The Campus Ledger - Vol. 35, Issue 8

VOL 35 ISSUE 08 DEC 06, 2012

OFFICIAL STUDENT-RUN PUBLICATION OF JOHNSON COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE, OVERLAND PARK, KS

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2 NEWS

the CAMPUS LEDGER / DEC 06, 2012 / VOL 35 / ISSUE 08

NEWS BRIEFS BOARD OF TRUSTEES CONTINUES SEARCH FOR NEW PRESIDENT

COLLEGE’S ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE CHALLENGE TEAM WINS SECOND PLACE

The Board of Trustees is charged with the responsibility of selecting College President Terry Calaway’s replacement. The process of doing so is still in the works.

The Board will review potential search committees at their next meeting at 5 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 13 in the Polsky Theatre. At that time, further information will become available.

Calaway announced his retirement in late October, to go into effect in August 2013.

The Ledger will live-tweet the meeting (@CampusLedger) and continue to report on this process as it unfolds.

After seven rounds of play at the Snow Bowl competition held at Cowley Community College on Saturday, Dec. 1, the college’s Academic Excellence Challenge team brought home second place.

The team, coached by Mindy Kinnaman, manager of Student Life and Leadership Development, won five of the seven rounds. They will next compete at the National Academic Quiz Tournaments Sectional Qualifier on Jan. 21 at Cloud Community College.

Team members include Trevor Crookston, Annie Lynn, Jared Mullis, Matthew Kelley, Frida Lara, Sydney Harvey, Shirshal Jagtap and Kurt Partridge.

FIELD HOUSE TO CLOSE TEMPORARILY The college’s field house will be closed from Monday, Dec. 10 through Sunday, Jan. 13 for resurfacing of the basketball court and the track.

COMPILED BY MACKENZIE CLARK, MCLARK68@JCCC.EDU

POLICE BRIEFS BACKPACK JACKED Campus Police responded to a theft complaint in the men’s locker room in the GYM building on Nov. 8. The victim said he placed a yellow Jordan cloth backpack with spaghetti straps inside a locker but did not secure the locker. After using the shower, the victim returned to discover the backpack missing. The police contacted a witness who said he observed a white male around 25 years old with a goatee take the victim’s backpack. The suspect was said to also carry a black duffle bag.

CLOTHES CALL A college staff member reported an attempted theft to Campus Police in the men’s locker room at the GYM building on Nov. 15. The victim reported he left his clothes in an unlocked locker and a duffel bag on a bench next to the locker while he used the shower. He stated that

when he came out of the shower, he discovered someone had removed his clothes and bag and left them on the floor. No items were missing from the bag.

HARD UP FOR A HARD DRIVE Campus Police were contacted by a college staff member who reported a theft of college property on Nov. 28 in LIB 342. The staff member stated that a diagnostics hard drive was installed on a computer at a work station in the Library lab on Oct. 6. The hard drive was discovered missing two days later. The investigation of the matter is still pending.

COMPILED BY JON PARTON, JPARTON@JCCC.EDU

the CAMPUS LEDGER / DEC 06, 2012 / VOL 35 / ISSUE 08

New trustee intends to tackle problems at the college

NEWS 3

David Lindstrom, former Kansas City Chiefs defensive end, fills Board vacancy

By MACKENZIE CLARK

I

f you listen closely at the next Board of Trustees meeting, you may hear the faint remnants of a Boston accent. This voice belongs to David Lindstrom, third district Johnson County Commissioner and the newest member of the Board.

The Board of Trustees selected Lindstrom from a pool of five candidates at a special meeting on Saturday, Nov. 17. Although this is typically an elected position, the unexpected resignation of former trustee Don Weiss necessitated an application and selection process.

Lindstrom grew up in Boston, Mass. with six brothers. He is eternally grateful to his father’s commitment to education. “[My father] took the job [as a groundskeeper at Boston University] because he knew he couldn’t afford to send his kids to college, and he knew that a college education was very important,” Lindstrom said. “That’s a gift that my brothers and I will never forget.”

Lindstrom graduated from Boston University in 1976 with a degree in education.

After playing football throughout high school and college, he was drafted by the San Diego Chargers in 1977. In 1978, he became a player for the Kansas City Chiefs.

“I went from east coast to west coast to the center of the heartland,” Lindstrom said. “My wife and I love it here in the Midwest and as long as it’s our choice, we plan on staying here.”

Lindstrom retired from football in 1986 and began a career in business. He owned four Burger King restaurants until he sold them in 2011.

Lindstrom thanks Jim Otto, a former player for the Oakland Raiders, for the advice that inspired him to pursue ownership of Burger King: persistence pays off.

“I don’t think I would’ve gotten by the first stage if it weren’t for being persistent, and for his advice,” Lindstrom said.

Lindstrom became involved in politics when then Kansas State Treasurer Tim Shallenburger asked Lindstrom to join him as his lieutenant governor in the 2002 gubernatorial election, which they lost to Kathleen Sebelius.

“When we weren’t successful in that statewide campaign, I was approached about applying for an open seat on the County Commission,” Lindstrom said.

He was selected through a process Board used last month and is currently

CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

David Lindstrom, newest member of the Board of Trustees, smiles outside the Hugh Speer Board Room on Thursday, Nov. 29. Photo by Daniel De Zamacona

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4 NEWS

the CAMPUS LEDGER / DEC 06, 2012 / VOL 35 / ISSUE 08

In pursuit of the paranormal Students embark on trip to haunted hotel in Arkansas

By DAVID HURTADO

I

f there’s something strange in your neighborhood, who you gonna call?

College students armed with ghost detecting tools, of course.

Students enrolled in Sean Daley’s Anthropology of the Paranormal and Supernatural class embarked on a trip to the Crescent Hotel in Eureka Springs, Ark. The hotel was previously used as a women’s college and cancer hospital.

Daley, associate professor, Anthropology, said he chose the location because of its reputation and the experiences it would provide to students as part of a class activity.

“Me and some of my colleagues had the opportunity to go down there over this past summer and we had a good experience down there,” he said. “The hotel management was willing to work with us and allow us to bring students in. It’s a place with a good reputation for having paranormal phenomena.”

Daley said when the building was being utilized as a hospital for people stricken with cancer, at least several hundred patients died within its walls. During the hotel’s time as a women’s college, a student hung herself. He also said a few construction workers died during the building’s construction.

Rachel Berry, student, said she went on the academic trip because of her interest in the paranormal. She also said previous trips Daley’s class took were more local and less advertised than the Crescent Hotel.

“I’m really interested in studying anything anthropology, especially when it comes to paranormal [activity],” Berry said.

“I had heard a lot of things about the hotel, like that it was haunted or that there was stuff going on there. I thought it would be pretty interesting to go out somewhere that was a little bit more well-known for things like that.”

Students attending the paranormal endeavor were divided into groups of five or six and then placed with a chaperone in different sections of the hotel. Students

were outfitted with thermal imaging cameras and flashlights and spent about an hour in different areas before rotating to a new one. The investigations began at 9 p.m. and lasted until 3:30 a.m.

Students also carried K2 meters, which are part of a class of instruments known as electromagnetic field detectors (EMFs).

When exposed to a magnetic field, an EMF creates an electrical current within its circuitry. The relative strength of the field is displayed on a 5-LED light-up scale.

“The group I was with, half of them got something; the other half, which I was a part of, did not,” said Andrew Novak, student. “We think we got something; we’re not 100 percent sure yet. We went into room 218, which is supposedly haunted by this guy named Michael, the top floor and around the outsides of the hotel.”

Daley said the class is still sifting through evidence gathered from the hotel, but have already made a discovery from an image taken from a thermal imaging camera. He said in previous trips students have reported seeing small objects move and hearing disembodied voices in rooms no one else was in.

The Atlantic Paranormal Society (TAPS) is a professional group of paranormal investigators who attempt to disprove alleged paranormal activity.

“Back in 2005, [TAPS] caught a very famous photo at the Crescent of what looks to be a person standing in front of a walker in the morgue,” he said. “We actually caught the same outline. It was in the same place they caught their outline.”

Daley said he takes students on ghost hunting trips because he wants students to put themselves out in the world and experience different cultures firsthand.

“It’s great to read about different cultures, beliefs and perspectives in books; it’s great to watch videos about it, but you need to get out there and you need to interact with people,” he said. “That’s what anthropologists do. It gives students an opportunity to get out there and interact

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3

“I thought about it, and thought it would be a wonderful opportunity for me to learn more about the college,” he said. “Most people in this community understand the value of the college and I certainly am among that population. I look at this as an opportunity for me to be a steward of a community asset and also, selfishly, to learn more about what the college actually does.”

No stranger to the college, Lindstrom has previously served on the Athletic Advisory Board, the advisory for the Regnier Center and the Foundation board.

He is also aware of challenges facing the college.

finishing out his second full elected term.

He has decided not to run for reelection.

“I didn’t have an interest in politics; I had a tremendous interest in my community,” he said. “Based on that passion that I had for where I live, and the fact that I have a philosophy that when you are given much, you are expected to give back. I’ve always felt compelled to give back to my community. […] I’ve never really had a burning desire to be in elected office, but I have had a burning desire to serve.”

Lindstrom said his decision to apply for the college’s Board came from encouragement from friends.

Thermal imaging camera photo courtesy Curtis Cooper, student, and Sean Daley, associate professor, Anthropology

with people at the hotels, at the museums; take it from the classroom into the real world.

“There’s been a growing interest in the past few years in paranormal research and I want my students who are interested in this to learn how to do it properly. Like anything else, you can go out there and learn how to do it right or you can cut corners. When you’re talking about things like ghosts, demons, aliens, cryptids, things like Bigfoot, most people have a hard time believing in this stuff to begin with.

“If you’re going to go out there and try to capture evidence, you need to make sure you evidence is as legitimate as possible,” Daley said. “I want my students to learn if you’re going to go out and do this stuff, how to do it in such a way that you don’t come across as a joke nor your potential evidence.”

First, Lindstrom said, he believes the Board needs to focus on working within the college’s current financial restraints.

Secondly, but “as important,” is selecting a suitable replacement for retiring college president Terry Calaway. Lastly, he wishes to work to maintain the college’s standard: “Learning comes first.”

Jon Stewart, trustee, has known Lindstrom for “a number of years,” and looks forward to working with him.

“He’s a very good person; he has a really good perspective, good heart,” Stewart said. “I think he’ll be a very good trustee that keeps the interest of the college first.”

Jason Osterhaus, fourth district Johnson

County Commissioner, echoed Stewart’s sentiments.

“It’s been a joy working with Dave, because I have witnessed his dedication to serving others in his time as commissioner,” he said. I know he will take that same spirit with him as he starts his new role as trustee.”

Lindstrom will be present at the next Board meeting at 5 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 13 in the Polsky Theatre. His term expires June 30, 2015.

CONTACT DAVID HURTADO, FEATURES EDITOR, AT DHURTADO@JCCC.EDU.

CONTACT MACKENZIE CLARK, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF, AT MCLARK68@JCCC.EDU.

the CAMPUS LEDGER / DEC 06, 2012 / VOL 35 / ISSUE 08

Living in the digital age

WHAT EFFECT HAS TECHNOLOGY HAD ON OUR SOCIETY?

How have telecommunications affected our society?

By DAVID HURTADO

A

t its inception, the telegraph made little direct impact on most people’s lives.

It was a ‘specialist’ technology, owned by companies and operated by professionals, but the indirect impact of the telegraph was substantial.

Today, telecommunications technology has advanced exponentially since Samuel Morse sent the first telegraph message in 1844. Humans can communicate instantly from anywhere on the planet via texting, Facebook, Skype and other mediums. But as technology changes over time, so does society.

Deana Miller, professor, Speech, said she sees texting among younger students out in the hallways after class frequently instead of interacting with people next to them. Miller said she believes this has a negative impact on learning to initiate conversation with other people.

“In some specific young people that I know, if you say call and order a pizza, they’ll say, ‘No, I can do that online. Why would I call and talk to somebody if I can do that online?’” she said. “It is a skill to learn to talk to people and initiate a conversation. It’s easier to do it online or to text. I think that can have a negative impact because you have to learn that skill and practice it.”

Miller said the average American spends an average of 18 hours per week online and 87 percent of teenagers sleep with their cell phone right beside them.

However, she noted this change in the way we communicate is not all bad. If a family member is needed for an emergency, they can be reached quicker than they could have 100 years ago. Likewise, people who live on opposite sides of the world can keep in touch easily.

Toby Klinger, professor, Psychology, said humans crave electronic devices in a similar manner to Pavlov’s experiment with dogs in classical conditioning and B.F. Skinner’s theory of operant conditioning.

“It gives us information and instant social connection,” Klinger said. “That’s what humans crave, is that connection with others and instant gratification in terms of getting information and responses.”

According to a survey conducted by TeleNav, a technology company, more than half of Americans would rather give up chocolate, alcohol and caffeine for a week than temporarily part with their phones.

Klinger said brain wise, the research shows a change in people’s dopamine circuits. She said there could be more motivation behind being connected with other people. Even if it’s not real interaction, some people have more drive behind that than a stimulant like chocolate, gambling or even sex.

Klinger said according to the DSM-V (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders), more research needs to be done before we can know what behavioral problems might stem from an individual’s addiction to technological devices.

“The DSM-V, which helps clinical folks

diagnose people if they have a problem, is putting in internet videogames,” she said.

“I assume it’s going to increase in terms of how they define the social media stuff as a potential problem, especially in young folks.”

William McFarlane, associate professor and chair, Anthropology, said it’s important to recognize the effect advances in telecommunications technology has had on our society is not inherently bad or good. He said it is how people use technology and the way it impacts us as individuals and how that allows us to interact with each other.

“I think a good place to start is to recognize that making and using tools is something that’s absolutely inherent in humanity; the foundation of what it means to be human,” McFarlane said. “We’ve been doing this for 3.2 million years, making and using tools.

I think there’s a tendency to think about technology in really stark good or bad terms.”

McFarlane said in some instances, the introduction of new technology has led to the downfall of certain civilizations. He said this is mostly in the case of colonialism where an advanced technology disrupts the existing social fabric of a people. However, there are some cases where new technology was held exclusively by a few individuals which negatively impacted their society.

“There are a few examples that we can see where societies have fallen apart as a result of the introduction of new technologies,” he said. “But these new technologies are things that are made out of materials that are rare, and therefore are held exclusively by some individuals. As these individuals take on the new technology or these new, rare resources, it destabilizes the relationships between everybody in that society.”

He also added it is “highly unlikely” our phones will rise up and destroy our society from within.

As the nature of warfare has continued to evolve since man first discovered the killing power of rock and bone, so too have telecommunications since the telegraph.

Miller said she believes social media and texting are here to stay as means of communication.

“This is just my guess, but I think we’re going to continue down this path for a while,” she said. “It’s become more and more common and it’s easy to pick it up. Hopefully, we won’t lose the art of conversation. It’s really sad because you want to be able to sit down and enjoy conversation with someone.”

“You have some of that online, but so much can get lost,” she continued. “In order to be able to read a message, you need to be able to hear the tone of voice, see the eye contact, the facial expression and the posture. Sarcasm in texting-- how do you know someone’s being sarcastic when they’re texting? Without those emoticons, that some people don’t use, that’s lost.”

CONTACT DAVID HURTADO, FEATURES EDITOR, AT DHURTADO@JCCC.EDU.

FEATURES 5

“I think that [technology has] taken over our lives. People are not focused on their personal relationships with one another anymore.

I don’t feel like people have any one-on-one time anymore like they used to.”

Georgine Thiak, Student

“I believe it has a great influence in our society right now.

That is the way most people communicate right now. If it’s an emergency, invitation to a wedding or party, it’s a very great way to communicate easily without any stress.”

Abdulmajeed Baba Ahmed, Student

“It’s obviously had a big affect on our society. You can tell by looking at older people and how they use technology. There’s a lot of stuff you can’t do if you don’t have technology. For example, more and more job applications are online now. I feel like people who don’t use it as much and don’t really keep up with it aren’t doing as much.”

Alyssa Lewis, Student

“It’s shrunk our society, communication wise. Everything is quicker now; it has a big affect on globalization. Outsourcing of jobs is easier, interviews are quicker. You can connect with your old friends you probably forgot about a long time ago.”

Sakeeb Mehdi,

Photos by Andrew Shepherd

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the CAMPUS LEDGER / DEC 06, 2012 / VOL 35 / ISSUE 08

Getting into the holiday spirits

BY MACKENZIE CLARK, JON PARTON AND MAC MOORE Winter Grind Coffee Stout (Mother’s Brewing Company) $8 at Beer Cave Star rating: 4/5 You mean I can have my beer and coffee too? This is a wonderful beer whose dark appearance could be mistaken for a cup of joe. The aroma of coffee dominates the nose with just a hint of dark chocolate. The taste is overwhelmingly smooth, a perfect blend of stout and espresso. I recommend pairing it with some of your favorite holiday cookies for a unique treat. -JP

Cherry Coke and Burnett’s Maple Syrup Vodka $8.50 at Metcalf Discount Liquor Star rating: 3/5 This is not what some might consider a classy combination.

However, it is pretty damn good. For less than $10, you can pick up a bottle of this flavored vodka. Upon opening, the smell of maple syrup spread throughout the house. Friends in the living room asked if we were making pancakes. The combination of cherry and maple turned out to be rather decent. It added another level of sweetness without tasting convoluted. Mix one part vodka with two parts Cherry Coke (or any other cherry cola of your choice). -JP

Sgt. Peppermint Peppermint Cream Liqueur $15.99 at Jack’s Discount Liquor Star rating: 3.5/5 A word to the wise: do not drink this liqueur straight, unless you enjoy chugging Listerine. At first this beverage imported from the Netherlands goes down smoothly, but the aftertaste rivals the strongest of mouthwashes. However, it can be paired with a variety of drinks: tea, hot or cold; hot chocolate; chocolate milk; even eggnog. I highly recommend mixing about four parts chocolate Shatto milk with one part Sgt. Peppermint for a delightful holiday treat that may or may not cause instantaneous diabetes. -MC

Evan Williams Original Southern Eggnog $7.99 at Gomer’s of Kansas Star rating: 3.5/5 If you’re not a fan of non-alcoholic eggnog, I don’t recommend trying any that does contain a little extra holiday cheer. This particular drink contains blended whisky, rum and brandy. It goes down fairly smoothly and tastes like sober eggnog with an added cinnamon kick. However there are better options, as one may imagine simply by the name Evan Williams on the bottle.

-MC

Old St. Nick’s Old Fashioned Eggnog $6.99 at Gomer’s of Kansas Star rating: 4.5/5 This eggnog, made with rum, has more of a kick than the Evan Williams Original. Even at a dollar less in cost, it knocked Evan out of the park. The bit of a bite this drink offers reminds you that you’re not drinking your grandmother’s eggnog. It certainly inspires holiday cheer and I imagine Mrs. Claus sends her husband with a thermos full on Christmas Eve. -MC

Evan Williams Peppermint Chocolate Eggnog $7.99 at Gomer’s of Kansas Star rating: 5/5 Of all the eggnogs I sampled, this one by far takes the cake.

The same mixture of whisky, rum and brandy used in Evan’s Original somehow has even less of a bite, so I caution readers to drink slowly. The added peppermint and chocolate perfected this eggnog and made for a lovely midnight snack. Its popularity is evident: I was fortunate enough to grab the last bottle on display.

If you happen to stumble upon this beverage during your holiday shopping, I highly encourage you to seize the moment and indulge in this delicious dessert drink. -MC

MIXING IT UP The Surly Santa: Jim Beam bourbon, Courvoisier cognac, Eggnog Mix Star rating: 4/5 The bourbon adds both a burn and a bite that would help Santa stay warm through the cold winter nights. The Cognac complements the malt quality of the eggnog with a forceful combination of woody and fruitful flavors. Overall, the ingredients blend rather well to make both a drink that is strong enough to make you take a step back while retaining the sweet frothiness that makes eggnog a Christmas classic. -MM

The Gift Master: Jägermeister, Eggnog mix Star rating: 1/5 My parents threatened coal in my stocking throughout my entire childhood. Maybe I’ve been worse this year than back in 1999 when I slipped $10 from my mom’s purse to buy a Pokémon deck. This combination is the worst gift you could imagine. Jäger is only tolerable when mixed with flavors that can offset the bitterness and even then it is chugged as a shot. My suggestion: re-gift. -MM

The Journalist: London Dry Gin, sweet vermouth, dry vermouth, Bols curacao, lemon juice, bitters Star rating: 4/5 Basically an elaborate martini, this drink has become a popular drink amongst those that try to bring news to the masses. This is mostly because we are all alcoholics, AKA why we wrote this piece. This drink has no other tie to the holidays or eggnog - just try it, it’s beautiful and strong. -MM

A Caucasian Christmas: Nova Vodka, Kahlua, Horizon Half & Half, Eggnog Mix (A white Russian eggnog) Star rating: 5/5 I don’t know if Santa would join me but I assume “the Dude” will probably meet up with me Christmas Eve to sip a new holiday must.

A White Russian, when mixed properly, has a mocha latte-like quality.

The addition of the eggnog creates a drink that goes down easy; almost too easy. Chances are you will wake up in a pool of your own presents.

Happy holidays. -MM

the CAMPUS LEDGER / DEC 06, 2012 / VOL 35 / ISSUE 08

Hole in the wall review: El Panzote: No chairs, only food

By JON PARTON

REVIEW

FEATURES 7

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At El Panzote, the restaurant is also a bakery. An assortment of baked goods lines the wall in the quaint, small restaurant and the cielings are decorated with colorful piñatas. Photo by Mackenzie Gripe

O

n a tiny corner in Olathe rests a tiny building. El Panzote, located at 1100 South Payne St. in Olathe (near Old Highway 56 and South Payne Street), isn’t much to look at.

One step inside and I could find nothing resembling a chair or table. There’s no room for such luxuries with such limited space. El Panzote is a place where you get your food and then get the hell out. Tables?

Seating? The heart of the bakery and restaurant is the food, not the size of the establishment.

It’s a good thing the food is unbelievably good. Once inside, I saw a crowded building filled with an assortment of baked goods displayed behind glass doors, small coolers crammed with Mexican beverages and a food cart that contained all the ingredients to make burritos and other specialties.

I was welcomed by the staff as soon as I walked in. There’s a level of service you get at a mom-and-pop store that you just can’t find anywhere else. There are no wage slaves here, just honest folks who truly appreciate people who choose to visit their business. They answered all of my questions regarding different pastries and what ingredients went into their food.

For $5, I was able to buy a massive pulled pork burrito. For someone who has been to Chipotle, I was amazed by how El Panzote’s burritos make Chipotle’s seem stunted and diminutive. This monstrosity was loaded

with pork, Spanish rice, refried beans, peppers and cheddar cheese. The friendly staff member constructed it on the spot, making the most of the little food cart she had to work with.

For a big guy like myself, it’s a true testament to a place when I can’t finish a meal. The flavor of green bell peppers and onions mixed well with the spicy pork.

The burrito had the right amount of heat to it, not bland but not reaching a point where I wanted to drink something cold after every bite. Rather than being served from a restaurant, I felt like I was eating at a neighbor’s; a neighbor who liked me because I picked up my dog’s poop from their lawn.

In the interest of being thorough, I also picked up a corn muffin from the bakery side. The muffin was unique in that it was cakelike while retaining the flavor of more traditional cornbread. It contained a small amount of sugar while managing not to be overly sweet.

I indulged in a bottle of non-alcoholic sangria, a good pairing with the meal. For $8, I had a more satisfying meal than what I could have gotten at a sit-down restaurant.

I recommend giving El Panzote a try, especially if you like getting your money’s worth.

CONTACT JON PARTON, MANAGING EDITOR, AT JPARTON@JCCC.EDU.

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the CAMPUS LEDGER / DEC 06, 2012 / VOL 35 / ISSUE 08

2 1 0 2 .

1 2 .

12

Fire and Ice

BY ROBERT FROST, FIRST PUBLISHED DEC. 1920

Some say the world will end in fire, Some say in ice.

From what I’ve tasted of desire I hold with those who favor fire.

But if it had to perish twice, I think I know enough of hate

It’s the end of the world again?

History and science say otherwise

To say that for destruction ice Is also great And would suffice.

By JON PARTON

T

he world is apparently coming to an end.

According to popular myth, the Mayan calendar marks Dec. 21, 2012 as the last day of humanity. A Reuters survey taken in May of this year found that 10 percent of those questioned believed the Mayan calendar signified the end of the world, while 15 percent believed they would see the end during their lifetimes.

Despite the plethora of books and the movies starring John Cusack telling us otherwise, the Mayans do not indicate the end of the world in 2012.

The Mayan calendar uses a long-count system, using a measurement called b’ak’tun to mark the passage of 144,000 days, or about 394 years. The Mayans saw the change of b’ak’tuns as a time to celebrate, akin to our modern day celebration of New Year’s.

Patrick Dobson, professor, History, said the idea of the end times is nothing new and may have something to do with human psychology.

“The thing is, the whole idea of the world going down the tubes is as ancient as human beings,” Dobson said. “And it’s a sort of idea that the past is always better than the present or future.”

Dobson cited two books, “The Country and the City,” by Raymond Williams, and “The Machine and the Garden,” by Leo Marx. He said both books look at how the past is remembered fondly while the present and future are viewed with fear.

“The thesis is, ‘The past was better than the present,’” Dobson said. “In fact, these guys go back through literature and find that the past that people were talking about at any particular moment, they go back to that past and find that people are talking about the past at another particular moment, and so on, and so on.

“So in terms of this end times, or the doomsday kind of thing, I think it fulfills a kind of need that we have to make, on the one hand, present valid,” Dobson continued. “And on the other hand, it also fulfills a need for people to be comforted in their death with the idea of mortality.”

Dobson said he has his own theories regarding the Mayan calendar.

“I think that there could be a very easy explanation for that,” Dobson said. “The dude ran out of time to make the calendar, or the culture had

deteriorated, or the guy died.”

He went on to mention some of the modern-day cults that believed in the end times and the impact they had.

“The Koresh cult had a very sort of firm idea about doomsday,” Dobson said. “Heaven’s Gate, right? Those people all essentially hopped on the Hale-Bopp and disappeared, they all killed themselves. Jonestown was another sort of doomsday cult. So these things keep coming up.”

Vincent Clark, professor and chair, History, said the doomsday phenomenon has influenced Americans in the past, particularly those of Christian belief.

“In the United States in the 1830s and 40s, there was a big movement that was predicting the end of the world, the second coming of Jesus,” Clark said.

“The guy that really preached this was a guy named William Miller who was a farmer and a Baptist preacher from upstate New York and he made several predictions.

“I think he started out with 1838 and finally settled on October something, 1844,” Clark said, “and people actually sold all their things and stood out on hillsides and waited for it to happen.”

The scientific community has been reaching out to the public to quell any fears. NASA recently posted a question and answer page regarding doomsday and the end of the world. The space agency not only rebukes the myth of the Mayan calendar, they also answer questions regarding other possible ends including polar shift theory, meteors and planetary alignments. See the sidebar to this article for more information.

Neil deGrasse Tyson, astrophysicist and host of PBS’s “Nova Science Now,” said he does not believe in doomsday myths.

“End-of-world prophecies for 2012 are hoaxes perpetrated by the scientifically illiterate on the scientifically under-informed,” deGrasse Tyson said.

WHY 2012?

world have stricken Predictions of the end of the lennia, but why have fear in the human heart for mil of Dec. 21, 2012? trap so many people fallen into the ieve the Mayan bel ts oris the Many conspiracy this day. According to calendar comes to a halt on ted with an internet scientists at NASA, the trend star iru or Planet X was Nib ed hoax that said a planet call However, no such th.

Ear the h wit headed for collision planet exists. led to collide with Nibiru was originally schedu msday didn’t come doo en wh Earth in May of 2003, but 21, 2012. This new date the date was changed to Dec. g-count period of the does reflect an end of one lon and approximately ’tun Mayan calendar, called a b’ak note a new b’ak’tun to s fail but equivalent to 394 years, begins the next day. t states a planetary Other theories include one tha are no alignments re the but alignment will affect Earth ades, nor would they projected in the next few dec urred. Another theory impact this planet if they occ magnetic poles could states a shift of the Earth’s believe this is very ts ntis be disastrous, but scie lennia. improbable in the next few mil asteroids to strike in no t dic pre ts ntis scie NASA We may just make it ms.

2012, nor any giant solar stor to another new year.

End; nd 2012: Why the World Won’t Information courtesy NASA – Beyo tml 012.h res/2 featu arth/ ics/e v/top http://www.nasa.go

RK, MCLARK68@JCCC.EDU

COMPILED BY MACKENZIE CLA

CONTACT JON PARTON, MANAGING EDITOR, AT JPARTON@JCCC.EDU.

COVER AND ILLUSTRATIONS BY MORGAN DAIGNEAULT.

the CAMPUS LEDGER / DEC 06, 2012 / VOL 35 / ISSUE 08

GOING OUT WITH A

BANG

If you had one day left to live before the world ended, what would you do?

IN FOCUS 9

debunked:

PRIOR PREDICTIONS AND PROPHECIES

COMPILED BY DAVID HURTADO, DHURTADO@JCCC.EDU PHOTOS BY DANIEL DE ZAMACONA

2800 B.C.: An Assyrian tablet dated around this date stated the end was coming.

634 B.C.: Many Romans believed the fall of their city would come that year, the 120th year since its founding.

MEGAN KNESS Student

“If I had one day left to live, I would go skydiving. It’s something I’ve always wanted to do and it just looks really awesome and fun.”

JEB FLYNN Student

“I would probably go and spend it with my family. I would probably do something like go to a church and just pray the rest of the day. I would try to get everyone to come to pray with me at the church, have a big service; we all repent.”

JENNIFER HORAN Student

“I’d probably do a speed a bucket list, basically. I’d all my stuff down, spend money and spend time with and family.”

version of try to get all of my my friends

ZACH PALMER Student

“I would go back to my hometown in Creighton, MO. where I have most of my family and probably spend it with them. To me, the most important thing is family and loved ones. If I was only given 24 hours I’d probably want to spend it with them; make sure everyone is happy in their last moments.”

“The first thing I’d do is I would wake up about 6:30 in the morning, get my family together and go out and have an old Stranathan time, honestly. We’d probably start off by taking all our shotguns out, have a clay pigeon shoot for about 30 minutes. Then we’d go to Colorado and spend time with family up there, just kickin’ on the farm for a little bit. I’d probably come back in and spend every dime I got, just blow it on everything I could. I can’t take no money with me. [...] Then, I’d probably just find a lawn chair, get some popcorn, sit out in my driveway and wait for that wave to hit me or whatever was going to destroy.”

1284: Pope Innocent III predicted in 1213 that the world would end 666 years after the rise of Islam in an attempt to rally Europe behind a fifth crusade.

FEB. 20, 1524: German mathematician and astronomer Johannes Stöffler predicted in 1499 that a giant flood, caused by planetary alignment, would engulf the world on this date. Rioting crowds numbering in the hundreds were killed while attempting to board an arc on the Rhine River, despite just light rain that day.

1697: Cotton Mather, New England Puritan minister remembered for his role in the Salem witch trials, predicted the world would end that year. He later revised his prediction to 1716 and then 1736.

1982: Pat Robertson, television evangelist, claimed there would be a “judgment on this world” by the end of 1982 on his show, “The 700 Club,” in 1980. He later predicted end times on April 29, 2007 in his 1990 book, “The New Millennium.”

1991: Louis Farrakhan, a leader of the religious movement the Nation of Islam, predicted the Gulf War would be “the final war.”

SEPT. 9, 1994: This is the first date Christian broadcaster Harold Camping, known for using numerology to interpret the Bible, predicted the Rapture would come. He later claimed the same about Sept. 29 and Oct. 2, 1994; March 31, 1995 and Oct. 21, 2011.

JULY 1999: Conspiracy theorists believed “1999 and seven months” to be the date famed seer Nostradamus predicted a “terrifying leader” would come out of the sky. However, this hypothesis was based on a poor translation.

JAN. 1, 2000: Theorists believed a computer virus, nicknamed Y2K, would destroy technology on a global level and bring about mass chaos and destruction.

MAY 5, 2000: Survivalist Richard Noone published this date in his book, “5/5/2000 – Ice: The Ultimate Disaster,” in 1982. He believed the alignment of the planets would cause the polar ice caps to melt.

COMPILED BY MACKENZIE CLARK, MCLARK68@JCCC.EDU

!

the CAMPUS LEDGER / DEC 06, 2012 / VOL 35 / ISSUE 08

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crossword

puzzle by Michael Farabaugh

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language of Austria Tiny ___, singer of 1968’s “TipToe Thru’ the Tulips With Me” Oxford or loafer Entertain, as children at a library Singer DiFranco Purchasing system with payments made over time Video shooter, for short Golfer’s gouge “Make ___” (Picard’s command on “Star Trek: T.N.G.”) Store clerk Frilly place mats “Don’t Tread ___” (early flag motto) Former Chrysler C.E.O. Elite group Home, in Honduras Goldbrick Fidel Castro’s brother Ruth’s motherin-law

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Healthful food regimen, traditionally Name that comes from Old Norse for “young man” Devoted follower Buckles, as a seat belt Actress Ward Frizzy dos Assistant to Santa He played the Hulk on 1970s-’80s TV ___ v. Wade Present at birth Bump off Norm: Abbr.

Flew to great heights Suffix with cigar

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Editor-in-chief mclark68@jccc.edu 913-469-8500 ext. 4297

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monogram 2 “Eureka!”

3 Cowboy Rogers 4 Fan of Jerry Garcia’s band 5 Rough road surface 6 Donkey in “Winnie-thePooh” 7 Engrossed 8 The year 1550

GABRIELLE FITZGERALD Advertising Manager Circulation Manager gfitzge1@jccc.edu 913-469-8500 ext. 3193

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TABITHA FEAKER

L L O U P A C E N S T E C O S S I P O K S S S P P R I A K I N L S S O M A R R A B E E N D O N

M A L I N G E R E D

CLASSIFIEDS

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A P N E A L

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12733 W/ 110th Terrace Overland Park, KS Rent: $900.00. This newly renovated condo has new carpet and tile. Upgraded new appliances include dishwasher, stove, and refrigerator. There is a Spacemaker GE washer/dryer also included.

Marketing Manager tfeaker@jccc.edu

8/27/12 (No. 0827)

9 One 10 11 12 13 18 21 23 24 25 26 27

step ___ time “Smoking or ___?”

Ploy Very soon Brunch cocktail Nintendo game console U.N. workers’ grp.

Fossil fuel Opposing Captain Hook’s mate Primatologist Fossey Hops kiln Financier Carl

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MORGAN DAIGNEAULT Production Designer Illustrator Correspondent mdaignea@jccc.edu

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Sports Editor mmoore82@jccc.edu

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STAFF

edited by Will Shortz

Food-poisoning bacteria Kind of eel What “W” stands for on a light bulb Like Michelangelo’s “David” or Rodin’s “The Thinker” Where the United Nations is in Manhattan Jupiter Warning sign Recycling containers Surgical beams Spotted wildcat

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Devoured, with “down” Miami’s home: Abbr.

Tired or decadent Smeared with pitch Frat.’s counterpart Miles away Fleur-de-___ Singer Yoko Acapulco article Understood Annual coll. basketball competition Pepsi ___

ERICA ALDRIDGE Design Assistant ealdridg@jccc.edu

SARA SCHERBA

Illustrator Correspondent sscherba@jccc.edu

EDEM ELESSESSO Web Manager eelesses@jccc.edu

Reporters and Photographers JAMES RUSSELL

KELLY DANIELS

DANIEL DE ZAMACONA

MACKENZIE GRIPE

Sports Columnist jrusse24@jccc.edu Staff Photographer ddezamac@jccc.edu

Photo Correspondent kdanie20@jccc.edu Photo Correspondent mgripe1@jccc.edu

ANDREW SHEPHERD Staff Photographer ashephe5@jccc.edu

Adviser

For answers, call 1-900-289-CLUE (289-2583), $1.49 a minute; or, with a credit card, 1-800-814-5550.

Online subscriptions: Today’s puzzle and more than 5,000 past puzzles, nytimes.com/crosswords ($39.95 a year).

Annual subscriptions are available for the best of Sunday crosswords from the last 50 years: 1-888-7-ACROSS. Read about and comment on each puzzle: nytimes.com/wordplay.

Crosswords for young solvers: nytimes.com/learning/xwords.

CORBIN CRABLE Faculty Adviser ccrable@jccc.edu

Copyright © 2012 The Campus Ledger and/or its freelance contributors. All rights reserved. Content appearing in The Ledger’s print or electronic media may not be reproduced, published, broadcasted or redistributed without The Ledger’s prior written permission.

The Campus Ledger publishes biweekly during the fall and spring semesters. Issues are free and available campus-wide. Additional copies, including back issues, can be obtained from the Student News Center (COM 260) while supplies last. Online-exclusive content is published at

This spacious 2 bedroom, 1 bath condo has new carpet and has been freshly painted. This is a first floor apartment that has a patio and fireplace. Each condo has a carport and plenty of additional guest parking. The Crossings has a

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It is walking distance to shops and restaurants. Please call (913) 4916456 to set up an appointment.

The Classified section of The Campus Ledger is the perfect place to advertise, whether you need a roommate, are hiring for your business or trying to sell puppies. Find out more today!

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the CAMPUS LEDGER / DEC 06, 2012 / VOL 35 / ISSUE 08

OP ED 11 STAFF EDITORIAL

Dear

Santa,

Staff members of the Student News Center visit Santa Claus Wednesday, Nov. 28.

BACK ROW, LEFT TO RIGHT: Jon Parton, managing editor; Molly Baumgardner, adviser to ECAV and JCAV; Corbin Crable, adviser to The Campus Ledger; Edem Elessesso, web manager; Natalie Horsch, ECAV station manager; Gabrielle Fitzgerald, Ledger advertising manager; Sara Scherba, illustrator correspondent; Shawn Gelushia, ECAV disc jockey; Mike Czerniewski, JCAV producer FRONT ROW, LEFT TO RIGHT: David Hurtado, features editor; Aaron Fitzgerald, circulation assistant; Richie Wolfe, JCAV executive producer; Santa Claus; Mackenzie Clark, editor-inchief; Mackenzie Gripe, photo correspondent

Please bring me a cat for Christmas. Not one of those, “don’t touch me, I’m not here for your amusement” kind of cats, either. I want a cat that’ll purr and swirl around your legs until you trip and fall on the floor where it can reach you better. And it has to be fat, so fat that it hardly wants to expend the energy to get off your lap.

A cute, cuddly, fat, lazy, cat. And a MacBook Pro. KELLY DANIELS, PHOTO CORRESPONDENT

What up Bro. I’m supposed to send you a letter. I was all like, “A letter? Outdated and graduated, I could just send Brohan Santana a sweet tweet,” but they was all like, “Na-huh,” and I was all like, “Yes-huh.” Anyways, what do I want for JC’s B-Day Bash? I don’t really need anything since I’m already brotacular. Although e’erbody seems to be getting sumpin’ sumpin’ so the “Dark Knight” trilogy will do.

MAC MOORE, SPORTS EDITOR

I’ve done fairly well this year as far as the naughty/nice spectrum is concerned.

However, I’ve had a very difficult time making important decisions lately. If you could please bring me some direction, I would really appreciate it. Thanks!

MACKENZIE CLARK, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF P.S. Delilah wants more catnip and a new feather-on-a-stick toy.

All I really want for Christmas this year are LEGOs, a few books and maybe a DVD or two. I know, kind of surprising I’m not asking for a MacBook Pro or Ferrari. And I would like to become a stronger writer so I can hopefully get hired at The Kansas City Star someday.

DAVID HURTADO, FEATURES EDITOR

When I was 10, I wanted a new Nintendo system. When I was 16, I wanted a Ferrari.

When I was 22, I wanted a trip to the orbital space station. Out of all three, I only got a new Nintendo system so that’s what I want this year. Apparently you have a budget.

JON PARTON, MANAGING EDITOR

12 OP ED

the CAMPUS LEDGER / DEC 06, 2012 / VOL 35 / ISSUE 08

New York City safer than Kansas City

Government officials must make changes in education and law enforcement

By JON PARTON

S

omething has to be done to curb the increasing rate of murder and violence in Kansas

City. You are statistically more likely to be murdered in KC than in New York City.

New York City, home to more than eight million people, had a total of 515 murders last year.

Kansas City, Missouri, with its population of about 420,000, had a total of 108. According to the FBI, Kansas City has the fourth highest murder rate out of all cities in the United States.

Try taking a visit to the neighborhoods of 30th Street and Bales Avenue or 41st Street and Forest Avenue sometime. The communities there have been devastated by poverty and a city that refuses to help. For instance, take a look at the Kansas City School District. The beleaguered district has lost accreditation

twice in the past 11 years, a direct result of mismanagement.

The underlying problems with education do more than coincide with the high murder rates in the city; they directly affect one another. According to a report by the National Center for Education Statistics, the dropout rate for low-income students in 2009 was five times more than high-income students.

According to that same report, a high school dropout earns $630,000 less over a lifetime than someone with a GED. In a 2009 study, researchers at Northeastern University found that about one in 10 male high school dropouts are either in juvenile detention or jail. When the government fails to do what it’s supposed to, it’s the

people who suffer.

Not only is poor education responsible for crime rates, so are the poverty stricken states some neighborhoods are allowed to languish in. Why would anyone want to open a business or invest in a community with a high rate of crime? There needs to be decisive action taken in the matter of law enforcement. A good place to look is New York City.

Violent crime has dropped in New York City since 1990. In 2006, the city adopted legislation that established a registry of gun offenders and required gun stores to send inventory reports to the police twice a year.

Their police department adopted a strategy called “broken windows” policing. The

COLUMN strategy involves maintaining neighborhoods by stopping individuals for lesser violations of the law. The theory states that by cracking down on minor crimes, police can help prevent major crimes from occurring. The city also hired more police officers in order to better handle the amount of crime it faced.

Whatever Kansas City does, its government officials can no longer sit by and watch as neighborhoods decline further into poverty and murder rates continue to rise.

CONTACT JON PARTON, MANAGING EDITOR, AT JPARTON@JCCC.EDU.

A shriveled red rose is all that remains

By MACKENZIE CLARK

A

ll of Kansas City and NFL fans nationwide are feeling the blow of Saturday morning’s tragic event. Chiefs linebacker Jovan Belcher first shot and killed his girlfriend, Kassandra Perkins, then took his own life, leaving their three-month-old daughter, Zoey, an orphan.

I don’t like to publicize my personal life, but this is an issue that hits home for me. When I was 14, my brother Johnny committed suicide. Words cannot express the devastation my family felt at the time, and we still feel it seven years later.

My memory of that night – Feb. 22, 2005 – has not faded in the slightest. I remember the unexpected knock at the door, the instant nausea as I came down the stairs and realized it was a police officer… hearing, “We found your son slumped over the steering wheel of his car…”

Instant panic set in as I asked what was going on. My mother turned around with tears in her eyes, barely able to utter those horrifying words that changed all our lives forever: “Johnny’s dead.”

Thinking back on that night, and the weeks following, still makes me as sick to my stomach as I felt walking into his house and smelling the lingering exhaust fumes. Going through

his belongings brought up so many memories which first led to laughter, then straight back to tears.

Certain images will forever plague my mind: my sister Kathie, overcome with grief at the funeral, throwing herself on the casket in a fit of despair; Johnny’s 8-yearold son, Tyler, serving alongside the adult men as a pallbearer; the gravestone marked “Daddy.”

I will always cherish the red rose I took from the funeral. The color has long since drained from its petals, but in my mind it is still as vivid and vibrant as my memories of Johnny. Of course, every rose has its thorns.

I think it’s safe to say that every aspect of one’s life changes when one experiences such a devastating loss. The wild mixture of emotions the grieving process brings is, on a good day, intolerable.

Particularly around this time of year, when Johnny was the one who brought the whole family

together, I find myself staring at the empty seat on the couch where he belongs. Perhaps sometimes I still even expect to hear the loud knock on the door signaling my brother’s arrival at our house just before kickoff at Arrowhead Stadium.

None of us could have seen Johnny’s untimely death coming, but we could have prevented it, if only he had swallowed his pride and asked for help. We would’ve done anything then, just as we would do anything now, to have even one more moment with the brother, the son, the father, the uncle who left us all behind.

We would give anything just to tell Johnny we love him one more time.

I feel like I’m standing naked in front of a crowd writing this column, but I think it needs to be done. Although words can’t do the emotions justice, if sharing this story makes just one person take a

www.CampusLedger.com

COLUMN

step back and realize that death is never the answer and suicide isn’t even an option, I know it’s worth it.

It doesn’t matter who you are, what you’ve done or how miserable your life may seem at that moment; there is help for you. If things can’t get any worse, that means they can only get better.

If you take your own life, you’re also taking more than you could possibly imagine from everyone who knows and loves you. I guarantee they would rather sacrifice everything they have than lose you.

Please, please reach out for help if you need it; even if you don’t want help, please accept it anyway for your loved ones.

Someone in this world will be lost without you, clinging to a dead rose, wishing they could see you just once more.

CONTACT MACKENZIE CLARK, EDITORIN-CHIEF, AT MCLARK68@JCCC.EDU.

facebook.com/CampusLedger @CampusLedger

the CAMPUS LEDGER / DEC 06, 2012 / VOL 35 / ISSUE 08

SPORTS 13

Tragedy in Kansas City Chiefs try to recooperate after heartbreaking loss of life

By JAMES RUSSELL

T

ick. Tick. Tick.

The clouds pass, the moon rises, and the clock moves on.

The cold sets in but soon dissipates within an oddly warm darkness.

The night slips by in a moment, a brief flit of smoky fog, and a new

day dawns.

Nov. 30, 2012 has become the first of December and the planet we call Earth continues to revolve around the sun. Another day, another month.

But as the hours pass and people here in these United States pull themselves from their beds and go about their early morning routines, something else is taking place in Kansas City that will rock not only the Chiefs Kingdom, but the nation itself.

This has never happened quite like this. Not in the NFL. A woman, a mother, has left her life here upon this planet. A man, a father, is soon to take his own life in apparent recompense for his deeds. A child is about to be left without her parents.

And it will all end at Arrowhead Stadium.

By the time this article sees publication the events that took place Saturday will have been

rehashed innumerable times by both local and national media.

By the time this sees print much more will be known about the ‘why’s’ which surround the incomprehensible tragedy that has occurred on this otherwise normal morning.

But regardless of what information is to come, I have trouble believing that we’ll ever have any real answers. How can there be an answer for something like this?

There can be shock. There can be anger. There can be pain. There can be sorrow.

In time, there can be healing.

But answers? Real answers?

I don’t think such things exist this side of the veiled curtain separating us from whatever comes after.

I cannot imagine the depths of emotion those closest to this situation are experiencing right now. The family on both sides

of this who are left behind; the men who stood before him as he uttered his last words and ended his life; the infant daughter who will ever know her parents only in pictures and stories passed on to her…

I grieve for the grief that they share and for the burden they will always carry within themselves.

Football let loose its robes that day and what is hidden beneath them was revealed in this senseless and unthinkable tragedy: that it is merely a game.

I breathe Chiefs football – or at least I often seem to think I do.

But at the end of the day, and at the end of life, not a single win or loss truly matters.

Family. Friends. Love. These things. They matter.

I have no answers for what happened. Many will condemn the man who did this as evil. I can’t agree with that. I don’t think those close to him would agree

SPORTS COLUMN with that.

Something occurred that day for which I have no frame of reference. I cannot imagine what was going through his head as he committed the acts that he did.

I know that whatever demons existed there drove him to end his own life as well, and until I’ve been in that place I’ll reserve my damning of a man who faced the darkness and was lost within it.

The loss of life is tragic in almost any circumstance. I don’t see this as an exception to that.

Rest in peace, Kasandra Perkins. And while I don’t know that anyone else will write these words for print, rest in peace, Jovan Belcher.

CONTACT JAMES RUSSELL, SPORTS COLUMNIST, AT JRUSSE24@JCCC.EDU.

14 SPORTS

the CAMPUS LEDGER / DEC 06, 2012 / VOL 35 / ISSUE 08

Shooting to the top

Lady Cavs #1 in first regular season poll

By MAC MOORE

I

t’s not often in sports that a team finishes at 32-3, is faced with replacing multiple AllAmericans, and still sees a chance to improve the following season. The Lady Cavs squad is currently working toward that possibility.

The team started out this season at an impressive 6-0 and outscored their opponents by an average of 52 points per game. This early domination has propelled the team from seventh in the preseason NJCAA poll to first in the first regular season poll.

This accomplishment is a great sign for the young squad, which before the season saw youth as the biggest obstacle of obtaining a similar record as last season.

“We are a young team but we understand that we have to grow up fast,” sophomore Kathleen Brisbane said.

The numbers have been staggering for the squad. The team is averaging more than 80 points per game and giving up just a tad more than 30. Four players are averaging double figures in scoring, making the team very balanced and difficult for opposing defenses to key on scorers.

“We’ve got a lot of weapons out there,” Ben Conrad, head coach, said. “I wouldn’t

want to have to guard our group, especially as our season progresses.”

Conrad does point out that the current numbers are more reflective of strength of schedule than how the numbers will finish up at the end of the year. Right now he is less focused on the specific numbers, more so on the product.

“I think our numbers right now reflect just a talent gap between us and our opponents, to be honest,” Conrad said. “We’re making a real effort during this off week to get right on both ends. We really aren’t even close to scratching the surface of where this team can be later on.”

If the team can make that step towards Conrad’s vision, the ceiling on the team is high. The true test will come as the team enters conference play. The first game of East Jayhawk Conference play will be at 1 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 8 at Highland Community College.

CONTACT MAC MOORE, SPORTS EDITOR, AT MMOORE82@JCCC.EDU.

Upcoming Home Games

MEN’S BASKETBALL

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 11 v. Fort Scott Community College

5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 11 v. Fort Scott Community College

7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 9 v. Kansas City Kansas Community College

5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 9 v. Kansas City Kansas Community College

4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 12 v. Cowley College

2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 12 v. Cowley College

4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 19 v. Highland Community College

2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 19 v. Highland Community College

COMPILED BY MAC MOORE, MMOORE82@JCCC.EDU

SPORTS BRIEFS WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

There are those who want more than just a piece of paper when they graduate.

They want a degree employers will respect.

One that comes with a level of prestige, not a question. And when it’s all said and done, one that comes with a future.

The Lady Cavs just keep on rolling. The team has come out of the gates with a 7-0 start that doesn’t seem to be slowing down. The team beat Hesston on Nov. 28 by 35 points. While that seems like a large scoring margin, it is actually their second smallest winning margin of the season. The team beat Southwestern by only 34 back on Nov. 10. Through seven games, the team has five different players scoring in double figures.

MEN’S BASKETBALL

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Online. On campus. Or both.

(877) 999-9876 GoForGreater.org Columbia College–Kansas City Genesis Newsom ‘10

SPORTS CALENDAR

After starting out the season 3-1, Head Coach Mike Jeffers’ squad lost five straight games before knocking off Wentworth Military Academy on Dec. 3. Sophomore Christian Hildebrandt got the team back on track with a 21 point performance in that game and has led the team with 15 points per game on the season. Currently the team is .500 at home, but is 0-2 away from the college. The Cavs will look to change that on Saturday, Jan. 5 when they face Labette in Parsons, Kansas.

COMPILED BY MAC MOORE, MMOORE82@JCCC.EDU

the CAMPUS LEDGER / DEC 06, 2012 / VOL 35 / ISSUE 08

SPORTS 15

Addie all over the field Adderall usage rising in pro sports

By MAC MOORE

I

will start this column with a disclaimer.

Most editorials, by design, are meant to take a stance and give a call to action. This column will be used much more as a means of loosely informing the public about an issue. I offer no solution as I honestly am not equipped to give you one. Instead here is the story, take from it what you will.

According to USA Today, more than a dozen NFL players have blamed their 2012 drug suspension on Adderall or have been linked to the drug by other players. Other pro sports leagues, including the MLB and NBA, have faced a similarly alarming increase in drug tests involving Adderall. The increase in “claimed” use has some questioning whether this uptick is accurate and others just questioning the seriousness of the issue.

When an NFL player gets suspended for a positive drug test, the league is not allowed by their collective bargaining agreement with the players’ association to release information concerning which drug they tested positive for. The argument is that the players save face by announcing to the press that it was Adderall. The drug carries less social stigma than, say, steroids or HGH. Considering the NFL is not allowed to refute the claims, this seems to be a great PR move.

This accusation might be true. Actually, it probably is true, but isn’t as important as the rest of the discussion. When former KU cornerback Aqib Talib got suspended, I definitely laughed at the SportsCenter info bar when it said Adderall. At this point I just expect marijuana, steroids, etcetera; not necessarily from Talib, but that’s the general direction of drug test suspensions.

Growing up watching movies like “Varsity Blues” and “Any Given Sunday,” I just imagine locker rooms full of painkillers and other prescription drugs used without prescriptions. Even the steroids have numbed most of us. A four-game suspension now receives a yawn unless the player happens to be on our fantasy team. All of a sudden the positive tests begin to be blamed on Adderall, an ADHD medication. Really?

Think about it: the Ritalin generation has come of age. We seem to be so accustomed to the use of ADD/ADHD medication used in the proper way that we don’t even consider ethics involved in using without a doctor referral.

College students are swapping “addies,” slang for Adderall, like housewives swap recipes.

Adderall appears to be just as likely a study tool as Redbull or even a textbook.

Yes, it is illegal to take without a prescription, but the drug contains little to none of the social stigma that other drugs carry. Adderall has definitely taken on a second life as a party drug, but we still view most of its illegal use as at least being used for good: education. This gives us a strange understanding of Adderall as a schooling pick-me-up, but why are NFL players using it? I may be wrong, but Talib is probably done writing papers.

Some argue Adderall counts as a performance-enhancing drug. The neuroenhancing effects of Adderall create a mental disconnect from the physical rigors of sports.

When the New York Giants go on the road to San Francisco, the 49ers have a distinct advantage by the jet lag the opposing team faces by going across the country for the game. When players are looking for that little bump to get through a workout day, the effects of Adderall have as many benefits as they do to students who want to write a 10-page paper due in 10 hours. Adderall is great for pushing past those tiresome days.

I will finish the article how I started it. This is happening and here is the info on it, at least as I see; no true stance on the issue and no call to action. Read the USA Today piece, “Do pro sports leagues have an Adderall problem?” and Margaret Talbot’s New Yorker piece, “Brain Gain,” for interesting information from qualified people.

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