Editorial Roundup: Kansas

Kansas Metropolis Star. June 11, 2022.

Editorial: What position did Hawley, Marshall play within the Jan. 6 DC revolt? Watch the hearings

The Home committee analyzing the riotous revolt on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, has began its remaining sequence of hearings, with the aim of publishing its findings and suggestions later this 12 months.

All Individuals ought to watch the hearings, and skim the findings, that are prone to illustrate how catastrophically shut the nation got here to shedding self-government that day.

Then Congress ought to act to verify an analogous coup try is off the desk in 2024.

Studies say the committee has employed tv producers and different consultants to be able to “dramatize” the hearings, and the occasions of Jan. 6. That’s unlucky. The information are dramatic sufficient, and the present video leaves little question concerning the violence and intimidation utilized by right-wing fanatics that day.

However the committee’s need to remind Individuals of the brutal results of the Jan. 6 catastrophe is comprehensible. Beginning Jan. 7, 2021, and persevering with to at the present time, Republicans — led by Donald Trump — have tried to gloss over the revolt, lie about it, mislead the general public, excuse the riot, ignore it, tacitly endorse it.

The nation merely can not let that occur, or it should occur once more.

Let’s take Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri for example. Hawley, a Republican, was the primary senator to vow an objection to a state’s presidential returns on Jan. 6. He famously raised his fist in help of insurrectionists within the hours earlier than the riot.

Following the pitched battle on the Capitol, he shrugged, in the most effective “what, me fear?” custom. He mentioned different lawmakers had objected to prior presidential outcomes, and that his constituents had voiced issues about “election integrity” in some states.

Hawley has but to offer a single shred of proof of unlawful voting in Pennsylvania, or another state. There’s none.

His declare that Pennsylvania judges enabled improper voting in 2020 is equally absurd: If the state barred Black individuals from casting ballots, for instance, or girls, is Hawley claiming the courts could be powerless to intervene?

The reply could also be sure, which shouldn’t be a shock.

Sen. Hawley isn’t fascinated with elections, or the Structure. His objection — and his fist — have been, and are, a part of the Massive Lie that the Jan. 6 committee should examine, and the remainder of us should perceive.

Did Hawley focus on his positions with anybody within the White Home? Did he focus on his objection with the president or his representatives? Why did he pursue the meritless declare after the riots? The ultimate report ought to make clear these points.

Sen. Roger Marshall of Kansas deserves scrutiny, too. He objected to presidential leads to Arizona, with none foundation to take action, even because the Capitol smoldered and its corridors have been tainted with blood. It was a shame.

We hope the Jan. 6 committee lays out these information, plainly, for all to see. The riot wasn’t brought on by disguised leftists storming the Home and Senate. It wasn’t brought on by a couple of dead-enders and crazed conspiracy nuts. It was the top results of what seems to be an orchestrated effort to overturn the outcomes of a free and honest election and reinstall Trump within the White Home.

The riotous cabal included crackpot attorneys and personal residents. We need to know if Trump was conscious of their efforts, inspired them, or in any other case tried to illegally intrude with the switch of energy. The hearings ought to present the reply.

Congress ought to then take up electoral reforms which might be easy, however profound. All Individuals ought to have equal entry to the poll. All legitimate votes needs to be counted. No state can overturn legitimate presidential votes solid by its residents.

As soon as the individuals have spoken, that’s it.

The Jan. 6 committee hearings ought to lead America to that place. Self-government is delicate, and treasured. It have to be defended towards those that would destroy it.

Topeka Capital-Journal. June 10, 2022.

Editorial: This TikTok instructor exhibits the most effective of Kansas educators. He’s assembly college students on their floor.

Instructing is a noble career, however we’re additionally totally conscious that academics are sometimes requested to be greater than students who move alongside their data to the subsequent era.

They’re known as upon to be coaches, position fashions, typically fill-in mother and father, protectors amongst so many different issues — on high of instructing.

We’re additionally totally conscious that typically the standard instructing fashions don’t work for varsity kids the best way they used to.

One such instructor, Kraig Westhoff, who teaches social research in Roseville, is utilizing the platform TikTok to get individuals enthusiastic about social research.

The Topeka Capital-Journal’s Rafael Garcia studies Westhoff has gained notoriety for his TikTok posts concerning the origins of Kansas county names.

“I sat there and thought, ‘I might do that,’” the instructor mentioned. “I might make these movies, and I might make them about what I used to be instructing.”

His academic TikTok movies are in style. They’re additionally brief. And also you come away from them studying one thing new concerning the social sciences.

We love this creativity. It’s actually revolutionary. It’s additionally brilliantly assembly college students the place they’re at. Although Westhoff jokingly denies he has an account to his college students.

“They know I’ve (a TikTok), however I simply hold denying it as a result of it’s one thing I’ve to do to maintain me entertained,” Westhoff instructed The Capital-Journal. “Simply the truth that these youngsters are watching it and getting on, they’re seeing me in a distinct mild. They’re seeing that different individuals are additionally watching these movies, and so they know I do know my stuff.”

Kudos to Mr. Westhoff on a job effectively accomplished. We all know there are many others throughout our state who’ve additionally put their creativity into instructing college students. Please sustain the great work.

We all know the previous few years have been particularly laborious on academics making an attempt to creatively attain college students.

Now that we’ve reached summer season trip, we hope you discover a possibility to recharge and chill out. Refresh and relearn.

No matter you’re doing, we hope it helps you be the most effective model of yourselves come August. As a result of it will likely be right here earlier than you recognize it.

And possibly take some inspiration from the TikTok instructor.

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