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■e 4 THE GAMECOCK ♦ Monday, November 5, 2001 THE LEADER Destroying USC to save it Of all the famous phrases of the Vietnam War, one sticks out as a sign of callous indifference and circular thinking: “It was necessary to destroy the village in order to save it.” Apparently, USC officials are considering using the same illogical strategy in an effort to make up for a 4 percent cut to this year’s budget. In an interview with The Gamecock, Provost Jerry Odom indicated that the university would likely respond to those cuts by raising tuition, as much as 5.2 percent at the beginning of next semester. To do so would cut at the very heart of the university: the students. This is not the first brush with larger-thamusual tuition increases for USC students this year. The university Increased in state tuition by more than 5 percent this semester. (For out-of-state students, the price went up 8 percent, a difference that was never adequately explained.) And an expected budget cut next year could cause even more tuition increases. But tuition increases that would cause students financial pain and force some to leave campus are not a reasonable solution. Some students can only attend this university only because of their financial aid, which is calculated based on the cost of attending USC at the beginning of the year. Other students decided or were forced to go it on their own financially, and can do so only if tuition levels are held constant. To raise tuition unbalances their checkbook and damages their chances of finishing. Subsequent increases could do even more damage, pricing hundreds or even thousands of potential students out of the market for USC. The university’s drive for the American Association of Universities is driving the need for funds, and while this paper has long supported the push to join the AAU, we cannot back measures that will cause unnecessary pain for USC’s students. We urge the board of trustees to reject any recommendation that includes a tution increase in the middle of year, as well as any suggestion of an unreasonably large increase for the coming year. Otherwise, the university has obviously decided it is necessary to destroy USC in order to save it. Tuition increases that would cause students financial pain and force some to leave campus are not a reasonable solution to the state’s budget cuts. 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 The Mix: gamecockmixeditor@hotmail.com Sports: gamecocksports@hotmail.com Online: www.dailygamecock.com Newsroom: 777-7726 TO PUCE AN AD The Gamecock 1400 Greene Street Columbia, S.C. 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 Affair 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 5 copies may be purchased for one dollar each from the Department of Student Media. six WeeksAfTEH •ItPiRORiS-r5 KlLLfclA -IhoUSa^ps if/WASWiypjtf AWP f/evyofiK, - / iff—1 officials ^ $ PPA^A CoH*l£eTioil S \-ro-rue outbreak L \*Ammr o LATASHA GIBBS/THE GAMECOCK Newsflash to the pacifists DARRYL GREEN DRGREEN22@HOTMAIL.COM Why we can’t negotiate with Osama bin Laden and his terrorist band. Ever see that movie, Independence Day? You know, the one where the aliens were about to attack and exterminate the earthlings. The one in which the earthlings tried feverishly to negotiate with the aliens before they attacked. Ever see that one? Perhaps you should, especially if you’re one of the pacifists who think America should not bomb Afghanistan in retaliation for the Sept. 11 attacks. In the most powerful scene in that film, Will Smith’s plane is about to be shot down by an alien giving chase. At the last minute, Will ejects from his plane, which forces the alien to crash. The alien is then captured alive and brought back to the laboratory. Once inside, the president and his advisers come to interrogate the alien. The alien angrily says to the president, “Release me! Release me now! Now!” The president replies, “I know there is much we cam learn from each other if we can negotiate a truce. We can find a way to coexist. Can there be a peace between us?” The alien responded, “Peace. No peace!” The somewhat stunned president then asks, “What is it you want us to do?” And the alien responded, ‘Die!” One word. One alternative. On Sept. 11, Osama bin Laden decided to send his band of brave cowards to take down some of our most treasured buildings. He sent his band to attack our servicemen and women onboard the USS Cole. He orchestrated bombings of U.S. embassies overseas. He did this with one message in mind, rhat message: Die! One word. Dne alternative. Many pacifists in our country, and increasingly on sampus, have argued that the current conflict can be resolved through diplomacy. They claim that if the U.S. were to withdraw its forces from the Muslim sacred grounds of Saudi Arabia, :errorism would decrease around the world. They claim fiat if the U.S. lifted sanctions igainst Iraq, Osama bin Laden would go away. NEWSFLASH TO THE PACIFISTS: diplomacy will lever work if you don’t have :wo parties willing to practice it. And bin Laden is not a willing party. If he were, he would not have attacked New fork and Washington. He would have called for a world summit to discuss his concerns nstead. Given his reputation, i’m sure he would have found nany eager ears willing to isten. As for the “removal from the sacred grounds” argument, it does not hold up, either. NEWSFLASH TO THE PACIFISTS: Don’t you remember why we went to Saudi Arabia in the first place? We did not crash the party, we had an Arab invitation to it after Saddam Hussein was poised to take over the region in 1991. Furthermore, if Saudi Arabia insisted we exit their land, we would have no choice but to leave. They have yet to do so. The “sanctions against Iraq” argument makes no sense either. NEWSFLASH TO THE PACIFISTS: Perhaps Iraq should blame Iraq for its own problems. After all, it is Saddam who used chemical weapons to repress his own people. It is Saddam who uses Iraqi funds to finance his extravagant palaces instead of feeding Iraqi children. America is to blame only for not ridding the world of this tyrant 10 years ago. There is no argument, no rationale and no logical reasoning that could ever justify the evil that was displayed on Sept. 11. And there is no argument, no rationale and no logical reasoning that could ever justify restrained retaliation, either. Osama bin Laden had one reason for attacking America. It was the same reason the aliens had for attacking the world in “Independence Day.” That reason: Die! One word. One alternative. Now it is time for America to show the same courage, commitment and unity that was displayed in that film. Darryl Green is a fifth-year student in the Moore School of Business. IN YOUR OPINION Green not the brightest crayon If you look at the picture of Darryl Green in the Monday, Oct. 29 edition of The Gamecock and you squint your eyes (or actually you don’t even have to squint), what do see... you see an absolute moron! While Darryl Green has regaled us with such articles as “The USCPD is as Useless as Cancer,” Green once again proves that several years of college doesn’t always make you the brightest crayon in the box. Green is quick to point out the many similarities between Bessinger and bin Laden. I have to admit it is hard to ignore the how close the two are. One is a racist who owns a string of restaurants and the other runs a terrorist organization that is responsible for the deaths of tens of thousands. One is stuck living in a past that will never return and the other lives to make his power from fear and violence. I understand that Green is feebly trying to make a point about how racism is a bigger threat to our society than terrorism, but is now really a time to run so quickly back to all whining of old? Fussing about howjwe shouldn’t be so upset about the violent slaughter of thousands of Americans because there is still racism in America is a sad and extremely limited view of the world. Green may have had some sort of legitimate point to make about racism, but it is lost in his asinine comparison between a fat old BBQ restaurant owner and a tyrant who is willing to harm anyone and everyone in order to achieve his goals. My advice to you, Mr. Green, is to get it together and try to put some sort of sense into your articles, otherwise your points will simply be lost in the clutter. JESSE SIMMONS FOURTH-YEAR STUDENT, COLLECE OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE U.S. foreign policy, terrorism different Nirav Mehta’s statement that “The attacks on America were not attacks against American liberty or freedom, despite what Bush's useful rhetoric maintains. The attacks on America were very likely in response to overt US policy in the region... “ are outrageous and akin to a self serving wife-beater who blames his wife for making him hit her. I assure you, sir, there is a vast difference between a peaceful Middle East policy and the murder of over 5,000 people, doomed because at that moment in history they were in airplanes and buildings which symbolize the greatness and power of the United States. I find your tone and content offensive, especially your reference to “Bush's useful rhetoric.” President Bush’s address to the nation was not rhetoric—it was, pure and simple, a warning from the most powerful leader on earth. Our president has put the world on notice: we will not tolerate acts of terrorism, nor those who support those acts. To answer your question about why we are bombing Afghanistan instead of addressing these “problems” with diplomacy: We are targeting Afghanistan because that is where the terrorists who attacked our country are. We tried diplomacy and the response was more crime. PENRY POPE FORMER GRADUATE STUDENT 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 can be provided by the submitter. Call 777-7726 for more information. Palms and the quest for nothing CHARLES PRASHAW CPRASHAW@YAHOO.COM Wanted: A president who wants to do more than not screw up. USC should run an ad in The Gamecock that says: Wanted: Looking for an on campus job? Like people? Well, we have the job for you! The state's largest university is looking for a new president. Send resume to the Osborne Building at USC. Could turn position into a futurepolitical career. The pay is great! Sorry, position doesn 't open until the summer of2002. Unless you are even more apathetic than me, you have probably heard that John Palms, the man, the myth, the legend, who has run this university for the past 10 years, is leaving next summer. The old boy is quitting, something about retirement or running for political office, something along those lines. Whatever his reasons for leaving are, I don’t even care. I’m actually glad to see him go. I used to like Palms; when I first came to USC, he seemed like the quintessential college president. My mind changed last year when, all of a sudden, he decides to leak to The State (not the campus newspaper, The Gamecock) that he is pondering running for the U.S. Senate. I don’t even care if it were Palms who leaked the news, but it shouldn’t have come out the way it did. Then, he leaves the university in suspense for the next couple of months. How dare Palms leave the university in limbo when we were facing ma&aivc uuugcia uuis: i reany think he did it as some lame political stunt to try to get the General Assembly not to cut USC’s state allocations. And about these cuts the university will be getting in its next fiscal budget: Doesn’t Palms’ retirement announcement seem like it came right around when things were starting to get hard? That’s funny. I don’t know; we might be better off without Palms. Really, I’m serious here: What has Palms done for us? Not screwed up? Where is the big list of accomplishments for John Palms? So we’re getting a new Arena and a new Fitness and Wellness Center; big deal. Where is the new law school I have heard so much about? When are they ever going to move the journalism school? Has anyone noticed that, over the past years, several programs and majors have been cut out of the university’s curriculum? And what about the school’s latest trip that they are going to make USC great, raise millions of dollars, join the AAU, and be the best damn school in the south? Just where were these lofty goals 10 years ago? Why couldn’t they raise $500 million in 1995? And why does this school’s endowment fund still look like my roommate’s IRA account? The bicentennial comes and USC just realizes, “Oh, yeah, we kind of suck.” So, goodbye, Palms. Crap, hold on; I see a big problem here. With Palms leaving, this means USC has exactly eight months to find a replacement for the top position at USC. And these are the same people who have been looking for a journalism dean for the past two years. My God, we are screwed. Charles Prashaw is a third-year student in the College of Journalism and Mass Communications.