From Thursday to Monday, we all saw a lot of consequences play out, plain as day.

We saw the consequence of two parties choosing men manifestly unfit to run for president. One a direct threat to our United States of America, the other barely able to string sentences together and staring blankly into the distance as if trying to process how he arrived there.

We saw the consequences of a U.S. Supreme Court packed with hard-right appointees, eager to hand over practically unchecked power to the man they (likely correctly) assume will be the next president.

Most of all, we’ve seen the consequences of a nation that has for too long gorged itself on cheap cynicism and infantile entertainment.

We picked Trump and Biden. We elected the U.S. representatives and senators who pass budgets and confirm nominees. We have gone along with all of this and have allowed our government to reach this exigency. Changing the situation doesn’t require magic. It requires civic engagement and participation on a level with which most of us are unfamiliar.

I can lay out what I think should happen.

Yes, obviously President Joe Biden needs to drop out. Yes, obviously Republicans should have never countenanced Donald Trump as their nominee after he attempted to overthrow the government he led. One of these situations can still be addressed, while the other one appears set in stone. So Democratic leaders need to decide where they stand.

The Supreme Court’s decision on presidential immunity can be understood as either dire or limited. I’ve read chunks of Chief Justice John Robert’s majority opinion, as well as Associate Justice Sonia Sotomayor’s dissent. They seem to be writing from different universes, never mind different planets. We have no way to know the consequences without time passing and observing how our presidents and courts react.

No one can change that. At least not right away.

Unfortunately, Kansas has a limited role to play in this upcoming national election. The state will almost certainly vote for the Republican presidential nominee, as it has done in every election since 1964. That’s what happens when the nation still abides by the absurd Electoral College system.

Yet we all have roles to play when it comes to our own state and communities. Elections at these levels matter, and local candidates can present stark choices. But you won’t know about your options unless you pay attention.

Kansas Reflector reporters are interviewing candidates for statewide office. We will be running stories about candidates and what they hope to do.

Read them. Read stories in your local newspaper or news website.

Last month, I wrote about the grimness that hovered over the Kansas Legislature’s not-so-special session. You remember that, right? When all the state lawmakers came back to pass a tax cut plan and big tax incentive packages for sports team?

That session was a consequence, too. So was the dogged refusal of leaders to allow votes on Medicaid expansion or marijuana legalization.

Kansans elected those people. They supported leaders who would rather line the pockets of billionaires than look out for the 12% of Kansans who live in poverty. Every one of those people could be helped, if Kansans decided they wanted to do so. But we haven’t.

No, here in the Sunflower State, voters hand over their brains and willpower to the various dark money groups sending out glossy mailers. In any other situation, in any other area of life, would you believe a piece of mail that arrives at your home from someone you don’t know telling obvious lies about someone else? Of course not. It boggles my mind that these pieces of junk hold such sway in the world of Kansas politics.

They only hold that sway, of course, because voters let them.

The hateful inertia of Kansas politics and the blazing Dumpster fire of the presidential election are one and the same story.

They are both the story of politicians and voters too vacuous to challenge one another to do better. They are both the story of big money interests doing all they can to dominate the discussion and eliminate dissent. They are both the story of business conglomerates pumping us full of literal and figurative narcotics — anything to dull our realization that we have made these choices and bear responsibility for this world.

We can’t fix this mess alone. But we can demand better from those hoping to represent us.

Not tomorrow, not after the next election, not when it’s our turn.

Now.

Clay Wirestone is Kansas Reflector opinion editor. Through its opinion section, Kansas Reflector works to amplify the voices of people who are affected by public policies or excluded from public debate. Find information, including how to submit your own commentary, here.

Kansas City finished up their series against the Guardians on a high note, stealing the last game to take a 3-1 win over Cleveland in the series. The Royals have managed to pull themselves back to just seven games behind the Guardians and only a single game behind the Twins. The Royals did not have the best month of June, going 12-15 throughout the month, despite winning three of four against Cleveland. Kansas City is very much still in the race for either a wildcard spot or a division crown, but they must continue with their positive momentum to avoid another dissapointing month.

Brady Singer will get the nod for Kansas City tonight. He will be looking to improve his record above .500 tonight, currently sitting at 4-4 on the season. Singer’s last performance was phenomenal, holding the Miami Marlins to just one run through 7.1 innings. Last time Singer faced the Rays he went five innings, only allowing a single run in a Royals win. He will have to keep the Royals competitive early and avoid falling back into the first inning struggles that have plagued the team in the past. The Royals will hope to get Singer some run support early, giving him a cushion to repeat recent performances.

8:29 p.m. – The game is now in rain delay.

8:27 p.m. – Back-to-back singles have the Royals their best attack of the night with runners on the corners. CJ Alexander picked up his first career hit with a single to right, bringing Kyle Isbel up with the chance to tie the game. Littell was not phased though, striking out Kyle Isbel to end the inning. The Royals have now had their first dangerous position of the game, they just need to build on it with the top of the order starting next inning. 1-0 Rays

8:20 p.m. – These starting pitchers are leaving the offenses with a lack of answers tonight, cruising through innings with little to no danger. Singer looks to be the first pitcher to exit barring a big offensive inning from Kansas City. It will be important for the Royals bullpen to have a good performance with the Royals stagnant offense. 1-0 Rays

8:06 p.m. – This is shaping up to look very similar to Brady Singer’s last performance against the Rays. The issue is that he has almost double the amount of pitches that Littell does already, and with the Royals struggling bullpen you have to worry that the starter can’t eat enough innings to keep the Royals close. 1-0 Rays

7:56 p.m. – Zack Littell has been very good this game, shutting the Royals down for three straight innings so far. Despite not scoring, the Royals have made some very solid contact and even driven the ball to the warning track a couple times tonight. If they can continue to get hard contact, the runs will fall in line. 1-0 Rays

7:50 p.m. – A much better inning for Singer this time around, making quick work of three straight Rays batters. Royals starters face a common trend of giving up an early run before locking down and playing well. Garcia made a nice play ranging to his left at second base, his versatility could be a real tool for Kansas City going into the second half of the season. 1-0 Rays

7:45 p.m. – Zack Littell is having a very good game so far, putting out all three runners that came to the plate that inning, a little unconventiaonally. Littell breezed through the first two batters, but MJ Melendez would earn himself a double to keep the inning alive. Littell would immediately attempt a pickoff and be unsuccessful, or so the umpire said. After a challenge it was clear that Melendez was unable to touch the bag due to the fielders foot covering the base. Unfortunately for the Royals, obstruction is not reviewable so the play was overturned and a RISP oppurtunity was taken away from Kansas City. 1-0 Rays

7:30 p.m. – Brady Singer faced his first tough situation of the game this inning, battling off runners on second and third with just one out. Bobby Witt Jr made an incredible play ranging to his left and throwing back to his right to snipe Randy Arozarena to pick up that first out. After a missed barehander from CJ Alexander and a double by Jose Sir, Singer found himself in some danger. He would battle back, striking out Ben Rortvedt beofore a wild pitch allowed Richie Pallacios to come home. He would walk Taylor Walls with 10 pitches before finally picking up the last out. Kansas City will again be looking to overcome an early deficit. 1-0 Rays

7:22 p.m. – Maikel Garcia picked up an inning opening single to right field off of Zack Littell. The Royals wouldn’t score but something that was very telling is that Littel was aware of the runner. Look for Littel to be worried about early runners, potentially leading to mistakes to batters. Vinnie Pasquantino had a 401 foot flyout, the ball would have left 8/30 MLB ballparks. 0-0

7:15 p.m. – Brady Singer has a back and forth first inning but puts down the Rays before they can move a runner to second. He allowed a single before turning a double play, as well as a walk before striking out Josh Lowe to end the inning. Royals pitching has been prone to getting in trouble early so Singer working around those two runners is big for Kansas City. 0-0

Where: Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City, MO.

When: First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. CT. 

TV:  You can watch the game on Bally Sports KC or MLB.TV (blackouts may apply depending on location).

Starting Pitchers

KC – Brady Singer (4-4, 3.12 ERA)

CLE – Zack Littell (2-7, 4.17 ERA)

Batting Order/Lineup

KC: 1. Maikel Garcia (2B) 2. Bobby Witt Jr. (SS) 3. Vinnie Pasquantino (1B) 4. Salvador Perez (C) 5. Michael Massey (DH) 6. Hunter Renfroe (RF) 7. MJ Melendez (LF) 8. CJ Alexander (3B) 9. Kyle Isbel (CF)

TB:  1. Yandy Diaz (1B) 2. Brandon Lowe (DH) 3. Isaac Paredes (3B) 4. Josh Lowe (RF) 5. Randy Arozarena (LF) 6. Richie Palacios (2B) 7. Jose Siri (CF) 8. Ben Rortvedt (C) 9. Taylor Walls (SS)

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TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) – The Kansas Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2024 has been announced, with 12 new inductees.

The induction ceremony will be held at the Sunflower Ballroom in Hotel Topeka at City Center on Sunday, October 13th. The reception will be at 5:00 p.m., followed by the ceremony at 6:00 p.m.

The inductees include:

– Hayden and KU alumni and long-time college basketball coach Mark Turgeon, who helped Hayden to two State basketball Championships, including a perfect 25-0 season in 1983. Was a part of four NCAA Tournament basketball teams with the Jayhawks.

– Current Hummer Sports Park director Annette Wiles. She is a two-time NAIA Basketball All-American and NAIA Tournament MVP with Fort Hays State, and long-time successful coach.

– Former KU football head coach Mark Mangino. Received several National Coach of the Year awards in 2007, as he led the Jayhawks to their only 12-win season and an Orange Bowl victory. Coached in Lawrence from 2002-2009.

– Former K-State All-American punter Sean Snyder. National Special Teams Coach of the Year at K-State, and joined KU football staff as a Special Assistant to the Head Coach for one season in 2023.

– Former Emporia State, Kansas, and Olympic baseball coach Dave Bingham. Led the Hornets with a 588-270-2 record over his 14 years there, and a National Championship win in 1978. He was named the National Coach of the Year in 1976, 1984, and 1986. He took over the Jayhawks’ program in 1988, and led them to a 249-225 record over eight years. He led them to their first College World Series appearance in 1993.

– Former Kansas City Chiefs offensive guard, NFL Hall of Famer, and Fort Riley native Will Shields. A third-round draft pick by Kansas City in 1993.

– Former K-State track and field star turned Olympian Erik Kynard. Won a gold medal in the high jump at the London Summer Olympics in 2012 at the age of 21. Is also a 10x U.S. National Champion.

– National Long Jump Champion Melvin Lister.

– U.S. Swimming record-holder Ron Neugent. Member of the 1980 U.S. Olympic team.

– Two-time Olympic Games head starter Kelly Rankin. The only American to do so.

– Former Jayhawk and Olympic Javelin thrower Scott Russell.

– Paralympic Games bronze medalist Kevin Saunders.

Tickets for the event will go on sale on Monday, July 15th. Use this link for more information. https://www.kshof.org/

Copyright 2024 WIBW. All rights reserved.