an impres- Atlantic Division chise back to the postseason. We’ll see what happens.” GP W L OT Pts GF GA name’s been out there for the last sive comeback year. Boston 58 35 11 12 82 192 144 “They’re right in the middle of Tampa Bay 57 37 15 5 79 203 152 being one of those teams that has seven years. It’s just the nature of “I’ve been through it for a cou- Toronto 57 30 19 8 68 203 189 the beast.” ple of years in a row now,” Duclair Giant-killing Flyers Florida 56 30 20 6 66 198 188 the opportunity to win now and Montreal 59 27 25 7 61 180 180 for the near future,” DeBoer said. Kreider may be bracing for a said. “I just try to focus on the The Flyers are on the playoff Buffalo 57 25 24 8 58 162 178 trade that seems inevitable. The team and I just try to win, help the bubble and have had their share Ottawa 56 18 27 11 47 147 191 “Sometimes when you’re bringing Detroit 58 14 40 4 32 120 216 in some new concepts and some NHL standings suggest the Rang- team win as many games as pos- of inconsistencies. But Philadel- Metropolitan Division ers, New Jersey Devils, Ottawa sible and we’ll go from there.” phia has shined against the top Washington 56 36 15 5 77 202 172 new ideas there’s some hesitation Pittsburgh 55 34 15 6 74 182 150 in the play that shows up on the Senators, Detroit Red Wings and A Massachusetts native who four teams in the Eastern Confer- N.Y. Islanders 55 33 16 6 72 166 151 ice just because guys are over- Los Angeles Kings are clear sell- played at Boston College, Kre- ence, picking up 12 of a possible 18 Columbus 57 30 17 10 70 148 139 Philadelphia 57 31 19 7 69 184 170 thinking instead of reacting. The ers ahead of the Feb. 24 trade ider has been linked to the Bruins points against Boston, Tampa Bay, Carolina 56 32 21 3 67 181 157 one thing I’ve appreciated, (this deadline. and the Stanley Cup champion St. Washington and Pittsburgh. N.Y. Rangers 55 28 23 4 60 181 174 New Jersey 55 20 25 10 50 152 195 is a) really smart group. They’ve While Kreider is the biggest Louis Blues, who have more than “We’re a tough team to play seemed to have incorporated what name likely on the move, there stayed afloat amid significant for- against,” winger Jakub Voracek Western Conference we’re asking them to do without is no shortage of talent available. ward injuries. said. “It can give us a lot of confi- Central Division slowing them down, and that’s New Jersey’s Sami Vatanen and He said last month at All-Star dence that against the top teams in GP W L OT Pts GF GA St. Louis 56 32 15 9 73 178 160 been important.” Wayne Simmonds, Ottawa’s Jean- weekend that the Rangers win- the league that we really perform Colorado 55 33 16 6 72 200 154 Vegas was 24-19-6 when Gerard Gabriel Pageau and Ron Hainsey, ning games would go a long way very well. Playing good defense, Dallas 56 32 19 5 69 151 142 Winnipeg 58 29 24 5 63 174 176 Gallant was fired as coach last Detroit’s Mike Green and Trevor to keeping the group together. the goalie shows up every time we Minnesota 56 27 23 6 60 173 181 Nashville 55 26 22 7 59 178 183 month. Under DeBoer, the Gold- Daley, and Los Angeles’ Tyler Despite five victories in seven play the big teams and we just play Chicago 57 25 24 8 58 166 181 en Knights are 4-3-2 and have Toffoli and Trevor Lewis are all games after the break, New York a good overall game.” Pacific Division Vancouver 58 32 21 5 69 190 175 outscored their opponents 31-27, pending free agents. is still nine points back of a play- The Flyers fell flat in a 5-0 loss Edmonton 56 30 20 6 66 181 176 even after back-to-back losses, in- There is also Senators forward off position and Kreider is almost to the Devils before bouncing Vegas 58 28 22 8 64 182 178 Calgary 58 29 23 6 64 164 178 cluding Tuesday’s 4-0 setback in Anthony Duclair, who can be a certainly gone unless he signs an back to beat the Capitals 7-2. Arizona 59 28 23 8 64 165 162 Minnesota. Their shots per game restricted free agent, and Kings extension. “It’s just important to stick to- Anaheim 56 23 26 7 53 146 173 San Jose 56 24 28 4 52 147 187 have increased slightly from 34.0 Los Angeles 58 20 33 5 45 142 186 Note: Two points for a win, one point to 34.9, while their shots-allowed for overtime loss. Top three teams in have decreased from 30.5 to 27.8 each division and two wild cards per conference advance to playoffs. per contest. Wednesday’s games The Golden Knights have shown Boston 4, Montreal 1 Los Angeles 5, Calgary 3 a commitment to hustling, they’re Vancouver 3, Chicago 0 making an extra effort to block Thursday’s games Columbus at Buffalo shots, they exit the defensive zone Dallas at Toronto and they move in transition quick- Detroit at New Jersey Edmonton at Tampa Bay er and more cleanly. Philadelphia at Florida Arizona at Ottawa Since DeBoer’s arrival, for- N.Y. Islanders at Nashville wards Paul Stastny and Mark N.Y. Rangers at Minnesota Washington at Colorado Stone are tied for 28th in the Calgary at Anaheim league with 10 points each, while St. Louis at Vegas Friday’s games defenseman Shea Theodore has Montreal at Pittsburgh registered nine of his 37 points N.Y. Rangers at Columbus San Jose at Winnipeg (24.3%) New Jersey at Carolina “The second he stepped into that Saturday’s games Detroit at Boston room he had a lot of good things to Nashville at St. Louis say,” Theodore said. “I think he’s Edmonton at Florida Philadelphia at Tampa Bay got some really important systems San Jose at Minnesota that he put in place that makes us Dallas at Montreal Toronto at Ottawa a stronger team. A lot of times it Los Angeles vs. Colorado at Falcon forces us to communicate. Maybe Stadium, Air Force Academy, Colo. Chicago at Calgary work a little bit harder towards the Washington at Arizona puck and I think key things that N.Y. Islanders at Vegas Sunday’s games bring our game together.” Detroit at Pittsburgh In a stacked Pacific Division, Boston at N.Y. Rangers Edmonton at Carolina the Golden Knights will need to Anaheim at Vancouver get through an upcoming tough JEFFREY T. BARNES/AP Columbus at New Jersey Dallas at Ottawa slate if they want to make the Detroit Red Wings defenseman Mike Green passes the puck during a game against the Buffalo Sabres St. Louis at Nashville Toronto at Buffalo postseason for a third consecutive on Tuesday, Green is among the players on losing teams that could be available at the trade deadline. Chicago at Winnipeg season. Friday, February 14, 2020 •STARS AND STRIPES• F3HIJKLM PAGE 61 MLB Baseball proceeds with rules changes to speed up games

Associated Press DID YOU KNOW ? NEW YORK — Major League Baseball went ahead with its MLB rules changes for this season: planned rules changes for this season, including the requirement a pitcher must face at least Relievers must face three three batters or end the half-in- batters unless they are injured or ning, unless he is hurt. the end of the inning comes first. The changes were agreed to by Active roster limits increase MLB and the players’ association from 25 to 26 through Aug. 31. last March 8, subject to the study PHOTOS BY JEFF ROBERSON/AP Teams can carry a maximum of a joint committee. The three- Above: Houston Astros infielder Alex Bregman delivers a statement from the podium as teammate Jose batter minimum will start in of 13 pitchers during the regular Altuve, seated at right, listens along with manager Dusty Baker, left, and owner Jim Crane during a news spring training games on March season through Aug. 31 and again conference before the team’s first official spring training practice Thursday in West Palm Beach, Fla. 12. in the postseason. Teams can have There were 2,162 pitching ap- 14 pitchers from Sept. 1 through pearances of three batters or the end of the regular season when fewer last year, according to the rosters expand to 28 instead of 40. Astros open spring training Elias Sports Bureau, but 1,471 of Position players can pitch in a them finished with the end of a game only after the ninth inning half-inning or a game. unless their team is losing or The active roster limit will in- winning by more than six runs. with apologies from players crease by one to 26 from opening day through Aug. 31, will drop In an effort to speed up from 40 to 28 through the end of games, managers will be given 20 BY SAM FORTIER, CINDY BOREN Dusty Baker, the veteran manager brought in to the regular season and return to seconds, instead of 30, to declare AND ADAM KILGORE restore honor to the franchise, pointed to the outsize 26 for the postseason. Each team if they will challenge a play. role technology played in the scandal. The Washington Post may have a maximum 13 pitch- Rosters can be expanded to “I must admit that when technology gets as ad- Two Houston Astros players expressed shame for ers through Aug. 31 and during 27 players for doubleheaders, vanced as it has become, the boundaries seem to the postseason, and 14 from Sept. the sign-stealing scandal that has engulfed Major change. The guys said what they did was wrong. including a 14th pitcher. 1 through the end of the regular League Baseball and owner Jim Crane promised Hopefully baseball can help clean up the game Pitchers placed on the injured greater control, saying that technologically ad- season. list can be recalled after 15 days and control the technology so this doesn’t happen Two-way players who have vanced sign-stealing would “never happen again instead of 10. again.” at least 20 innings pitched or 20 on my watch” as the team opened spring training Crane noted that he’d never been the kind of games started at a position or des- Two-way designations will exist Thursday in West Palm Beach, Fla. owner who hung out in the clubhouse and admitted ignated hitter with at least three for players who have pitched at The remarks came amid calls for the team to be that may have to change. plate appearances in the previous least 20 innings and started 20 stripped of its World Series victory in 2017 and were “We’ll have better controls in place,” he said. season may pitch without count- games as a position player or the first since the scandal resulted in the firing of “Baseball will have better controls in place,” with- ing against that game’s pitcher designated hitter with at least three General Manager Jeff Luhnow and team manager out specifying what those would be because “this limit. For this year, a player can plate appearances in the previous A.J. Hinch. came very close to the dugout.” use 2018 or 2019 to meet the season. They will not count toward Astros star Alex Bregman directly apologized in Teams who lost to the Astros have called for the requirement. the roster limit of pitchers. a brief statement at the beginning of the news con- team to forfeit wins and the 2017 World Series title . What had been a 26th player ference, which lasted less than 30 minutes. “I am “Our opinion is this didn’t impact the game,” for certain day-night doublehead- SOURCE: Los Angeles Times really sorry about the choices that were made by Crane said. “We had a good team. We won the World ers through Aug. 31 will become our team, the organization and by me,” he said. “I Series and we’ll leave it at that.” a 27th player in those situations, lievers by teams who shuttle off have learned from this and hope to regain the trust Meanwhile, Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman, and that player won’t count pitchers between the majors and of fans. . . . We as a team are totally focused on mov- who surrendered a series-clinching, walk-off home against the pitcher limit. minors. There still is a seven-day ing forward to the 2020 season.” run to José Altuve in the 2019 American League Position players are prohibited concussion IL. His teammate, José Altuve, added, “We had a Championship Series, called Altuve’s actions “a from pitching through the ninth Managers’ time to challenge a great team meeting last night and the whole organi- little suspicious.” inning unless the player’s team is play with a video review has been zation and the team feels bad about what happened As Altuve crossed the plate, he told teammates not winning or losing by six or more cut from 30 seconds to 20. in 2017. We especially feel remorse for our fans and to rip off his jersey and clutched the buttons with his runs when he takes the mound. for the game of baseball.” hands, video of which was widely circulated amid The injured list and option re- MLB did not say whether it was The players spoke for less than 90 seconds and de- speculation Astros hitters had used buzzers affixed call minimum period for pitchers going ahead with its right to cut clined to take questions, with Crane taking the bulk to their bodies to alert them to what pitch may be will increase from 10 days to 15, between-innings breaks from 2 of the questions. coming. an effort to slow the use of re- minutes to 1:55. Yankees had doubts about Houston last year

Associated Press Chapman in Game 6 of the 2019 AL Cham- Boone said he was not sure there was no pionship Series, then told teammates not rules breaking in last year’s playoff against TAMPA, Fla. — Yankees catcher Gary to rip off his jersey as he completed his the Astros. Sánchez and manager Aaron Boone are home-run trot. Some suggested he may “That’s certainly one of those great un- not convinced the Houston Astros’ use of have been wearing a buzzer underneath knowns,” Boone said. “I’ve spent time, as electronics did not continue into last year’s the jersey that could have signaled antici- I’m sure a lot of people have, wondering all AL Championship Series. pated pitches. the things that could have potentially been Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred “It’s a good question. I’ll tell you that if I going on, and we’ll probably never know found the Astros broke rules against elec- hit a homer and I get my team to the World for sure, frankly.” tronic sign stealing in 2017, including dur- Series, they can rip off my pants,” Sán- Boone still considers the three managers FRANK FRANKLIN II/AP ing the postseason, and during the 2018 chez said through a translator Thursday as that lost their jobs to be friends: Houston’s New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone regular season. The 2019 Astros were not Yankees pitchers and catchers reported for AJ Hinch, Boston’s Alex Cora and the New said he’s not convinced the Houston implicated. spring training. “They can rip everything York Mets’ Carlos Beltrán. Boone says he Astros’ use of electronic sign stealing José Altuve sparked speculation of ne- off if I get the team to the World Series hit- has struggled “making sense of it all.” didn’t continue during last year’s AL farious conduct when he hit a pennant- ting a walk-off homer like that. They can “Wrestle with my emotions, in a way get Championship Series with the Yankees. winning homer off the Yankees’ Aroldis rip anything off.” some clarity,” Boone said. PAGE 62 F3HIJKLM •STARS AND STRIPES• Friday, February 14, 2020 COLLEGE BASKETBALL Famous ‘family’ Iceland players connected by hoops

BY ERIC OLSON best way to do it was coming to Associated Press the States and proving yourself against the guys who are most horir Thorbjarnarson is likely to go to the NBA.” one of the key pieces in Gudmundsson nearly led Da- Fred Hoiberg’s building vidson to an upset of Kentucky Tproject at Nebraska. in the 2018 NCAA Tournament, Jon Axel Gudmundsson of Da- making six three-pointers in the vidson was the Atlantic 10 player second half and finishing with 21 of the year last season and has points in a 78-73 loss. filled up box scores in his career Hjalmarsson, who turns 21 like few players in college basket- next month, is an older freshman ball history. who played on national age-group Hakon Hjalmarsson is just teams with Thorbjarnarson. starting his American basketball The Reykjavik native started 10 experience and trying to find his straight games for Binghamton role at Binghamton. early in the season but his min- Though at far-flung schools, utes have decreased. the three are connected as the “I think I’m progressing all only Division I players from Ice- right but I’m not doing as well as JOHN PETERSON/AP land this season. They talk, text I could. I have to be patient,” he or Snapchat nearly every day and Nebraska guard and Iceland said. follow each other’s games on tele- native Thorir Thorbjarnarson Hjalmarsson said he might vision or streaming video. is one of the cornerstones of not be playing college ball if he “I know every basketball player Fred Hoiberg’s building project hadn’t been selected for an NBA- in Iceland, essentially,” Thorbjar- at Nebraska. Iceland is no sponsored Basketball Without narson said. “It’s a small family. basketball hotbed, but that Borders camp in Finland four We call ourselves the ‘basketball hasn’t stopped it from producing years ago. He met a scout who family.’ ” some Division I talent. helps international players con- Iceland is no basketball hotbed, nect with college coaches, and but college coaches will go most He scored 30 or more points Binghamton was among the first anywhere for talent. The island in four games at the European to show interest. in the North Atlantic is about the Championships and was MVP of “Coming here, I didn’t think I size of Virginia geographically the Nordic Championships. He would have to adjust to anything and has a population of 360,000. first heard from former Nebraska because I just thought it was Basketball’s popularity in Iceland coach Tim Miles in July 2017, vis- basketball,” Hjalmarsson said. ranks far behind soccer and is ited Lincoln the next month and “After being here a few months, MARY ALTAFFER, ABOVE, AND KEITH SRAKOCIC, BELOW/AP about even with team handball. 10 days later was enrolled. it’s a completely different sport. There are 6,800 registered “I was mesmerized by the facil- Not being able to hand check at Above: Davidson guard Jon Axel Gudmundsson, a senior from male and female basketball play- ities, enjoyed the coaching staff, all. I’m seeing all these illegal Grindavik, Iceland, was the Atlantic 10 Player of the Year last ers in the country, according to and it’s not a big town. The people screens being called. It’s more season and has hit career marks of 1,500 points, 700 rebounds, the sport’s national federation. are similar to people in Iceland,” physical (in Iceland) but I think 500 assists and 150 steals. Below: Hakon Hjalmarsson, left, That includes recreational play- he said. “I was, ‘Sure, let’s do this.’ guys here are more athletic, a compatriot of Gudmundsson’s, is just starting his American ers. Far fewer are at the elite I wanted a challenge, so I decided they’re faster, they jump higher.” basketball experience and is trying to find his role at Binghamton. level. to come.” “When you play with the youth Jon Axel Gudmundsson grew national teams, you’re always up in a basketball family. His fa- practicing in the same gyms, ther played on national teams and you’re always around each other, professionally, and his brother, you take trips together,” Gud- Ingvi, played one season at Saint mundsson said. “And we played Louis. against each other in the adult The senior guard from Grinda- league in Iceland, so we kind of vik has hit career marks of 1,500 grew close from there.” points, 700 rebounds, 500 assists, The best basketball players 200 made three-pointers and 150 must go to Europe or the United steals. No other Division I player States to test themselves against since 1993 has reached those top competition. Only one Ice- milestones. lander, Petur Gudmundsson (no Gudmundsson starred on Ice- relation to Jon Axel), has played land’s national teams beginning in the NBA. He logged 150 games at age 15, and recruiters started for three teams in the 1980s. showing interest when he went to Thorbjarnarson is the only a boarding school in Philadelphia. player who suited up for the 2018- He didn’t like the fit, though, and 19 Nebraska team that Hoiberg he returned to Iceland after one kept. He’s shooting 44.6% on semester. Davidson coach Bob three-pointers to rank among the McKillop kept in touch, made a Big Ten leaders. trip to Iceland to see him play and The junior guard from Reykja- offered a scholarship. vik began drawing recruiting in- “I always wanted to play in terest in 2016 when he played for March Madness and also play Iceland’s under-18 national team. in the NBA,” he said. “I felt the

‘ I know every basketball player in Iceland, essentially. It’s a small family. Thorir’ Thorbjarnarson One of three Division I basketball players from Iceland Friday, February 14, 2020 •STARS AND STRIPES• F3HIJKLM PAGE 63 AUTO RACING Road: No pressure in final season FROM BACK PAGE thing that helped me with all of it is it didn’t happen at once. I knew in my heart of hearts, it was months prior to that where the real opportunity lied and where we missed it.” Team owner Rick Hendrick hired Chad Knaus in 2001 when he launched the 48 team to be built around Johnson, and the driver and crew chief were together for all seven championships and 17 seasons. TERRY RENNA/AP Then Hen- With the Daytona 500 scheduled for Valentine’s Day in 2021, NASCAR’s Speedweeks — the opening stretch of racing at Daytona drick made International Speedway that includes run-up events like Daytona 500 pole qualifying, the exhibition Busch Clash, pictured, and the ARCA a change Series opener — could shrink from two weeks to one, eliminating two ‘dark days’ at the track between qualifying and Daytona 500 practice. before last Johnson year, moving Knaus to William Byron’s team; his replacement Speedweeks facing significant shake-up didn’t work out and Johnson was given Cliff Daniels midseason. Daniels has helped Johnson Drivers anticipate changes next year ‘ relax and believes the team is The Super Bowl is not a game. headed in the right direction. In The Super Bowl is an event. BY MARK LONG fact, pairing Johnson with Dan- The Daytona 500 can’t be just iels was the catalyst in Johnson Associated Press a race. It’s got to be an event. deciding to make 2020 his final DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Speedweeks is year. He knew all of last year he’d facing a significant shake-up. The second that we lose sight need to make a decision on con- The Daytona 500 is scheduled for Valen- of that, we’ve got problems. tract talks with Hendrick and it tine’s Day in 2021, a week earlier than usual ’ weighed on Johnson until Daniels and putting NASCAR’s version of the Super Clint Bowyer NASCAR driver arrived and changed the mindset Bowl seven days after the actual Super Bowl. of a struggling driver. The revised date could cause changes to “I was thinking about it pretty Speedweeks, the opening stretch of stock car hard through the course of the racing at Daytona International Speedway weather does not suck. It sucks in a lot of plac- year knowing I was going to have that includes run-up events such as Daytona es right now in America. It does not suck down to talk to Rick about a contract 500 pole qualifying, the exhibition Busch here and there’s a lot of good racing going on. extension. I started feeling less Clash and the ARCA Series opener. Why wouldn’t you be down here?” likely to come back when I start- It could ultimately lead to “Speedweek,” Tweaking Speedweeks would be the first ed working with Cliff,” Johnson singular. Cramming everything into one hint of an anticipated overhaul to NASCAR’s said. “When I sat Cliff down to week seems like the obvious outcome, which 2021 schedule. The sanctioning body has said talk to him, I wasn’t sure how he would eliminate two “dark days” at the track it won’t shy from trying new venues while was going to react to that. But between pole qualifying and Daytona 500 heeding calls from fans and drivers to visit the peace he brought me and the practice and help shorten a long, tiring regu- more short tracks and dirt tracks. leadership he has for our race lar season that drivers and crews have been NASCAR purchased sister company In- team and where I know our team complaining about for years. ternational Speedway Corp. last year to cre- JOHN RAOUX/AP is going really helped me identify But the allure of spending two weeks in ate one private company that gives the series with 2020 as probably my best Florida, where drivers often can be spotted at Driver Clint Bowyer has expressed the flexibility to alter race dates, venture to chance to win a championship.” Disney World and other various tourist spots, reservations about changes to NASCAR’s different tracks (new and old) or even shake Johnson said he is encour- still has an appeal for some. schedule that could leave the Daytona 500 things up like adding this year’s doubleheader aged by an updated Camaro that “I’d miss it,” driver Austin Dillon said vying for attention with the Super Bowl. at Pocono in Pennsylvania. Chevrolet will use starting this Wednesday during Daytona 500 media day. “I “Based upon all the conversations that I’ve weekend, as well as a second year like being down here for this long. I enjoy this year’s Speedweeks calendar has yet to be had with everybody from NASCAR, they’re adapting to NASCAR’s new rules week. I think it’s a great start to our season.” finalized. going to be aggressive and actively looking at package. NASCAR also could simply run its Day- Pole qualifying, the Clash and the ARCA things that are outside the box and different NASCAR next year will move tona 500 lead-in events a day earlier to avoid race typically run the weekend before the from what we’ve done in the past,” 2014 Cup to entirely new car, and Johnson having anything on Super Bowl Sunday. Of 500. NASCAR has been hesitant to go head- Series champion Kevin Harvick said. “It’s indicated he was leery of going course, that would still leave NASCAR vying to-head against the Super Bowl, even mov- kind of like ending at Daytona with the regu- through another overhaul. He for attention in the shadow of the dominant ing the Daytona 500 back a week in 2012 to lar season. The story’s already built and we wants to enjoy life with his two NFL finale. avoid any potential conflict in case the league need more of those types of situations. daughters, pick and choose the “I don’t think anybody should do that,” said lengthened its regular season. “Even if only go there for one year, who kinds of races he competes in Stewart-Haas Racing driver Clint Bowyer, NASCAR switched the opener back to Pres- cares? It was a great story, right? If the race is going forward, and he remains a huge Kansas City Chiefs fan. “It’d be like ident’s Day weekend before the 2018 season, no good, what difference does it make? Every- adamant he’d like to give IndyCar somebody trying to go on top of the Daytona but still hasn’t returned Speedweeks to its body wants to have a great game. Well, guess a try on a road or street course. 500. We’re all in this business together. It’s the original form that included the Rolex 24 at what, sometimes you get a Super Bowl like we “In my own head, I’m not done entertainment business. There’s a footprint Daytona, pole qualifying/Clash and the Day- had this year and sometimes you get a rout. yet, and I don’t want to get to a for all of them. tona 500 on back-to-back-to-back weekends. But the anticipation and hype up to that point, point where I’m pissed off going “The Super Bowl is not a game. The Super They’re spread out a bit more now, but still we need a lot of those on the schedule.” to the track and don’t want to be Bowl is an event. The Daytona 500 can’t be just integral to Speedweeks. Speedweeks, as historic as it might be, prob- there,” Johnson said. “I want to a race. It’s got to be an event. The second that There are also sprint cars, late models and ably won’t be immune. give 100% and through reflec- we lose sight of that, we’ve got problems.” modifieds racing at nearby short tracks like “I don’t mind them starting a week earlier,” tion, I know I can do that in 2020, The Super Bowl is set for Feb. 7, 2021. NAS- New Smyrna and Volusia speedways, all in defending Daytona 500 winner Denny Ham- knowing what I can give and what CAR and Daytona International Speedway the general vicinity of Daytona Beach, the lin said. “I think the schedule changes, things level I want to give it. It just feels announced earlier this week that the 500 will birthplace of NASCAR. like that they’ve made, have definitely made right.” be the following Sunday, but the rest of next “It takes all of that,” Bowyer said. “Hey, the things better.” S TARS AND STRIPES Friday, February 14, 2020 F3HIJKLM Well-armed Louisville, Vanderbilt positioned for SPORTS title runs » College baseball, Page 56

AUTO RACING One for the road? 7-time champ Johnson just enjoying the ride in 19th – and final – full NASCAR season, but title No. 8 is still in reach

JARED C. TILTON, GETTY IMAGES/TNS, above, AND RANDY HOLT/AP, below Jimmie Johnson stands on the grid next to his No. 48 Chevrolet during qualifying for NASCAR’s 62nd Annual Daytona 500 on Sunday in Daytona Beach, Fla. Johnson — the most accomplished driver of his generation — is determined to enjoy his final Cup season, casting aside the #Chasing8 hashtag of years past for the motto “One Final Time.”

BY JENNA FRYER Associated Press DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. immie Johnson has been chasing NASCAR history for so long that his relentless pursuit of rewriting the record books has become part of his legacy. JJohnson, tied with Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt with seven Cup Series titles, has been racing for sole possession of the record since 2017. He made a hashtag for his social media posts — #Chasing8 — and his push to make history has never wavered. As he heads into his 19th and final full season in stock car racing, Johnson has dropped the motto. He’d love to close his full-time career with a record eighth title, but the 44-year-old Californian said he would rather remove self-inflicted pres- the (November retirement) announcement torsports stalwarts Jeff Gordon and Dale ningest driver of his era is in a full slump. sure and enjoy his final season in the No. it just kind of dawned on me — the more I Earnhardt Jr. retired, leaving Johnson as He has gone two full seasons without a win, 48 Chevrolet. thought about it, I never chased anything,” the veteran on a team of 20-somethings. missed the playoffs last year for the first His new motto will be “One Final Time” Johnson said. “One final time just felt like Chevrolet was not competitive with the time and had a pair of crew chief changes. and it begins Saturday with practice at the correct thing to say and now we’ve Camaro it rolled out two years ago, a set- “It was definitely frustrating (not mak- Daytona International Speedway. The sea- struck the chasing eight from everything back for Johnson and an organization in a ing the playoffs), I was angry, embarrassed, son-opening Daytona 500, a race Johnson and one final time just fits well.” rebuild. all of those things,” Johnson said. “One has won twice, is Feb. 16. It’s been a bumpy ride for Johnson since The slide was gradual — Johnson won “Through reflecting back since I made winning his seventh title. Hendrick Mo- three races in 2017 — but now the win- SEE ROAD ON PAGE 63

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