THURSDAY, JANUARY 17, 2019
VOLUME 122 ISSUE 30 NDSUSPECTRUM.COM
NORTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY | FOR THE LAND AND ITS PEOPLE
Duck and Cover NDSU’s Library is revisiting a rocky historical period with its new exhibit
If a nuke was launched, ducking and covering is still the suggested thing to do.
BRITTANY HOFMANN | THE SPECTRUM
Rosie Perez-Guerra Contributing Writer
The North Dakota State Library is taking us back in history to a time of fear, crisis and a desperate need for civil defense. After six months of planning by Susanne Caro, Jeremy Kopp, John Hallberg and Lindsay Condry, the “Duck and Cover” exhibit is up and ready for students to come and take a closer look at the procedures and artifacts from the Cold War. From archives to artifacts, the “Duck and Cover” exhibit features carefully researched pieces of history from right here in North Dakota. With the video game series “Fallout” by Bethesda coming out with another post-apocalyptic game, Susanne Caro, the government information librarian, hopes that that will encourage students to delve into the Cold War. Caro said the most interesting component of this exhibit to her is the psychological component. “There was such a large effort to survive,” Caro said. “They had children hiding under desks, and really what was that going to do? Even in a time that seemed like we were doomed, there was so much positivity. The government was assuring that even if something happened we would all be okay.” Caro said she believes it is important for students to care about history, especially when it is pretty recent. “It is helpful to come see what has happened in the past,” she said. “We still have many concerns today with North Korea and nuclear threat. Many seem to have forgotten.” After students come to see this exhibit Caro said she hopes they take away how to be prepared in case of emergency. “There might not be a large concern of being bombed, but other disasters are important to prepare for with having enough food and water.” As Caro said, there is a benefit to looking into our history. She said history majors, political science majors and architecture majors would especially benefit from seeing this exhibit. With the importance of building the structures to keep people safe, looking into government planning and understanding the overall picture, these majors could really benefit from taking a look into the exhibit and discovering more about the past that shapes their future. Caro also added that because this is recent history you can still stumble across information and artifacts from it. She said she is still researching more information due to her interest in the topic. Caro even recently discovered that St. Luke’s hospital here in North Dakota won an award for their fallout shelter. Are you prepared? Do you want to learn more about the Cold War, including its impact in North Dakota? Head over to the NDSU Library and take a look.
INSIDE
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A Republican, Libertarian and a Democrat walk into the Spectrum office ...
BRITTANY HOFMANN | THE SPECTRUM
BRITTANY HOFMANN | THE SPECTRUM
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Project: Constellation, Jake Ingamar and more play free show at Red Raven
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Easton Stick: The Road Ahead
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News
NDSUSPECTRUM.COM
The Spectrum
The Lowdown on the Shutdown A Republican, Libertarian and a Democrat walk into the Spectrum office ... Phoebe Ellis
Head News Editor
With the partial government shutdown nearing its 30th day, the political student representatives at North Dakota State voiced their concerns, or support, for the shutdown and the wall. Those in attendance included Cale Dunwoody, president of College Republicans, Bradley Foster, a member of Young Americans for Liberty, and Colby Warzecha, vice president of College Democrats. When it came to the shutdown, the three agreed the lack of paychecks for
the shutdown worth it? Is it justified? While Foster could not find any justification for the wall, let alone the shutdown, Dunwoody and Warzecha agreed that both parties need to reach across the aisle and figure things out. However, Dunwoody said he could understand the justification behind the shutdown, while Warzecha advocated for reopening the country while politicians negotiate. Dunwoody noted there’s “give and take from both sides,” though he does not believe the left is working toward that compromise at all. “Most of Americans don’t want this wall,” Warzecha said, calling
“Most of Americans don’t want this wall,” - Colby Warzecha, vice president of College Democrats federal employees was unfortunate, and even harmful in some cases, with Dunwoody noting that some government services and jobs are still in effect. Foster expressed that the proposed wall, which is part of what has caused the shutdown, is “a solution in search of a problem.” Foster went on to say that, from where he stands, there is no southern border problem, noting that the opioid crisis, which President Donald Trump continues to use as another reason to build the wall, is not caused by a lack of a wall, but bigger societal problems. To Warzecha, the biggest problem to come out of the shutdown is the “hit to a faith in government.” The bigger question on everyone’s mind was, is
immigration arguments “fear mongering.” Warzecha then said that the nation is largely seeing families crossing the border, while Dunwoody said he had reason to believe that it was mostly single males crossing the border illegally. Foster then pointed out that it is easier for one male to cross the border than it is for a family to do so. When it came to compromise, Warzecha advocated for opening the government and allowing politicians to work on the issue of the wall and border security in private, out of the eye of the public. Looking more into the longterm solutions, Warzecha suggested alternative security systems. Foster said that in the
GRAPHIC BY CASSANDRA TWEED | THE SPECTRUM
short term, “One side’s got to give,” though which side is going to do so is a toss-up. A more permanent solution, in Foster’s opinion, is to address systematic concerns that have been partially blamed on illegal immigration from the southern border, such as narcotics. While Dunwoody agreed in part with these opinions, he added that not
all immigrants are good for the United States and that securing the northern border as well isn’t a bad idea, as the U.S. has seen terrorist activity coming from Canada. Alternative solutions to a wall are hard to come by, and harder to agree on, and Foster suggested ensuring peaceful international systems be put in place. Additionally, Foster
said, “A wall won’t work.” Warzecha agreed, adding he was surprised to see such fiscally conservative party (Republicans) putting so many funds toward a wall. Dunwoody readily replied, stating that someone from the left shouldn’t be critiquing how the right spends government money. Differences aside, all three agreed that average Americans are paying the
price. When it came to the wall itself, Dunwoody called it an effort to “spur legal immigration,” while Warzecha defined it as “a symbol of xenophobia”; Foster stated that walls also keep people in. He then drew a parallel between the proposed wall and the one in East Germany between the 1960s and 1980s.
Upcoming Events
Here are even more enticing events around town Ryan Nix
Co-News Editor
What’s going on? No, really, what can I do to distract from this cold weather and homework? Well, it may surprise you, but here are a couple neat things happening around town that might help.
North Dakota State’s shark tank
North Dakota State’s annual Innovation Challenge will begin 6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 17 with “Pitch Night.” The yearly challenge focuses on vetting ideas that could eventually win actual money. The annual events are put on by the NDSU Research and Technology Park. The event will be take place in the Harry D. McGovern Alumni Center.
The official website for the challenge says that students “come with any ideas, things that have the potential to become a business one day or are at least a cause for future research.” The website says that Pitch Night is open to students looking to pitch ideas or join existing teams. Teams have 60 seconds to share their idea. The challenge has three phases that end in a reward ceremony where there is a possibility of wining up to $4,000. Besides the money, the official website says: “The Innovation Challenge is an excellent opportunity for students to find practical applications for their academic knowledge, develop their skills and add to their resume an event that provides them with talking
points for interviews.”
Any questions?
Student Government will be hosting an open forum for people to voice their opinion on issues regarding the organization 1 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 22. in the Hidatsa room in the Memorial Union. Student Government handles student fees and also lobbies state government for different purposes. According to the Facebook event page, “We will discuss the year thus far and what we hope to achieve in the coming months.” The page also says the forum will include a “Q&A section with members of our organization.”
Come experience your rights
The nonprofit organization The Human
Family will be hosting The Seven Human Rights Experience 6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 24 in the Memorial Union Art Gallery. The event is touted as an “interactive human rights experience” on the event’s Facebook page. According to the description on the Facebook event page: “Through independently created events, The Seven empowers individuals to discuss and learn what it means to organize, advocate for and influence positive change in their community.” The event will include “interdisciplinary conversations, performances and research as a call to action,” according to the page. THE HUMAN FAMILY | PHOTO COURTESY
THE SPECTRUM | NEWS | THURSDAY, JANUARY 17, 2019
In A Nutshell Zachary Liu Spectrum Staff
GoRefundMe
Do you remember the GoFundMe account that wanted to raise $1 billion to help finance the building of “the wall”? Well, it fell a bit short of the organizers’ goal. About $980,000,000 short. According to The Washington Post, once organizers realized the federal government probably couldn’t receive the collected donations, they transitioned to create a nonprofit organization that could do so. It’s not all bad news for donors though, as GoFundMe announced they would refund any donations “unless they manually redirect their donation to go to (organizer Brian) Kolfage’s nonprofit,” The Washington Post reported. “When the campaign was created, the campaign organizer specifically stated on the campaign page, ‘If we don’t reach our goal or come significantly close we will refund every single penny,’” GoFundMe spokesperson Bobby Whithorne wrote. “He also stated on the campaign page, ‘100 percent of your donations will go to the Trump Wall. If for ANY reason we don’t reach our goal we will refund your donation.’”
‘Pay it furloughed’
With the government still shut down, many federal employees are left to fend for themselves without the help of a paycheck. While the president has expressed hope that landlords “go nice and easy” on federal workers, one website is offering another way to help — by giving people the opportunity to buy a beer for those affected, perhaps so they can drink their worries away. According to the website, PayItFurloughed.com, “Beer makes everything better, so we’re buying local craft brews for federal employees impacted by the government shutdown.” People can buy furloughed employees a beer (or two). “A payment of $7.50 funds one beer; $15 funds two; and the Daddy Warbucks of donors can buy a six-pack for $45. As long as there are funds in the account, workers who are 21 and older can go to participating breweries to get their gratis suds,” Washington City Paper reported. The only catch is the beer must be picked up at the breweries currently participating: Atlas Brew Works and DC Brau Brewing Company, which are both located in Washington D.C.
The other border
The Transportation Administration released a
Security statement
regarding the reported number of agents calling out sick due to the partial government shutdown in hopes of reassuring people that this will not compromise airport security. Despite this, airports, and flyers, across the nation have felt the effects, ranging from delays to terminal closures. Recently, the George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, Texas had to close down a security checkpoint in one of the terminals due to being understaffed, USA Today reported. Travelers at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta, Georgia, one of the busiest airports in the country, also felt the effects of TSA’s inability to properly staff due to the shutdown. “At a time when the world’s busiest airport has its biggest crowds, there were at least six security lanes closed at domestic terminal security checkpoints, while passengers waited in lines that stretched through the terminal and were winding through baggage claim,” the Atlanta Journal Constitution reported. And it’s not just long lines in Atlanta, as CNN reported, “(TSA) disclosed that a passenger at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport passed through a TSA standard screening checkpoint with a firearm after standard procedures were not followed.”
SNAP to it
As the government shutdown continues, more than just federal workers are seeing the effects of the standoff between President Donald Trump and the Democrats in Congress. One group that could potentially be affected is one that is already particularly vulnerable: those that rely on food stamps through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP. Because of the government shutdown, the federal government plans to pay February SNAP benefits early. This means that applications needed to be received by last Tuesday, Jan. 15 to determine eligibility. For Minnesota, that meant “state and local leaders (were) working overtime to process applications and other paperwork,” Inforum. com reported. Despite the Jan. 15 “deadline” passing, applications can still be submitted, but without the guarantee of receiving benefits. According to Inforum.com, “Federal officials have said there is enough funding to cover food stamp costs through February, but beyond that the stability of the program is unclear.”
Leif Jonasson Editor in Chief editor@ndsuspectrum.com Phoebe Ellis Head News Editor head.news@ndsuspectrum.com Managing Editor Ryan Nix Co-News Editor co.news@ndsuspectrum.com Miranda Stambler Features Editor features@ndsuspectrum.com Laura Ellen Brandjord A&E Editor ae@ndsuspectrum.com Jacob Elwell Opinion Editor opinion@ndsuspectrum.com Taylor Schloemer Sports Editor sports@ndsuspectrum.com
Zachary Liu Head Copy Editor head.copy@ndsuspectrum.com Victoria Moss Co-Copy Editor co.copy@ndsuspectrum.com Brittany Hofmann Design Editor design@ndsuspectrum.com Photo Editor photo@ndsuspectrum.com Callahan Stewart Web Editor webmaster@ndsuspectrum.com Cassandra Tweed Graphic Designer graphics@ndsuspectrum.com
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Features
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The Spectrum
Furry Friends
Zach and Star
Two shy boys hope someone takes the time to get to know them Miranda Stambler Features Editor
When the coldness of winter hits, a cuddle buddy is in high demand. Homeward Animal Shelter has many animals up for adoption that can make your home feel warmer without the expenses of turning on the heat. Shy animals need love just as much as the loud ones, so take the time to warm up to these gentlemen and the bond will be strong in no time.
Zach
Meet Zach, a 7-year-old Lab mix male. He arrived at Homeward Animal Shelter Dec. 5, 2018. He is currently in foster care, but hopes to find his forever home soon. He is shy, which means he needs a home that will show him love so he can warm up to you. Because he is older and likes his quiet relaxation time, he likes older kids, rather than young and loud ones. He is very loyal, and once he forms a bond with you, it is strong and will never break.
Star
Meet Star, a 1-year-old gray and white domestic short-haired male. He arrived at Homeward Animal Shelter Dec. 21, 2018 and has been looking for his forever home ever since. He is sweet, but will seem nervous at first. As long as you give him chin rubs, gentle pets and treats, then he will be flaunting his sweet side in no time. If you have a string toy or jingle balls, which are his favorites, then he will be your best friend. He’ll be running all around the house to follow those toys. If you’re looking for a second, third or sixth cat, then he is your next one. His ideal home is one with another cat because their presence helps him come out of his shell and makes him feel more confident. For more information visit, Homewardonline.org or contact 701-239-0077.
Star needs a confidence boost, so give him a forever home and a feline friend.
HOMEWARD ANIMAL SHELTER | PHOTO COURTESY
Zach needs some peace and quiet and a cuddle buddy.
HOMEWARD ANIMAL SHELTER | PHOTO COURTESY
FARGO FOODIE
Homemade Hot Chocolate
A review of Mary Younkin’s Barefeet in the Kitchen recipe Ruby Redekopp Contributing Writer
There are many ways to warm up while walking across campus in the winter season, but one of the most delicious ways is hot chocolate. Hot chocolate is a sweet and simple drink to soften the bite of the cold. For most of my life, I have heated water and mixed in a single serving package to make hot chocolate. I wanted to attempt to make homemade hot chocolate this time, however, and I decided to use a recipe by Mary Younkin, who blogs about food on her website, Barefeet in the Kitchen. I chose the recipe because it looked simple and because it included semisweet chocolate chips on the ingredient list. Chocolate chips are one of my great weaknesses, and this recipe provided an excellent excuse to purchase a bag. The best part is that the recipe only calls for three tablespoons of chocolate chips, so you will have plenty left over for several sweet tooth fixes. This recipe not only included milk to make it deliciously creamy, but it also consisted of easy measurements because
every ingredient measured is in three tablespoons. Plus, you only need to use one measuring spoon and one measuring cup. The simple measurements also make it harder to mess up this recipe. If you enjoy this recipe and want to make it on a regular basis, you can easily remember the directions without having to look them up again and again. When I first started looking at the recipe, I had a couple dilemmas due to a lack of ingredients that made me realize that planning ahead for this recipe is important. Keep in mind, when you run out of ingredients or do not have the recommended ones, you can substitute them for something similar. For instance, the recipe calls for granulated sugar, but a good substitute was powdered sugar. Plus, Betty Crocker recommends substituting 1 ¾ cup of powdered sugar for every cup of granulated sugar. Here is the recipe, adapted from Barefeet in the Kitchen:
Simple Homemade Hot Chocolate Ingredients: 2 cups of milk (of your choice; I used whole milk) 3 tablespoons
unsweetened baking cocoa 3 tablespoons sugar (or powdered sugar) 3 tablespoons semisweet chocolate chips
Instructions:
Younkin instructed in the recipe to, “Whisk together the sugar and cocoa in the bottom of a small saucepan. Add the milk and cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until it is almost simmering. When the mixture is hot, add the chocolate chips and stir to melt. Pour into mugs and top with marshmallows. Enjoy!” The directions seem short, so through trying the recipe I was able to find additional tips to make the hot chocolate the best you’ve ever tasted. • The sugar and cocoa mix may not combine with the milk right away. The mixture will appear to rest on top of the milk. That’s perfectly OK. Keep stirring occasionally, and it will become a smooth mixture as it cooks. • Beware of splashing when you add the chocolate chips. • It’s difficult to get all of the chocolate chips to melt completely. • If you follow this recipe exactly, you can either fill two larger mugs or three
The hot chocolate is dark, but creamy with whole milk. small mugs. whole milk means you’ll • The reduced amount of feel less of the need to powdered sugar works just make yourself another cup. fine. If you prefer a lighter hot • This recipe could not chocolate, this recipe may be easily adapted for a not be for you. microwave; it is best for Although there is stovetop. something special about This homemade hot making hot chocolate from chocolate is warm and rich, scratch, it may not be worth almost like dark chocolate. the extra cost. Also, because The creaminess from the the recipe takes at least
RUBY REDEKOPP | THE SPECTRUM
20 minutes to make from start to finish, you won’t be cold anymore by the time it’s ready. Unless you want to indulge yourself with a deeper, delicious hot chocolate or impress someone with your cooking skills, I would recommend sticking with the stir-in packets.
THE SPECTRUM | FEATURES | THURSDAY, JANUARY 17, 2019
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Social Media Made Better With Dogs Follow these dedicated dog Instragrams to de-stress Miranda Stambler Features Editor
There is one thing that will always be amazing and worth your time: Instagram accounts dedicated to dogs. No matter how stressed you are about school, you can always detox by opening up social media and seeing a dog among your feed. More likely than not, there is at least one Instagram account dedicated to each breed. So, if you have a favorite breed, look it up and you will most likely find multiple that you can follow. If you are more into just seeing any type of dog, there are multiple for you as well. To brighten up your day or group chat, here are a couple of Instagram accounts that are well known and show off the cuteness of their dog or multiple.
@Heresapuppy
This blog consists of photos of puppies, which is “a project by @ZilkerBark.” Zilker Bark is a photography business specifically for dogs in Austin, Texas, so the photos on the Instagram are professionally done. They start off each post with a photo of a puppy and then continue it with text to show what that dog is thinking or wants to tell you. These posts will warm your heart when the weather cannot.
@Dogsofinstaworld
This social media account allows others to submit photos of their dog to get posted to their now 836,000 followers. It allows for others to find more dog related Instagrams and show off the cuteness of all the different pets in the world. Submit to somosperrosdelmundo@ gmail.com.
@Lil.zigg
For a more specific Instagram, Ziggy is a mini golden retriever who has one blue eye and one brown, which gives him a unique twist to his normal golden retriever look. His constant smile and sleepy photos will have you smiling from class to class. @Bernesemountaindoglovers There are many blogs that are specific to breeds, and this is one of them. If you are interested in watching dogs go from small puppy to huge and fluffy, this is the breed, and Instagram, for you.
@Dogswiss
Nala, a chocolate Labrador retriever, shows the 2-year-old dog in the wilderness. You can watch the seasons change from the dog going from the flower field, to the lake, to a pile of leaves and now in the snowcovered mountains, all while seeing the beauty of not only the dog, but also the Swiss Alps.
@Huskystagrams
These posts alternate between videos and photos. They show the joys of having a husky, from the silly howling to the deepness of their blue-eyed stare. These posts are mostly reposted from others, but they give credit for each post, so you are able to find your favorite husky and follow their Instagram instead.
@Boopmynose
Not only do they post close ups of dogs, they also have a website consisting of the same. The photos are close enough that you can feel yourself wanting to boop the dogs’ noses. They also post four times a day, so you will be able to see it constantly throughout the
day.
@Dogsf---ingdying
No, they are not actually dying. Instead, they are funny photos and videos that show the adorableness and goofiness of dogs.
@Misterbubz
Remember that viral video of a dog getting caught on camera growling and then weirdly hissing at his owner? Well, he has an Instagram. There you can watch multiple videos that show his famous hissing sounds. He is not only adorable, but hilarious to watch with how dramatic it is portrayed.
@Dogscorner
The posts range from breeds and show off other posts. The posts range from all around the world, and the photos look generally professionally done. They have many hashtags, including #tongueouttuesday that shows off the happy smiles or the “derp” look dogs get when their tongues are sticking out.
DOGSWISS | PHOTO COURTESY
@Ofsds
OFSDS stands for “Old Friends Senior Dog Sanctuary,” which is a nonprofit that provides a home for older dogs in Tennessee. While most Instagram accounts show off puppies instead of older dogs, this accounts gives them some spotlight and shows that all dogs are puppies, no matter their age.
@Itsdougthepug
Most know of this famous pug to the point where he even has merch, which can be purchased at Claire’s. His posts have costumes, props and themes according to the time of year. Get with the trend and follow his Instagram.
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LIL.ZIGG | PHOTO COURTESY
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Arts & Entertainment T S
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he pectrum
What the Folk Project: Constellation, Jake Ingamar and more play free show at Red Raven
LAURA ELLEN BRANDJORD | THE SPECTRUM
Grand Forks two-piece Project: Constellation blends a wide range of influences.
Laura Ellen Brandjord A&E Editor
On the evening of Jan. 11, patrons headed to the Red Raven Espresso Parlor to enjoy a gig with a local folk bill. A young newcomer to the indie country/folk scene of Fargo, Walker Rider opened the evening with help from Phobophilic drummer Vincent Tweten. Some may recognize him
from the Memorial Union Gallery Christmas party, which he performed during dead week in December. Grand Forks two-piece Project: Constellation brought their blend of folk, bluegrass and punk to the stage next. Composed of electric violinist/vocalist Christina Rosebrough and guitarist/vocalist Santiago Silva, Project: Constellation draw influence from everything from Irish folk to pop punk.
Local solo act Jake Ingamar followed Project: Constellation, opting to perform seated because he forgot his guitar strap. This did not hamper his performance, as he played through his 2018 EP “Antiques,” as well as debuting a few new tracks. A multi-instrumentalist, Ingamar played the entire arrangement on his EP, from drums to harmonica. He performed at the Red Raven with only his hybrid
acoustic electric guitar and harmonica. Ingamar’s unique voice is full of natural juxtaposition: delicate and gritty, powerfully understated. Paired with his sauntering picking style, Ingamar may remind you of Graham Nash or Tallest Man on Earth, maybe even a little of Bob Dylan. The young singersongwriter creates music that updates the classic late ‘60s coffee shop folk sound that defined a generation.
Local folk group So Sad followed Ingamar, playing to a crowd of content coffee drinkers on a chilled Friday night. Comprised of vocalist Anjali Karna and guitarist Courtney Utz, the pair is a fan of folk greats such as Townes Van Zandt as well as more contemporary artists like Lua. So Sad pulls from both of these directions in their songwriting. Gina Powers of The Gina Powers Band ended the evening with fellow
bandmate Mitchell Rittenbach. The Gina Powers Band is well known in the area’s alternative country circuit, gaining a sturdy following since their formation in 2016. While they categorize themselves as alt country, the band has an undeniable blues sound. For the Red Raven show, Powers played acoustic guitar while Rittenbach plugged in his electric bass and sang backup.
Review: Holiday Release Recap The good, the bad and the ugly Max Borman Staff Writer
So many movies come out at any given time that it is hard to keep track of all of them. This is especially true around the holiday season. Sometimes you may miss out on seeing the next classic in theaters and must wait months for it to come out on Blu-ray, either because of money or you just do not realize that a certain movie actually came out. That is where this article comes in. This is a rapid-fire review of nine movies that either came out earlier in 2018 that you may have missed or came out around the holiday season that you may want to check out, in no particular order.
‘Fantastic Beasts and The Crimes of Grindelwald’
“Fantastic Beasts the Crimes of Grindelwald” is the second movie in the “Fantastic Beasts” franchise. A prequel to the Harry Potter films, starring Eddie Redmayne as Newt Scamander and his case of magical creatures. The main focus of this second chapter is a hunt for a powerful obscurus, a dark and parasitic force, inside a young man named Credence, played by Ezra Miller. Many different groups want to get a hold of him and use him for their own agendas. It is an interesting and compelling premise, but it falls short of gold. The first half is very slow and dialogue heavy, meaning there’s not a lot of action. For a Harry Potter fan, these scenes will be fun to find all the hidden meanings and Easter eggs, but other than that, nothing really happens. After the first half, the movie starts to pick up, and when it does, it is great. Johnny Depp delivers such a creepy character in his portrayal of Gellert Grindelwald that he makes you compelled to learn more. However, you can feel that this is nothing but filler, and thus it feels incomplete.
‘Aquaman’
DC has had a hard time with their movie universe, relying too much on dark plots, slow motion and trying to compete with
Marvel. “Aquaman,” however, is a step in the right direction that will hopefully continue. It is the story of a man who can talk to fish, but it is so much more than that. Jason Momoa, who plays Aquaman, and Amber Heard, who plays Princess Mera, just have fun with their roles, and the movie acknowledges its weird factor and takes control of it. People riding sharks, weird giant crabs and amazing action set pieces all add to the appeal of this superhero movie. Instead of quick cuts like Marvel movies, the action is set up to look like it was taken in one long shot and it looks beautiful. If they continue down this path and take things from both “Aquaman” and “Wonder Woman,” then the DC Extended Universe could stand a chance to be great.
‘Mary Poppins Returns’
“Mary Poppins Returns” reminds viewers what it was like to be a kid. Magical adventures and having a blast abound in this distant sequel. Emily Blunt delivers a great Mary Poppins, though nothing can beat the original. Lin-Manuel Miranda also delivers a strong performance as a lamp lighter. Together with the children of the children from the original movie, they go on an adventure to save their home from the bank. The music and the sets are fun-filled and beautiful. A couple of the songs will get stuck in your head, and that is not a bad thing.
‘Anna and the Apocalypse’
“Anna and the Apocalypse” is another musical, but this one has a strange premise. It’s a musical that takes place during a zombie apocalypse. Sounds weird, but it just works. The songs are upbeat and catchy, the movie is funny and the characters are strong. This is not a very well known movie, as it’s an indie film from the U.K. that is just arriving here. If you get a chance to see it, you really should. The music will for sure get stuck in your head and will never leave.
‘Bumblebee’
FLICKR | PHOTO COURTESY
‘Jurassic World Fallen Kingdom’ shares more in common with ‘Jurrasic World’ because it’s the direct sequel. The Transformers movie Yet it shares more in common take. franchise is known for large with “Jurassic World” because it is This movie is all about cities on explosions and CGI and not so the direct sequel. It continues the wheels and a fight for resources. much for the characters or heart. genetic modifying (never a good It’s over the top, and the soundtrack However, “Bumblebee” changes idea) that was in the first. is stellar. that. “Fallen Kingdom” marks the The first 10 minutes are the Think of it as a live-action “Iron end of an era since the first half of best first 10 minutes in a film Giant.” The movie is all about the movie is all about a volcano in a long time. The cities are childhood, as well as protecting an destroying the island we have been beautifully realized, and the world alien robot from the government with since 1993. Then the movie is intriguing. and evil alien robots, so maybe not spends the second half setting The characters aren’t top tier, a typical childhood. up the next era for the Jurassic but the spectacle surely is. Sadly, This acts as a prequel of sorts franchise, an era that looks to be we most likely won’t see any more to the Michael Bay movies, but different, but similar and very of this world because it did not under a new director and style. intriguing. do very well at the box office, so The Transformers look similar to ‘Spider-Man: Into the Spider- enjoy this while it lasts. the animated show instead of the ‘Ralph Breaks the Internet’ overly complicated ones in the Bay Verse’ This is not the sequel that Probably one of the most films. “Wreck-It Ralph” deserved. It is Hailee Steinfeld delivers a great heartfelt animated movies in kind of like ‘The Emoji Movie,” performance despite her main co- some time, it is all about alternate but done a little better. star being completely CGI. This is realities and all these different The logical next step for the a movie for both Transformers and Spider-Men (and women and pigs) crew in the first one was to go to the non-Transformers fans to enjoy, converging to stop Kingpin. Each “spider person” comes internet apparently, but by doing though if you only watch it for the so it left everything that made the explosions, there are considerably from a different background with first one great behind. That isn’t to their own problems and variation less here. of powers. The main focus is on say this movie can’t be enjoyable ‘Jurassic World Fallen Miles Morales and alternate reality because it can be. The movie has some great Kingdom’ Peter Parker helping him become scenes with heart, and the Disney “Fallen Kingdom” was who he is meant to be. princesses are wonderful, but needlessly bashed by critics The animation style is beautiful compared to the first one it falls when it came out. If people are with some shots looking like they short. There are Easter eggs and expecting in-depth plots with deep came straight from a comic book. references everywhere if you know characters, they are watching the Most of the movie looks like it where to look, but it seems that wrong franchise. is a comic book thrown onto the may be the only true purpose of “Fallen Kingdom” is the second screen, and that is great. this movie. Jurassic World movie, or fifth ‘Mortal Engines’ Jurassic Park movie, and it feels Have you ever wanted a unique like all the others: giant dinosaurs take on the post-apocalyptic genre? eating people and the people trying “Mortal Engines” is that unique to survive.
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THE SPECTRUM | A&E | THURSDAY, JANUARY 17, 2019
Review: ‘You’ Netflix brings our worst nightmare to life
‘YOU’ FACEBOOK | PHOTO COURTESY
Joe Goldberg would do anything for love.
Brittany Hofmann Staff Writer
Some of us would go to great lengths for the ones we love — Joe Goldberg would do anything for the one he loves. Anything. “You” had me crawling out of my skin because it made me question if maybe I was being watched by someone. With twist after twist, it was easy for me to finish the series in one weekend. Based in New York, Joe is the manager of a bookstore called Mooney’s. From the perspective of his mind’s inner workings, we are introduced to his heartthrob, Guinevere Beck (“Beck”) and how Joe
quickly becomes obsessed with her. When he first becomes interested in Beck, he does some social media creeping and then goes a step further than what anyone would normally do and finds her address. Outside her building, Joe develops her backstory and an idea of her that he could only confirm by getting to know her. But the idea that he has of her puts her on a pedestal that she could never live up to because it’s not the truth. It’s his fantasy in which she is the damsel in distress and he is the only knight in shining armor that could possibly save her. There are several factors keeping the two apart, and Joe would stop at nothing to
get rid of them. At first, his infatuation seems innocent, then things begin to take a turn in which the plot thickens and the web of lies Joe creates for himself gets ever more intricate. “You” focuses on the blurred lines of love and chivalry and crosses those lines when Joe starts to pick off the people in Beck’s life that oppose him. His first victim is Beck’s fling, Benji. Joe holds him captive in the basement of the bookstore and creates a story for his disappearance that is so believable that no one suspects that something may be awry. Not even Joe thinks he’s capable of murder, but once
he kills Benji, it becomes second nature. Throughout the series, it flashes back to when Joe was a kid and first started working at Mooney’s. To teach Joe the importance and fragility of literature, Mr. Mooney punishes Joe by keeping him locked in the book vault until he learns. As the puzzle pieces come together, it becomes clear that the abuse coming from Mr. Mooney and Joe’s haunted past with his drugaddicted mother contribute to his overly protective feelings toward Beck — because no one was ever there to protect him. In the thrilling conclusion of the first season, Beck has been captured by Joe and as she tries to play along
with his neurotic fantasy, it backfires. In her attempt to escape, she fails. This is where we find out that “You” was never about Joe’s relationship with Beck, but rather about himself and the abnormal workings of his mind. Of course, a psychological thriller would be nothing without a cliffhanger. It has been confirmed that “You” has been renewed for a second season and will pick up with the mystery of Joe’s estranged ex-girlfriend, Candace Stone. Joe’s relationship with Candace was briefly touched on when it was revealed that he was cheated on, which could be a possible reason for his obsessive and
skeptical personality. But the result of the end of their relationship was never clear because Candace wasn’t heard from again. She had supposedly gone to Italy, but when Joe began to spiral and his mental state was questionable, Candace would appear to taunt Joe — but this was only his imagination. As the season concluded with Candace reappearing at the bookstore, is she really there or has Joe gone off the deep end and imagines her there as a defense mechanism for his wrongdoings? We will all have to wait for the release of the second season to answer our burning questions.
FM Music Scene Mourns Sudden death of beloved member draws community together Amundson was an infectious personality, whether behind the bass in Cascades or behind a camera.
Laura Ellen Brandjord A&E Editor
Early Jan. 15, news broke on social media that Fargo.Live photographer, Hotdish Presents cofounder and bassist for local band Cascades, Carter Amundson had unexpectedly passed away. Amundson was known by those in the scene as an infectiously energetic individual with a habit of yelling “F--- yeah, Bud!” after every single song of the gig. Everyone who met him seemed drawn in immediately. Even I have my own stories involving Amundson, including the first time I ever went to a gig at Grandpa’s House in Moorhead. It was spotting Amundson’s lanky figure in his signature strawberry “Easycore” snapback hat that assured me I was at the right place.
Since his death was announced, members from all sides of the scene have expressed their grief. Cascades released a statement that they were canceling all of their upcoming shows and asking for
announcements while this whole music family mourns together. This fest is for you, Carter. “ Fargo.Live and Hotdish Presents have decided to go ahead with the collaborative show
“The scene lost a shining personality and their biggest fan.” - Gary Ussery, Fargo.Live privacy during this difficult time, promising to make a more detailed statement at a later date. The New Direction Fest 8 Facebook page created a post honoring Amundson and they explained that they will be postponing announcing their upcoming lineup: “We will be taking a couple days off of
Saturday, Jan. 19. The Red Raven Espresso Parlor gig was originally a charity event to raise money for the Homeward Animal Shelter, but in light of recent events, has become a benefit for Amundson’s family. Fargo.Live founder Gary Ussery spoke highly of the young photographer in a public Facebook
FARGO LIVE | PHOTO COURTESY
post: “This guy truly loved the Fargo Music Scene. He was everyone’s biggest fan, and I think he honestly was the biggest fan of anyone who took stage at the Red Raven. All I can do is keep the project alive and keep supporting the people Carter loved. I’m going to miss you, dude. The scene lost a shining personality and their biggest fan.” Ussery added that Amundson had the distinction of being the only other photographer to have his live music photography featured with Fargo.Live. For those in the FargoMoorhead music scene, there is no doubt Amundson left a lasting imprint. If you are free Saturday night, consider checking out the Red Raven show and help the grieving scene heal. Grazing guitarist Michael Ruebke perhaps put it best
by saying, “Carter was something else. He loved this scene with his entire soul and would want this to go on no matter what. Please come out and show your love, share some memories and sing/dance to all the bands. Just as Carter would do.” At the time of this article, no details as to the circumstances of Amundson’s death have been released.
If You Go:
Who: Grazing, 13th Chapter, Pass the Flask, Too Fast For Frank What: Carter Amundson benefit show, all ages Where: Red Raven Espresso Parlor When: Jan. 19, doors at 6 p.m. music at 6:30 p.m.
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Opinion
THURSDAY, JANUARY 17, 2019
NDSUSPECTRUM.COM
The Spectrum
Trump Wants the Wall The president proposes a ‘brilliant’ idea Jacob Elwell Opinion Editor
President Donald Trump continues to make people hate him. Trump proposed a plan to build a steel wall on the U.S.-Mexican border to keep out illegal immigrants. He wants to make the wall steel and not concrete, upon the request of the Democrats. How nice. At least he’s compromising in a way to make people hate him a little less, right? Since Dec. 22, 2018, the government has been shut down after Trump demanded billions of dollars in federal funding for the wall. Thousands of people aren’t getting paid because of this. While that’s completely unfair to the American people, it’s also unfair that illegal immigrants come into the country and take innocent lives. However, it does seem a bit ridiculous that Trump took this route to get what he wants. The wall would cost an immense amount of money with no guarantee it will keep everyone out. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi responded to this by saying there are alternative options for border security such as building infrastructure roads upon entry and new technology that would scan cars and trucks for illegal drugs. These alternatives would offer a more efficient way of keeping out illegal immigrants as well as saving lots of money. Trump has demanded over $5 billion in federal funds to pay for the wall. He promised Mexico would be paying for the wall, but it’s just another promise Trump is unable to keep. The longest number of days in a row the government has been shut down is 21. Trump surpassed that on Jan. 12, and the number continues to increase. I know
Trump likes to be right; we all do. However, for the sake of America, I think it’s important and necessary that he swallows his pride and selects another option for border security. While Trump’s idea of a steel wall may keep out all illegal immigrants altogether, very few immigrants come into this country to kill. He mentioned a few examples in his emergency address of illegal immigrants taking American lives, but there are always exceptions. Not all illegal immigrants have bad intentions. Despite this, I think it’s still
For the sake of America, I think it’s important and necessary that he swallows his pride and selects another option for border security. important to control the dangerous illegal immigrants. We can’t have American blood being spilt on our surface caused by an outsider. I’m not saying border security isn’t a big issue; it’s something that needs to be stressed by people in office. However, I think Trump should consider other more effective options that don’t cost a fortune. Not having to shut down the government and cost a lot of people a lot of money would also be nice. You are looking at the most hated man in America.
WIKICOMMONS | PHOTO COURTESY
21 Years is Too Long Why the legal drinking age should be lowered Sam Goodman
Contributing Writer
Twenty-one is the magic number to drink in the United States … legally. In Mexico, it’s 18. In Canada, 19. Of the 190 countries, 61 percent have a drinking age of 18 or 19 years old. The United States and 11 other countries have a drinking age of 21 years old. That’s right, 6 percent of countries have a drinking age of 21. 86 percent of countries have a legal drinking age of 20 or younger. 8 percent of countries have made it illegal to drink at any age. In the ’70s, for some U.S. states the legal age was 18, and other states it was 19. You know, those days when you could get drunk at any random spot in town … nowadays the cops will write you up for a minor in possession, but back in the day they’d just tell you to go home. That quote isn’t coming from me though, but from the many parents I’ve had this same discussion with. So one asks, “If the drinking age is 21 in the U.S., what can I do until then?” Well, lots of things. You can go to war. You can smoke cigarettes. You can vote. You can get married. You can have sex and raise
kids. Oh how the rules of adulting are so strange. But God forbid some college kids go out and share some laughs over a couple of beers (or joints, but I’ll save that opinion for another
Humans love human interaction, stories, the whole nine yards. If alcohol is going to leverage that, why stop it? day). These days you can’t go to a party for more than an hour without the cops shutting it down. People need to realize we are a social species. Humans love human interaction, stories, the whole nine yards. If alcohol is going to leverage that, why stop it? Human interaction is a good thing. Sure, drinking and driving, and things within that nature are completely unacceptable,
Imagine 18 year olds doing this. How awesome. but to punish the ones doing it responsibly? I would say comical, but it’s really just sad. Who’s to say drinking wouldn’t leverage the look of a college campus? If more people are interacting (especially on campus), then the feel of a campus becomes more positive. If you don’t drink, well then
you don’t drink. No one’s
PEXELS | PHOTO COURTESY
We’re all different. Always
There are so many rules to what we can and cannot do, why not give us a little bit of our freedom back? going to hold it against you.
shutting
down
writing tickets to minors for drinking responsibly, it just sets a bad precedent. What is this, jail? Dystopia? There are so many rules to what we can and cannot do, why not give us a little bit of our freedom back? It didn’t seem to harm our parents.
parties,
NDSUSPECTRUM.COM
THE SPECTRUM | OPINION | THURSDAY, JANUARY 17, 2019
9
End of an Era?
Lil Uzi Vert claims he’s done making music Jacob Elwell Opinion Editor
This is not the news I wanted to hear at the beginning of 2019. This goes for me and nearly all the members of the hiphop community. On Jan. 11, artist Lil Uzi Vert, real name Symere Woods, said he’s “done with music.” Woods became famous after he released his debut studio album, “Luv is Rage,” on Oct. 20, 2015. Since that album, Uzi has released three more albums that have all blown up. He’s one of the most highly paid and listened to artists in America. Woods had more to say than him just being done with music. He said, “I deleted everything. I wanna be normal. I wanna wake up in 2013.” I guess it’s safe to say the fame was getting to be too much for Woods. A normal person would probably be thinking, “Wow, he’s so stupid. Why would you just give up all that fame and fortune?” That’s not fair to say for a number of reasons. We don’t know what fame is like (yet, hopefully). There are actors who say they liked being unknown more than being famous. This same concept likely applies to Woods and his musical talent. Him saying he wants to wake up in 2013 translates to, “I wish I was never famous.” There might have also been personal issues that came up that are making Woods want to quit music. Whatever the reason, you have to appreciate what he
has done for the hip-hop community and hope he gets through whatever he might be dealing with. Before we all can officially be sad, we need to see if this “claim” is actually true. Young Thug, another hip-hop artist, claimed he wouldn’t make music in 2018. However, he did indeed end up making music either due to a lack of money or to continue a passion.
be known for. My favorite song by Lil Uzi is “XO Tour Llif3,” which won song of the summer at the MTV Video Music Awards. That song was the anthem my senior year of high school. Every time I hear it, it brings back memories. My favorite album by Woods is “Lil Uzi Vert Vs. The World.” This album only has nine songs, but all of them are amazing. This
If he does indeed quit music, it’s going to break the hearts of the music community in general, as well as mine. It’s most likely option two because you don’t often find a famous musician in need of money. The point is, Uzi might come to his senses and realize music is everything for him, and that it’s not so easy giving up something you strived to be great at. Otherwise, he’s officially gone from the music industry, and it will forever make fans sad. If he is indeed done making music, I must reflect. The first time I heard his music, I thought to myself that he was the next greatest hip-hop artist. However, if you listen to a lot of his songs, they start to sound somewhat identical and you might get sick of them. However, he still has a couple songs he will always
also brings me back to my high school days. If you have never heard Lil Uzi before, listen to the songs on that album. While I didn’t expect him to give up music, there were definitely signs of him slowing down a little bit. His album “Luv is Rage 2” was the only album he released in 2017. It was also delayed a few months. It also took a step back from his previous albums. With exception to “The Way Life Goes” and maybe “Dark Queen,” the songs on that album don’t live up to his past projects. On top of this, he didn’t release a single album in 2018. However, he was still featured in many different songs. He also dropped a single called “New Patek” that was nearly a
It’s going to be sad that such talent might depart from music. 6-minute song that hit No. 24 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. While these are stellar accomplishments nonetheless, it’s fair to say he did take a step back.
Whatever actually happens, I can say Lil Uzi Vert is one of the greatest hip-hop artists of our generations. If he does indeed quit music, it’s
WIKICOMMONS | THE SPECTRUM
going to break the hearts of the music community in general, as well as mine.
There Goes the Neighborhood Time to move, NDSU Grant Gloe Staff Writer
I’ve come up with the perfect New Year’s resolution. See, like a lot of you, I’m moving after this semester. It’s the end of the academic year, and maybe you’re out of the dorms. Maybe you just realize your college apartment is a hole in the wall and you’d really like a different hole in the wall. For us seniors, we’re graduating and need to figure out what the hell comes next. Naturally, my New Year’s resolution is to get my post-grad life in order. What makes it great is that I can’t fail it until May. That’s a whole four more months than last year. Deciding on a new apartment can be tricky though, so let me give you some advice. First, you’ll want to decide if you’re willing to have roommates and how many. I have three roommates, and we’ve managed not to kill each other. The only revenge I take on them for sharing my air is unsealing their food at night so it goes bad faster. In other words, it’s not ideal, but if you have a good bunch it’s doable. Next, you’ll want to decide what part of town you want to live in. You can
live in squalor in a nice part of town, or you can live in a sketchier section in slightly less squalor. Sure, a room all
“yes.” The room violently shaking says “yes.” Granted, in Fargo, I would hope they just need to replace their
You can live in squalor in a nice part of town, or you can live in a sketchier section in slightly less squalor. to yourself would be great, but is it all to yourself if there are mice? At least you get to name them when you find one in your fridge. Now, I’ve done some apartment shopping in Fargo, and there’s one
dryer. An important thing to keep in mind: apartments have quirks. You’re not going to find something that’s perfect, so be willing to make a trade-off. Maybe it’s far from work/school.
There’s one question I ask myself when I walk into a new place: Does it look like there was an earthquake? question I ask myself when I walk into a new place: Does it look like there was an earthquake? A painted over crack that runs straight across the ceiling says “yes.” Cabinets and mirrors that don’t fit quite right say
The neighbors could be loud. There could only be two prong outlets in the whole apartment, which is absolutely something I saw. You just have to decide what you, personally, are willing to live with.
Hey, that’s my apartment!
GRANT GLOE | THE SPECTRUM
10 THURSDAY, JANUARY 17, 2019
Sports
NDSUSPECTRUM.COM
The Spectrum
Easton Stick: The Road Ahead
JOHN SWANSON | THE SPECTRUM
Easton Stick ran (and threw) himself into the FCS record books, now comes the hard part.
Thomas Evanella Staff Writer
The dust may be settled on the 2018 North Dakota State football season, but for now-departed Bison quarterback Easton Stick, the work is only beginning. No, that isn’t the former Bison standout’s pursuit of an MBA; rather, Stick is ratcheting up his preparation for the upcoming NFL Draft. The draft will commence on April 25 in Nashville, Tennessee, but until then, Stick has sizable boxes to check. First on the docket for Stick is the East-West Shrine Game, which takes place this coming Saturday, Jan. 19 in St. Petersburg, Florida. Stick will be one of six quarterbacks participating in the contest and is one of a handful of offensive players from the FCS selected for the game. The Shrine Game is limited to college seniors, with its selection based on the probability that an
individual player will make an NFL roster. Organizers draw a consensus from the NFL’s 32 teams to select players. From there, the top 100 available players are invited. Stick will vie for the eyes of NFL scouts alongside fellow signal-callers David Blough, Taylor Cornelius, Marcus McMaryion, Brett Rypien and Jordan Ta’amu. The Omaha, Nebraska native will be joined by McMaryion and Rypien on the West roster. Zach Grossi, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive quality control coach, will coach the trio. Over 300 scouts and agents will be on hand throughout the week, which offers Stick an NFL audience he’s never had. While the Fargodome has teemed with professional scouts in recent years, never has Stick had the opportunity to showcase his abilities in person to such a large group. Team practices began Monday, less than 10 days removed from the FCS title
game. Considering both McMaryion and Rypien have been out of game action since mid-December, Stick may hold an advantage in preparedness. Among the six quarterbacks, Stick is certainly the most intriguing prospect, and he may well be the best. Stick drew interest from the Senior Bowl, another hive of NFL scouting, but had already committed to the Shrine Game. Jim Nagy, the executive director of the Senior Bowl, has consistently praised Stick. Were he at the Senior Bowl with fellow Bison Bruce Anderson, Stick would be competing against a greater number of quarterbacks — nine compared to six. That includes the likes of Daniel Jones, Will Grier and Gardner Minshew. While Stick certainly stacks up favorably with that group, he’s a bigger fish in a smaller pond at the Shrine Game. It all adds
up to more snaps on the field and less attention for which to compete among the attending scouts and front office personnel. With a positive showing at the Shrine Game, and, much like one of his rushing touchdowns, it’s off to the races for Stick. Next on the calendar would be the NFL Combine, which kicks off Feb. 26 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Stick and other college hopefuls will learn their Combine status in the coming weeks. Assuming that Stick is invited to the Combine — and with a strong performance at the Shrine Game, the chances of an invitation increase dramatically — it would serve as his best shot to impress NFL squads. The Combine is exactly where Carson Wentz became a household name outside of North Dakota. Wentz was a top performer in the 40-yard dash, broad jump and three-cone drill. Additionally, the soonto-be Philadelphia Eagles
star excelled in the passing drills. Stick doesn’t match Wentz’s sheer athleticism, but his predecessor is proof that a small-school product can turn their fortunes at the Combine. The final stop for Stick will be at NDSU’s pro day, which will take place at some point in lateMarch. Twenty-two scouts representing 21 teams were in attendance at last season’s pro day when Chris Board and Nick DeLuca were the Bison’s two big attractions. Wentz drew 18 teams to the Fargodome for his pro day in 2016, a number that was lower than expected due to travel issues. If all goes right for Stick, the number of teams represented ought to be above 20. As past Bison history proves, the pro day is a prime opportunity to dazzle scouts on home turf. Esteemed NFL talent evaluator Gil Brandt referred to Wentz’s pro day as one of the best he’d ever witnessed. More recently, DeLuca
turned his fortunes at the pro day. After an ugly showing at the Combine damaged his draft stock, the linebacker improved his numbers, specifically in the 40-yard dash, to sway scouts. DeLuca signed as an undrafted free agent with the Tennessee Titans, then went on to start for the Jacksonville Jaguars after the Titans released him. On whichever side of the coin Stick finds himself at the end of March, there is reason for optimism. The pro day lends familiarity, both with the venue and receivers. Darrius Shepherd figures to appear at the pro day, which would give Stick his go-to target. The months of preparation will culminate with the draft. Former Bison head coach Chris Klieman called Stick “the best player in college football” after NDSU downed South Dakota State in the FCS semifinals. If all goes well between now and April, that statement may be proven in Nashville.
Out From The Oven | Jan. 17 So many choices to consider Philip Atneosen Staff Writer
Decisions ahead For Kyler Murray
The University of Oklahoma’s Kyler Murray has officially submitted his name into the NFL draft. The redshirt junior just came off a season in which he won the Heisman Trophy and led the Sooners to the College Football Playoff. NFL analysts expect him to go in the first round of the draft, despite being just a 5-foot-10-inch quarterback. Just last summer, Murray was drafted in the first round of the MLB draft by the Oakland Athletics. Now, he
must choose between the NFL and MLB before spring training starts Feb. 16. There are a lot of factors to consider when making such a large decision. Murray could earn a much larger living in the NFL, but the NFL carries a higher risk of injury. Even if there are rules meant to protect the quarterback, the game is still risky to play due to its violent nature. What should be the deciding factor is simply what Kyler Murray wants to do. In the modern world of sports, I don’t think we’ll ever see another individual play football and baseball professionally. As thrilling as it would be to see another Deion Sanders or Bo Jackson, I don’t expect it
to happen again. That being said, Murray should rely on his heart when he makes his decision in the coming weeks.
Only favorites remain in NFL playoffs
Only four teams remain in the NFL playoffs, and they all had a first-round bye. In the NFC, the No. 1 New Orleans Saints will face the No. 2 Los Angeles Rams in New Orleans. The Saints are 3.5-point favorites in Vegas. Los Angeles advanced with a 30-22 victory over the Cowboys, while the Saints defeated the Eagles 20-14. The only injury to note in this matchup is that New Orleans defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins is out for
the rest of the season. In the AFC, the No. 2 New England Patriots travel to Arrowhead to face the No. 1 Kansas City Chiefs. The Chiefs are 3-point favorites in Vegas. New England advanced to the AFC Championship with a 41-28 win over the Chargers, while Kansas City defeated the Colts 31-13. Both teams have injuries on the defensive side of the ball. Chiefs’ safety Eric Berry and linebacker Dorian O’Daniel are both banged up and questionable for the matchup, and Patriots defensive end Deatrich Wise Jr. is still nursing an ankle injury that kept him out of the Divisional round. I think the NFC Championship will be an evenly fought battle on offense and defense. Both teams have respectable defenses and great offenses.
The AFC Championship on the other hand looks like it’s going to be a shootout, with both teams having elite offenses and weakened defenses. Football fans should make extra snacks, sit back and enjoy great football this weekend.
Is NBA all-star voting broken?
After the second voting returns for the NBA All-Star Game, the starters are a little alarming. So far, Dwyane Wade and Derrick Rose are making the starting lineups based on fan votes. I think it’s great that the fans have a say in NBA all-star voting, but thankfully the public doesn’t get full power. I have tremendous respect for both Wade and Rose, but they don’t deserve to be all-stars based on production alone.
Another example of lopsided fan voting is demonstrated by the fact that KarlAnthony Towns is having an All-NBA caliber season, but isn’t even in the top10 in Western Conference frontcourt voting. Luckily for KAT, the fans only have power to vote for the starters. NBA fans account for 50 percent of votes by weight, while NBA players account for 25 percent and the media makes up the other 25 percent. These votes are used to decide the starting lineups of the All-Star Game. The NBA coaches then vote on the seven bench spots for each conference. Because the coaches control the bench spots, I can confidently say that the NBA All-Star voting process is not broken.
THE SPECTRUM | SPORTS | THURSDAY, JANUARY 17, 2019
11
State of the Rivalry When UND comes to town, the games get rocking
BRITTANY HOFMANN | THE SPECTRUM
NDSU-UND games are gritty, energetic affairs.
Taylor Schloemer Sports Editor
The question on every Bison basketball fan’s mind this week should be, “Wioux is coming to town?” The answer is thankfully in the question because flying down the I-29 is the University of North Dakota Fighting Hawks. For the first time since the D-II days, the two schools face off in a conference clash. The Hawks’ move into the Summit League was in part to rekindle the rivalry between the two biggest schools in the state. But here is another question that should be posed to Bison fans: Are the Hawks really our biggest rival?
Conventional wisdom at this point would suggest that answer is no. Since the Bison left the North Central Conference and joined the Summit, the two teams haven’t played each other often. In fact, Saturday’s men’s basketball contest will be just the 11th time the two teams have played a game at the Division I level. It is hard to maintain any relationship seeing someone just 11 times in a decade, much less a rivalry. With the eye test, it is easy to say that South Dakota State has overtaken the Hawks as the premier Bison opponents. A quality conference opponent across all sports and the other Dakota state school, the Jacks tick off all the big boxes.
But, looking at the attendance numbers, it seems like UND still is the biggest draw. And that is how it should be. Looking at the Bison attendance numbers for men’s basketball last year, NDSU averaged a home attendance of 2,757 for 15 home games. The North Dakota game drew 4,105 and the SDSU game 3,182. However, the Jacks came to town during the winter break for students, so that number should be taken with a grain of salt. Going back one year further, UND drew the largest crowd in the inaugural season of NDSU basketball in the SHAC, with a 5,022 figure. SDSU ranked No. 4 that season at 4,805.
Going back even further, the 2010 matchup sold over 10,700 seats at the Fargodome, the largest crowd in program history. The 1996 D-II game against the Jacks ranks second in terms of actual attendance figures, which started being kept in the 1990-91 season. UND’s numbers fall in line with NDSU’s. The Dec. 9, 2017 contest at the Betty Engelstad Sioux Center was the only game to have a 3,000-plus attendance for the Fighting Hawks last season. The atmosphere for any NDSU-UND contest feels a bit different. The 2015 football thrashing created a playoff-like atmosphere in the Fargodome. The 19,000plus on hand were in full throat, as NDSU held North
Dakota to a mere 61 yards of offense. Football fans love to remind everyone of the old rivalry with the neighbors to the North on every fresh set of downs. Safe to speculate those will be back come Sept. 7 when the Fighting Hawks visit the Dome. Other sports have seen a similar boost. Volleyball experienced a large attendance bump for their match against the Fighting Hawks. The crowd of 1,449 saw “Sold Out” signs on the door 30 minutes before the match back in the fall. The only other match that came close to that number was the Friday of Homecoming week against South Dakota at 1,369, otherwise the average attendance was under 1,000.
That said, some sports still need a little work. The first Summit League “North Dakota Derby” for women’s soccer was the lowest attended home match for UND last season. That match also was on the same day as the Vikings-Eagles game. Correlation doesn’t always equal causation, but this feels like a valid point. That would be the Carson Wentz effect in action. Moving forward, it is time to fully embrace the rivalry with UND. With them joining the Missouri Valley Football Conference in two seasons, it will be back to a full-blown rivalry. Maybe by then the Bison will have a third trophy to fight for, after the Dakota Marker and FCS National Championship of course.
Filling the Long Weekend With three days off, here is something to do Ian Longtin
Contributing Writer
In case you haven’t noticed, it is cold outside. It’s always windy, the walk to class seems twice as long as it actually is and people are sniffling all throughout class. It’s just that time of year. So, when this weekend hits, take the opportunity to hide out from the cold and stay inside. Here are a few things to do to pass the time.
Play racquetball
Racquetball is a fantastic way to spend time with your friends as well as a way to be active. The Wellness Center has plenty of racquetball courts to play on, so at least one is usually open. The game is simple enough; there are rules online or you can just go in there and start smacking the ball against the walls for fun. It is highly recommended to wear goggles because although it’s funny to see someone get clocked in the dome with the ball, having a black eye is not the best way to get the semester going.
Head to the SHAC
Both Bison basketball teams are in action this weekend, for those wanting to briefly brave the cold. The on-court action should be plenty warm, with North Dakota coming to town. For both teams, it will be the first Summit League matchup between the two schools.
BRITTANY HOFMANN | THE SPECTRUM
Both the Bison men and women are off to .500 starts to conference play. Homecourt advantage has been good to the Bison in the past and will be needed again this weekend. For those not wanting to go outside, both games will
be streaming on ESPN+. The men tip off at 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 19, and the women at 1 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 20.
Watch football
The NFC and AFC Championship games are Sunday, and they feature
some fun matchups. The young guns of Jared Goff and Patrick Mahomes take on veterans Drew Brees and Tom Brady. Both games take place Sunday. Not only does the forecast call for some cold temperatures in Fargo, but
also in Kansas City for the AFC game. Despite not being at home, Brady should get some Boston winter weather at Arrowhead. A fun note in that game: with a Patriots win, Tom Brady will have the same number of road playoff wins as Mark
Sanchez. At least the NFC game is going to be held indoors.
Start ‘Game of Thrones’
Do it. Start this show. But be warned; it may consume your life for a few weeks. The final season comes out soon. Do it.
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THE SPECTRUM | NORTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY | THURSDAY, JANUARY 17, 2019
NFL Conference Championship Preview Old vs. new is the order of the day David Hoffman Staff Writer
The NFL season is coming to a close, and with only three weeks to go, four teams remain. This Sunday features both games that will decide who goes to Super Bowl LIII. In the AFC, the New England Patriots will head to Kansas City to take on the Chiefs, and in the NFC, the New Orleans Saints will host the Los Angeles Rams. With the four highest caliber offenses still remaining, it is sure to be a weekend of big touchdowns and quick drives.
AFC Championship
Football fans should get ready for an exciting rematch during the AFC Championship. Earlier in
the season, a red-hot Patrick Mahomes and his Chiefs took on the legendary Patriots and quarterback Tom Brady in Boston. It was a battle to the end with 30 combined points in the final 10 minutes of play. However, Brady put together a drive in the closing minutes to get a game-winning field goal as time expired. The shootout ended with a 43-40 Patriot victory, but the young Mahomes wouldn’t be deterred. As the season went on, Mahomes led his team to a 12-4 record and the No. 1 seed in the AFC. With Mahomes getting comparisons to quarterback legends such as Brett
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Favre and mentions as a possible MVP candidate, he obviously had a great season, but it is easy to overlook his fellow elite teammates. Kansas City’s leading wide receiver, Tyreek Hill, had 1,479 receiving yards this season, good for fourth in the NFL. This total came paired with 12 receiving touchdowns and an average of 92 receiving yards a game. Kansas City has also gotten a stellar season out of tight end Travis Kelce. Kelce had 1,336 receiving yards on the season, the second most by any tight end. On the defensive side, the Chiefs led the NFL in sacks with 52, 15.5 of which came from defensive lineman Chris Jones. Defense is where the Chiefs could have a leg up on the Patriots. The Patriots fall to the bottom of the rankings
in almost every defensive category. However, what the Patriots lack in defense they make up with experience. This will be New England’s eighth straight AFC Championship appearance. They’ve won four of the last seven. Two of their three losses were away games, and this year’s venue may play a big factor in this game. Arrowhead Stadium, home of the Chiefs, has become notorious for its loud crowd and chants. A huge cold wave is expected to hit Kansas City this weekend, calling for possibly one of the coldest games in modern NFL history. Kickoff at Arrowhead is set for 5:40 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 20.
NFC Championship
In the NFC, a similar story is set to unravel. Both
the No. 1 seed, New Orleans Saints, and the No. 2 seed, Los Angeles Rams, have high-powered offenses. The Rams are second in yards per game with 421.1. Quarterback Jared Goff is also fourth in the league for passing yards. The Rams also house a strong running game with star running back Todd Gurley rushing for 1,251 yards and 17 touchdowns this season. With their firm grasp of the NFC West, the Rams were able to rest Gurley for the final two regular season games. With this chance to rest up before the postseason, Gurley came out fresh in the divisional round against the Cowboys. His temporary replacement, C. J. Anderson, was also able to prove his skill in the two games he played. This has given the Rams a deadly dual-threat
running game. Once again, however, this flashy young team will have to go up against the experience of Drew Brees. The all-time leading passer dominated teams this year and has been a Super Bowl contender in the past. With both a great passing game from a legendary quarterback and a multithreat running back in Alvin Kamara, the Saints will be tough to beat. Add on the do-everything man in Taysom Hill, and who really knows what is coming? The game’s location, the Superdome in New Orleans, is also famously tough to play in. The Saints beat the Rams at the Superdome in Week 9, and the rematch is going to be a must-see. Kickoff is set for 2:05 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 20.
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