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Random acts of kindness
Spring Championships 2020 Page 10
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Feb. 18, 2021 — Vol. 99, Issue 11
Vial infection Vaccination numbers are rising in Dubuque County by JON QUINN assistant executive editor
photo CONTRIBUTED
Civil rights organizer Ella Baker speaks to a croud in 1964. Baker fought for civil rights through organizations like the NAACP. She often critiqued personalized, charismatic leadership and believed the true power should be left to the people.
Remembering a mentor
Civil rights activist Ella Baker’s legacy lives on by CONOR KELLY opinion editor
During these few weeks, many an American celebrates Black history for a month, but very few know the in-depth story of the Black Freedom Struggle. Indeed, very few would be familiar with Black activists beyond Martin Luther King or Rosa Parks. Perhaps some would recognize the name James Baldwin or John Lewis. But more often than not, very few know the name of Ella Baker. Though her work has inspired numerous works such as Barbara Ransby’s, Ella Baker and the Black Freedom Movement, very few have taken deliberative efforts to examine her legacy. Despite her name being synonymous with the Black Freedom Struggle and the activism of grassroots politics, Ella Baker is a name that is consistently disregarded by the general public. It is time to remove such disregard from the public discourse. Ella Josephine Baker was born on Jan. 13. 1903 in Northfolk, Virginia. Though she was not born into poverty, Baker displayed a remarkable ability connect with people across classes. Indeed, she was a valedictorian in at Shaw University while at the same time, learning from her exposure to poverty in New York City during the great depression. From the very beginning, she worked to advocate for a new form of youthful politics, supporting YNCL, which sought to create cooperatives that would gather resources together to provide cheap goods to its members. Despite being in her twenties at the time, Baker was far from apolitical. In the 1940, she became the national s e c re t ar y of t he NA AC P, t r avel i ng around the country to advocate for the organization’s goals. By 1943, she became the organization’s director of branches for the NAACP. During her time with NAACP,
she worked with suffragettes such as Daisey Lampkin, who single-handedly organized the national convention in Pittsburg in 1931. Throughout her career with the NAACP, she consistently rejected topdown politics, arguing that the people on a local level could argue for their case more than any national leader could. To her, the people in all of their personhood, could advocate for their interests without outside interference. This grassroots attitude would leader to butt heads with the NAACP leadership throughout her years and by 1946, she resigned, but she was far from done. She continued to work with the New York branch of the organization to organize local schools and to advocate for equality. By the 1950s, she worked with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to establish the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and served as its director. Though she was never one to limit herself to one organization, her time with the organization would prove transformative. During her time with the NAACP, she came into contact with Stanley Levinson, along with many others. Though she would never be satisfied with the legalese of the NAACP. By the 1960s, Baker began to impress her ideas in a way that bloomed. With the rise of activism in 1960, Baker left the SCLC to help establish a new movement, the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, more commonly known as SNCC. Indeed, one could argue that Baker was SNCC’s principle founder. It was her efforts that ensured that students would organize at Shaw University in 1960, and it was her efforts that ensured that students were able to advocate for new ideology of their own making, repudiating the SCLC’s control over the movement. To Baker, the best way to empower people is to let them empower themselves. And though Baker would pass in 1986, her legacy lives on.
Find out why Nickelback “slaps” Page 5
Dubuque County vaccinations are underway. There have been just about 10,000 people in the Dubuque County who has received their first dose of vaccinations, estimating about 500 people a day. As for the second dose vaccinations, just over 5,000 people have received their second dose, estimating 400 people a day. These vaccination numbers come in as there are just under 300 reported positive COVID-19 cases in the past two weeks in Dubuque County. The total confirmed cases to date is 12,110. An estimated 750 cases are currently active in the Dubuque community. In addition to the local Dubuque County numbers, the CDC updated their mask guidance on cdc.gov. Updates include general principles for mask use which include the following: masks should completely cover the nose and mouth, fit snugly against the sides of the face and not have any gaps, and be handled only by the ear loops, cords, or head straps (not by the surface of the mask). “C o r r e c t a n d consistent mask use is a critical step everyone can take to reduce their risk of getting and spreading COVID-19,” said the CDC in a press release to the public. “Masks work best when everyone wears them, but not all masks provide the same protection.” According to the CDC, masks should be worn any time you are in a public setting. This includes traveling on a form of public transportation like planes, buses, and trains. It is also important to wear masks when you are around people who do not live with
you, whether you are in their home or vice versa. Layering masks is a good way to reduce the number of respiratory droplets that could be containing the virus. According to the CDC one way to double-mask is to wear a medical procedure mask underneath a cloth mask. A recent study conducted in a laboratory found that this doublemask combination provided much better protection to the wearer and to others as compared with a cloth mask by itself or a medical procedure mask by itself. “However, there are some mask combinations that should not be used to double mask,” said the CDC. “Do not combine two medical procedure masks to create a double mask.” Medical masks are not designed to f it tightly and wearing a second medical mask on top of the first one does not help to improve the fit. Some things to watch out for when attempting to improve mask fit and filtration is to make sure breathing is not difficult. Be sure your vision is not obstructed and take the time to try it at home first before trying it in a ‘not completely safe’ environment. The CDC has more information on different things to look out for with different masks on CDC.gov. They include the pros and cons of cloth masks, medical procedure masks, KN95 masks (also known as KN95 respirators). Tips to improve fit and filtration are further explain on the CDC website.
Attention business majors!
Are you looking for work opportunities? The Lorian is looking for a new Advertising sales manager. expand your resume with real experience and client relationships. If interested, email Lorian@loras.edu.
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Feb. 18, 2021
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Paint like Picasso
Campus Activities Board sponsors Guided Paint Night by CORA SHEFCHIK staff writer
What does one get when you combine a canvas, a pallet of paint, painting easels, and an amazing instructor? One gets Guided Paint Night sponsored by College Activities Board (CAB). On Saturday, Feb. 13 at 7:30 p.m. in Ballrooms A/B, CAB hired Mercedes from Captured by Canvas. Mercedes has been doing Paint Parties for almost five years, and this was her second visit to Loras College. Those who came to the Paint Night were provided everything they needed to do the painting: paint, brushes, water, sponge, canvas, easel, and apron. All students needed to bring was a positive attitude and their imagination. Mercedes guided students through an Eiffel Tower at night painting. With clear instructions, lots of blending, and plenty of laughs, the whole process took about 90 minutes. When paintings were completed the group
celebrated with a group picture. Senior Meghann Long organized this event for CAB, working directly with Mercedes to do this event. “The guided painting with Mercedes was really fun! Everyone’s paintings turned out great,” said Long about the event CAB would like to thank everyone who came out to paint with us! Check out Captured on Campus at dbqartstudio.com or on Facebook. Watch for upcoming CAB events including comedian Kiry Shabazz and Duhawks Connected Weekend. Keep up to date about events via emails CAB sends out or on any of their Social Medias. Facebook: Loras College Activities Board Instagram: loras__cab (double underscore) Twitter: @LorasCAB
photo by JON QUINN
Maddy McCabe places ice below the salad bar. This image was take preCOVID-19.
Working fine dining
Explore the work campus dining does by EMMA HENNESSY staff writer
Are you in need of some extra cash and work experience? Consider applying to work at the Loras Café. This is what sophomore student manager Maddy McCabe did in September of her first year at Loras. Starting as student worker, McCabe worked her way up to manager position. “I really enjoy getting to know the adults that work at the cafeteria. It is nice to meet everyone who works behind the scenes. They do their best and I appreciate it, especially as a student manager.” McCabe describes her relationship with
her coworkers saying, “it is fun because we sometimes get to goof around while getting our work done.” McCabe describes this job as very flexible with scheduling. When you begin working, they give you a form to fill out regarding your available hours. “It is also very easy to get more hours, especially if you are willing to train in the other locations. I am trained in the cafeteria and the Duhawk Market and I am going to get trained in the pub, too.” Working at the cafeteria also comes with benefits of learning new skills. Cafeteria workers learn about food preparation, cleaning, cash register skills, handling money and customer service. Please email Tonya Sippy at Tonya. Sippy@loras.edu for any questions regarding working for Campus Dining.
Meet the crew
Get to know campus security officers photos by CORA SHEFCHIK
Students show off their finished paintings while posing for a picture. Campus Activities Board sponsored a Guided Paint Night for students to relax and paint a canvas.
by KYLIE HOLUBAR guest writer
Campus security is an important branch of any college. They are responsible for keeping students safe, but they also create relationships between students and safety officers. This is one of the objectives of the Honors Program and their Campus Security Profiles Project. The idea is, if one knows a little bit about them, they will be more willing to start a conversation with them. The better one knows them, the more willing one might be to ask them for help. Thank you to the officers for their efforts in maintaining a safe environment across campus and for answering these questions. Here is the second installment: Mark Sutter Hometown: Dubuque Worked at Loras: Three years Q: What’s your favorite restaurant in Dubuque? A: I like Tony Roma’s Q: What’s your favorite television show or movie? A: “LA Finest” and “Friends” Q: What is something unique or fun about you? A: I’m a very laid-back person as well as a good listener. Q: What are some things you like to do in your free time? A: I like working on cars, home projects, and going fishing. Q: What interested you about working with Loras College campus safety? A: It all started out as a favor, but as I
continued, I liked the exercise and the knowledge you can obtain from working as a Campus Safety Officer. One of my favorite things about working is meeting and helping people. Q: If you could give one piece of safety advice to the students, what would it be? A: My advice is to always lock your doors, and always have your key. Dylan Ervin Hometown: Chicago College: St. Cloud State University, Loras College Major/minor: Media Studies Worked at Loras: Coming up on two years Q: What’s your favorite restaurant in Dubuque? A: Los Azteca Q: What’s your favorite television show or movie? A: “Bernie Mac Show” and “Martin” Q: What is something unique or fun about you? A: I used to love the sport of wresting. Q: What are some things you like to do in your free time? A: I like to spend time with my friends, listening to music, and going out. Q: What interested you about working with Loras College campus safety? A: I am currently a student attending Loras College. While receiving my education here, this job also helps to pay for my schooling. Q: If you could give one piece of safety advice to the students, what would it be? A: My advice would be to keep your keys with you at all times! Additionally, follow the simple rules given to keep you safe.
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Feb. 18, 2021
Conspiracy theories
Popular conspiracy theories that are still being debated by EMMA HENNESSY staff writer
Is the government hiding aliens? Did Princess Diana really die? Perhaps we are simply living in a simulation controlled by external forces? Will we ever know for sure? I asked multiple Loras College students to anonymously share conspiracy theories that they subscribe to. (DISCLAIMER: these are simply conspiracy theories. None of these theories have been confirmed and this article is simply for entertainment, not a valid source of news. I do not personally believe in these theories, I am simply reporting what other people have told me.) Some people question the death of Princess Diana. One conspiracy theorist described the possibility that her death was planned. One clue to this theory is a letter that she wrote to her butler that reads, “I am sitting here at my desk today in October, longing for someone to hug me and encourage me to keep strong and hold my head high. This particular phase in my life is the most dangerous […] is planning ‘an accident’ in my car, brake failure and serious head injury in order to make the path clear for Charles to marry.” Is this evidence that the government planned her death? Another theorist claims that there is a possibility of Princess Diana still being alive. This theorist claims that Princess Diana faked her death in order to get out of the spotlight and retire quietly. Some theorists on campus claims that Bigfoot and mermaids exist. Bigfoot is rumored to be a giant hairy ape-like creature that roams somewhere in North America. If you search on YouTube, you can find many videos from people claiming to be witnesses to this creature called Bigfoot. As well as Bigfoot, some people also believe that mermaids exist. Many conspiracy theorists point to the journal kept by Christopher Columbus. In his journal, Columbus describes seeing three mermaids in the water. Did he mistake manatees for mermaids, or do you agree with theorists who claim that he really saw mermaids? Perhaps mermaids exist deeper down in the ocean? After all, 80 percent of the ocean remains undiscovered. One student subscribes to the theory that Paul McCartney passed away in a car crash in 1966. According to this theory, he was replaced by an imposter who looked and sounded like him. Fans of The Beatles search for clues in backwards song lyrics, album covers, pictures, etc. John Lennon described this theory as, “The stupidest rumor I’ve ever heard.” One student claimed to believe in the theory that the Earth is actually flat. Flat-Earthers, people who subscribe to this theory, believe that Antartica is a vast area that surrounds the earth. Many Flat-Earthers believe that the government is hiding secrets about the shape of our planet. Many people point
to the fact that the Earth doesn’t look like it has curvature. Make sure to pay close attention to the ground’s curvature (or lack of curvature) next time you fly on a plane. As well as the government hiding the secret of the shape of the Earth, some theorists believe that the government is also hiding aliens in Area 51. Some people point to videos on YouTube claiming to see UFOs. Anyone still want to invade Area 51? Some people wonder whether we are living in a simulation. This theory suggests that our environment is being controlled by powerful external forces. Is Earth an experiment for Aliens? Another theory suggests that nothing is real, and that you are the only thing that really exists. Perhaps you are using a futuristic form of virtual reality. Maybe you are the only living thing and everyone else is being controlled by external forces who are experimenting on you. Was this article inserted into your simulation as part of a test? Another conspiracy theorist believes that 9/11 was done by the United States Government in order to get a reason to invade the Middle East in search of oil. Some people claim that the Twin Towers were damaged by a bomb on the inside. Theorists get this idea from the videos and from former President Donald Trump, who was interviewed. Trump says, “I happen to think that they had not only a plane, but they had bombs that exploded almost simultaneously because I just can’t imagine anything being able to go through that wall.” One theorist told me that they think that airport security is another way to keep citizens controlled. Another theorist claimed that the government is putting chemical trails (chemtrails) in the sky. One theory states that these chemtrails are used to block the sun, controlling the weather and slowing global warming. Another theory claims that these chemtrails are leaving chemicals in the air to make people more stupid and obedient to the government. Should we worry about our IQ levels? Some conspiracy theorists believe that the government is poisoning our water. Theorists believe that the government is putting fluoride in the water to poison us. Fluoride supposedly blocks the effectiveness of the Pineal gland, which is seen by some people as a “third eye” or a “spiritual connection.” This theory led to the meme of Alex Jones saying, “I don’t like them putting chemicals in the water that turn the freaking frogs gay!” Is this too much information for your brain? Too scary? Here’s a theory that won’t freak you out- All of the Pixar movies exist in the same universe. This theory has been accepted by a lot of fans of Pixar and Disney. What do you think? Is the government controlling us? Are aliens real? What really happened to Princess Diana? Will we ever know these answers for sure? Who knows! Maybe you are in a simulation and this newspaper is sent to you by alien overlords who are watching and taking note of your every move.
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Wrapping up Black History Month Black History Month events schedule by JON QUINN assistant executive editor
All of this week, Peace and Justice is sponsoring an event dedicated to the Black Creatives in Activism. There is a display of activist media on the concourse of the Alumni Campus Center. Be sure to stop by and check it out before it gets taken down at the end of the week this Friday, Feb. 19. Tonight, Feb. 18, be sure to make your way to the ballrooms in the ACC for Trivia Night. This event is sponsored by Literary Society. The time was unavailable at the time of this publication deadline, but reach out to junior Coy Pederson for additional information. The Campus Activity Board will be sponsoring a comedy show tomorrow night, Feb. 19 at 8 p.m. in the Pub and online. The event will be featuring comedian Kiry Shabazz. Shabazz is known for his acting in “Disgruntled” (2013), “Bill Burr Presents: The Ringers” (2020), and his guest appearance in “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” (2014). For adsditional information, reach out to first year Thomas Kampmier. This Saturday, Feb. 20, Forward Thinking is co-sponsoring a movie night with Student Life. The movie night will be at 7 p.m. in the ballrooms in the ACC. As of the time of this publication, the film for the movie night was not yet announced. Reach out to junior Jailani Harris for more information. Looking forward into next week, starting on Monday, Feb. 22, Active Minds will be sponsoring a bulletin board in the ACC next to the mail room. The board will be up all week. For additional information, reach out to senior Colleen McShea. Next week Thursday, Feb. 25, Duhawks for Life will sponsor a movie night in the ballrooms located in the Alumni Campus Center next to the concourse. The movie night will begin at 7 p.m. At the time of this publication, the movie was not yet released. For more information, reach out to sophomore Maeve Stewart. To end Black History Month, Math
W.E.B. Du Bois was a civil rights activist known for his leadership of the Niagara Movement Club will be sponsoring a movie night at 7 p.m. The movie they will show is called “Hidden Figures.” The movie is based off a true story about the contributions people of color made to get astronauts into space. At the time of this publication, the location was “to be determined.” For additional information or questions, reach out to senior Meghann Long. With this being the last issue in February, also known as Black History Month, it’s important to point out that on this day in history, Feb. 18, W.E.B. Du Bois organized the Pan-African Congress in 1919. W.E.B. Du Bois was a civil rights activist who was born in Great Barrington, Massachusetts on Feb. 23, 1868. Du Bois was earned recognizable status when he rose to national prominence as the leader of the Niagara Movement, which was a groups of African-American activists who wanted equal right for blacks. Du Bois strongly protested against lynching, Jim Crow laws, and discrimination in education and employment. Du Bois is an example of the fight for equal rights well before the Civil Rights movement of the 1960s.
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Nickelback: Underrated and over-hated by AVERY WICKERSHAM executive copy editor
Anyone who has been engaged with social media in the past five to ten years has likely seen countless memes, posts, and articles about Nickelback—not about their music, but about the seemingly unnecessary hate they’ve received as a group. There are posts on Reddit from as recent as a year ago, and it’s still a running joke. There are many memes about Nickelback that are enough to make one chuckle. David Grohl, the founder of the Foo Fighters, has a tweet that reads: “If you play a Nickelback song backwards, you’ll hear messages from the devil. If you play it forwards, you’ll hear Nickelback.” Many people have the same strong feelings about Nickelback’s songs. This collective hate has been branded the “Nickelback phenomenon.” Boiled down to its essence, Nickelback’s hate comes from being so successful and over-played that it drove many fans away. According to NPR: “Nickelback sold millions of records in a style that’s fallen out of fashion through overexposure. The genre to which the band has typically belonged — umpteenthgeneration copy-of-a-copy post-grunge, dispensed with urgent, Creed-esque self-importance — has seen the scales of public opinion tip overwhelmingly against it.” I am one such fan that has not strayed from Nickelback. I have multiple songs of theirs on my playlist, and I consistently ask for Nickelback to be played in various group settings. The answer is generally “no.” Nickelback, especially in their earlier music, actually has a lot of good songs. It’s best to listen to Nickelback with an open mind. Some of their best songs include,
“How You Remind Me,” “Someday,” “Savin’ Me,” “If accept is that Nickelback has really strong music and is a Everyone Cared,” and “Gotta Be Somebody.” These songs good rock band. A lot of the hate about Nickelback went have the elements of basic rock: strong bass, a loud drum, mainstream. People hate on them because of the memes guitar riffs, and throaty vocals. The lyrics are also very and Vines that circulated over the years. Some of their poetic. “If Everyone Cared” is a song about the world songs are a little more hedonistic, so there are legitimate coming together and living life to the very best. “Savin’ reasons for hate on Nickelback; however, if Nickelback Me” is about leaving behind a nasty world full of bad haters listened to some of their old music, they might be choices. While their style is rough and grungy, these songs surprised at how much they actually like the band’s music. have an aspect of redemption. It’s easy to get into the rock ‘n’ roll aspect of Nickelback’s music, and almost everyone knows their music (even if they don’t want to admit it). There is a strong evocation of nostalgia when one of their songs comes on the radio. Many college students will recognize their songs when they start to play, and may utter the phrase, “I haven’t heard this song in years!” There’s always something special about hearing a song for the first time in a long time. It takes many people back to a time and place they didn’t know existed in their brain. Image taken FROM NICKELBACK YOUTUBE The fact that most people don’t want to
The return of Andrew Yang Following his bid for the Democratic nomination in 2016, politician and entrepreneur is running for mayor of New York City. Yang looks to run on his Universal Basic Income (UBI) policy that was his main focal point in his failed presidential run. by DEVYN SHEA staff writer
This year, New York City is holding their mayoral race. Now, many people outside of New York and in will think that this isn’t a big deal. Surprisingly, however, this is perhaps one of the most important elections in New York City’s history, and the outcome could have a larger effect on the nation as a whole. How, exactly, could one city in the United States affect all cities in the country? For many people, it comes as no surprise that New York City is a Democratic stronghold or at least a liberal one. In the past one hundred years there have been only four Republican mayoralties in the “Big Apple.” The total number of years under Republican leadership has been roughly 31 out of 100. Ideologically, however, the traditionally conservative party didn’t produce many conservatives. Most of the Republican mayors have been what some coin as RINOs: Republican In Name Only. It is not entirely fair to say someone doesn’t mean to be a Republican, because they wouldn’t have gone through the trouble to register as one if they didn’t at least somewhat believe in the party’s ideals. For people like Fiorello la Guardia and Michael Bloomberg, however, they mainly only ran as Republicans because that was the party that would take them. John Lindsay, a mayor in the 1960s and 1970s, was in favor of a lot of the party’s policies, but ended up leaving the party as it became more conservative. Rudy Giuliani is the only one who, to this day, identifies as at least somewhat conservative. Meaning, the effects that come from the outcome of this election are most likely not coming from the Grand Old Party. There are a lot of Democratic candidates for mayor this
year, the number stretches into the dozens. Out of the roughly ten major candidates, however, half are interested in a certain type of policy: universal basic income. The policy has been tried out in the city of Stockton, California, and a similar policy has been used in the state of Alaska for decades. Out of the mold of candidates, the man who got the nation talking about the subject in the first place is running. Andrew Yang announced his candidacy for mayor last month, making a minor change to his “Freedom
Image Taken from Stephen Maurten/Getty
Dividend” proposal from his 2020 presidential campaign. Instead of 1,000 dollars a month for every American in 2020, Yang is running on 2,000 dollars a month for half a million of New York’s poorest. Yang’s opponents are all across the political spectrum when it comes to Universal Basic Income, or UBI. Maya Wiley, a former counsel to Mayor Bill de Blasio, has proposed giving just caregivers 5,000 dollars annually,
and other candidates such as Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams, are open to studying the policy. Dianne Morales, a former nonprofit CEO, is openly considering adding the policy to her platform, and city councilman Carlos Menchaca has even talked of introducing legislation for UBI. Although there are many candidates that are open to UBI, it does have its opponents. Raymond McGuire, a businessman, has spoke out against UBI, and is more in favor of giving citizens more opportunities to better their own lives. What happens in New York City could have a domino effect across the country, going from city to city and even state to state. If Andrew Yang wins, he could bring it to the national stage again in either 2024 or 2028 in another run for president, but he needs to get through this race first. Although Yang is winning against his opponents by a little more than ten percent, it is the beginning of the race. If Yang wins more than 50 percent of the votes, he will win an outright victory for the nomination, however if he doesn’t, he will need to win a one on one race. The primary is this June, and Yang’s main opponents are Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams, who is presently in second place, and Scott Stringer, the former Manhattan Borough President and present NYC Comptroller. Both of Yang’s opponents are well respected city politicians, with Yang himself running almost as an outsider. Yang should not be too confident in his poll numbers. The present Mayor Bill de Blasio wasn’t even in the top two at this stage in the race and swooped in towards the finish line with a surge in the polls. Either way, this could be the beginning of Universal Basic Income or it could be the end. It’s fate mainly lies with Andrew Yang.
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Election integrity: A necessity
feb.
18, 2021
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With an election behind us, Congress should consider enacting stronger voting integrity laws by DARBY CALLAHAN Staff Writer
Former-President Trump claimed that he lost the election due to unfair election laws in some states. President Biden won the popular vote and Electoral College vote, and insists there were no cases of fraud. The Supreme Court of the United States and lower federal and state courts agreed with him. Senator Tim Scott introduced a bill back in January, a few days before the election results were certified, that would create a bipartisan “election integrity commission” according to the Washington Examiner. I believe this would be a great bill to use as a foundation to new election integrity laws. Instead of focusing on former President Trump, we should be trying to make sure fraud allegations are never seen as a threat to our Republic. France has been in five Republics, and there is nothing saying the people do not demand a new system. If the people in American can not trust their elected officials to be their voice, what we saw at the capital on Jan. 6 could happen again depending on the election cycle and how fair the people believe their elections are. Sen. Scott stated, “Simply put, Congress needs to act in a bipartisan fashion to examine missteps –
intentional or not – made this year in state legislatures across the country,” (Washington Examiner). Both sides in Congress need to act to make sure what happened in 2020 never happens again. According to a Reuters poll, 73 percent of those polled believed and agreed President Biden was legitimately elected to the highest office in the United States. Then, in a separate question on whether Republicans believed Trump or Biden “Rightfully Won,” there were 52 percent of Republicans that believed “Trump rightfully won.” As a republic, Congress should want the American people to believe that their elections are safe and secure. What are some things Congress can enact in addition to Sen. Scott’s election integrity bill? I think one of the most important things to enact is the plan to start the count of mail-in ballots before the election instead of starting on election day. In America, Election Day should be a national holiday, so more people can get out and vote for their elected officials. I also think there needs to be a finalized vote count on Election Day. No votes should count past Election Day. If someone is worried that their mailin vote did not count due to the Post Office not receiving it in time, they should call their election annex or Auditors office, and request that the ballot received in the mail be destroyed, and they should go fill out a
new ballot at the Auditor’s office. Election Day should be used for what it is: to announce the winner of the election after the polls have closed. Final popular votes should be counted by midnight of the Wednesday after the election. Most of the opposition will argue that it is not enough time to get all the votes counted, and I would argue that the next best thing would be to eliminate mail-in ballots all together if they are concerned about not getting ballots in on time. I would also propose that early voting antenna stations get set up in nursing homes and all community living unit buildings just as they are on college campuses. This way people can not claim that they will not be able to vote if they do not allow mail-in ballots. Election integrity laws need to be put in place if we want to keep our republic. I believe in the right to bear arms in case of a tyrannical government. I believe the people of the United States should have the right to overthrow a government if they do feel their constitutional rights are being upheld. If the Democrats are sure there was no election fraud in 2020, then they should be open to enacting laws that would protect future elections. If the Republicans truly believe there was fraud, they would be sure to support the election integrity commission and could hear evidence of the fraud in order to protect the country from future election fraud as well.
Ban the anti-vaxxers The misinformation epidemic from anti-vaxxers is harming more people than it is protecting. by CON0R KELLY opinion editor
From the beginning of his administration, Joe Biden has worked hard to cast himself as the voice of unity, bipartisanship, and policybased action. Anti-Vaxxers blocked vaccination for willing Americans outside Dodger stadium last month, protesting with signs that condemned doctors as war criminals and monsters. What did these doctors do to receive this label? Well, they sought to vaccinate people against COVID-19, a crime that AntiVaxxers would not tolerate. Indeed, they blocked access to the stadium, which is now one of the largest vaccination locations in the country, in order to shut the facility down. The plan went so well that the Fire Department ended up having to temporarily shut down the stadium. The effect was negligible in the longterm, but it speaks to the increasing openness of a once isolated online community of conspiracists. Now is the time to push them back and, if necessary, to ban these groups from spreading their lies. Anti-Vax rhetoric is nothing new. Indeed, the anti-vaccine movement is centuries old. In the early 1800s, Anti-vaccine rhetoric began to form in
England after Edward Jenner invented the first smallpox vaccine. Though the reasons varied widely, many English people refused to take the vaccine and, in some cases, openly questioned the efficacy of the vaccine as unchristian due to its creation via animal parts. As time went on, though, vaccines became more effective at preventing deadly diseases. This undercut much of the anti-vaccine movement’s momentum. But that did not mean it ended in England. In 1905, the Supreme Court ruled that a man by the name of Henning Jacobson, could not avoid mandatory vaccines as required by his home state of Massachusetts. The case, known as Jacobson v. Massachusetts, is yet another cut into the anti-vaccine movement, but with the rise of the internet, their presence has remained strong. Facebook is the largest platform known to the social media world. With an estimated 2.6 billion users, Facebook reaches people like no other site. But with that outreach comes a danger. One that Facebook has been reticent to handle: the danger of misinformation and antivaccine propaganda. Many Facebook users have spread misinformation and outright lies suggesting that the COVID-19 vaccine is ineffective or makes a person sterile. One famous anti-vaxxer, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has
falsely linked the COVID-19 vaccine with the death of famed baseball player, Hank Aaron. Many of these claims have reached large audiences. Kennedy’s Facebook, though likely to be banned in the future, reaches tens of thousands of people, if not hundreds of thousands of people. Indeed, prior to the termination of his Instagram, Kennedy was short of a million followers. These are massive platforms and, in a time when COVID-19 has proven so detrimental to everyday life, it is key that lies about the vaccine are quickly suppressed. For years, Facebook has hesitated to take down content that incorrectly attributed numerous ailments were the result of vaccination. Among some of the falsehoods, was the age-old argument that vaccines cause autism, which was spread by the infamous Andrew Wakefield and the nowbanned Del Bigtree. As of this week, Facebook has announced a crackdown on anti-vax content, warning that repeated offenders of misinformation policies could be removed. That is a good start, but after years of negligence, they owe the public an even better policy: ban all anti-vaccine content. Any content that promotes conspiracies or otherwise fearmongers about vaccines should not be allowed, especially when bodies are still being buried everyday.
EDITORIAL STAFF executive editor: KEEGAN GODWIN assistant executive editor: JON QUINN executive copy editor : AVERY WICKERSHAM assistant copy editor: ROSE GOTTSCHALK sports editor: KEVIN KESSEL features editor: MARY FELLERS opinion editor: CONOR KELLY mind and soul editor: CALASANDRA SPRAY assistant editor: CAMERON ARVIDSON
ABOUT US Circulation: The Lorian is published on a weekly basis, with exceptions of holiday breaks, examination periods and January Term. The newspaper is available in all main academic buildings and residence halls across campus on Thursdays during the afternoon/evening. Editorial Policy: The Lorian is the official student-led, award-winning newspaper of Loras College. The opinions expressed in The Lorian are those of individual authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the students, faculty or administration. The Lorian reserves the right to edit submissions for taste, length and grammar.
CONTACT US On campus: 259 Hoffmann Hall 675 Loras Boulevard Dubuque, IA Phone: 563-588-7954 Mailing address: 1450 Alta Vista Street Box #243 Dubuque, IA 52001 On the web: Email: lorian@loras.edu www.myduhawk.com/thelorian www.issuu.com/thelorian Facebook: facebook.com/thelorian Twitter: @TheLorianLC
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Do you have an opinion on something and want to write a “letter to the editor?” Do you have more questions about an article you read? Corrections or clarifications? A differing opinion about an issue brought up that you want to be heard? We want your input. In every published Lorian, all members of the Loras community are encouraged to write a letter to the editor. We encourage differing opinions, so take the time, and speak your mind. To submit a letter to the editor, please email lorian@loras.edu. Letters should be no more than 300 words in length and include the name and article you are referencing. *Letters may be edited for length and clarity.
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Journey to the Top of the Beanstock by SARWAN MOGHAMIS staff writer
Proteus, now human, young, and Queen Cinderella’s lead knight, is summoned by her. She tells him that the Godmother’s staff is losing its power. She used most of the power to help Proteus. She needs the power to complete her plan of dominance over the entire kingdom. She tells Proteus to journey to the top of a magical beanstalk and find a chest with a carving of a rose. Cinderella gives Proteus a map to the beanstalk. He and a few knights begin their journey. Meanwhile, Miranda wakes up lying on a sailing ship. Her arms and legs are tied together with rope. Her red cloak lies on the ground next to her. A man in a captain’s uniform, a hook in replacement of his left hand, and thick red facial hair stands over her. The man introduces himself as Captain Red Beard. Miranda looks at the man with disgust and demands to be released. He claims that there is a significant reward out for Red Riding Hood’s capture. Miranda offers him a larger reward if he lets her go. Red Beard denies her offer, knowing that she has no gold or silver now that Cinderella is queen again. He still unties her and forces her to work with his crew; then when it’s time, he’ll turn her in. Red Beard’s first mate, one of the seven dwarfs named Smitty, hands him a map, also leading to the beanstalk. Red Beard is after the
Disney Easter Eggs part four by CALASANDRA SPRAY
F eatures same chest as Cinderella and Proteus. He claims that he must get there before Cinderella or she’ll be too powerful. The journey takes three days at sea. Miranda is treated differently by the other crewmates, given that she is a woman. The crew mates do everything for her rather than letting her do any work. She spends her time eavesdropping on Red Beard and Smitty. Red Beard catches her. He threatens to beat her but stops after seeing the fear in her eyes. Instead, he tells her to join him and Smitty. Once they arrive at the island that held the beanstalk, the three prepare to climb. The journey to the top of the beanstalk takes hours. After reaching the top, they enter a tower made of black bricks. They enter the tower and begin their search. The tower is filled with piles of treasure such as gold, silver, and jewels. There are other mysterious chests and maps. Miranda finds the chest with the carving of a rose. Suddenly, giants, trolls, ghouls, and ogres attack. The trio quickly hides. Proteus and his knights charge in. Proteus sacrifices his knights to the monsters while he takes the chest. Red Beard chases after Proteus, but the pirate is not fast enough. Red Beard looks back at Miranda and Smitty. He grabs them and rushes out of the tower. As Miranda and Smitty climb down the beanstalk, Red Beard recognizes a shiny object that draws him away from the beanstalk.
The first cameo in Moana is Flounder from The Little Mermaid, who appears swimming in the mural with the other fish during Maui’s dramatic performance of “You’re Welcome.” As previously established, Maui may have powers of prophecy though, so this by itself is not conclusive evidence that The Little Mermaid took place during that time frame. Disney doesn’t leave us hanging, though, and for those patient enough, Tamatoa confirms the theory that Ariel’s story actually happened during the same time as Moana’s. Although to be technical, The Little Mermaid would have had to take place a little before Moana’s adventure in order for the story to spread around before Moana took her journey. If you wait until after the credits, Tamatoa, the musically inclined shiny crab who has a beef with Maui and got knocked on his back earlier in the film, is once again displayed. He is still struggling to get up and of course singing. However, if you listen to the lyrics of his new song, he references The Little Mermaid, “If my name was Sebastian and I had a cool Jamaican accent you would totally help me!” Now for the theory
Stress by CALASANDRA SPRAY mind & soul editor
I’ve been spending weekdays fazed, in a haze, navigating this maze, searching for a hiding place in hyperspace, speeding down the street, favorite song on repeat, screeching these lyrics, offbeat, to feel complete. Step on the gas, fast, through the underpass, into a cracking world of glass.
Later on, Proteus returns to Cinderella with the chest. She opens it. Inside is a glowing, floating, rose. Cinderella looks at the rose with an evil grin.
of how Tamatoa knew about Sebastian. At the end of The Little Mermaid, Ursula is impaled by Eric with his ship and then sinks beneath the waves in an implied death. Perhaps due to the involvement of a powerful witch turning into a monster, this story caught the attention of other creatures in the ocean and made its way to Lalotai, the realm of monsters, where Tamatoa would have heard it and of course latched onto the idea of a crab being one of the main characters in a tale known ocean wide.
mind & soul editor
While many origins took place in Motunui, a lot is happening during the same time frame as Moana as well. One such overlapping time frame is another ocean tale, that of Ariel.
F eatures
While this connection establishes The Little Mermaid and Moana to be in the same universe and time frame, The Little Mermaid allows viewers to connect several other stories. A little over halfway through the film, when Eric is waiting for Ariel to attend dinner, viewers are given a nice wide shot of the dining room. On the left-hand side of the screen, three paintings hang on the wall. The middle painting is of Prince Phillip and Princess Aurora. Nothing else about the two is made clear, so it’s not possible to know whether the Prince and Princess are deceased family members, making Eric a descendent, or family that is simply located elsewhere. Another relationship that is unclear in The Little Mermaid is that between Prince Eric and Prince Charming. Whether they’re brothers, cousins, or just know each other because of past royal functions, Prince Charming was unable to make it to Prince Eric’s wedding but some other characters did. Among the wedding guests on the boat are the King and Grand Duke from Cinderella. The Little Mermaid connects to one other film as well, Aladdin. Back on the subject of crabs, Sebastian gets pulled from a cookbook by Genie when he’s turning Aladdin into Prince Ali. Although, as crabs only live an average of three to four years, he must have been pulled from the past by Genie’s magic in order to appear in Agrabah so many years later. Hopefully Genie put him back in his own timeline and story before whisking Aladdin off to woo his princess.
T e r r i b l e W e a t h e r by JOSH VOGT staff writer
Down it pours in endless flurries Nevermind your need to hurry. On and on it seems to pile Blowing around for quite a while. Covering the world around you Get lost in it you sure are bound to. Day after day we keep getting more Til it fills the yard up to our door. Coating the roads in a layer of danger Til everything looks stranger and stranger. Eventually one day it must melt And the shared sigh of relief, certainly felt.
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Rose Samurai Part Two by JOSH VOGT staff writer
Flavian didn’t live too far away from the bar, which was good for him, but not good for the bar. The part of the city they lived in had one of the highest crime rates of the entire world, and at the same time the highest number of virtual reality simulation centers in all of Tokyo, as they were seen as perverse by most people in the city, similar to old-world brothels. Flavian himself tried his best to avoid such establishments, unless his work led him into one. His house is next door to one, which due to all the bright lights makes it far harder to fall asleep. He arrived home in less than ten minutes, and walked through the empty, decaying lobby up the weak, creaking staircase until he reached his floor. He’d have taken the elevator but it broke down several months ago and the landlord couldn’t afford to have it repaired, what with his struggles to avoid bankruptcy. The entire apartment could fit inside the space of one semi-large room, approximately 30 feet by 40 feet, the longer side bearing the exterior window on one’s right as they would enter the room. The first thing he’d notice every day would be the advertisements nextdoor for the virtual reality simulator, and much to his chagrin, they were always more or less inappropriate. He would close the door slowly, so as not to break off it’s fragile handle or crack the already glass-like surface the door was becoming. The hard wooden floor greeted him as he stepped into the room, and he kicked off his raggedy old shoes to the side as he shambled further into his domain. There was a counter that ran along the interior wall, which included the remnants of some cabinets, a leaky old fridge, and of course, the staple soy machines required in every home to be up to code. As he had yet to invest in curtains, he simply ignored the flashing lights of the advertisement as he maneuvered his way to the soy machine, opening one of his few functioning cabinets and placing a plastic cup beneath the dispenser. He searched through the options on the machine until he found the Hojicha tea setting. He waited as the soy machine created the artificial drink for him, gazing at the utterly disgusting counter. No matter
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how many times he cleaned it, it never seemed to stay as clean as he wanted. With it finally finished, he moved slowly across his room, using the advertisement as his only light in the dark of the night. The floor creaked as he moved, almost visible holes in the planks, but just barely safe to walk upon. As he sat on the couch, he could feel parts of it continue to tear where they had started since he’d gotten here. Still, the couch had not fallen apart on him yet, and he had hope in the big green thing. He sipped his tea, and though it didn’t really match the rich toasty flavor of Hojicha, it was close enough that he could pretend it was real. He almost relaxed, but then he heard a noise from outside. There it was, the sound of sirens in the distance. Likely just the police escorting somebody through the neighborhood because it wasn’t safe to travel. Maybe it’s a foreign dignitary or someone who doesn’t know the city at all, he thought to himself. No sane individual would knowingly come into this part of the city. The sirens did remind him of one thing: he had a job to do. Nobody was going to do it for him, and certainly not the police, the useless lot they were. They were so corrupt that they may as well be the criminals as well. Forced into action, he set his tea back on the counter and moved over to his sleeping area. He had one mattress upon the ground, stained irreparably from use throughout the years, and a large chest, battered and old against the wall. The chest had a padlock on it, with a keypad, likely the most expensive thing in the apartment. It was a large thing, and the lock on it was worn, the keys already missing numbers from use. Upon opening the chest, he would wave away the musty smell that wafted up from inside. Inside the chest was the most pristine thing in the entire apartment: a set of samurai armor colored the pink of the sunset, finely polished after every use. Lying next to it were the many weapons that he would need on a nightly basis, and he quickly suited up, strapping himself into the armor. He pulled one of his swords slightly out of it’s sheath, watching as the rising moon struck it lengthwise with its azure rays, reminding himself why he did what he did. He did not do it for the fame that unexpectedly came from the media, nor for the strange fans that sprung up throughout the city. Crime was tearing his home apart, and he could not stand by and watch it sink into the ocean under the weight of all the corruption. If not for him, he was sure it would only get worse.
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lifestyle
Tips with Trish: Picking a Roomate by TRICIA BORELLI
Dear Trish,
Director of the Counseling Center
This time of year brings me so much anxiety. I have lots of friends on campus but I really don’t have a “best” friend. I don’t know how to go about finding a roommate for next year. I hear people talking about it and I’m not sure if I should just chime in and ask or wait until someone approaches me. I think I really want to live with other people but I haven’t had the best experiences in the past. Living alone could be the perfect answer but I’m an introvert and am afraid I won’t leave my room much if I go that route. Would love your thoughts on what to look for and how to go about having the conversation. Signed, Need a Roomie Trish says, There is nothing magical about asking someone to be your roommate. You likely won’t get a tingly feeling inside letting you know he or she is the one so don’t look for that. If you have been around someone and the thought about having that person as a roommate has popped up into your mind, chances are they may be the one for you. Consider these thoughts to ponder and questions to ask when looking for a suitable roommate. Find out how they live. Do they watch Netflix a lot, stay home all of the time, like to have friends over? Are their friends loud and rowdy or quiet and reserved? Get as much information as possible or drop by their current place to get an idea of how they live. Doing this will also help you assess their habits for cleanliness. Do they expect your place to be spotless all of the time? Are there excessive beer cans in the garbage? Do they need the thermostat at 80 degrees? There is no right way of living but it is important that your habits
are similar. Lastly, find out their sleep schedule. Are they nocturnal? An early riser? These similarities/differences In this column by Tricia Borelli, director do not mean you are not meant to be of Counseling Services, she answers questions roommates but do indicate that you from students about their emotional well-being may have some challenges. while attending college. Send questions to: Ms. Borelli, Loras, Box 100, or e-mail tricia.borelli@loras.edu. All names will be kept confidential.
Some other things to consider, especially if you live off campus, are finances. Is your roommate financially secure (or as financially secure as most people in college)? Can they pay their bills on time and won’t need to borrow from you or fail to pay when something comes due? Obviously, an employed roommate is a little more secure than an unemployed one. Discussing the sharing of bills also opens the door to talk about sharing other things. Some roommates are okay with sharing food while others are not. Talk about how you want to handle groceries and household supplies like toilet paper, cleaning solutions, etc. How about clothes? Do you allow open access to the closet? Talking about things before it becomes a problem is highly recommended. Remember that roommate contract you did at the beginning of your first year? There was a reason you did it then. Lastly, ask yourself if you like being in the company of the particular person and vice versa. You don’t have to be best friends but your basic temperaments need to blend well. Being able to be open and have good communication is another must. Consider if your time together is filled with laughter and good dialogue. Hopefully your answer to this question will help you decide if someone is a good roommate. Signed, Trish
Random acts of kindness by CALASANDRA SPRAY mind and soul editor
Kindness has the possibility to turn someone’s day from horrible to amazing. Every single person has the ability to give this gift to someone else. In honor of National Random Acts of Kindness day, which has passed just yesterday, Wednesday Feb. 17, here is a list containing some of the things you can do to spread kindness. Write a letter to someone who has changed your life for the better. Express to them how they changed, or improved your life. Let them know that they mean something to you. Handwritten letters, or even an email, can go a long way to make someone that’s special to you feel special. The catch is to make sure you send it; if they never receive it then they don’t get to enjoy your kind words. Additionally, kindness starts with yourself. Write a letter to yourself. Tell yourself about your strengths, skill, values, positive behaviors etc. Then seal it and put it somewhere for yourself later when you really need it. Reply to a post you enjoy. Whether it be on Tik-Tok, Twitter, Snapchat, Facebook, Instagram etc., as a whole we tend to breeze through posts and if we like it we might click a button to express our sentiments. Instead of scrolling through social media on a loop, make it a positive and impactful place by taking the time to leave a comment. It could really make someone’s day. Hide a kind note in a library book. Whether you leave a note on your favorite page or simply slip it between the covers randomly, the next person to pick up the book is certain to smile at a kind message. Personally, I like to leave happy quotes during tense or sad parts of books because sometimes I struggle to make it through them and I
like to think I might help the next person reading the book get through a tough scene. If you’re making notes, why not leave one for your mail carrier? A small gesture can go a long way and thanking them for their hard work is sure to improve their day. Gift an inspirational book. If you’ve ever read something that absolutely changed your life, you could give
Photo courteous of startsat60.com
a copy to a family member, friend, or local library and perhaps help change someone else’s life. Make time for self-care. Kindness is sure to spread outward when you start with yourself. This could be going to your favorite spot and taking some time to rest and rejuvenate, making yourself a hot beverage, eating a good meal, or blocking out some time to meditate, journal, and/ or do yoga. Taking care of yourself is kindness that is often forgotten about when going about our busy days. Eat local. This can really impact small businesses and local farmers and also teach you more about your community. Explore restaurants that don’t exist in other places, and you may come across one more thing to add to why
you love your hometown. While you’re eating local, shop local. Going the extra mile to find a source of local produce will support the farmers in your community. Additionally, you’re sure to get fresher produce as it was grown right next door in your community. If you buy local honey it not only supports your local farmers but also the bee population in your area. Place sticky notes with encouraging words somewhere for strangers to find them. You could make someone smile with a note about self-love or simply have a great day. Alternatively, you could get them thinking about kindness themselves with something like an eye for an eye makes the whole world blind. Give a stranger a compliment. Give your friends a compliment. If you see something and think it’s cute, crafty, or cool, tell them. It may only take a few seconds to express your thoughts but it could change a person’s day to hear that someone likes the way they did their hair. Call a loved one for no reason in particular. It’s all too easy to get lost in the day and forget to give those we love a call. This act of kindness cannot only make your loved ones day but also improve yours. If you don’t have time for a phone call, perhaps a sweet text to let them know you’re thinking of them. No matter big or small, acts of kindness are “linked inextricably to happiness and contentment—at both psychological and spiritual levels” (Psychology Today). Something that takes you a few minutes might just well prove to manifest a happier and more fulfilling life for you. This is because it can establish a sense of gratitude, by heightening your awareness of your good fortune. It can also increase empathy and compassion, which helps people to better connect with each other. Bonus, it creates a happier and more fulfilling life for the person receiving the kindness as well.
H ealth & L ifestyle
Tips for better sleep by CARLY BOENS Staff writer
In the highly stressful and demanding world we live in, sleep often loses its priority. Many people do not get enough sleep in general, while others face difficulties falling asleep and staying asleep throughout the night. Often, college students wake up in the morning feeling tired and lethargic. While getting enough quality sleep can be difficult, there are techniques that can address the problem of sleeplessness. A lack of sleep can cause irritability and memory problems, and in regard to a more serious health aspect, can lead to potential obesity and heart disease. The desire for better sleep leads some people to use sleep medications, which can have many negative side effects. Sleep enhancing medications can cause dizziness, dry mouth, headaches, and drug dependency. Thus, it is best to find daily techniques that can lead to better sleep in a natural, healthy way. Many sleep problems stem from circadian rhythm issues. Your circadian rhythm acts as an internal clock that releases melatonin, the hormone that prompts sleep. When this internal clock is misaligned, falling asleep and sleeping through the night can become difficult. There are several simple changes that can address this problem. Daily exercise is a great solution not only for your general health, but also for improved sleep quality. Exercising in the morning is a good way to help readjust your circadian rhythm, as it leads to better melatonin release later in the evening. Exercise at any time during the day is helpful for sleeping as long as there are around two hours between working out and when you go to bed. Additionally, the environment in which
you sleep is essential. While it can be difficult to sleep somewhere completely quiet and dark in college given the noise that comes with dorms and apartments, white noise can help create a more restful environment. It is also better to sleep in a cool room rather than an overly warm one. While it can be easy to use your bed to do homework or other work-minded activities, using your bed only for sleep and resting helps make it a sleep stimulating environment (Harvard Health Publishing). The things you eat or drink before bed also impact the quality of your sleep. While going to bed hungry can prevent sleep, eating a full meal too soon before bed can also negatively impact sleep. Ideally, you should eat your last meal of the day between two to three hours before you go to bed. If you are hungry, a before bed snack that does not contain excess sugar, caffeine, or fat is best. On a similar note, caffeine and alcohol act as stimuli on the body, so doctors recommend avoiding these substances before bed. Caffeine should be avoided for between four to six hours before bedtime (Harvard Health Publishing). If stress seems to be a large factor in why you have difficulty sleeping, consider adopting a new stress-relief technique as part of your bedtime routine. Meditation, breathing exercises, journaling, and many more practices can help relieve anxiety and lead to better sleep. While there is no clear-cut method that works for everyone, trying different approaches to see what works for you can be very helpful. Essentially, while getting a restful night of sleep can be hard, there are attainable tricks that you can try to help improve your rest.
The importance of breakfast
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How to Reset (or at Least Lower) Your Stress in 5 Minutes by JENNY TAITZ Writer for New York Times
This year has already proved to be the emotional equivalent of an ultramarathon. To help you hit the reset button, it’s key to know some quick, efficient stress-reducing strategies. Here are a few ideas from an assistant clinical professor in psychiatry: Try music medicine: Focusing on relaxing sounds reduces stress. Explore different music options and create a playlist that you find comforting when you need a break. And try a more uplifting soundtrack, which research has shown can improve your mood. Cool off: Fill a large bowl with ice water and set a timer for 15 to 30 seconds. Then take a deep breath and hold it, dipping your face into the water. This activates your body’s dive response: Your heart rate slows and blood can flow more easily to your brain.
Pace your breathing: Slow your breathing down to six breaths a minute by consciously inhaling and exhaling. Paced breathing offers a host of physiological benefits, like reducing your blood pressure, which helps promote a sense of tranquillity.
Photo by KitchenStories.com
by SARAH CLAUS Staff writer
It’s no secret that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but what exactly makes breakfast so important? Many people skip their morning meal in order to rush out the door, which is a mistake. Skipping breakfast can leave you feeling more tired, and cause you to overeat later in the day. Many studies have connected eating breakfast to better health. This includes improved concentration and memory, which can benefit every college student. Eating breakfast is also linked to decreased chances of heart disease, diabetes, and being overweight. Breakfast also jumpstarts your metabolism, burning more calories throughout the day, not to mention it provides the energy you
need (WebMD). When you skip such an important meal, it throws off your body’s eating and fasting rhythm. Breakfast replenishes the blood sugar needed so your muscles and brain can operate at their best. However important breakfast is, eating right as you wake doesn’t always sound appealing to everyone. According to registered dietician Andrea Dunn, breakfast can be different for everyone. Dunn suggests listening to your hunger cues in order to know the importance of breakfast for you. For some, it’s more beneficial to delay breakfast for a couple hours after they wake (Cleveland Clinic). In the end, it doesn’t matter when you eat breakfast, as long as you do.
Practice ‘anchoring’: Center yourself by digging your heels into the floor. Then observe: What am I thinking? Feeling? Doing? Then ask yourself your response is: a) helpful; b) aligned with your values now; or c) related future worries or a past problem.
if to
Hyperventilate (yes, really): Practice can improve how you tolerate the physical symptoms of anxiety. In a recent therapy group I led on Zoom, I set my timer for a minute as my clients pinched their noses and tried to breathe only through thin coffee straws.
Photos from New York Times
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The Lorian
The day the dominos fell by EMILY PERHATS sports writer
It was like dominos. No one thought much about it when Utah Jazz player Rudy Gobert jokingly touched all the microphones at the end of the first socially distanced Utah Jazz press conference on March 9, 2020. But two days later the first domino fell when Gobert tested positive for COVID-19. Within hours, the second domino fell when the National Basketball Association became the first major league to suspend their entire season. Then it felt like all of the dominos started to quickly topple. The decision to end the NCAA winter championships would come the following day. The Loras College track and field team had already arrived in North Carolina for the Division III indoor national championship. “We knew some teams weren’t going to be coming,” said sophomore Alyssa Pfadenhaue, who was a first-year sprinter on the women’s team last spring. “We never thought it was going to be cancelled.” Terianna Black, a 2020 senior was hoping to win another national track championship but the virus shut down that dream. Seniors were given the opportunity to return for a fifth year. Black, a sprinter and jumper, has taken advantage of that and hoped to get another shot at a title. But the NCAA has once again shut the championships down. Like the virus, the devastating cancellation news would spread quickly. Women’s basketball was on one of their most successful playoff runs in Loras history. They were in Holland, Michigan practicing
at Hope College, getting ready for the first round of the Sweet Sixteen. Coach Justin Heinzen pulled them into the center of the court and uttered two words: “It’s over.” “A l l o f u s w e r e speechless. No one knew what to say but then everyone started getting teary eyed,” junior guard Sydney Schuler recalled. “And then we just didn’t even know what to do.” Schuler, who was a second year at the time, knew she had a couple more years to play. What was tough, she said, was looking at the seniors and realizing she would never play with them again. That was what hurt the most. The realization that they had played their last game without knowing it was their last game was just unfathomable. “We just tried to keep our composure as best as possible. It took a couple of hours to realize that it was over,” Schuler said. “When we arrived back in Dubuque a lot of our parents were there with signs welcoming us home and telling us how proud they were for everything we accomplished and had done for the program.” The Loras wrestling team was ranked first in the nation heading into the national championships. A school record eight
photo from NCAA.COM
Duhawks qualified to compete at nationals. The championship was scheduled to take place just up the road in Cedar Rapids. That domino fell on March 12. “Being my senior year and not having another chance at standing on top of the podium was heartbreaking,” Guy Patron, a graduated senior said. “There was nothing that could replace it at the time and there was nothing to do except celebrate the end of the season and my career.” Not only were winter national championships cancelled, but spring sports were anxiously awaiting news on their schedules as well. Softball had already completed their annual Florida trip. It wouldn’t be long before the domino dropped
on them. “Unfortunately, it did not make the situation any easier to accept. Playing in Florida gave us a glimpse of the potential that our team had in store for conference play, and we were very ready to prove ourselves,” senior infielder Hadalyn Anderson, remembered. “For this reason, it felt defeating to have an uncontrollable factor dictate the opportunity we had been preparing for all year long.” Let’s hope the next time anyone wants to joke about the severity of COVID-19 they will think twice. Touching all of the microphones just might be the little nudge that sends all of the dominos tumbling down.
Duhawks dropped by Knights by NATE KAISER sports writer
The defending American Rivers Conference wrestling champions, Loras College, traveled to Waverly Iowa to face Wartburg College this past weekend in a battle for the 2021 conference crown. It was every bit the dog fight you would expect. The Knights are ranked number two in the nation in the National Wrestling Coaches Association poll with the Duhawks ranked ninth. This late in the season coaches
expect their wrestlers to compete nearly error-free. “In highly contested matches against quality opponents you just can’t make those kinds of mistakes that we made,” said assistant coach Trevor Kittleson. Wartburg came out swinging picking up three dominating early wins at 125, 133, and 141. At 149 pounds junior Zeke Smith wrestled hard against Wartburg’s Brady Fritz but lost by decision 3-1. Up next junior Daniel Ruiz, the 5th ranked wrestler
in the nation at 157 pounds fought a hard match against the ARC wrestler of the week David Hollinsworth. The two battled back and forth in one of the most entertaining matches of the night, although Ruiz would fall short by one point losing in a decision, 6-5. The Duhawks lone win on the day came from sophomore Shane Ligel, who is ranked 4th in the nation at 184 pounds. He made quick work of Wartburg’s Cael Krueger picking up a fall in 4:02.
Loras gave up the ARC championship, losing the dual against Wartburg, 28-5. Kittleson says the COVID-19 shortened season is partly to blame for the lopsided loss. But, he says, he is excited about the future of several of his younger wrestlers this season. “We have 5 or 6 new faces in the lineup, and a lot of those guys haven’t been in that kind of heated situation, a big match situation,” Kittleson said. “Usually we have 25 matches coming into this dual, we would have been in some of those big situations before and a lot of these guys just haven’t had that opportunity.” For the second straight year, the NCAA is canceling the National Championships for the winter sports. Because of this the National Wrestling Coaches Association announced they will organize a National Championship for the teams at the Division 3 level. In an announcement about the championship on the NWCA website, they said, “We want to mirror, as closely as possible, the quality and feel of an NCAA Championship experience for the studentathletes.” Loras will be back in action on home turf taking on Coe college and Central College on Feb. 21. Kittleson hopes the Wartburg loss will be a wake-up call for his wrestlers. “The dual was a good realization for us, we have to step up our work ethic,”. Kittleson said. “We have to focus on Coe and Central coming up because the most important dual is the next one, but we have to go back to work and get ready for the next time we face photo by DUHAWKS ATHLETICS off.”
Junior Zeke Smith goes for a half nelson as the Duhawks split with Nebraska Wesleyan University and Wartburg College.
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Duhawks split weekend matches With a long break coming before a jampacked March, the Duhawks look to build off of their strong performances from this O ver t he we ekend, t he D u haw ks weekend and hit the ground running when Men’s Tennis Team looked to capitalize American Rivers Conference play opens off their season opening victory on their up. The performances turned in by young trip to Bloomington, Illinois for a pair of talents Coad and Kampmier show that the matchups against the Greenville University Duhawks have young talent that is ready Panthers and the Illinois Wesleyan Titans. for collegiate competition. Highlighted by The Duhawks split the trip 1-1, with a win Coad’s 2-0 singles record and Kampmier’s against Greenville and a loss to Illinois come from behind Wesleyan. victories in both singles In their first matchup matches. The teams of the weekend, singles play has been against Gre envi l le, their strength so far, t h e D u h aw k s we nt but this weekend they 7-2, going 2-1 in showed great promise doubles and 5-1 in t o b e d o m i n a nt i n singles. Partners junior their doubles match Kevin Blomquist and ups as well, making first year Thomas them a potential force Kampmier won their in the conference. doubles match 8-2, The Duhawks young while also taking talent paired with the home victories in their experience down the singles performances. roster of the men’s team Junior Konnor Barth gives them a good base won both his doubles to compete and allows m at c h w i t h j u n i o r Tommy Linkenheld photo by LORAS COLLEGE ATHLETICS t h e opp or tu n it y to and his singles matchup Junior Tommy Linkenheld rallies a ball during the weekend matches against make a good run in the in three sets. Sophomore Greenville and Nebraska Wesleyan. The team would split the matches 1-1. ARC tournament this Spring. Eian Coad boasted a The Duhawks Men’s Tennis team has strong performance in his singles matchup the weekend. Coad once again dominated winning his sets 6-2 and 6-0. Senior Connor winning 6-1 and 6-2 in his sets, topping off significant time off before they travel to Pivnicka’s 7-6 and 6-1 singles victory sealed a strong season opening performance for Winona, Minnesota to take on the Saint the deal for the Duhawks to secure the him. Despite the loss, the Duhawks turned Mary’s University Cardinals on March in strong performances overall in the close 6, kicking off a stretch of five road match victory over the Panthers. In the second matchup, against Illinois match and showed vast improvement from ups that they will take during the month of Wesleyan, the Duhawks brought their their performance against Illinois Wesleyan March. from the past. by CAMERON ARVIDSON assistant editor
momentum from their victor y over Greenville into the match, but fell just short. In hard fought battles the team went 4-5 against the Titans, going 1-2 in doubles and 3-3 in singles. Partners Linkenheld and Barth were able to manage a second doubles victory of the day, winning their set 8-5. In singles, Kampmier, Pivnicka and Coad won their matches, making each of them undefeated in their singles matchups for
Bulldogs take No.1 spot; Baylor chases the top slot Catch up on all of the NCAA Basketball action this past week their first game this past Sunday coming behind from a 14-point deficit against Wisconsin. Wolverines Forward Isaiah As we head into the month of March, Livers is averaging 15 points a game and is there are many things to look forward to. 49.0 percent FG this season. Guard Mike One big thing is March Madness. Following Smith is averaging about 5.6 assists this last year’s cancellation of the tournament year with 8.2 points per game. Buckeyes due to COVID-19 hitting America, it sets forward E.J. Liddell is putting up an average to make its beloved return this March, of 15.1 points per game and is 49.7 percent taking place in Indianapolis this year. Every FG. C.J. Walker is helping his team score by team this year has not been able to play a averaging 4.1 assists a game and is averaging full schedule due to the pandemic, but 4.5 points per game. The two teams are set set to make their mark this march in the to tip-off against each other on Feb. 21 on tournament. CBS at 12:00. Top teams Consist of Gonzaga Bulldogs With March being only a couple of weeks ranking No.1 and a clean record of 20-0 away and the tournament beginning with and 11-0 in conference play. Right behind Selection Sunday them are the Baylor at 6ET on Sunday, Bears at the No.2 March 14, it will spot with a 17-0 be interesting to record and 9-0 in see who gets in conference pl ay. and where they are The two teams were seated at. There’s a set to play on Dec. lot that can happen 5, but the game was between now and postponing right the selection show before tip-off due and the first round to a positive test on which starts at 12 Gonzaga’s team. The p. m . o n F r i d a y, Bulldogs show why March 19, and they have a perfect S atu rd ay, March record thus far 20. I wou ld a ls o with forward Drew look out for how Timme scoring the NCAA handles an average of 19.4 COVID-19 in the points a game and is event that a team 64.0% on field goals has positive cases. t his ye ar. Gu ard photo by A/P PHOTO YOUNG KWAK Have a great week Andrew Nembhard and stay warm. Go i s a v e r a g i n g 4 . 4 Gonzaga Guard Joel Ayayi celebrates after hitting a shot last tournament in Las Vegas. Duhawks! assists per game by MATT HADDAD sports writer
along with 9.2 points per game. As for the Baylor Bears, they continue to prove why they are undefeated and No.2. Bears guard Jared Butler is averaging 17 points per game and is 49.3 percent on field goals this year. Davion Mitchell is averaging 4.4 assists per game helping the Bears lead to wins. The rivalry between Michigan and Ohio St. goes far beyond the gridiron. With Michigan having the No.3 spot with an overall record of 14-1and 9-1 in conference play. No. 4 Ohio St. is knocking on Michigan’s door with a 17-4 overall record and an 11-4 conference record. Just a little insight, Michigan has been on a three-week hiatus due to COVID-19 issues and played
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WATT OUT OF HOUSTON J.J. Watt, Texans ‘Mutually Agreed to Part Ways’ After He Requested Release by ELIZABETH SWINTON writer-sports illustrated
The Texans and defensive end J.J. Watt have mutually agreed to part ways, the five-time Pro Bowler announced Friday. Watt shared a video and said he initiated the release with ownership. “I have sat down with the McNair family and I have asked them for my release,” Watt said. “We have mutually agreed to part ways at this time.” Ab o u t a d o z e n t e a m s h a v e re p o r t e d l y e x p re s s e d i nt e re s t in signing Watt, who is now an unrestricted free agent. Among the teams interested are the Browns, Steelers, Bills and Titans, per ESPN’s Ed Werder. Watt, 31, has been a member of the Texans since he was selected with the No. 11 pick in the 2011 NFL draft. In his 10 years in Houston, Watt was named first-team All-Pro five times and won the Walter Peyton Man of the Year award in 2017. Watt was set to enter the final season of his six-year, $10 million contract with the Texans. Watt said he is “excited and looking forward to a new opportunity” but says it will be “tough to move on” from what has been his home for the past 10 seasons. In his video to fans, Watt addressed his love and “special” connection with the city of Houston. In 2017, Watt was named SI’s Sportsperson of the Year after he helped raise over $37 million for Hurricane Harvey relief in Houston. “I have tried to do everything in my power to work and earn your respect to try and make you proud on and off the field,” Watt said. “You guys have given me everything and more. I can only hope that you feel that I have given everything that I have.” T. J. Wat t , J. J.’s b r o t h e r a n d member of the Steelers, posted a tweet seemingly attempting to court his brother to Pittsburgh after his announcement. Houston quarterback Deshaun Watson also tweeted his best wishes and appreciation for “one of the greatest of all time.” Watt totaled five sacks and 36 solo tackles during the 2020 season. The Texans went 4–12 on the year and missed the playoffs. Watt’s release comes as Watson has reportedly requested a trade from the Texans this offseason. On Friday, Houston CEO Cal McNair said “there is a lot of misinformation out there” about Watson and that he expects him to “remain a Texan.”
photo by MATT PEDERSON-A/P
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by MARK MEDERSON moderator
Arizona Diamondbacks broadcaster and Loras College graduate Mike Ferrin said he was in his backyard pool when Major League Baseball announced last June that a shortened 2020 baseball season would begin in July. “It was the five minutes that I wasn’t on my phone, which generally I’m on my phone,” Ferrin recalled. “It was a great relief, you know, [but] the disconnect on it was so weird … we’re agreeing to play this truncated season and at the same time COVID-19 cases in Arizona were out of control. It was scary bad here.” Ferrin said that he was not worried about coming in contact with the virus on the job because all MLB broadcasters worked from home last summer. Playby-play radio and television announcers would watch live on television monitors showing two different& camera angles of the games. One of the problems, Ferrin said, is the camera shots were determined by the home teams. If you’re announcing for the visiting team, sometimes the camera wasn’t showing what you wanted to see. And camera angles weren’t the only down side of the 2020 season. “Well, there’s a lot of it that sucked,” Ferrin said as he laughed. “One of the reasons I love covering baseball is because people in baseball love talking about baseball … the people are what really make it special. All of those conversations were gone.” S ome of the little nuggets that broadcasters rely on come from “off-therecord” conversations that took place at
Will they play?
the ball park before games. Ferrin says he always got good information from the hitting coach leaning against the batting cage or from a casual conversation with a player. He said that, while you can keep in touch via text or over Zoom, it’s simply not the same.
to be very difficult for a lot of people to deal with,” Ferrin said. Wh i l e re du c e d a c c e ss m a ke s t he broadcaster’s job more difficult, Ferrin says that, for him, it’s also one of the things that makes the job enjoyable. He believes that the technology certainly made the job of
photo from MIKEFERRIN.COM
Mike Ferrin broadcasting for the Arizona Diamondbacks.
“For an extrovert is sort of sucks, because if you draw your energy from being around people, you lose that,” Ferrin said. “Sitting in the office just shooting the breeze, I mean, losing that was really difficult.” In live broadcasting, Ferrin says, access to players is very important. There is dead time before and during games that needs to be filled with information. “And to have that [access] ripped away, and maybe the thought that it isn’t all coming back is going
remotely broadcasting his shows and the games possible, the human connections were harder to maintain via the technology. Ferrin says the players were struggling under the COVID-19 conditions as well. “Oh, I know, mentally it was incredibly taxing because they were really restricted, especially when they traveled,” Ferrin said. “They couldn’t gather as a team, really anywhere. They were spread out even when they were at the ball park.” At Fenway Park,
Ferrin noted, the Red Sox converted luxury suites into locker room space assigning two players to each suite. Because of these restrictions’ players spent a lot more time away from family and friends than they would during a normal season. This, Ferrin said, meant that they spent a lot more time working like breaking down game video with little time to relax. He says this is one of the reasons he discounts claims from social media and callers on sports radio who say the 2020 World Series Champion, the Los Angeles Dodgers, are not as legitimate as championship teams who won after a full season. “I think it’s important to remember that those teams that won [in 2020], and specifically the Dodgers, went through an extra layer of playoffs that no baseball team had ever gone through,” Ferrin said. “To me that’s a really tired argument and it bothers me a lot because I think it’s really disrespectful to the teams that played the games.” Ferrin noted a text that he just received on Friday suggesting that the league will likely tell broadcasters to not travel to away games, at least for the first half, of the upcoming season as well. He says this season will begin similarly to the way last season ended minimal fans and not a lot of access. But, he believes, it will begin on time and he will continue to do his job, even if it is remotely. “I mean, it still beats digging d it c h e r s for a l iv i ng ,” Fe r r i n s ai d . “We’ll find the joy in [the game] once it gets going … the games will heal all.
Marc-Andre Fleury regaining control of Golden Knights net by ADAM GRETZ NBC Sports
Probably one of the most surprising developments to take place in the NHL bubble a season ago was the decision of Vegas Golden Knights coach Pete DeBoer to send Marc-Andre Fleury to the bench in favor of trade deadline acquisition Robin Lehner. Fleury had been a starter his entire career, won a Stanley Cup as a starter, and had been the face of the Golden Knights franchise from the moment it arrived in the NHL, including the inaugural season when Fleury helped lead them to the Stanley Cup Final. But for as surprising as the decision was, it was also probably justified as Lehner had been the better goalie for at least the previous two seasons. It created some office agent drama, but it was still a sound hockey decision given the season-long performances of the two goalies. When the Golden Knights re-signed Lehner in the offseason to a five-year contract — while Fleury still had two years remaining on his deal and was not traded — it formed one of the most expensive goalie duos in the league and brought on several questions as to how the playing time would be distributed. The safe assumption was that Vegas was going to use both goalies for as long as it could (both are capable starters) until it had to make a decision. That plan was pretty much what DeBoer confirmed at the start of the season. Now that the Golden Knights are more than a month into their season, it is looking like Fleury is doing everything he
can to regain control of the starting job. If nothing else, he is putting together a pretty strong argument that he should be the one getting the bulk of the playing time for the foreseeable future. He has not only been the better of the two goalies in Vegas this season, he has been one of the best goalies in the league and a big part of why the Golden Knights are off to such a dominant start. Enter ing Tues d ay’s game against Colorado, Fleury has won seven of his first eight starts. The only loss was a 1-0 decision to the Anaheim Ducks this past week where he stopped 27 out of 28 shots. He followed that up by winning the next two games and only allowing a single goal. His most recent outing was a 1-0 shutout of his own where he stopped all 30 shots he faced against the Colorado Avalanche. That stretch lifted his season save percentage to a league-leading .944 entering play on Tuesday. He has only had one game this season with a save percentage lower than .910, and only two lower than .930. It is some of the best hockey he has played in years, including his entire time with Vegas. If you go back to the 2019-20 season, he did not have a single eight-game stretch where his save percentage went above .940, and only once did he have a stretch where it went above .928. He had only one stretch above .940 during the 2018-19 season. On one hand, nobody maintains this level of production over a full season so you have to assume at some point that save percentage is going to regress back to a more sustainable level. Fleury’s good, but he’s not “.944 save
percentage over a full season” level good. Goalie production is no different than goal scoring production in that its full of peaks and valleys over the course of a season. You are going to see hot streaks and cold streaks that balance out over the season. Nobody is consistent in their production from start to finish. Right now, Fleury is on one of those hot streaks where the puck probably looks like a beach ball to him. At the same time, a healthy Lehner has a track record of being a better goalie than he has shown in his
limited starts so far this season. But if the goal early on was to split the starts and see which goalie emerges with the better performance, it is pretty obvious which goalie is on the right track to do that. The Golden Knights still have a great situation in net with two bonafide starting caliber goalies on the roster. It is just a matter of which one produces more to get more playing time. After losing his job a few months ago, Fleury seems to be on his way toward reclaiming it.
photo from PUCKPROSE.COM