DEAR MISS MANNERS: I have seen a close relative in the news for something nefarious. I know they must be upset by the reports, and I sincerely feel bad for them, as I know this action was out of character.

Should I acknowledge the incident and comfort them, or just ignore the whole thing? I want to let them know things will be OK, but don’t want to embarrass them.

GENTLE READER: Miss Manners notes that the action was not, however, so out of character that you appear to have any doubt about the facts.

The approach to take is to ask how they are doing. You will not need -- or want -- to mention the incident directly, or even add any special inflection when you ask how they are. Most people are well-informed about their own lives, so they will make the connection and you can then follow th

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