The Bridge, Volume 51, Issue 8

10/30/2020 - Happy Halloween!

Welcome to The Bridge’s weekly magazine, a collection of stories from thelcbridge.com. Check back each week for early access to Bridge stories, games, photos and more. The Bridge is by and for Lewis and Clark Community College students, but we hope everyone can find something to enjoy at The Bridge.

Alex Johnson Editor-In-Chief

What’s on the cover?

“Midnight snack” is inspired by classic vampire tropes mixed with modern pop horror to create a compelling digital piece.

Cover by Mary Curvey.

The Bridge is...

Alex Johnson

Gary Chapman

Nathan Tucker

amjohnson@lc.edu

gchapman@lc.edu

nrtucker@lc.edu

aagney@lc.edu

Editor-in-Chief

Entertainment and Technology Reporter

Sports Editor

Graphic Designer and Writer

Ashtyn Britt abritt@lc.edu

Hannah Kahl

Associate Editor

hkahl@lc.edu

Krystie Morrison

Copy Editor

Zack Bussman zbussman@lc.edu

Lakyn Gardner

Illustrator

lagardner@lc.edu

Mary Curvey

kmorrison@lc.edu

Moreena Hall

Web Editor and Social Media Manager

Illustrator and Cartoonist

Jenna Shelton

Madeline Critchfield

jshelton@lc.edu

macritchfield@lc.edu

Ad Manager and Writer

Illustrator and Cartoonist

Writer and Graphic Designer

Dillon Neibel

Anthony Brown

dneibel@lc.edu

antdbrown@lc.edu

Adrienne Lane

Lead Reporter

Podcaster and Illustrator

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mrhall@lc.edu

Andrew Agney

mcurvey@lc.edu

Illustrator and Cartoonist Lindsey Becker lmbecker@lc.edu

amlane@lc.edu

Photographer

Web Specialist Maria Martinez Nogueda mfmartinez@lc.edu

Graphic Designer and

Web Specialist Louise Jett ljett@lc.edu

Advisor

Table of Contents Election News, pg. 3-4 Entertainment, pg. 5 Sports, pg. 7 Art, pg. 8 Serial Story, pg. 9 Cartoons and Games, pg. 11-12

An abandonded Beetle in Brighton, Ill. Photo via Krystie Morrison.

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t’s N It’s

The Supreme Court Takes a Conservative Lean: Barrett Sworn In

By Alex Johnson amjohnson@lc.edu

“I want you to use my words against me. If there’s a Republican president in 2016 and a vacancy occurs in the last year of the first term, you can say Lindsey Graham said let’s let the next president, whoever it might be, make that nomination.”

-Lindsey Graham It is less than a week till election day, and despite the fact that more than 60 million ballots have already been cast, the Senate voted to confirm Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court with a 52-48 vote on Monday, Sept. 26, 2020. Mitch McConnell, possible turtle, adjourned the Senate till Nov. 9 to celebrate the controversial move.

Barrett was sworn in on Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2020.

She was immediately presented with a request to recurse herself from an election-related case should one occur regarding the Nov. 3 presidential election; it is a Supreme Court Justices’ own decision to recurse themselves from a case.

This marks the third Supreme Court Justice picked by impeached President, Donald Trump. This also gives the Supreme Court, ideally a politically neutral entity, a conservative leaning.

The nomination of Barrett brought up concerns about Roe V. Wade, LGBT+ rights and protections and the future of healthcare, specifically the ACA (Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare). Despite being sworn in, Barrett has yet to give a response that satisfies those concerned about these issues and likely never will.

The confirmation of Barrett has led many to ask Democratic Presidential nominee, Joe Biden, and Vice-Presidential nominee, Kamala Harris, what they would do to restore balance should they be elected. Judicial reform and “court packing” (adding Justices to the Court) have been brought up, but Biden and Harris have yet to release a definitive plan.

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Donald Trump, against final wishes of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, nominating Amy Barrett to the Supreme Court on Sept. 26, 2020.

Photo via Official White House Flickr.

“I’ve already spoken: I’m not a fan of court packing […],” Biden said on WKRC-TV. Although he’s not explicitly written off the idea, he seems to favor alternative routes.

“There is some literature among constitutional scholars about the possibility of going from one court to another court, not just always staying the whole time in the Supreme Court but I have made no judgement,” Biden said at a campaign stop, suggesting he is considering action, but still not wanting to make a strong stance in an attempt to appeal to literally everyone.

Republicans, on the other hand, are celebrating the confirmation.

“The highlight of my time in the Senate is to shepherd [Amy Coney Barrett] through the Senate and help Mitch McConnell and the president get her confirmed,” said technically-not-a-hypocrite*, Lindsey Graham. *Note: Graham said “you can say…”, he never said he would care.

Election News

IN

NOT T

It’s NOT Too Late NOT Too La Get Out The Vote: It’s NOT Too Late - You Can Register & Vote at the Same Time

By Jenna Shelton jshelton@lc.edu

I recommend looking up a sample ballot for your county and researching the candidates and propositions if you are not already familiar with what you would be voting on so you can be an educated and informed voter. For example, just because someone may vote for a Democratic or Republican candidate for one position does not mean that every candidate on the ballot has to also be Democratic or Republican.

The people that you vote into office should be voted into office based upon what you are looking for in that candidate. Find out about them, evaluate their standards, ethics, background, leadership abilities and how others view the candidate; look at their track record and what they are proposing to do in the future. In four years, will you be okay with saying you voted for that person, or will you be embarrassed?

The “I Voted” ink pen.

-Photo by Jenna Shelton.

In the past, I have always voted by mail since I could never get away long enough to stand in line to vote because I was the main caregiver for my father for many years before he died.

When the COVID-19 pandemic struck, I had originally planned to vote again this year by mail but when I found out that many of the regular poll judges could not work the polls this year due to the potential risk, I ended up volunteering to be a judge.

I have been placed on the reserve list, so if something happens, and they need a backup judge, I am the one they will call. I decided I better go ahead and vote early (Thursday, Oct. 29, 2020) to beat the crowds on Nov. 3, and I am so glad I did— I was able to get in and out within 35 minutes.

You might say, “I’m just one person, my vote doesn’t really matter when it comes down to it.” But it truly does when you put together all of those people who say that. As numbers of millennials increase while baby boomers decrease, it is only a matter of time before the young people’s voices overtake the older generation but unless they get out and vote, it will never happen and we will continue to live and complain about life as it is. Younger people not voting will be directly affected by issues like federal job programs and college tuition.

For more information please check your county website.

Going through the training to prepare to be a polling judge though, I was surprised at one fact— people can still register to vote on election day. I don’t know why I thought there was a deadline to register to vote, and there is, to make things easier.

What I had not realized was that if one had missed that deadline, they could still go to their local election location, show proper identification, register and vote all in one day.

It is important to make note that the person must be in the correct Polling Location for their address in order to vote, which can be found on their county election websites. They must also show two forms of identification, one of which must have their correct and current address; they must be at least 18 years old; they must have lived in that State, County, or Precinct for at least 30 days and they must be a citizen of the United States.

Election News

A line of voters at the Bethalto, Ill. Community Center.

-Photo by Jenna Shelton Page 4

who

who

Among Us will leave you wondering, who is among us?

Games where you can sit around and play with friends are always fun for get togethers and parties, hence them being given the title of “party games”, but while some are silly, cute little games to just enjoy with others, there is one that puts pressure on everybody and thrives on paranoia and mind games, called Among Us.

PC players, you would be hard-pressed to not find any groups to play with. You can pick up the game for free on mobile devices, at the cost of not having all the cosmetic options and having to watch a small ad between rounds, or pick up on PC for a small price with all the content and no ads.

who Releasing in 2018 for mobile devices then later coming out for PC, Among Us is a social deduction game where up to 10 players are crewmates in a futuristic setting and are given various tasks to complete the game; however, up to three of the crewmates are chosen to be impostors who are tasked with killing the crewmates.

The game is over when the crewmates either finish all of their tasks, correctly identify and vote the impostor for ejection, or if the impostor succeeds in killing all of the crewmates.

Recently in 2020, the game has seen a sudden, massive surge of players coming to enjoy the game, including Alexandria Ocasio Cortez, also known as AOC, the U.S. representative for New York who has started streaming the game live on her twitch channel at Twitch.TV/AOC. Among Us is a simple game to pick up and its cartoony graphics keep the feel of the game from getting too dark, paired with cross platform play between mobile and Page 5

The game is very fun and engaging, always having to be suspicious of everyone— or taking suspicion off of yourself— while also trying to complete your tasks, Players in Among Us will take control of constantly has your mind working. And if a cartoony astronaut to complete tasks... you are unfortunate enough to be killed or sabotage them.

Image via Pixabay. by the impostor, do not fret! You can still play as the ghost of your character and unable to get a word in or get dog piled relax as you focus on completing your on by the other players during debates, tasks, however the in-game chat will be only having a limited time to debate and changed so that only other ghosts can see cast your votes does not help this. your messages, and it is common practice in real life groups that the dead players Overall, I think this is a fun game if you cannot speak anymore, otherwise what is want to always feel a bit of tension while the point? In-game options can also help hanging out with people, I suggest playshape the game to your preferences, such ing with close friends or random strangers as raising or lowering the amount of time online, people that you either know well allotted to voting or how quickly the im- enough to know they will be fine if things postors are able to kill. get heated, or people you will never see again so it does not matter if a short arguBe careful playing the game however, as ment breaks out. This is also still a mobile it can be very high tension and very anx- game, so do not expect too much content iety-inducing. It can also be considered from it— there are only three maps and one of those games that “ruin friendships” only a maximum of 10 players can be in a like Mario Party; I have personally heard game together. quite a few shouting matches and people getting angry at the game when they are I give Among Us a 7 out of 10.

Entertainment

o

o

Webster University is ready for you!

• Student-centered. Small classes, personalized learning experiences and dedicated faculty support student success.

• High quality, flexible education. Offering classes in four modalities to ensure safety and quality are of equal importance.

• Ease of transfer. Community college transfer guides, generous transfer credit policies and friendly staff will assist your transfer.

• Transfer scholarships. Webster offers competitive academic scholarships and many other financial aid options to make a private education affordable.

Text WEBSTER to 75644 to request more info Virtual Transfer info sessions: Tuesdays at 10 am or Thursdays at 3 pm webster.edu/transfer admit@webster.edu • 314-246-7800

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Justin Turner’s Decision, Or MLB’s Lack Of Action?

By Nathan Tucker nrtucker@lc.edu This week, the Los Angeles Dodgers captured their first World Series title since 1988. However, what happened afterward has been a bigger story than the team’s first championship in over 30 years.

Dodgers third baseman, Justin Turner, was taken out of the game, unexpectedly, in the eighth inning of their championship-clinching game. Edwin Ríos entered as a defensive replacement at Turner’s position at third base.

He spent the remainder of the game isolated in a clubhouse doctor’s office, according to Dodgers president of baseball operations, Andrew Friedman. MLB said it found out about the result in the seventh inning, leading to Turner’s removal from the game.

Justin Turner, front and center, celebrates the Dodgers’ first win in over 30 years shortly after testing positive for COVID-19.

Photo via Yahoo.

After the game, news broke that Turner had tested positive for COVID-19. He wasn’t on the field with the team as they initially celebrated, but joined the team’s celebrations about a half-hour after the game had ended.

He embraced his wife, he embraced teammates and coaches, he took pictures with the World Series trophy. Outside of the large sums of money a pro baseball player can make, these championship moments are why you play the game.

So keeping him off the field is complicated, obviously. It is very likely that Justin Turner will never experience this moment again for the rest of his MLB career, and you cannot blame him specifically for wanting to share it with his teammates and those close to him.

Major League Baseball claims that Turner “emphatically refused” to remain quarantined as his team celebrated on the field. MLB is currently “investigating” Turner’s actions, though I am not quite sure what there is to investigate.

What MLB will not say is that they allowed this to happen.

They allowed Turner to return to the field, and if they were legitimately serious about their COVID-19 protocols, Turner’s celebration would have been kept in a quarantined room.

But now that there is no baseball season and no product to sell until next year, MLB has no incentive to make sure Page 7

players and staff follow any COVID-related regulations.

That has been a familiar pattern with businesses during this pandemic.

Since following the guidelines that could actually mitigate spread of COVID-19 does not benefit business, many, including sports leagues and organizations, are taking liberties with protocols, or just not following them at all.

You have seen it all over by now— restaurants, bars, stores— many businesses have made the choice to not care about a pandemic that has killed more Americans than the Vietnam War and World War I combined.

A bar or restaurant can put up all the “please stay six feet apart” signs all they want, but safety measures and precautions against the spread of COVID-19 only mean anything if they are being enforced or followed.

Without businesses following these very important guidelines, people do as they please. Those who take the virus seriously will continue to take it seriously without guidelines, but those that do not contribute to a greater spread of the virus that they are unaware of/intentionally ignorant to.

Justin Turner, like many normal people, just did what he wanted to do, and since none of MLB’s quarantine protocols were followed, he put his team and those he is close to at risk.

Sports

Bridgetober B r id g et o b er b o Bridget er Last week’s prompt was “Graveyard Rave”

By Alex Johnson Digital

By Mary Curvey Ink on paper

This week’s prompt is...

“Pumpkin Patch”

Bridgetober submissions can be written or any visual media. Submit your work by Nov. 4, 2020 for a chance to be featured in the weekly, digital Bridge magazine. Find “TheLCBridge” on social media or email amjohnson@lc.edu to submit your work.

Arts

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The Vermillion Sky The Vermillion Sky Part 6

By Andrew Agney aagney@lc.edu

Ciel, Breeze, Exquise and Syrid stand in front of their principal, drinking health potions to help recover from the previous battle; the dwarven principal speaking up as their wounds magically heal themselves.

“You did well children...and now, it is time to find out which Covens you will be assigned,” he says simply, first turning his attention towards the shadow elf boy.

“Syrid Volar...for your cunning and use of illusions, you shall join the deception coven,’’ as principal BrokenAnvil’s hands glow a golden color, a deep purple cloak with a hood appears on Syrid, the dwarf then moving on to Exquise, the Rhyolition.

“Exquise Inferno, you fought bravely, but recklessly...your fire is powerful and can be deadly, so you must take care when using it...which you can learn to do in the destruction coven,” as his hands glow again, a red cloak appears on Exquise, the principal next moving on to Breeze, the goblin.

“Breeze Everwinter, you have a kind heart and a tender touch, your control over plants is a good start, but it will not take you far...the nature coven can help you with that.” Once again, his hands glow and a forest green cloak appears on Breeze.

BrokenAnvil then approaches Ciel, the small dragon child looking up at her principal with a mix of excitement and anxiety on her face.

“Ciel Scarletscale...you were courageous and strategic, putting the wellbeing of your allies first.

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That, partnered with your...unique situation of not being able to make magic on a whim, you shall be placed in the recovery coven, where you may further support your fellow witches.” One final time, his hands glow with a golden light, and Ciel’s home-made cloak turns pink, now matching her dress.

Ciel gives a soft pout as she hears this before Principal BrokenAnvil speaks again, “Do not take this as a sign of you being weaker than other witches. The recovery coven has produced some of the most powerful witches in the world,” he states, Ciel’s expression brightening up at that.

“Go home and rest children...tomorrow, you will officially start your new classes and begin your journey to becoming witches.”

The four teenagers give a polite bow before they begin to file out of the Arena, but one of them stops; Exquise pausing for a moment before she turns to Ciel.

“Hey, Ciel…” she starts, the half-dragon stopping and turning as well.

“Thanks for the save back there. you aren’t a halfbad witch…” she says quietly. “But...tell anyone about this and you’re getting burned next,” she continues, trying to sound threatening.

Ciel just giggles softly and gives a wave. “Don’t worry about it, I’ll catch ya later!” she says before heading out of the arena and making her way home to get ready for her first day of school.

TO BE CONTINUED Serial Story

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For answers check www.TheLCBridge.com

Cartoons and Games

Cartoons and Games

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