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/ 1’’V-"" ' .- j : y x .r; . • , \<; • •- ; / ■- - -,* y. :.••■- .-/»• = -s .. . _ ___ — -—— -■ THE LEADER No tolerance for racist acts Wafaa Alghamdi is the reason USC should act quickly and firmly to stamp out acts of racism and hatred on campus. Alghamdi, a Saudi Arabian student, was harassed outside of McKissick Museum several days ago. Four men verbally assaulted her and tried to remove her Islamic head covering, known as hijab. The university should now draw a line in the sand and let it be known that harassment of Arab American students will not be tolerated. Any such After a group of ignorant fools harass an innocent student, the FBI engages in something approaching racial profiling, harassment should be met with harsh punishments. Alghamdi, who has left the United States, is part of a growing trend: 12 of USC’s 83 students from Arab countries have left for home. That number suggests a wider pattern of discrimination than four juvenile morons in front ofMcKissick. USC must take the lead in promoting tolerance and diversity. Admittedly, these aren’t always the university’s strong points — the number of minority faculty and the treatment of minority staff is ridiculous — but, in this area, the university should be able to get its act together. The only answer is to institute a “zero tolerance” policy against those who take part in disgusting acts of bigotry. Otherwise, the university is giving racists free reign, and it must take full responsibility for the consequences. Winners and Sinners ALEX SANDERS Maybe he doesn’t have to beat Lindsey Graham to get into the Senate. COMPUTER SERVICES Blocks some music sharing programs to help those trying to contact relatives. USC finally did something right about the tragedy. But music libraries across campus are hurting... FOOTBALL TEAM A 7-0 record seems imminent. But try to avoid getting orange crushed. SEN. STROM THURMOND After feeling “woozy,” votes against free trade with ’Nam. Born 98 years ago, and apparently stuck there. HOUSING Closing one Nada house because it costs too much to renovate. So much for promoting diversity... TALIBAN Choice: Give up bin Laden, or give up, period. Response: Leaders flee country. Who doesn’t have courage? GAMECOCK CORRECTIONS If you see an error in today’s paper, we want to know. Write us at gamecockviewpoints@hotmail.com. ABOUT THE GAMECOCK . Martha Wright Editor in Chief Mary Hartney University Editor Ginny Thornton Asst. Univ. Editor Victoria Bennett The Mix Editor Justin Bajan Asst. The Mix Editor Chris Foy Sports Editor Preston Baines Asst. Sports 'Editor Elizabeth Swartz Online Editor Aaron Hark Photo Editor Greg Hambrick City Editor Alicia Balentine Asst. City Editor Brandon Larrabee Viewpoints Editor Page Designers Mackenzie Clements, Crystal Dukes, Katie Smith, David Stagg Copy Editors Crystal Boyles, Jason Harmon, Jill Martin, Carolyn Rowe Political Cartoonist/ Graphic Artist Rene Moffatt CONTACT INFORMATION Offices on third floor of the Russell House. Editor in Chief: gamecockeditor@hotmail.com University Desk: gamecockudesk@hotmail.com City Desk: gamecockcitydesk@hotmail.com Viewpoints: gamecockviewpoints@hotmail.com Spotlight: gamecockmixeditor@hotmail.com Sports: gamecocksports@hotmail.com Online: www.dailygamecock.com Newsroom: 777-7726 TO PLACE AN AD The Gamecock 1400 Greene Street Columbia, SC 29208 Advertising: 777-3888 Classified: 777-1184 Fax: 777-6482 STUDENT MEDIA Erik Collins, Faculty Adviser Ellen Parsons, Director of Student Media Susan King, Creative Director Carolyn Griffin, Business Manager Sarah Sims, Advertising Manager Sherry F. Holmes, Classified Manager Creative Services Todd Hooks, Jennie Moore, Martin Salisbury, Beju Shah, Advertising Staff Betsy Baugh, Caryn Barowsky, Denise Levereaux, Jackie Rice, Stacey Todd Gamecock Community Affairs Karen Yip Graphic Artist Candi Hauglum The Gamecock is the student newspaper of the University of South Carolina and is published Monday, Wednesday and Friday during the fall and spring semesters and nine times during the summer with the exception of university holidays and exam periods. Opinions expressed in The Gamecock are those of the editors or author and not those of the University of South Carolina. The Board of Student Publications and Communications is the publisher of The Gamecock. The Department of Student Media is the newspaper's parent organization. The Gamecock is supported in part by student activities fees. One free copy per reader. Additional copies may be purchased for one dollar each from the Department of Student Media. \t brought t°yo° by 1 Bud**Ei*ER—- i 0 IN LICNT OF THE RECENT BUDGET CUTA THf VNIViRRITT HJtf BEEN forced to reek alternative mean* of funding. RENE MOFFATT/THE GAMECOCK IN YOUR OPINION America not a plane dropping bombs Re: Charles Prashaw's column I want to know what makes him think that it’s correct to just go ahead and bomb other countries. Because America hasn’t responded yet doesn’t make us a “pussy”; it makers even smarter for stepping back from the incident so that it isn’t so close to heart, that we are able to think clearly, and make a rational decision as to what to do. Just because we used to go anywhere, do anything, does not mean that we have always been right. Why do you think we should go and declare war on Iraq, Iran and Pakistan? The next time you see Palestinians cheering, think about the fact that they have been living with their friends, family and fellow Palestinians being killed everyday for years. Do you even care about that? Think of the fact that they are living in camps in Israel. Do you care? Did you even know that they are living in camps? So you might just let Israel loose on them. I dare say America already has, by taking their lanu ana giving n israei. uiu you ever contemplate the fact that the Palestinians were not celebrating the loss of life, but rather the fact that America had • been knocked down on its knees? No country, people or religion ever cheers the loss of lives. But do you care that the Palestinians have been living with death for years? Your idea of what America is and what America is all about is definitely skewed. America is not an airplane dropping massive gravity bombs on other, but rather a defender of freedom and democracy. America, over time, has become a country that defends people’s religion, civil and human rights You think that attacking the Afghanistan people will in any way hurt the Afghans? They have been living with this type of terrorism for more than two decades; anything you do couldn’t compare to what they have already been going through. And wouldn’t it be ignorant to bomb a country that we send food relief packages to? The loss of more innocent lives anywhere does not bring back the more than 5,000 Americans we have lost, but it would allow them to die in vain. No one should be OK with the loss of lives. So let all those bombs sit there in a military base collecting dust. SARA BADR FOURTH-YEAR STUDENT, MOORE SCHOOL OF BUSINESS Thank you for Williams’ column Subj: Edrin’s Column This is one of the best things I read in six years of reading The Gamecock. It’s great for two reasons: It’s thoughtful and it’s well-written. Thanks for giving your readers something wonderful. LEE DAVINROY VISITING ASSISTANT PROFESSOR, DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH, WOMEN’S STUDIES PROGRAM AND SCHC, Adding more green space a good idea I respectfully disagree with parts of Mr. Darryl Green’s column in the Sept. 10 edition of The Gamecock, “The jackass in USC parking.” I feel that any efforts to “beautify” the campus are headed in the right direction. Though I am only a freshman here at USC, I find the grassy fields and trees around the library and Russell House refreshing and cool. Having spent time walking in hot, merciless Southern cities in hot, merciless Southern summers, I have learned to appreciate the presence of city beautification efforts, as opposed to endless concrete sidewalks and parking lots. Living, breathing plants give us shade, fresh air and some peace of mind. Yes, Mr. Green, there is not enough parking for every single student attending USC. When you decided to attend the university, you should have taken into account the streets of Columbia, since you were bringing a car. Your car is your responsibility, as well as finding a parking space for it in due time. The professor marking you tardy may have had the same trouble parking as you. That’s what garages and walking shoes are for. My point being: Stop whining about where to park your car. Park it in a garage and hoof it like the rest of us. Enjoy the greenery, for with people like you, it won’t be there long. KIRSTEN HALL FIRST-YEAR STUDENT, SCHOOL OF MUSIC Coverage of Greek integration good Last week, I took a break from studying and called my mom outside the local coffee house. My mother brought up an article that had been published in a recent edition of The Gamecock. She told me it had to do with Alabama sororities. This immediately piqued my interest. After de pledging from my sorority last spring, I had become actively involved in the Independent Voter’s Association and adamantly dedicated to the insurrection of the Greek system at Alabama. I knew right away the article had to be negative, considering the onslaught of bad press the Greeks had been receiving since the beginning of the school year. She read the article to me over the phone: “Alabama sororities reject black student.” As I had suspected, the article reported the recent rejection of Melody Twilly from all 15 sororities. At first, I was embarrassed that the name of the university had been rubbed in the dirt just because a small group of closed-minded girls couldn’t bear the thought of being in the same organization as girls of a different ethnicity. I was also outraged that the situation revolving around the questioned ethics of the Greeks had reached such heights in our small town, and that it was being recognized hundreds of miles away! Despite my frustration and embarrassment, I was enthralled and overwhelmingly excited by the fact that this news had reached other states. All at once, I found myself wishing 1 had attended use, where students seem to enjoy a racially diverse community. In retrospect, having lived in Tuscaloosa for the past two years, I had become so accustomed to the conservative values and lifestyle, I had forgotten what it was like to live in Columbia, where differences and cultural identities are celebrated. I would like to commend USC for recognizing the racial issues surrounding the Greeks at the University of Alabama. In a way, by publishing that article, USC published a negative opinion of the situation. I found it comforting to find support from other campuses, especially when it seems as though the negative influence of the Greeks at Alabama will never be diminished. Hopefully, with support from other campuses like USC, the heads at Alabama will realize a change needs to take place for the good of its students and the progress of society as a whole. ERIKA LETTS SECOND-YEAR STUDENT, UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA Submission Policy Letters to the editor or guest columns are welcome from the Carolina community. Letters should be 250-300 words. Guest columns should be about 600 words. Both must include name, phone number, professional title or year and major, if a student. Deliver handwritten submissions to Russell House room 333, or send e-mail to gamecockviewpoints@hotmail.com. The Gamecock reserves the right to edit for libel, style and space. Anonymous letters will not be published. Photos are required for guest columnists and cari be provided by the submitter. Call 777-7726 for more information. VIEWPOINTS. LET EVERYONE KNOW THE SCORE. USC’s secret society CLAYTON KALE CiKALE@HOTMAIL.COM Discovering the secrets of the Stresskeeper. Instead of writing a column this week, I had planned to publish the findings of my study, “The Effect of Grand Marketplace Food on the Digestive Systems of Students.” Unfortunately, I must push back its date of publication until I get new test subjects. The first group are all dead. Luckily, I found something to take the place of my failed experiment. I was visiting Thomas Cooper Wednesday night when I learned that a secret society exists and operates within the library’s bowels. There have been rumors of secret societies, sort of uber fratemities, at Ivy League schools, but who’d have thought such a thing could exist here? I was wandering the labyrinth of books, looking for anything related to gastrointestinal disorders, when I heard a din coming from behind a door marked “Machinery.” One would expect to hear noise from a room with machines, but the sound behind the door wasn’t the typical bang and clang of a room full of moving parts. The sound was chanting. A haunting, dreary chanting. The faint smell of burning Gamecocks seeped under the door. I pressed my ear to the wood, hoping to make out the sound, but the chanting had stopped. Curiosity got the better of me. I cracked the door and peeked through the space. Instead of the machinery the sign on the door promised, there were rows and rows of pews, not unlike what one sees in a church. People filled the rows. Wait — was that my sophomore math professor there in the first row? And there, in the third, could it be my favorite journalism professor? A pulpit stood at the front, and a man stood behind it speaking to the congregation, all dressed in garnet and black robes and multi colored beanies. The speaker, too, wore robes, but, instead of a beanie, he wore Cocky’s mask to hide his identity. “The Secret Society of USC Professors will come to order,” Cockyman said. (Was that a Dutch accent I detected?) “Tonight’s business is to ensure that our mischievous plans are still in line. Professors! Are your tests all scheduled for the same week?” The congregation stood and said in unison, “Yes, Stresskeeper,” before sitting down again. The chicken-headed “Stresskeeper” boomed and hemmed and hawed about the importance of overwhelming students with work, as the professors in their beanies yipped with delight. If the light from the burning Gamecocks grew dim, teachers’ assistants would fan the flames and toss more newspapers on the fire. The bizarre ritual ended with the Stresskeeper leading the faculty in the chant I heard earlier; only, this time, I could make out what they were saying; “Weeeeee test toooooo stress! Weeeeee test toooooo stress!” I made my escape before I could be discovered, and now I think it’s important to blow this secret society’s cover. If you don’t hear from me next week, notify the authorities. We now know the answer to the refrain, “Why do professors > always have exams at once?” Demand that your professors forsake the secret society. Demand that the Stresskeeper answer for the mental anguish The Secret Society of USC Professors has caused. Demand that they end their evil ways. The mental well-being of every student might depend on it.