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kansas state collegian
vol. 124, issue 60
monday, february 25, 2 0 1 9
Industrial hemp in Kansas: A sustainable crop for the future
OLIVIA BERGMEIER THE COLLEGIAN
Illustration by Olivia Bergmeier | COLLEGIAN MEDIA GROUP
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Overland Park fundraiser earns $600,000 for students
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As climate change enters the forefront of more and more American minds, no doubt thanks to increasingly extreme weather patterns, sustainability — both environmental and economic — is becoming a key focus for farmers in Kansas. While it doesn’t seem like a traditional crop on U.S. soil, one increasingly popular possibility for sustainable agriculture is growing industrial hemp. Hemp is a lesser-known product harvested from the cannabis plant, the same plant that marijuana is derived from. Hemp and marijuana are technically grown from distinct strains of the cannabis plant, with hemp primarily used for paper, textiles, plastics and biofuel, and marijuana known mostly as a drug. Rick Trojan, vice president of the Hemp Industries Association and board member of the Vote Hemp advocacy organization, said hemp has a long, unknown history as a crop in the United States, dating back to colonial times. “In the very first colonies that were established, it was actually mandatory to grow hemp,” Trojan said. “This was true in the Massachusetts Bay Colony; also in Jamestown and the Chesapeake Bay colonies of Maryland and Virginia.” Hemp was one of the crops considered to be a “cash crop” by colonists, along with tobacco, flax and wheat.
Trojan said major proponents and growers of industrial hemp included founding fathers George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and John Adams. He also said the managers of Washington’s Mount Vernon estate even grew hemp on the land to honor the tradition last year, and they plan to do it again this year. “In the late 1800s, the state of Kansas was actually a pretty major producer of hemp crop,” Trojan said. “During the Civil War, I believe around 1865, Kansas was the number one state in production of hemp.” Later on, during the 1930s, Trojan said there was legislation passed where many states prohibited industrial hemp due to multiple anti-cannabis activist groups. During World War II, it came back in the spotlight for a short period to aid in the war effort with its various industrial-level uses. In the 1970s, Trojan said hemp again had opposition because there was no distinction between marijuana and industrial hemp, and therefore it was federally controlled and treated like an illegal drug. In 2012, Colorado legalized the cultivation of hemp within the state. Later, under the Federal Farm Bill of 2014, more states began to grow it as well, Trojan said. “In 2015, 3,933 acres were cultivated in the United States,” Trojan said. “In 2016, that grew to 9,770 acres, and in 2017, there was a big jump to 25,713 acres, more than half of which was produced in Colorado. And then last year, evidence shows
Sihasara celebration showcases Sri Lankan culture
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that about 77,000 acres of hemp were cultivated in the United States.” In 2018, the Kansas state senate passed SB 263, a bill which enacted the Alternative Crop Research Act and allowed the Kansas Department of Agriculture to then distribute licenses for Kansas farmers to cultivate hemp for both commercial and research uses. Hemp today has increased in popularity due to its observed beneficial effects. It not only helps enrich the soil it is grown in, but it can be used as an ingredient in biodegradable alternatives to oil-based products, such as plastic. “The root systems spread apart and break the soil up, which increases oxygenation [and] increases the biodiversity of the soil,” said Kelly Rippel, president of the Planted Association of Kansas and vice president and co-founder of Kansans for Hemp. “It essentially regenerates the soil just by growing. But if you combine regenerative agriculture principles — a series of principles for more sustainable farming — such as soil no-till and cover crops, know that it just increases all of those exponentially.” Christie Lunsford, CEO of the Hemp Biz Conference, said the roots of hemp also have a phytoremediation aspect to them, meaning that hemp can be used to remove contaminants from soil.
see page 6, “HEMP”
OPINION: Polarization should not be the goal in 2020 race
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monday, february 25, 2019 The Collegian welcomes your letters. We reserve the right to edit submitted letters for length and style. A letter intended for publication should be no longer than 400 words and must be relevant to the student body of K-State. It must include the author’s first and last name, year in school and major. If you are a graduate of K-State, the letter should include your year(s) of graduation and must include the city and state where you live. For a letter to be considered, it must include a phone number where you can be contacted. The number will not be published. Letters can be sent to letters@ kstatecollegian.com or submitted through an online form at kstatecollegian.com. Letters may be rejected if they contain abusive content, lack timeliness, contain vulgarity, profanity or falsehood, promote personal and commercial announcements, repeat comments of letters printed in other issues or contain attachments. The Collegian does not publish open letters, third-party letters or letters that have been sent to other publications or people.
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EDITORIAL BOARD Kaylie McLaughlin Rachel Hogan Co-Editors-inChief Dené Dryden Managing Editor
Rebecca Vrbas Assistant Culture Editor
Gabby Farris Colton Seamans Design Chiefs
Molly Hackett Sports Editor
Olivia Bergmeier Multimedia Editor
Rafael Garcia News Editor
Nathan Enserro Julia Jorns Assistant Sports Editors
Bailey Britton Peter Loganbill Assistant News Editors
Olivia Rogers Leah Zimmerli Community Co-Editors
Macy Davis Culture Editor
Kyle Hampel Copy Chief
Monday
CORRECTIONS In the Feb. 22 article “K-State superfan’s purple maraca still missing months after theft,” Cameron Koger’s last name was misspelled. The Collegian regrets the error. In the Feb. 22 article “NRA comes to K-State campus, educates students on gun issues,” the country of Sarah Hitchcock’s husband’s deployment was stated incorrectly. He was deployed to South Korea. The Collegian regrets the error. If you see something that should be corrected, call co-editors-in-chief Rachel Hogan and Kaylie McLaughlin at 785-370-6356 or email news@kstatecollegian.com.
Logan Wassall Kyle Hampel Deputy Multimedia Editors Monica Diaz Autumn Mock Social Media Editors
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monday, february 25, 2019
Annual Wabash Cannonball gala raises over $600,000 in scholarships LOGAN REILLY
THE COLLEGIAN
Basked in a purple hue, the Overland Park Convention Center was host to hundreds of Wildcats on Friday night as they gathered for the 13th annual Wabash Cannonball gala. The event supports aspiring Kansas State University students in the greater Kansas City area. It is one of four such events in different locations across the country. Notable K-Staters in attendance included university president Richard Myers, vice president of student life Pat Bosco and new head football coach Chris Klieman. Attendees could take pictures with Klieman and school mascot Willie the Wildcat. Following the cocktail hour, guests made their way to the dining room of the convention center as promotional videos were streamed, recordings of the K-State fight song were played and refreshments were served. The lights dimmed as
Greg Musil, 1980 K-State graduate and former student body president, took the stage decorated with purple Adidas shoes around his neck. Musil made jokes about current men’s basketball standings in the Big 12 Conference and schools that are currently under investigation for the Adidas scandal, including the University of Kansas. Musil then addressed guests of honor, saying, “Unlike other Big 12 schools, we win championships in multiple sports.” Musil welcomed to the stage Leo and Amy Sue Nunnink, co-chairs for the 2019 Wabash Cannonball gala. During their speech, the Nunninks shared current statistics for the fundraiser. As of 2019, the Wabash Cannonball in the Kansas City area has provided 513 students with scholarships adding up to over $1.3 million and provided a scholarship endowment fund totaling nearly $2.3 million. Scholarship recipient Olivia Pruss, sophomore in biol-
Courtesy Photo by the K-State Alumni Association and @WabashKC on Twitter
The Overland Park Convention Center was covered in a purple hue on Friday evening for the 13th annual Wabash Cannonball fundraising gala. ogy, followed the Nunninks. “When I decided to visit Kansas State University, I’d never seen Bill Snyder [Family] Stadium, gone through Aggieville and I had no idea what ‘the Wabash’ even was,” Pruss
Courtesy Photo by the K-State Alumni Association and @WabashKC on Twitter
Leo Nunnink, Amy Sue Nunnink and Chris Klieman were among the attendees at the 13th annual Wabash Cannonball gala.
said. “I was simply visiting campus to check it out.” Pruss shared her story of being treated as another member of the community instead of a prospective student to sell an education to. “After engaging with this community for nearly two years, I can confidently say that the pride and love I found my first time on campus has only grown,” Pruss said. Closing her speech, Pruss expressed her gratitude to the supporters of the Wabash Cannonball scholarship and the community that she has found at K-State. “Thank you again for your support and investment in my college experience,” Pruss said. “Myself and so many students could not be here today without you.” Taking the stage again, Musil shared the night’s highlight event, “Fund a Wildcat.” Depending on how much the attendees at a given table donated, they would be entered to win various prizes, such as dinner with Myers at the National World War I Museum, a poker night with Bosco or catered tailgates with former K-State and NFL football players Ryan Lilja and Nick Leckey.
During the dinner, Student Alumni Board members rushed between tables to collect donations for the “Fund a Wildcat” event. After dinner, the Nunninks shared that in just 45 minutes, the event raised over $235,000, bringing the night’s total amount raised to over $600,000. The event gave scholarships to 55 incoming freshmen. Student Alumni Board members then stood in front of the stage dancing to the Wabash Cannonball as the crowd began dancing, singing and clapping to the beat. Carl Gerlach, 1976 K-State graduate and mayor of Overland Park, discussed his involvement with the first steering committee and inspiration for the event. “We wanted a nice event where people could have a black tie dinner and then raise some money for scholarships,” Gerlach said. “It’s bigger and better. It continues to grow.” When reflecting on previous Wabash Cannonballs, Musil said each one has been fun and exceeded expectations with both attendance and donations raised. “I’m a huge football fan, so I love having Coach Klie-
man here and meeting 900 supporters of K-State,” Musil said. “I think the energy he has brought is awesome.” Terin Walters, 2005 K-State graduate, and Andrea Bryant Gladin, 2002 K-State graduate, were both coordinators for the event. They both reflected on the progression of the gala and how it has grown over the years. “The committee works hard to build sponsorship for the event with their connections around the KC community,” Gladin said. “We have over 100 sponsors for this year’s events, with most of them attending tonight.” Pruss said she plans to support the Wabash Cannonball gala after she has completed her education at K-State. “I would love to attend the gala annually after graduation, and I most definitely plan on supporting these scholarships,” Pruss said. “In addition to knowing the impact firsthand, seeing the passion that our alumni have is motivation enough to continue that legacy. In the meantime, I hope to help the scholarship through my own story and encouraging others to apply.”
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monday, february 25, 2019
Sihasara event gives students taste of Sri Lankan culture, traditions EMMA WITTER
THE COLLEGIAN
Meenu Mohankumar, president of the Sri Lankan Students’ Association and graduate student in statistics, said the whole community had a hand in planning Sihasara, the inaugural showcase of Sri Lankan culture at Kansas State on Sunday. While the association has
participated in joint events with groups from the Kansas City area and Lawrence in the past, Mohankumar said the group was excited to create an event specific to K-State. “We always wanted to do something to show our culture and traditions,” Mohankumar said. The Union Courtyard event featured K-State students, members of the Manhattan community and profes-
John Chapple | COLLEGIAN MEDIA GROUP
Members of the Sri Lankan Students’ Assocation help a visitor try on a traditional Sri Lankan party garb. On Sunday, the Sri Lankan Students’ Association held a cultural fair in the Union Courtyard to help students and community members learn more about Sri Lanka and foreign students.
CLASSIFIEDS 785.370.6355 | kstatecollegian.com
sional dancers and drummers from New York, California and Texas throughout the afternoon. The event opened with an exhibition of Sri Lankan culture. Booths showcased traditional costumes and masks, dresses to try on, wood carvings and various Sri Lankan foods for attendees to sample. Sihasara was “full of color, tasty food and unique beats,” said Dietra Sober, junior in social science and international studies. “I now have a better understanding of my Sri Lankan friends’ lives,” Sober said. After the exhibition, university president Richard Myers lit a ceremonial oil lamp and members of the Sri Lankan community in Manhattan performed various traditional songs, dances and drumming rituals. Bjorn Jonsson, sophomore in architectural engineering, said the drummers were his favorite part of the event. “[The emcee] said they were the best in Sri Lanka, and I believe him,” Jonsson said. Geneva Fink, sophomore in human development and family science, said her takeaway from the event is that everyone should experience the traditions of different cultures. “The Sri Lankan culture is beautiful and amazing,” Fink said. “Everyone should check it out.” Mohankumar said her hope for Sihasara was that attendees would be able to better understand their Sri Lankan peers. “When you share something that comes from your culture, you will have a broader mind,” Mohankumar said. “That’s what we want to give students here who’ve never experienced Sri Lankan culture.” GET A JOB FIND YOUR MOJO LEASING AND RENTING SELL YOUR LITTLE BROTHER LEAK THE KRABBY PATTY FORMULA
K-State throttles Oklahoma State ahead of KU basketball game
Logan Wassall | COLLEGIAN MEDIA GROUP
Senior guard Barry Brown leaps up toward the basket for a layup during the K-State men’s basketball game against Oklahoma State in Bramlage Coliseum on Saturday. The Wildcats beat the Cowboys 85-46.
ADAM MEYER
THE COLLEGIAN
It was a cold Saturday afternoon in Manhattan. The town was in a blizzard warning, but inside Bramlage Coliseum the Kansas State men’s basketball team was on fire. The Wildcats cruised to a 85-46 win over the Oklahoma State Cowboys. It was all Wildcats from the beginning. K-State took control of the game by jumping out to a 15-0 lead. Oklahoma State tried to make some adjustments to slow the Wildcats down by calling a timeout in the third minute after the lead was 8-0, but they were unable to slow them down. It all started with senior guard Barry Brown, who got a steal on the Cowboys’ opening possession, taking the ball down the court and slamming a one-handed dunk to get the Wildcats on the board. That was the beginning of the onslaught. “We got off to a good
start,” senior forward Dean Wade said. “A lot of it had to do with our defense. Getting out in transition, easy steal points. Barry [Brown’s] steal on the first possession was big. Stuff like that gets everything going.” It was a team effort on offense as five players – senior guard Kamau Stokes, Brown, junior forward Xavier Sneed, freshman guard Shaun Neal-Williams and junior forward Austin Trice – scored double figures. Junior forward Makol Mawien and sophomore forward Levi Stockard scored eight points. Wade and sophomore guard Mike McGurl both scored six points. The Cowboys didn’t get on the board until the 14:18 mark when freshman guard Isaac Likekele was able to get to the free-throw line to make it a 15-2 game. K-State shot 64 percent on field goals in the first half, while Oklahoma State shot 23.1 percent. The Cowboys came up empty on nine three-point attempts, and the Wildcats shot an exceptional
5-of-11. This was all part of the Wildcats’ 42-18 halftime lead. The Wildcats kept their foot on the gas pedal in the second half, as they opened the half with back-to-back threes from Xavier Sneed and Mike McGurl. In the eleventh minute of the second half with a 59-31 lead, head coach Bruce Weber started rest his starters and some of the reserve players in the game as the Wildcats went on to win comfortably. The Wildcats flexed their depth in the game; bench players scored 38 points. The Wildcats made a total of 10 three-pointers and shot a 62 percent on 52 total field goal attempts. The Wildcats (21-6, 11-6 conference) now head to Lawrence to go for a series sweep on the Kansas Jayhawks in a crucial Big 12 battle. “We are a good team on the road,” said Wade. “We are just going to go in [to Allen Fieldhouse] and play K-State Basketball.”
05
Men’s golf finishes 6th in Florida State’s Seminole Invitational
TO TO M DA O Y R R & O W !
monday, february 25, 2019
PRIZE DRAWINGS! COOKIES!
For May & August graduates ...
GRAD po
ex
Brooke Barrett | COLLEGIAN MEDIA GROUP
Ben Fernandez, senior in finance, carefully aligns his putt during a Oct. 5, 2018 afternoon practice at Colbert Hills Country Club.
NATHAN ENSERRO THE COLLEGIAN
The Kansas State men’s golf team finished in sixth place out of 14 teams at the Seminole Intercollegiate golf tournament hosted by Florida State in Tallahassee, Florida, over the weekend. The three-round tournament was held at the Golden Eagle Country Club, a 6,965yard, par 72 course. The tournament boasted serious competition, including No. 5 Wake Forest, No. 29 Louisville, No. 30 Florida State and Big 12 Conference opponent No. 41 West Virginia. After the first two rounds,
K-State found itself in fifth place at three under par. The Wildcats trailed leader Jacksonville by just nine strokes. The Wildcats were lead in those first two rounds by seniors Jeremy Gandon and Roland Massimino, who each shot a minus-2 142 on the 36hole day. “We had a very solid opening round and were playing well early in round two, but we just made a few mistakes coming in,” head coach Grant Robbins told K-State Sports after the first day. “I like the position we are in.” In the third round, juniors Ben Fernandez and Jacob Eklund each shot a teambest 70, two under par. The Wildcats slipped
back one spot in the team rankings despite putting together a four-under-par 284 that round. Only two teams had better third rounds. K-State finished behind Wake Forest, Florida State, Jacksonville, West Virginia and Louisville. In individual scoring, Gandon’s score of 213 was good for a tie for sixth. Two shots behind him, Massimo and Fernandez tied for 16th at 215. K-State’s next action will be March 4 and 5 at the Colleton River Collegiate tournament hosted by Michigan State. The Wildcats will play the 54-hole tournament at the Colleton River Plantation in Bluffton, South Carolina.
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VENDORS • Balfour • C-B Announcements • Intrust Bank • K-State Career Center • Church Hill Classics • K-State Alumni Association • K-State Athletics • Royal Purple yearbook
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06
monday, february 25, 2019
REVIEW: Five radical podcasts to add to your favorite playlist SIERRA STAATZ
THE COLLEGIAN
Whether you’re on a long drive back home, spring cleaning for a few hours or trekking all the way to the other side of campus through the snow, podcasts are a great way to fill your mind with something educational or just purely entertaining. Podcasts can provide news, entertain niche interests or just allow your mind to unwind. Here are short reviews of five recommended podcasts so you don’t miss out on all that the audio world has to offer.
1. SERIAL
Each season of this podcast focuses on a specific murder or crime, so you’ll have to commit to a whole season if you want the full story. This podcast currently ranks as one of the top podcasts in the U.S., a testament to the dedication of true crime fans. It might not be for the faint of heart, as it goes extremely in-depth with each case. However, it’s sure to be enjoyable for anyone with an interest in criminology.
2. THE DAILY
From The New York Times, this podcast is an alternative medium many people use to easily get caught up on
relevant news every day. At 20 minutes long, The Daily episodes are easily manageable to fit around a busy schedule. Ranked as the number one podcast in the U.S., it is a great way to quickly get information from one of the top news organizations in the world. The best part? The podcast is completely free, no subscription required.
3. RADIOLAB
From WNYC Radio, RadioLab finds strange, usually scientific stories and presents them in a compelling way to listeners. Their researchers go out of their way to interview people with a variety of stories, from raccoon issues in foreign
countries to a story on how legislation was passed decades ago. If you’re a bit of a science nerd and enjoy listening to stories, this is the podcast for you.
4. HELLO INTERNET
If you are the quiet one in a group and you simply enjoy listening to people, you might enjoy Hello Internet. Hosted by YouTube content creators Brady Haran and C.G.P. Grey, it is basically two guys sitting down and talking about whatever random things they feel like in the moment, from puppies to books to interesting life stories. Even on the show, the hosts talk about how there is no way to describe this podcast, but you might learn something.
HEMP continued from page
Kyle Hampel | THE COLLEGIAN
ARIES March 21 - April 19
You only have to survive two weeks until spring break! I hope this thought comforts you when you start chugging coffee during midterms.
TAURUS April 20 - May 20
Soon, your boss will tell you a deeply personal secret: they own not one, but two DVD copies of “Pokémon: The First Movie.”
GEMINI May 21 - June 20
Your next trip on an airplane will be incredibly relaxing until three different babies start crying all at once.
CANCER June 21 - July 22
The haircut you scheduled this week will be an absolute disaster. When your hairdresser asks what you think, you will say, “Great, thanks!” as you die inside.
LIBRA Sept. 23 - Oct. 22
You will attempt to make this week easier by organizing several to-do lists. However, you should have focused on to-don’t lists instead.
SCORPIO Oct. 23 - Nov. 21
Dying your hair blue is all you’ll think about this week. The effect on your productivity will be devastating.
SAGITTARIUS Nov. 22 - Dec. 21 Self-improvement starts with you, but it also ends with you, too. Never try, never fail.
CAPRICORN Dec. 22 - Jan. 19
First dates are always awkward, but you’re about to take it to a whole new level. You’ll just have to see what I mean.
LEO July 23 - Aug. 22
AQUARIUS Jan. 20 - Feb. 18
VIRGO Aug. 23 - Sept. 22
PISCES Feb. 19 - March 20
The stars say you should get a sword — not for any murderous purposes, but just to wave it around when you want people to pay attention to you.
Is it better to have loved and lost than to have never loved at all? No, it is not. Uninstall Tinder, install the Domino’s app. You’re a superstar.
You’re going to win the lottery this week! The stars aren’t specifying which lottery, but they say your only prize will be a jar of peanut butter. Darn.
I’m not sure what’s happening to you this week, but whatever it is, I’m sure there’s an episode of “The Simpsons” about it.
1
“Hemp was planted at Chernobyl,” Lunsford said, referring to the Chernobyl nuclear power plant disaster of 1986. “It was planted at Chernobyl to remove toxins from the soil.” All parts of the plant can be used to create hemp oil, while the seeds, stalks and leaves all have more specialized, niche uses. The stem has fiber used to create textiles — rope, canvas, upholstery — and a significant product here in Kansas known as hempcrete. Hempcrete is a replacement for concrete made by mixing hemp with limestone, which could allow future buildings and sidewalks to be made in a more environmentally friendly way. “The fact that Kansas is very rich in limestone, and we have quarries, it’s crucial for making hempcrete,” Rippel said. The seeds of hemp are useful as well. They can be coldpressed into oil and used as an alternative for the oil used in paints, cars, wood finishings, plastics and solvents.
5. DEAR HANK AND JOHN
Want a comedic podcast that is a bit on the nerdy side? Then this is the podcast for you. It also happens to be a personal favorite of mine. Brothers, authors and content creators Hank and John Green answer people’s real questions with a hilarious take on each topic. The iconic duo mostly focuses on positive news, from Mars exploration to amazing sports feats. Unlike Serial, a listener may begin at any episode and still fully enjoy the experience. Sierra Staatz is a fresh-
man in chemical and biological engineering. The views and opinions expressed in this review are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Collegian. Please send comments to opinion@kstatecollegian. com.
“As far as other sustainability, instead of having oil paints and oil products with chemicals, we could go back to using hemp oil,” Lunsford said. The oil can also be used in food to assist in nutrition; many proponents of hemp consider it a “superfood.” Leaves can be eaten raw, used as additives in other foods and even used to create various cosmetic and body care products. Hemp’s proponents say it is valuable for more than its environmental friendliness; it also doesn’t require as much water, pesticides and herbicides as other traditional crops like soybeans, corn and wheat. The money saved from not using as much water and other resources can go directly back to the farmer, Rippel said, so they won’t be spending as much money directly on the crop. Despite the opportunities hemp could provide for Kansas and the U.S. as a whole, there are various challenges it will ultimately face before it becomes a mainstream cash crop. Besides the obvious issues related to the cannabis plant and the legalization of marijuana, one challenge Rippel says hemp faces is simple infrastructure. There is little infrastruc-
ture in place for efficient use of hemp fibers to create textiles. “The overall sustainability is going to come from the re-engagement and the reintroduction of the supply chain,” Rippel said. “It’s all about collaboration. That’s how the sustainability is going to work is through sharing best practices and engaging with partners in it.” Lunsford shared similar sentiments about the infrastructure challenges. “There is a lack of infrastructure because we abandoned our farming community and we abandoned our manufacturing community,” Lunsford said. These challenges don’t seem to stall the excitement behind hemp in Kansas for some, though. Jordan Hofmeier, director of the John C. Pair Horticultural Center in Haysville, Kansas, said he gets questions about industrial hemp all the time. “Right now, my phone is ringing every day — 15 phone calls this week on industrial hemp, with countless emails,” Hofmeier said. “There’s a lot of excitement, and I am advising anybody interested in getting into it, to go in with their eyes wide open.”
07
monday, february 25, 2019
OPINION: Don’t destroy America in 2020, political polarization helps no one SUAN SONNA
THE COLLEGIAN
Suan Sonna is a freshman in political science and philosophy. The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Collegian. The 2020 U.S. presidential election is right at our doorstep, and we already have fertile soil for polarization. Debates on abortion, religious freedom, universal healthcare and economic policy are bound to ignite passions. Everyone is fed up with the old and ready for the new. I am sure the Democrats in 2020 will be mobilized and prepared for Republican backlash. The stakes are too high and the need for justice is too ripe. They will never let 2016 happen again. On the other end, Republicans have a tough battle. Rising numbers of people are dissatisfied with capitalism and desire universal health care. To survive this onslaught, Republicans will have to inspire the American people with proposals that reinvigorate pride in our country. But before the battle begins, I am making a plea to all sides: do not destroy America. If we are striving for a just and free society, then we must first have a society. To accomplish this, we need to examine ourselves and expose the myths we’ve adopted. We need to surrender the myth of radical individualism or the pervasive “me” ideology which says, “My vision of justice, my politics and my life are my utmost concerns above cooperation, compromise and community!” Most people who hold this view often don’t even know it, and from my experience, are immune to evidence of their arrogance. People with this mentality will generally scoff at the idea of societal duty and belittle the idea of cooperation. And though I vehemently disagree with the “me” view, I
understand why it is held. We live in a disenchanted age. Many of the traditional institutions that maintained civil society have deteriorated or entered vicious cycles of corruption — religion, government and so forth. These were once places people found trust and, for some, identity and fulfillment. With their decline has emerged what some scholars call the inward generation. Professor Jeffrey K. Hadden found that this was the best way to characterize our current generation. Hadden’s article, written in 1970, says, “It is the generation which gives absolute priority to the personal and which tends in a remarkable way to withdraw into the self. This might seem surprising for those who are thinking of our youth in terms of highly activistic, protest-signcarrying people, who have their teach-ins, sit-ins, walk-ins and stay-ins all over the country and who think in many terms about themselves except one: inwardness. But first impressions are not always the right ones.” The inward generation wants to meaningfully change the world, but they know the odds against them are incredible. Due to their lack of trust in others and traditional modes of civil discourse, they collapse into themselves. Cooperation and compromise are considered self-demoralizing. They present themselves as confidently pursuing a better world, even though they are plagued with severe doubts. On the other hand, some of us have grown numb to politics. We remain silent out of fear, hoping the drama will pass. But we recognize that our silence maintains the status quo. In this state, some become cynical, others pursue fun and excitement, but the result is the same — civil society is forgotten. It is time to break the spell and take responsibility. Our democratic republic
and communities are structured so that decisions and actions have far-reaching consequences. The “me” ideology pretends that we occupy microcosms invincible to outside forces. In this day and age, however, we simply cannot be left alone. With the rise of globalization and an ever more diverse society, we must confront every lens of identity and social problems. We must also recognize
the “me” mentality subverts its own goals. If you want to pursue your life plans in peace, then one must acknowledge peace is an internal and external reality. Your joy and fulfillment are not just what you feel and do for yourself; they are greatly affected by your relationship with others. People are at peace when they trust their neighbors, when they see virtue and goodness in their country. When
their trust is violated, when people hide their faces and espouse hatred, when someone feels overlooked and unheard, everyone’s peace is robbed. Laws will be passed, rumors will spread and our flourishing will be endangered. The journey forward will not be easy. In fact, it will be painful and, at times, disheartening. But there will be moments so bright that they restore hope. It sounds dramatic,
but is there really another way to describe it? Undergirding our political opinions are controversial views of human nature, the role of government, and the nature of morality. Whether or not we realize it, we are in a discourse of cosmic proportions.
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Rent-Apt. Unfurnished WWW.VILLAFAY PROPERTIES.COM one to eight bedrooms, apartments, houses and duplexes. Next to K-State. No pets. 785-537-7050.
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CLASSIFIEDS
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Stadium West Campus Anderson/Seth Child
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Aggieville/Downtown East Campus Close to town
FOUR AND Five bedroom houses avaialble June and August. 785587-8724, 785-3131256.
FOUR AND Six bedroom houses available MANHATTAN CITY June and August. 785Ordinance 4814 as- 537-7138. sures every person equal opportunity in ONE, TWO and three available housing without dis- bedrooms tinction on account now, June and August. of race, sex, familial Great condition! Call status, military sta- (785) 537-7138. tus, disability, religion, age, color, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation or gender identity. Violations Employment/Careers should be reported to the Director of HuTHE COLLEGIAN canman Resources at not verify the finanCity Hall, 785-587cial potential of ad2440. vertisements in the Employment/ OpporONE-BEDROOM apart- tunities classificament next to KSU/Ag- tions. Readers are adgieville www.- vised to approach WilliesVillas.com any such business opportunity with reaAPARTMENTS NEAR sonable caution. The CAMPUS: One bed- Collegian urges our room $500-$590; two readers to contact bedroom $560-$720; the Better Business three bedroom Bureau, 501 SE Jef$900-$930; four bed- ferson, Topeka, KS room $1100-$1200. 66607-1190. 785-232Property locations: 0454. 1838 Anderson, 516 N 14th, 519 N Manhattan, 1214 Vattier, 1207 Kearney. Call 785-539- Business Opportunities 1545 or 785-537-1746; Visit us at mhkrentals.- ADVERTISE WTITH com US AT AWESOMEADS.US. 806-2860.
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monday, february 25, 2019
Monday Gordo’s Quesadilla Fajita 1/2 price All Margaritas
Kite’s 75¢ Wings After 10 p.m. $3 Bottles • $2 Wells
Fuzzy’s $5 Burrito-Pork/Ground Beef/Chicken/Brisket $2 Wells • $5 Domestic Pitchers
Tuesday Gordo’s Taco Especial $6 2 Tacos with rice and beans $5 All Jumbo Margaritas
Kite’s $3.50 Taco Basket • $3 Corona/ Dos XX $2 Wells after 10 p.m.
Fuzzy’s 3 Tacos for $5 (excluding fajita and shrimp) $2 House Margaritas • $2 Camarena $2 Jose Quervo
Wednesday Gordo’s Fajita Nachos 1/2 Price Beers Fuzzy’s $5 Quesadillas • $3.50 Los Locos Lager $6 Dogfish Head 120 minute IPA
Kite’s 1/2 priced apps • 75¢ Wings After 10 p.m. $3 Premiums • $3 Bombs •$2 Wells
Thursday Gordo’s Chile Verde • Mango, Peach, Strawberry, and Watermelon
Kite’s 1/2 Price Burgers $1 Wells & $2 Pounders after 10 p.m.
Fuzzy’s $5 Nachos-Pork/Ground Beef/Chicken/Brisket $2 Calls • $1 Wells
Under new management!
Friday Gordo’s Fajita Chimichanga • CoronaRita $3 16 oz Draft Beer Jumbo Gato Sauza Margarita
Kite’s $6 3pc Chicken strip Basket $4 Premium Whiskey after 10 p.m. Fuzzy’s $3.19 Cali Heat Tacos(Grilled/Tempura Shrimp) $7 Boulevard Wheat Pitchers $7 Blue Moon Pitchers
Saturday Gordo’s Enchiladas Supremas $6.99 All Jumbo Margaritas Jumbo Gato Sauza Margarita
Kite’s After 10 p.m. $4 Premium Vodka Fuzzy’s $9 Fajita Beef Burrito $6 Dogfish Head 120 Minute IPA
Sunday Gordo’s Burrito Gordos $6.99 Peach and Watermelon Margs Jumbo Gato Sauza Margarita
Kite’s $6.50 Philly • $2 You Call its Fuzzy’s $5 Breakfast Burritos $7 Man-Mosa Pitchers
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785-370-6356