Republican Party will suffer if platform continues

Lately it has seemed like comedy movies are irrelevant. Why? Because there are Republican “debates” to watch and other commentary provided by the candidates. With all the bickering, arguing and outlandish claims, who needs another source of entertainment?

With people like Donald Trump and Ted Cruz consuming all the attention from the Republicans, it is easy to see how some people can make judgments about the entire party and its platform.

Most conservatives, even though their ideals fall in line with the GOP, understand that the party’s positions on some major issues are undesirable not only to Democrats, but also to independents and moderate conservatives.

It’s likely that the GOP will continue to lose popularity with young voters and minorities if they don’t reform their views. They will lose these votes to the Democrats, giving them the majority needed to shift Washington to the left.

The first thing that the Republicans need to do is to re-asses their stance on immigration.

Deporting millions of people is not a popular idea with a majority of the American people, but the immigration system is inefficient, with coming illegally seeming like a better alternative to coming in legally and waiting for the slow, legal process.

However, people who have come here illegally should be required to pay taxes like any other citizen without any special treatment.

In addition, any illegal alien who has committed a crime, other than being in the United States illegally, should be deported.

The Republicans can also advocate legislation that reforms the immigration process and has a path, not a given, opportunity for citizenship.

Another action the Republicans should take is to allow Merrick Garland, candidate for the new Supreme Court Justice, toat least have a hearing.

Garland is not the crazy liberal that the Republicans in Congress fearbecause he is considerably moderate.

President Barack Obama likely picked Garland to highlight that Congressional Republicans will not work with Democrats on any issue.

At this point in time, the far-right policies of President Ronald Reagan are not favorable to a majority of Americans.

Republicans need to realize that if they want to get their ideals in positive perception, they need to have more moderate ideas and work on bipartisan legislation.

Honestly, Americans really lost an opportunity in Marco Rubio or Jeb Bush or pretty much any of the other candidates. Both have strong, conservative beliefs, but are not as polarizing as Trump or Cruz.

Low gas prices come with a catch for country

If you drive a car, if your parents drive a car, or if you listen to the news ever, then you’ve probably heard that gas prices are low and getting lower.       

Something that you may not know, however, is why prices are getting so low. The low trend can be traced to one region, The Middle East. More specifically, it can be traced to Saudi Arabia.

This price drop may be good for the gas consumer as the national average price per gallon of gas is about $1.75.  However, as with most seemingly good things, gas being so cheap has some problems.

Currently, the United States is trying to become the dominant source of energy for the world. According to Texas Republican Rep. Joe Barton, the United States has the best technology and the best oil.

“We will drive out Russian oil. We will drive out Saudi, Iranian [oil],” Barton said.

This is where the problem comes into play.

In the January Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) meeting, Saudi Arabia declined to cut oil production despite the current surplus.

Going against the rule of supply and demand, the Saudis will keep pumping.

Why?

Iran has been expanding its influence across the Middle East and even attacked the Saudi embassy in Tehran, so Saudi Arabian and Iranian relations have been tense. But, the head of the Foreign Relations Committee of the Supreme National Security Council of Iran, Seyed Hossein Mousavian, said that “[he doesn’t] believe there will be a war.”

Tensions still exist, and the two countries hold among the top four proven largest oil reserves in the world, along with Canada and Venezuela.

In addition, Saudi Arabia depends on its oil exports. Eighty-five percent of its revenue is based on exporting oil. Many analysts believe that Saudi Arabia sees the writing on the wall that oil production will soon be replaced by more eco-friendly alternatives.

They would rather drill now and get what money they can than not drill the oil.

As Saudi Arabia’s former oil minister Ahmed Zaki Yamani said, “The stone age did not end because the world ran out of stone.”

In terms of how this will affect the United States, Saudi Arabia’s excessive pumping causes a surplus of foreign oil. With the surplus, U.S. production will slow, and states like North Dakota and Alaska are “feeling the pinch,” according to North Dakota Republican Rep. Kevin Cramer.

The game changers in this issue will be technological advancements, how low gas prices can go and for how long, and how relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran evolve.

If Saudi Arabia and Iran can come to an agreement about Iran’s expansion, hopefully relations between the two countries improve. However, the religious divide that separates the two cannot be fixed with forced diplomacy.

Snapshot––

For many students, photography is an enjoyable, artistic hobby. For some, this hobby can turn into a career.

Hope Hill, senior, is one of those students.

“Photography is a lot of fun. I can capture people’s moments and surprise them with how the picture looks,” Hill said.

In addition to portraits, Hill likes to take pictures of nature and animals.

Micro-pictures are one of her favorite types of pictures to take. Micro-pictures are close-ups of anything from flowers to animals to everyday household items.

“I really enjoy taking pictures in parks and outdoors. I recently visited Colorado and I loved taking pictures there,” Hill said.

With such an interest in photography, Hill has made many choices to get her more experience. Hill works at the photography studio at Target.

“I knew I wanted to do photography, and I knew some people who worked there,” Hill said.

This job provides opportunities for her to take pictures, particularly portraits and family pictures. However, the job does produce some limitations.

“I can’t get paid for pictures I take outside of Target, so I take landscape pictures,” Hill said.

She is usually working Tuesdays through Saturdays.

Working at Target has not affected Hill’s wish to be a photographer.

For about two to three years Hill has been aspiring to be a photographer, and for about a year, she has known she wants to make it a career because of how much she enjoys it.

“I love the creative outlet [of photography]. I don’t want a career that I would hate,” Hill said.

This desire has lead Hill to want to open up her own studio.

“I’d want to be in the center of a city,” Hill said.

Owning a photography business can cost a lot of money. Equipment, such as lighting equipment are large investments.

“Starting with that stuff can get really expensive. Outdoors, I found ways to help with things like lighting. You have to be kind of crafty,” Hill said.

Lighting is a common challenge in outdoor photography.

“When you’re outside you can get a lot of shadows,” Hill said.

She has some light boards that reflect light back at her subject to help illuminate them.

In addition, Hill has her own Nikon camera. Since she took basic photography at school, she has experience with Nikon and Canon.

“Nikon has way more buttons [than Canon] and it’s more of a personal preference on which brand to use,” Hill said.

To complete her general education classes, she will attend Johnson County Community College.

After JCCC, Hill is not sure  where she will go to school.

“I know that I want to study photography and business,” Hill said.

Comparatively, Hill has a lot figured out for her future. Some students are unsure in college.

Photography will definitely be in her future.

Wherever the future takes Hill, with camera in hand, she will probably  make it look great.

Voter fraud potential problem, despite denial

Some people in this country, like Hillary Clinton, think that Republicans are afraid of democracy because of their implementing voting regulations.

The biggest offender is the requirement of identification when voting.

The Constitution grants American citizens the right to vote in American elections. It does not grant everyone in America the right to vote because not everyone is a citizen.

One may ask, “What about the elderly or people who don’t have a driver’s license?” In Kansas, citizens over the age of 65 are permitted to use expired identification documents, so not having a driver’s license is not an issue.

A driver’s license is not the only acceptable identification. One may also use a state ID, a concealed carry of handgun license, a passport, a military ID, a post secondary student ID or even an ID issued by a Native American tribe.

In addition, a person may get a non-driver ID card at the Division of Motor Vehicles through the Kansas Department of Revenue.

For people who think that requiring identification to vote is unconstitutional, the Constitution also gives citizens the right to have firearms, but we have to show identification to exercise that right.

Governments that implement voting requirements do not fear democracy, but are defending the rights of its citizens to vote without the fear of being made null-and-void by an alien or a multi-voter.

Over 1.8 million deceased Americans are still registered to vote, 24 million active voter registrations are no longer valid and 2.75 million people have voter registrations in more than one state according to National Public Radio.

Yet some people  believe that voter fraud is exaggerated.

Honestly, this issue is just a distraction. The bigger issue is that more and more people are not voting in elections. According to FairVote, the highest percentage of people who vote, based on eligible population, was in 1976 at 65 percent. This is despicable.

From the beginning of our great country to the present, millions of Americans have made the ultimate sacrifice to preserve one of the most sacred of our rights–– the right to vote.

This is the very fabric that our country was founded on. Wars have been fought all over the world for this right that is taken for granted by about half of eligible citizens.

Even today, America criticizes countries that deny their citizens basic human rights. But which is worse: being denied rights or ignoring them?

I digress.

Being required to show identification to vote is common sense. An illegal alien, or a multi-voter, should not be able to cancel a law-abiding American’s vote.

Before people get up in arms about voting requirements, maybe they should be up in arms about the depressing number of people who actually vote.

Malefactor

I can hear your voice in my head.

How tormenting it is.

Sometimes it keeps me awake.

How persistent it is.

You are toxic,

You are someone I should trust.

You are fake,

Only I can see the darkness in you.

People think you're kind,

I have never seen one so selfish.

People think we get along,

Our relationship is an anomaly.

I can see your face in my dreams. 

How intimidating it is.

I still love you. 

How sad it is.

Little 'Girl' on the Prairie

Brenna Hobbs interns for endorsement in PCA social science, gains job experience

Brenna Hobbs, senior, checks the beans during her internship at Mahaffie House.

Off in the distance, a horn sounds. A traveler is coming.

The family prepares to welcome their guest, a meal is begun and people go to greet the traveler.

The welcoming committee includes Brenna Hobbs, senior. With her leashed sheep, Hobbs welcomes children and guests to the Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop and Farm Historic Site.

From the 1860s to the present, Mahaffie has been a stop for travelers and tourists. People who work at the farmstead keep the 19th century spirit alive.

“I dress in period-clothing, I walk sheep on leashes, and I show people around Mahaffie and teach people about its history,” Hobbs said.

Outfitted in her 1860s dress, Hobbs interns at Mahaffie for endorsement in the Professional Careers Academy. Her career focus is museum curating.

Kim Wahaus, Hobbs’ PCA Dean, said that “this internship with Mahaffie will give her experience that will put her ahead of the curve, will make her more competitive, and will allow her to make connections with professionals in her field.”

To get this opportunity, Hobbs had to beat out other internship-seekers.

“As a member of PCA, she is eligible for an internship. Through her talents and personable attitude she was able to surpass the competition,” Wahaus said.

This internship may seem like a lot of work, but to Hobbs, it is exciting and enlightening.

“I get to see different aspects of working at a museum. On weekdays, I do office work, and on the weekends I am involved in presentations,” Hobbs said.

Currently, Hobbs is illustrating a children’s book to celebrate Mahaffie’s 150th anniversary, which is this year.

Hobbs hopes to gain a firmer grasp on what part of museum curating she wants to pursue.

“My favorite part is dealing with the animals. I help take care of sheep, goats, horses and chickens. I have even had to chase a chicken around in my 1860s dress because it got loose,” Hobbs said.

Hobbs is also learning other important aspects of working at a museum.

“The people here are great. They’re a bunch of history majors, and they love teaching me things, like how to share information with the museum’s guests,” Hobbs said.

Hobbs is at Mahaffie every Tuesday evening and either Saturday or Sunday afternoon.

Cinnamon Walnut Banana Bread

     Recently, my mother and I have been attempting to cook/bake together every week. 

     Today, mom and I made cinnamon walnut banana bread. 

Yields one 9x5 loaf

Banana Bread:

1 3/4 cups flour

3/4 cup sugar

3/4 cup brown sugar

1 cup mashed bananas

1/2 cup vegetable oil

1/3 cup buttermilk 

2 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 teaspoon baking soda 

1 teaspoon cinnamon 

1/2 teaspoon salt 

1/4 cup chopped walnuts

Crumble Topping: 

1/2 cup flour

1/2 cup brown sugar

4 tablespoons softened, unsalted butter

1 teaspoon cinnamon

Directions

1. Whisk eggs, buttermilk and oil together. Mix well, then set aside.

2.  In another bowl, add flour, salt, baking soda and cinnamon. Stir well, then set aside. 

3. Peel and mash bananas. (We used a fork.) 

4. Add sugar, brown sugar and bananas to the egg mix. Mix well. Add flour mix and walnuts and stir again. 

5. Pour bread mix into greased 9x5 bread pan. 

6. For the crumble: add brown sugar, flour and cinnamon to softened butter. Mix until it's lumpy. (Fork works best.) break up large pieces with fingers if needed. Sprinkle the topping over the bread mix. 

7. Bake at 325 degrees for 75-80 minutes. Check with a toothpick to make sure the inside is done.