Daily Forty-Niner, Feb. 3, 2020

weekly print edition

DAILY FORTY-NINER EST p 1949

Vol. LXXI, Issue 19

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Monday, February 3, 2020

ROWING THE DISTANCE

Inside the

Niner

PAGES 6 & 7

NEWS Downtown development delayed

ARTS Long Beach’s first cidery

PAGE 3

PAGE 5

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MONDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2020 | DAILY49ER.COM | @DAILY49ER | EIC@DAILY49ER.COM ON THE COVER

The Long Beach State Women’s Rowing Club members take a break after practicing their 2K racing sprint at the Long Beach Shoreline Marina early Jan. 31. The club will be competing all spring.

Photo by AUSTIN BRUMBLAY

Weekly Calendar

1250 Bellflower Blvd., LA4-203 Long Beach, CA, 90840

February Monday 2/3 ASI 2020 Elections @ All Day

Tuesday 2/4

Wednesday 2/5

ASI Election Information Session @ USU 304 4 p.m. 5:30 p.m.

ASI Election Information Session @ USU 304 4 p.m. 5:30 p.m.

SPORTS MBB @ Cal Poly San Luis Obispo 7 p.m.

Thursday 2/6

Friday 2/7 SPORTS ITRACK vs Air Force Team Challenge Colorado Springs SPORTS SB vs Nevada vs Oklahoma Puerto Vallarta Challenge Puerto Vallarta, Mexico 8 a.m. & 10:30 a.m.

SPORTS MVB vs Penn State Ohio State Tournament Columbus, Ohio 2:00 p.m.

Shark Bites

By Rachel Barnes Shark Bites is a CSULB inspired crossword puzzle that contains clues from the recent news stories published by the Daily Forty-Niner. Tag us @daily49er with a picture of your completed crossword for a chance to win a prize!

Daily Forty-Niner

Saturday 2/8

Sunday 2/9

SPORTS SPORTS WWPOLO WWPOLO vs Triton vs Triton Invite Invite Triton Invite Triton Invite TBA TBA SPORTS WWPOLO vs LMU Triton Invite La Jolla, TBA SPORTS WBB at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo 2:00 p.m.

SPORTS WWPOLO vs Triton Invite Triton Invite TBA SPORTS WTEN vs San Diego State Rhodes Tennis Center 1 p.m.

SPORTS SB vs Oregon Puerto Vallarta Challenge Puerto Vallarta, Mexico 7:30 a.m.

Saturday 2/8 SPORTS SB vs Utah Valley vs.

George Washington Puerto Vallarta Challenge Puerto Vallarta, Mexico 8 a.m. & 1 p.m.

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Multimedia Managing Editor multimedia@daily49er.com News Editor Madalyn Amato news@daily49er.com News Editor Ramon Alvarado news@daily49er.com Arts & Life Editor Paula Kiley arts@daily49er.com Opinions Editor Perry Continente opinions@daily49er.com Sports Editor Mark Lindahl sports@daily49er.com Design Editor Alejandro Vazquez design@daily49er.com Advertising Manager Steven Zuniga advertising@daily49er.com Business Manager Hannah Getahun business@daily49er.com Special Projects Editor Hannah Getahun Photo Editor Ryan Guitare Social Media Editor Brenna Enos Podcast Editor Manuel Valladares Podcast Editor Julia Terbeche Webmaster Samantha Hangsan Arts and Life Assistant Paris Barraza Assistant Sports Editor Assistant Social Media Editor

Ralston Dacanay Cristal Gomez

Distribution Manager Rachel Barnes Distribution Assistant Alejandro Vazquez Design Adviser Gary Metzker Content Adviser Barbara Kinglsey-Wilson

Down 1. The dueling opinion articles this week are about these types of votes.

2.The Laptop Ensemble uses these to make different sounds for its music.

3. The men’s rugby team lost to ______ Park RFC when they played in England.

6. The downtown CSULB campus, known as the University ______, is projected to be finished in 2022.

Across 4. Gabrielle “Lil G” Brodowski has this role on the women’s rowing team.

5. Someone complained to UPD after hearing loud sounds at the Carpenter Center from this instrument.

7. Stefano Enjem and Joe Farrier opened the only one of these in Long Beach, called Ficklewood Ciderworks.

8. The name of the women’s rowing team’s boat.

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Editorials: All opinions expressed in the columns, letters and cartoons in the issue are those of the writers or artists. The opinons of the Daily FortyNiner are expressed only in unsigned editorials and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the journalism department or the views of all staff members. All such editorials are written by the editorial board of the Daily Forty-Niner.

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NEWS 3

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2020 | DAILY49ER.COM | @DAILY49ER | NEWS@DAILY49ER.COM

(Above) In collaboration with Long Beach Center, LLC and the city, CSULB will be debuting a state-of-the-art classroom project to house traditional and non-traditional student certification programs along Long Beach Boulevard. (Below) Long Beach Center, LLC purchased the block between Third Street and Sixth Street along Long Beach Boulevard.

Downtown CSULB campus development delayed The first half of the university’s downtown construction is set to begin fall 2022.

By Madalyn Amato News Editor

L

ong Beach State’s vision to create a “University Village” in Downtown Long Beach has been delayed, as planners are still deliberating details of the project.

“Initially when we were discussing this with the city, we were hoping that we would open in fall of 2021,” said Simon Kim, associate vice president for research and sponsored programs at CSULB. “However, it’s going to be delayed for at least a year.”

According to Kim, construction is now set to begin fall 2022.

Mayor Robert Garcia announced the CSULB expansion during his “Building a Better Long Beach” address in September 2019.

Long Beach Center, LLC, a development firm, purchased a plot of land, which stretches from Third Street to Sixth Street along Long Beach Boulevard, which will be used for its own housing project.

However, through negotiations with the city and the school, the developer agreed to set aside approximately 10,000-squarefeet for the school to build 14 new classrooms and “affordable housing.”

“The first phase is the completion of classrooms,” President Jane Close Conoley said. “These will be used for continuing education and degree completion programs.”

Programs such as human resources research, emergency medical technician, event planning, cybercrime and cybersecurity certification will be taught in the new classrooms, which are expected to seat more than 200 students, according to Kim. “We’ll have classroom space where nontraditional as well as traditional students can come and take classes,” Kim said.

Nontraditional students are those who do not fit the “typical” college student description, like those returning for a certification or pursuing a new career path, Kim said.

The project is estimated to cost $2 million. Half of the cost will be funded by the city and the other half by the university. “[The project will] give people the opportunity to live within the heart of the city,”

Garcia said. “It’s a win-win for everybody.”

Another promise from Garcia was affordable housing for staff and faculty, something Conoley said is still in its conceptual stage.

There is no current timeline for completion due to extensive negotiations with the developer, according to Kim. Although the name “University Village” has not been confirmed as the project’s official name, Kim said what’s important is the result.

“It’s not an existing building, so they’re going to need some time to plan and go through the proper channels,” Kim said.

Across the classroom development on Fourth Street, the developer is building apartments. The university and the city are in discussion to reserve a certain amount of units as “affordable housing.” According to Kim, conversations surrounding the number of units have ranged from 750 to 1,000.

Plans for the dormitory project are still in infancy, according to Kim, but he hopes for completion by 2030.

“It’s not a dormitory where the university will occupy, but it’s going to be owned by the developer,” Kim said. “They’re going to set aside a certain number of rooms for our

students, faculty and staff.”

Housing affordability continues to be a point of conversation in the city as rent prices continue to climb and income remains stagnant.

According to the U.S. Census, the median gross rent in the city of Long Beach in 2018 was $1,252, over $200 more than the national average. In comparison, the median household income for the city was $60,551 versus the national average of $60,293.

At this rate, the average citizen in Long Beach could spend 25% of their annual income on rent alone. However, many fall below this income bracket, especially college students.

“What we’re negotiating right now is that students and faculty and staff will pay somewhat similar rent as what they would pay in any of our dormitory,” Kim said.

The current pricing for university dorms ranges from $8,994 for a single occupancy room to $6,994 for a triple occupancy room per academic year.

“Once we have a dormitory, having our students in downtown Long Beach will impact the economy in downtown as well as their social development,” Kim said.

4 NEWS

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2020 | DAILY49ER.COM | @DAILY49ER | NEWS@DAILY49ER.COM

Stolen laptop, threatening phone calls and a musical disturbance

By Reina Esparza Staff Writer

Elevator Emergency An emergency call was made from the elevator at the Pyramid Parking structure Jan. 30 at approximately 12:42 p.m. No one was heard on the phone during the call, and when University Police Department responded, no one was found inside the elevator.

Music Disturbance The UPD received a complaint at approximately 10:40 p.m. on Jan. 29 about a trumpet player playing outside of the Carpenter Performing Arts Center and disturbing nearby residents. No trumpet player was found when officers arrived.

Laptop Theft A student reported to the UPD that they had left their laptop at either the Beach Hut Convenience Store or the University Library at approximately 2:30 p.m, Jan. 27, but when they returned it was missing. The 11-inch MacBook laptop was not found, and the student filed a report. The incident is classified as grand theft, as the value of the item was reported over $1,000.

Threatening Phone Calls A party visited the UPD lobby on Jan. 29 to report that they had been receiving threatening phone calls. Capt.

Richard Goodwin said the individuals involved did not wish to make a report.

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Beach Weekly Arts will alternate between three segments: Band Banter, an interview with local musicians; Reel Talk, a film discussion; and Design Brief, a podcast featuring on-campus artists.

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What Your Teachers Never Taught You Will the Major Media Swing the 2020 Elections?

Dr. George A. Kuck (galbertk@aol.com)

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Control of the narrative = Power. Six major large corporations control 90% of the media. If you do not want our country and state to become like Venezuela, as voters you will need to spend time using different information sources both from the political left and right. A major information source should be the political party platforms. Information from the left is easier to find because the major controlling corporations are held captive by the left. Conservative information is harder to find.

What happens went the six major media corporations have the same political ideology? Will the news be free from bias, trustworthy, reliable and independent or will news become simply an extension of a political party? At what point does news become propaganda and start publishing fiction as facts and facts as fiction? How can you, an average student, find the time to do the research to separate the facts from the fiction? (Hint: use critical thinking and logic on all reports and isolate your emotions.)

Many people just believe the person reporting for a “big brand” news organization. Why do the “mainstream media” reporters on different TV channels use the same keywords or catch phrases? Is there an outside organization coordinating these phrases so that you hear and believe the same thing multiple times from different sources you trust?

The German propaganda minister in World War II, Herman Goebbels, showed that if you told a lie often enough people would believe the lie.

Will you follow the “majority/mainstream” viewpoint for fear of being isolated and shunned or will you make a logical decision based upon fact and data?

Is there a reason for us being divided by religion, sex, party affiliation, class, and ethnicity? When divided, people are easier to get angry and be controlled. Were those in the masked organizations (such as Antifa and the KKK) organized to control different points of view by violence?

Who organized and coordinated the violent events that occurred immediately after the 2016 election and do you want violence to occur after the 2020 election?

These are just some of the questions that you ought to be asking yourself in the lead up to the 2020 election. Stand outside the group think of the major media. Take positions on the basis of logic, reason and data rather than authority, dogma or tradition such as “my family has always voted this way.” The country you save will be yours.

The ideas in this ad are by Tyler Duran from an untitled internet source and a suggestion from an old friend, Cynthia Mulvain.

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MONDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2020 | DAILY49ER.COM | @DAILY49ER | ARTS@DAILY49ER.COM

ARTS & LIFE 5 An in’cider’ look at Ficklewood Ciderworks What started as two friends home brewing in a Belmont Shore garage, became Long Beach’s first cidery.

By Julissa Villalobos Staff Writer

S JULISSA VILLALOBOS | Daily Forty-Niner

Clockwise from top: Ficklewood Ciderwork owners Joe Farrier (left) and Stefano Enjem sit in their tap room Jan. 29. Customers enjoy ciders in the tap room. The entrance of the Ficklewood Ciderwood in Long Beach.

A spread of the variety of the ciders offered at the cidery.

tefano Enjem and Joe Farrier, longtime neighbors and friends, used to climb a ladder bridging their backyards to meet in Enjem’s garage. The two spent all night thoughtfully crafting a cider they could enjoy together.

“One night we were joking around, ‘Oh we should open a winery,’” Enjem said. “And we thought about it for like a day, and then we said ‘Yeah, let’s do this.’ It all unfolded from there.”

So they sat in that garage for hours, creating what would later become the taste of Long Beach’s first cidery.

Ficklewood Ciderworks, Long Beach’s first and only cidery, is owned and operated by Enjem and Farrier who have called Long Beach home for over 10 years. They opened their cidery with the intention to not only provide the city with great tasting cider but to also become “Long Beach’s living room.”

With Enjem being diabetic and Farrier having celiac disease, the two had trouble looking for a quality cider that also accommodated both of their health conditions. Unhappy with the sugary ciders available at local grocery stores, the two turned their frustrations into motivation to produce the perfect beverage.

“Our first ... goal was to drink,” Enjem said while laughing, “...making a cider we could both enjoy together.”

After 100 different yeast trials and 87 flavor ideas, the cider aficionados walked out of Enjem’s garage with about 40 flavored ciders. Shortly after, Ficklewood Ciderworks became a reality.

According to Enjem and Farrier, the end goal was to open a cidery in Long Beach that not only served quality ciders, but also served as a place that highlights Long Beach artistry.

“Everything [in our cidery] has been touched by someone in Long Beach,” Enjem said. “Our mural outside was by local muralist Nat Losbaker, our mural inside was by Bodeck [Luna Hernandez], our tap handles are by local artists as well. The community, their support, has just been incredible.”

The menu at Ficklewood consists of six different ciders that have been thoughtfully brought into this world by Enjem and Farrier.

When asked about which of their crafted ciders is their favorite, Farrier replied, “It’s like who’s your favorite child? [It] depends on what mood I’m in and what mood they’re in.”

Enjem and Farrier create their blends from three different steel tanks sitting directly behind the register, infusing natural flavor to create the different flavor profiles in their six unique ciders.

Wanting to expand her knowledge of the craft industry, bartender and Long Beach native Keri Schwabe discovered Ficklewood Ciderworks through Instagram and said she found her dream job.

“Getting the opportunity to work with them, have them teach me the cellar work, how to make the cider. I’m just so beyond blessed to be here,” Schwabe said. “They’re amazing people. It’s an amazing product.”

6 SPORTS

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2020 | DAILY49ER.COM

Clockwise from left: Second-year hospitality management major Brittany Smith helps hoist the “Resolute” out of the water after team practice early Jan. 3 in unison during team practice.

OARS OVER EARLY SNORES The Long Beach State Women's Rowing Club gets on the water at 5:30 a.m. every weekday to practice for the peak competition season on the horizon.

Story By MARK LINDAHL Photos by AUSTIN BRUMBLAY

“

before the sun rises at the Pete Archer Rowing Center, the Long Beach State Women’s Rowing Club members bustle about the narrow boathouse, stretching and preparing their "racing shell" for another morning practice.

The women lift the boat in unison, place it into the water, grab their oars and set off into the sun-lit water. The “Resolute” glides effortlessly as eight rowers and the coxswain propel themselves through the 2,000-meter course. A contrasty pink and orange sky acts as their backdrop.

Each morning, the team is met with chilly winds and even colder splashes from the oars striking the glass-like water.

But that’s the best part, according to volunteer club boatmaster John O’Donnell, who rowed for the men’s team in the 1970s.

“A big difference from other sports is that there is no superstar on the team that’s going to be carrying the ball for the touchdown or anything like that,” O’Donnell said. “It’s either the whole boat wins or the whole boat loses. It is working, literally, in a team environment to get a job done.”

Dedication is the defining characteristic for this group of rowers.

“Why wake up at five in the morning if you’re not gonna put in the work, if you don’t want to win?” said Sam Dominguez, a fourthyear studio arts major.

Most athletes focus all of their determ towards the sport itself, but this team ro “It’s definitely not just magical chemi work behind it,” former club rower and said. “The [team] genuinely likes each o them push for each other, and that’s rea pressed by how well everyone gets alon Such praise shouldn’t be taken lightly gest-running at CSULB, according to O “We were rowing in 1958,” O’Donnel were competing at the national level an Olympic team.”

For a team with so much history and DeVore said this group has a positive at into much more than just a team in the “We all work as a team, and I think a parent because we’re all working for the education major Gabrielle “Lil G” Brodo interested in being part of a team where together and rooting out for each other adrenaline of it and just making sure ev Even though she’s small in stature an fore joining, Brodowski is already one o on the team after transitioning from a t school.

“Grab, send. Grab, send. Grab, send,” through the boat’s microphone.

Acting as the team’s coxswain, or the charge of rhythm, steering and tempo, B making sure the team functions as a we

Why wake up at five in the morning if you’re not gonna put in the — Sam Dominguez, fourth-year studio arts major

SPORTS 7

M | @DAILY49ER | SPORTS@DAILY49ER.COM

31 morning. The Long Beach State Women's Rowing Club members practice their 2K racing sprint at the Long Beach Shoreline Marina. The bow-four row

mination, desire and will ows for each other. istry that’s there, there’s d now-coach Megan DeVore other, and that’s helping ally nice to see. I’m imng here.” y, as the club is the lonO’Donnell. ll said.“By 1963 or ‘64 we nd were the alternates to the

d time spent in the water, ttitude that has developed e water. age kind of becomes transe same goal,” first-year art owski said. “I was really e everyone is wanting to be r. I was really attracted to the verything went right.” nd had zero experience beof the most prominent voices theater background in high

” she instructed the rowers

e “brain of the boat” who is in Brodowski plays a key role in ell-oiled machine.

“It doesn’t matter if you have eight beasts in the boat if you’re not together,” volunteer assistant coach Katrin Baverstock said. “If you’re not together, you’re inefficient.”

The unspoken bond between the rowers not only keeps the boat moving towards its goal, but gives them a shared interest that leads to friendships and memories.

“I think it’s definitely a very beneficial experience,” Domiguez said. “Even joining a club sport in general, you create a bond and learn lessons that you don’t learn in a classroom. I think I have athletics to kind of thank for that, so I think a lot of people should get that experience.”

The women’s rowing club uses its time in the boat, not only to enjoy the rigorous sport, but to get something more special from participating in such a co-dependent nature of sport.

“Before, I was really shy, so now I got the opportunity to get out of my bubble,” said third-year health science major Stephanie Mendoza. “All of us have the same goal, and also we make each other feel better about ourselves and we’re a good team, so I appreciate the love and positivity.”

Instead of setting specific requirements or unrealistic expectations, the club looks to provide a solid group of friends to learn and grow with for anyone interested, no matter their background or physical attributes.

“I think the stereotype of a great rower is this bulky, 6-foot woman,” Brodowski said. “I think it’s someone who’s just wanting to be part of a team and wanting to be successful as an individual ... but [one] of our best rowers, she’s 5-foot-1-inch, … she pulls her weight and she pushes and she pushes and she’s shown the most improvement that I’ve ever seen. It’s really exciting to see someone who may have an obstacle against them within this sport, but pushing to be the best.”

e work, if you don’t want to win?

”

8 ARTS & LIFE

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2020 | DAILY49ER.COM | @DAILY49ER | ARTS@DAILY49ER.COM

PARIS BARRAZA | Daily Forty-Niner

Assistant director Cameron Johnston (left) and director Martin Herman of the CSULB Laptop Ensemble talk about how to create a patch on Max, a programming software.

From bytes to beats The CSULB Laptop Ensemble explains how using laptops prompt members to think about their music in a different way.

By Paris Barraza Arts and Life Assistant

S

harp sirens reminiscent of a retro video game and “Hey Siri” play over a distorted background.

These sounds and sights might seem unexpected from a traditional ensemble performance, but these experimental beats are what set the Long Beach State Laptop Ensemble apart.

The laptop ensemble is a performance group composed of students from various majors who use the programming software Max to generate sounds through patching, or coding, on their laptops. Before students take the stage with their synthesized, experimental beats, they need to learn not only how to use the software, but how to explore their own creativity.

“We build pieces together every week and perform together,” said Martin Herman, director of the laptop ensemble. “Pretty early on, they’re making music with this. As that develops, so [do] their ideas.”

Unlike a traditional instrument, there are no limitations as to what can be produced on a laptop.

That is why Herman provides feedback and shares works composed by other laptop ensembles, helping students train their ears to sounds they can play with.

During performances, members of the ensemble are encouraged to do more than stand behind their glowing laptops on stage.

“It can look like a bunch of people doing their homework,” Herman said. “If you compare that with a band and you see people playing, moving their hands, you see a correlation.”

To make their performance dynamic, the laptop ensemble uses video game controllers, pressing down on buttons and twisting knobs as if they were their instruments. They also perform with their bodies, swaying from head to toe to the sometimes soft and other times disorienting songs.

“It’s very improvisational,” said assistant director Cameron Johnston. “That’s something that’s hard for a lot of students.”

Johnston, a fifth-year music composition major, joined the ensemble in 2017 and recalled how more experienced ensemble members put those unfamiliar with Max, like himself, at a disadvantage. Now, Johnston is assistant director of the laptop ensemble and stressed how important it is to him that no student feels left behind or intimidated.

He also sees the ensemble as a way to engage with other mediums, such as when the laptop ensemble collaborated with the Kleefeld Contemporary to compose pieces that responded to an exhibit.

“A lot of the ensemble is trying to get people to do what they want,” Johnston said.

This resonated with former laptop ensemble member David Garcia Saldaña, who received a master’s degree in music composition in fall 2019.

“Working in a laptop ensemble helped me break out of the construct of what music is,” Saldaña said.

“What is it to make music? What is it to be a musician? So many people go through music training never having to question these fundamentals of their sound-making.”

When Saldaña joined the ensemble in 2017, he knew nothing about laptop ensembles. Soon, he realized that using Max gave him the freedom to explore his creativity as it allowed him to control every sound he inputted and fine-tuned it in a way he had not done before.

“There’s a bias against electronic music as some kind of wannabe music,” Saldaña said, as he recalled how some students within the music department dismissed the idea of using laptops as an instrument.

For Saldaña, the ensemble only added to his skillset.

Though members of the ensemble may come and go, forming their own laptop ensembles or continuing in their respective fields, the CSULB Laptop Ensemble asks its members to explore something new.

“You become more culturally literate,” Herman said. “It’s a very niche area, [but] none of that is ever wasted. It can only expand a person’s outlook.”

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Deadline for proposals is March 1, 2020

Questions? Contact Janey Roeder at ucel@csulb.edu

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10 OPINIONS

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2020 | DAILY49ER.COM | @DAILY49ER | OPINIONS@DAILY49ER.COM

By Manuel Valladares Podcast Editor

The twoparty system is worth protesting

I must make the disclaimer that I have not been compelled to make a protest vote. For better or for worse, I prefer to vote strategically while not undermining all my ideals.

That being said, just because my tolerance for dealing with candidates may be slightly higher than others, I totally understand the reason behind protest voting.

Protest votes are a way for the American people to voice their opinions on national issues when they feel like the two-party system fails to meet their needs.

This system lacks diversity and variety and boils down to a one-or-the-other decision. So, with that in mind: Why do people need to vote for either party and not protest the political system we are all a part of?

The point of voting is to make your voice heard, which is not only our privilege but also a fundamental necessity for a functioning democracy. In an ideal world, every person would vote, which is not the case in this country.

So, when any person has the willingness to vote, whether by mail or at

the voting booth, I have to tip my hat to them.

I was first introduced to the workings of American politics in the 2016 election cycle, which was a chaotic time where both Republicans and Democrats were at a crossroads, who debated not only policy but their future identities.

Each side had its own establishment faction, personified through figures like Hillary Clinton and Ted Cruz, who wanted to keep the party platform the same way it has looked for decades.

Juxtaposed against them were populist figures like Bernie Sanders and Donald Trump, as well as independents.

There was plenty of bad blood, leading some voters to avoid picking between the “lesser of two evils,” either voting for a third party or no presidential candidate. Election results from Wisconsin in 2016 show that the top two candidates in the Senate race garnered 68,000 more votes than any candidate in the presidential race that year.

In turn, many people were villainized for their “protest votes,” when in reality they were not compelled by the two major candidates because of their distinct, unappealing qualities.

Trump displayed offensive speaking and inconsistent behavior, while Clin-

ton’s record consisted of cozying up to Wall Street and defending trade deals like NAFTA that shipped American jobs overseas.

Two of the most unlikable figures in modern-day politics were on the same ballot. This situation was an extreme example, but it showcased the American voter’s right to vote for someone in protest.

This lack of variety is why 45% of people currently identify as independent, according to a recent Gallup poll.

The unwillingness to pick between the two major parties is a prime example of why protest votes are a fundamentally necessary part of a democratic election cycle.

Die-hard loyalty is not common in this country; most people’s political ideologies are much more fluid. Voters hardly ever find the perfect candidate and usually juggle multiple politicians that speak to their various political leanings.

Politicians shouldn’t feel entitled to voters just because someone leans Democrat or Republican. Their job is to further appeal to these people and solidify that support.

So, until candidates find a way to appeal to broader demographics, protest votes will continue to remind politicians that they aren’t being inclusive enough to independent minds.

To see these two writers debate their opinions, make sure to check out the Daily Forty-Niner YouTube page.

QR Code on page 12

By Perry Continente Opinions Editor

Left-leaning Americans will be faced with a difficult choice in 2020. For this year’s momentous presidential election, whoever the nominee may be, many in the Democratic Party will feel disenfranchised. However, it is imperative that they suck it up and vote for their party.

As unfortunate as it is that many people will be presented with two candidates who do not fully represent voter’s interests, that’s the nature of our heavily flawed two-party system.

Although opening the door for more diverse political platforms is something we should strive for in the future —Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s comments that she and Joe Biden would never be in the same party in any other country hold true—right now, for a party to win, it needs unity.

The 2016 election was a bitter pill to swallow. Donald Trump’s meteoric rise and fiery nationalism captured the hearts and minds of half the country and enraged the other half, while Hil-

lary Clinton’s flaccid campaign strategy did little to inspire support.

Many Americans felt that neither candidate represented their interests.

Clinton, a centrist, alienated much of the far left who thought that she wouldn’t act in their interests. And Trump’s very public indiscretions put him at odds with Mormon voters.

The Green and Libertarian Parties garnered more support than they have in years, and Mormon center-right candidate Evan McMullin almost took Utah. Ultimately, no states were carried by either party, meaning casting a vote for them was about as effective as shouting into the wind.

This, in conjunction with Hillary’s assumed victory, led to many not voting, or casting “protest votes,” which are votes either for politicians who have no chance of being elected or just jokes.

The 2020 presidential election is the most important of our lives. Trump’s lawyer’s assertion that any action Trump takes that could aid in his reelection is unimpeachable is a shocking perversion of democracy.

I personally oppose Biden on the majority of his positions. I think that his voting history, his policies and his

approach to politics, in general, would make him a below-average to poor president overall.

Despite my extreme ambivalence towards him as a candidate, I will enthusiastically vote for him should he clinch the nomination, and I implore others to do the same. Trump: Act Two would be a disaster.

The left-wing has a tendency to be hyper-critical of itself, and in many ways this is a good thing as it keeps the group honest. Self-criticism is a necessity to self-improvement, however, it often gets in the way of its success.

Members of the progressive wing of the Democratic Party, as much as I agree with them and think that they are the future of the party, have a tendency to throw up their hands and go home when the candidate doesn’t agree with them on everything.

The sad truth is that if everyone who has since complained about Trump’s presidency had voted for Clinton, she would have won by a landslide.

This is not the time to be picky.

Whatever your political leanings, understand that a vote for anyone other than the Democrat nominee might as well be a vote for Trump.

Voting is a responsibility; do not throw away your voice in 2020

OPINIONS 11

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2020 | DAILY49ER.COM | @DAILY49ER | OPINIONS@DAILY49ER.COM

Spill the Tea is a weekly section for students to share their opinions and make their voices heard. Long Beach State students answer a question that can range from the silly to the political. We at the Daily Forty-Niner value the diverse opinions of the CSULB student body and look forward to you sharing them with us.

What clubs are you interested in joining, if any, at Long Beach State and why?

By Elizabeth Hanna

Miguel Sanchez, Fourth-year political science major

Isabel Anaya, Third-year communications major

Roger Brown, Third-year communications major

Terry Savoy, Second-year pre-kinesiology major

“I’ve been part of the Greek organization, but I’ve also been a part of [Criminal Justice Student Organization] or sports clubs, I’ve been part of CSULB Men’s Club Volleyball. [The clubs] help me reach out to many more people [and] help me be more social.”

“I would be, but [not] right now, since I’m still commuting. Maybe if I moved closer to school, maybe next year, but right now, I can’t.”

“Something at the gym like a rock-climbing club or a basketball club. I’m probably gonna do an intramural this semester, just haven’t got to it.”

“I loved basketball [club], it was fun. It’s really competitive actually, more competitive than I thought it would be. I made a lot of basketball friends.”

First Day Blues

By Enacio Diaz

SPORTS 12

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2020 | DAILY49ER.COM | @DAILY49ER | SPORTS@DAILY49ER.COM

FLIP OF THE PITCH Beach Rugby looks to build on its successful history with an influx of fresh, new talent.

By William Dunyon Staff Writer

A

s the Walter Pyramid towers in the distance, one team tirelessly works in the shadows of the larger athletics programs at the Beach.

The players juke and strafe to avoid unprotected bone-crushing blows as the soft, white leather ball floats laterally from man-to-man. This is the scene of one of Southern California’s most successful rugby clubs.

After losing 10 seniors, including a large number of starters, the club finds itself with a collection of new talent and a significant amount of underclassmen.

“We graduated some key seniors that played together for four years,” head coach Jason Reynolds said. “This year requires more grassroots coaching.”

The Long Beach State Rugby Club has won six of the last seven Gold Coast Conference titles, but Reynolds considers this a rebuilding year for the club and is pleasantly surprised with how the new members are assimilating.

“The young guys are really buying into this team, and that is going to help us be successful,” Reynolds said.

Although they are ranked 10th in the nation in Division 1-AA according to USA Rugby, the team has adopted an underdog mentality and is willing to go head-to-head against any program.

“We don’t have the funding and support that the bigger Division 1-A teams have,” freshman Patrick Beattie said, “but we can definitely hang with the best of them on the field.”

Beattie said the key factor that made him want to join was the success of the 46-year-old program on and off the field.

“That’s why a lot of us chose to come here,” Beattie said. “It’s a historic program and we take pride in that.”

The club is and has always been about more than just competing on the field, dating back to 1974.

Aspects of rugby’s familial culture are heavily instilled in players. The team has close bonds

AUSTIN BRUMBLAY | Daily Forty-Niner

Long Beach State Rugby Club member Jared Leuta catches the ball at team practice Thursday, Jan. 30.

outside of practice and games and often have team dinners or meet ups on campus during school hours.

“It’s more than just a team, it’s a brotherhood for us,” Beattie said.

It’s a long-standing rugby formality that once the battle on the field has concluded, no matter what happens in the heat of the moment, both teams gather together and share a meal and maybe even a couple of beers.

“Even if there’s a few scuffles during the match, you always put that aside and enjoy a few drinks with your opponent,” Beattie said.

The team has a biennial tradition of making a trip overseas to compete against European rugby clubs. This year, Long Beach State Rugby Club traveled to England to play three matches and won two of them.

Its most notable win was against the fifth oldest rugby club in the world, Streatham-Croydon RFC, which was founded in 1871.

“It was amazing,” freshman forward Stefano Menicou said.

“Touring the countryside and playing rugby. Nothing beats that.”

The club also faced off against Wells RFC and Border Park RFC, losing to Border Park.

Menicou is part of the freshmen group and has high hopes for the future of the team.

“We’re making a natty run every year. Believe that, that’s the goal,” Menicou said.

Reynolds has a more practical goal for his team this season: “Start with winning the conference championship, then advance to the national tournament.”

To outsiders, rugby players have a reputation for being rugged and reckless, but this crew tries to be more hardworking and focused. Senior club president Michael Mcglone said they maintain this mentality by holding each other accountable to perform their best every day.

The club welcomes any and all that want to join the team; they don’t make cuts and don’t hold tryouts.

“It’s not about that,” Mcglone said. “If you want to be a part of this brotherhood, as long as you’re willing to put the work in, you will make that happen.”

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