Denver, CO
Ask Amy: A 50-year lie needs to be corrected
Dear Amy: For the past 50 years, I have lied that I was in the military and served in Vietnam.
I’m now 71. I want to come clean with my son/family.
I ran away from a bad home life at 13 and lived on the streets. It was horrible. I was beaten up and sexually attacked. I tried to commit suicide twice.
My self-esteem was so low for many years. It still is.
I met a woman (she was older than me) and we had a son.
I believe this is around the time when I started lying that I had been in the military.
I was drafted for the army during the Vietnam War, but didn’t pass the physical.
I felt ashamed and embarrassed.
So, later on when guys got together and started telling war stories, I joined in with mine. Lies. I kept telling more lies to cover the first one.
I’m so afraid my son and grandson would be so disappointed in me for lying for so long.
Also, my health is not that great, and I’m scared that if something happens, my son will go to the VA for help.
I don’t want him to find out that way.
I have never used my lie to gain anything from the VA. I kept this lie within my family, but of course they told others which made my lie worse.
I want them to know the truth but don’t want to lose them or be looked at as a liar and disrespected for the rest of my life.
Can you help?
— Living a Lie
Dear Living: I think it’s vital that you understand that the most important respect you can earn is self-respect. The way to gain more respect for yourself is to understand your original motivations for this lie, and choose to make things right.
Telling the truth now will be hard to do, but it will liberate you from the burden you’ve been carrying. The truth will also liberate your son from unknowingly perpetuating this lie later on.
Telling the truth now is also the right thing to do for the many thousands of men who served during the Vietnam War, and who have oftentimes suffered because of their service.
The way to have a hard conversation is to preface it by stating: “This is very hard for me to say. I’m worried about your reaction. I hope you will understand, and I hope you will find a way to forgive me for what I’m about to tell you.”
My own reaction to reading your story is one of understanding and compassion. If you tell the truth with humility and without becoming defensive — and if you accept the consequences of your disclosure, this act of personal bravery should inspire those who care about you to forgive you and move forward.
Dear Amy: Every year, we host an exchange teacher’s aide from Latin America, as part of our child’s elementary school dual language program.
Our current exchange guest is a 22-year-old man who has less means than we do.
He has given us unsolicited gifts; these are souvenirs from American cities and theme parks he’s visited. A very kind gesture to be sure, and we thanked him.
That said, some are trinkets that we do not want, and would likely throw out.
I believe they would be meaningful mementoes for him to bring home.
Is there a way to politely give them back to him before he leaves in a few months?
— Polite Parents
Dear Parents: Even though your motive is kind, no, I don’t believe there is a polite way to give back these gifts. Doing so would highlight all the wrong things, including the fact that you don’t want these tokens.
Also, please don’t throw these things out. After the teacher’s departure, you could photograph the collection and send him the photo with a letter: “We thought you would enjoy this reminder of all of your adventures!” After that, you could donate these trinkets to Goodwill.
Dear Amy: Responding to “Torn in Wisconsin,” who was worried about her unemployed drop-out son’s lack of motivation, after a month living with us, I gave our “home from college” son the car keys and said, ”Don’t come home without a job.”
Ten years later he’s managing a car dealership and doing quite well.
He admits it was the best thing I ever told him to do.
— C in Wisconsin
Dear C: Short, to the point, and effective. Good for you!
(You can email Amy Dickinson at askamy@amydickinson.com or send a letter to Ask Amy, P.O. Box 194, Freeville, NY 13068. You can also follow her on Twitter @askingamy or Facebook.)
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Denver, CO
Biggest Winners & Losers from Broncos’ 38-0 Blowout of Chiefs
The Denver Broncos are heading to the playoffs for the first time since 2015, and they made it happen emphatically with a 38-0 dismantling of the Kansas City Chiefs. Facing a depleted Chiefs squad, the Broncos showed no mercy, dominating both sides of the ball and solidifying their place in the postseason.
This victory showcased the Broncos’ growth, resilience, and readiness for playoff football. Who were Denver’s biggest winners and losers from this playoff-clinching victory?
Let’s dive in.
Bo Nix | QB
Nix was flawless, completing 26-of-29 passes for 321 yards and four touchdowns while adding 47 yards on the ground. His command of the offense was masterful, resulting in a 152.4 passer rating. Nix’s ability to stretch the field and keep the chains moving was the driving force behind Denver’s offensive explosion.
Marvin Mims Jr. | WR
Mims continues to ascend, catching all five targets for 51 yards and two touchdowns. He displayed excellent footwork on his second touchdown, leaving defenders grasping at air in the corner of the end zone.
Courtland Sutton | WR
Sutton was a reliable target again, recording 98 yards and a 47-yard touchdown on five catches. His chemistry with Nix has made him the team’s go-to option in critical situations.
Devaughn Vele | WR
Vele had a highlight-reel moment, hauling in a double-tipped pass for a three-yard touchdown. His four catches for 50 yards showcased his ability to make clutch plays when called upon.
O-Line (Pass Protection)
The offensive line was a fortress, allowing no sacks and giving Nix ample time to pick apart the Chiefs’ secondary. The unit’s dominance upfront also created rushing lanes for Nix to scramble effectively.
Nick Bonitto | OLB
Bonitto continued his breakout season with two sacks, three tackles, and multiple pressures. His speed and relentless pursuit were too much for Kansas City’s offensive line to handle.
D-Line
The Broncos’ defensive line feasted on Chiefs quarterback Carson Wentz, sacking him five times and limiting him to 98 passing yards. Their ability to collapse the pocket and clog running lanes completely stifled Kansas City’s offense.
Sean Payton | HC
Payton called a near-perfect game, blending aggressive play-calling with methodical clock management. His preparation and focus on execution were evident as the Broncos dominated every phase of the game.
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O-Line (Run Game)
While the Broncos’ offensive line excelled in pass protection, its run blocking left much to be desired. Denver’s running backs combined for just 104 yards on 34 carries, averaging a meager 2.9 yards per attempt.
The Broncos’ playoff drought is over, and they’re entering the postseason with momentum and confidence. Nix’s development has been extraordinary, and the offensive balance created by Payton’s system gives Denver a dangerous edge.
Defensively, the Broncos look like they have gotten back to center and are ready to take on any challenge, as their pass rush and secondary are firing on all cylinders. However, the run game remains a concern. Denver’s inability to establish consistent rushing lanes could become an issue against more balanced defenses in the playoffs.
Next up for the Broncos: a wildcard clash against the Buffalo Bills in Orchard Park. While the challenge is daunting, this team has shown the grit and growth necessary for a sliver of hope for a deep playoff run.
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Denver, CO
Broncos-Chiefs inactives for Week 18
The Denver Broncos are being gifted a berth into the AFC playoffs by the Kansas City Chiefs today. As you can see from the below inactives list, they will be resting all of their best players and likely will limit the snap counts of those that remain active for this game.
There is literally no excuse for Sean Payton in this game. The Broncos should win by double-digits, but I don’t care how they win as long as they win. It has been a long nine year wait for Broncos Country.
Here are your gameday inactives for the Broncos-Chiefs game in Week 18.
Broncos inactives
Player | Position |
---|---|
Player | Position |
Zach Wilson | QB |
Blake Watson | RB |
Levelle Bailey | ILB |
Frank Crum | OT |
Matt Henningsen | DL |
Eyioma Uwazurike | DL |
Chiefs inactives
Player | Position |
---|---|
Player | Position |
Patrick Mahomes | QB |
Isiah Pacheco | RB |
Chris Jones | DT |
Travis Kelce | TE |
Jawaan Taylor | OT |
George Kaarlaftis | DE |
Trent McDuffie | CB |
Denver, CO
How to watch the Kansas City Chiefs vs. Denver Broncos – NFL: Week 18 | Channel, stream, preview, prediction
DENVER — An AFC West rivalry clash to end the 2024 NFL regular season has a lot riding on it for at least one team, as the Denver Broncos fight for their playoff lives when they host the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday.
- Watch the NFL on FuboTV (7-day free trial) and Paramount+
Kansas City Chiefs (15-1) vs. Denver Broncos (9-7)
- When: Sunday, January 5
- Time: 4:25 p.m. ET
- Where: Empower Field at Mile High (Denver, Colo.)
- Channel: CBS
- Stream: FuboTV (Free Trial), DirecTV Stream, Sling, Paramount+
The Broncos have battled hard this season. With a rookie quarterback and a stout defense, the team has played good enough to keep them in postseason contention. They have had opportunities to clinch their fist playoff spot in nine years. However, losses to the Los Angeles Chargers and Cincinnati Bengals put them in a bind heading into the final week of the season.
The task heading into the game is rather simple on paper: do not lose to the Chiefs. A win or a tie puts Denver into the postseason for the first time since 2015, the year they last won the Super Bowl. If they lose, they will need the Miami Dolphins to lose.
It might not be that hard, as Kansas City is resting some of its top stars, such as Patrick Mahomes. That’s because the team has already locked up the first seed in the AFC, getting a bye of the Wild Card round. The team has certainly been an interesting team, as their numerous one-score wins lead many to wonder if this team has the ability to make a run to a third Super Bowl in a row.
The first time these two teams met, the Broncos fell short thanks to a blocked field goal. The Chiefs have won 17 of the last 18 meetings with Denver, with KC holding a 73-56 record against their rivals.
MY PICK: Broncos win, 24-21
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