University of South Carolina Libraries
Gamecock acts irresponsible DEAR MS. MILLER: The unsigned news or was it feature expose of Mr. X the drug pusher last week in the GAMECOCK is a classic example of irrqsponsible journalism. I seriously question the reasonableness and the motivations of those responsible for the publication of this article. The entire spread, of which the article in question was a part, seems to be directed at revealing the scope of the drug problem on the USC campus, implying that it ought to be cleared up in someway. The spread accomplishes this, I think; however, the Mr. X article has had, it would seem, quite a different affect--one which should have been anticipated by those responsible for its publication. Solicitor Foard has scheduled a Grand Jury meeting on February 14 to look into the USC drug problem--the TV news says prompted by your expose' The Grand Jury could easily call the author(s) of this article to testify as to the identity of Mr. X, and I suspect they will. If Mr. X's identity is not revealed, the wit ness(es) might face contempt charges, and I suspect they will. At any rate, this article has perhaps touched off what it seems is coming to be a routine "purge" of the USC faculty and student body by the Solicitor's office. If indeed a kind of "purge" does occur, I will Go A MWAr-O The GAMECOCK is published tr semesters with the exception of Ur Changes of address forms, subscri should be sent to Drawer A, USC, Ca $3 per semester or $6 for both seine! GAMECOCK this year received $5( entitling full-time students to a sub: GAMECOCK are in Rooms 316 ar University campus. Phones are 77: class postage paid at Columbia, S publication of the students of the Un official publication of the Universit not necessarily represent those of t0 staff members of the GAMECOCK Editor........... .. .. Managing Editor.... .. .. .. Associate Editor.... .. .. .. Assistant Managing Editor.... Business Manager..... .. .. Sports Editor..... .. .. .. Asst. Sports Editor.... .. .. Photo Editor... .. .. .... News Editors.... .. .. .. Feature Editor.... .. .... Circulation... .. ... .. .. Classified Advertising ... .. Staff Writers.... .. .. .. .. . . L Gilbert, Bob Grondahl, Julie Lum Ellen Murray, Kris Schweickert, Va Betty Woodruff and Charlie Feliei Sports Writers. .. .. .. .. ..Bill Photographers..........Courti Sti Advertising Manager . . .. quesuon wnetner or not members of the GAMECOCK staff have acted in a responsible fashion to the faculty and students whom they serve. As I write this letter, fresh in my mind is the late news report on WOLO-TV (February 8) that reported the following (I can only paraphrase here): Solicitor Foard's actions follow an article in the USC GAMECOCK that quoted a USC instructor as saying that he and perhaps several others have been selling drugs to USC students. (Here the announcer added, ap parently on his own) most USC instructors are graduate assistants. This nonsense on the newscast can be traced, I think, to the vagueness and to some, the marvelously suggestive quality of the article. I know of no graddate assistant at USC with the rank of instructor nor any g.a. who is even considered "faculty." This is just one example of the effect of such an irresponsible article--rampant rumor and no verifiable facts. Why didn't the author(s) just turn in Mr. X and his friends to the proper authorities last week and then write an article that would really get to the center of the drug problem on campus? I don't know wherE that center might be, but I suspect that it is not among our faculty. Yet this is where that solicitor's office will probably head. They might even hassle a g.a. or two on their way--or the GAMECOCK staff. The possibilities are marvelous to behold!! Finally, I find that this article has caused me to squander my Just because we're taking on the look of Mardi Gras, you don't have to. Come as you are Tuesday night to Russell House Cafeteria and bayou some good food. COCK 'i-weekly during the fall and spring' iversity holidays and exam periods. ption requests and other mail items )lumbia, S. C. Subscription rates are ters. Bulk copies are $6 per 100. The 1,000 from the student activity fund, ~cription to the paper. Offices of the id 318 of the Russell House on the ~-8178, 777-4249 and 777-3888. Second C. Although the GAMECOCK is a versity of South Carolina, it is not an y. The opinions expressed herein do e University, the student body, or all . . . . . Gienda Miller -..-.-.. ......Holly Gatling ...... .. .. ..John T. Gash .............Sharon Givens ....... .. ....Ute Huckabee .. .. .. .....Doug Williams . . . . .. . Steve Parker . ........... .. .. Fran Zupan .. .. .. ...Karin Burchstead Vicki Thomas . ........... .. Bob Craft - -- .. .. *Monty Preston -.-.-.-.. .. ..Patty McGuillian rry Evans, K. Wayne Ford, Armida skin, Ruthie Lyon, Hugh McKinight, in Steigliti, Lou Tenant, Ann Winters, ibaum. rant, Jim Hersh, Gary West, Teddy Hefner, Charles Collins tey Dicely, Doug Holladav, Alan Hui, ve Kish, Lewis Phillips, Murry Sill -..-.-.-.-.-.-....Art Franl riding tamf organizationn Letters time writing this letter! Most of you folks at the GAMECOCK of fice, I shouldn't think, need to be told of your responsibilities--alas, of your irresponsibilities. We all know there is a drug problem on campus. What to do about it? Possibly instigate a "purge" of the faculty and students? I think not. Please correct me if I've misjudged someone's intentions or misinterpreted recent events. The results of the Mr. X article on the drug problem at USC will be, I fear, much like those attained by ex-president Johnson when he attacked North Vietnam with the hopes of halting the world-wide spread of communism. Think about it awhile. TIMOTHY CARPENTER GRADUATE ASSISTANT Need simple, honest elections DEAR MS. MILLER: I read your editorial in Monday's issue of the GAMECOCK about the student elections and agree with you. Something must be done about student elections and quickly. The student body deserves a better deal from its elected student government. I have been here for just five short months and am surprised at the way the elections are run. The fact that they are "a little less than honest" is an understatement. I don't see why Harry Walker and friends don't use the same democratic process used in public elections. This method has been the most successful through the years. I feel that student government should set up a registration procedure similar to that carried out in public elections. They should have students sign a registration book and use their ID cards for verification since everybody's signature is on their ID card. At election time the students should be required to sign the registration book again and use their ID card for verification to rule out any possibility of illegal votes. Beer $.25 served with meal All the ballots should be printed the same on special paper to avoid counterfeiting. The ballots themselves should be controlled to avoid "stuffing" the ballot box. This procedure of election has been used for many years in public elections. I can't see why student government doesn't use this process to simplify and keep the elections legal. MAURICE J. WOOLMAN Bob Craft, stifle yourself DEAR MS. MILLER: I would like to offer a suggestion to one of your staff members: Bob Craft, stifle yourself I am, of course, referring specifically to your latest critical endeavor, the review of "Bless the Beasts and Children." When you infrequently manage to give a movie its due, you invariably sully its effect for those who might consider attending, thus reducing it to that state which in any other movie you would deprecate. A large part of the value of the movie lies in the response of the individual viewer. A response that has not been pre-programmed by a syllabus disturbingly remniscent of a fifth grade book report. You are certainly entitled to your opinion regarding the relative merit of any movie. But must you ruin others' enjoyment of those movies you deem meritorious (or for that matter those you don't)? In the future maybe "See it," would be sufficient. LIZ WARREN Beer busts got to go DEAR MS. MILLER: On returning to Capstone dorm one Friday evening last semester my date and I experienced feelings of disgust and revulsion upon entering. These feelings were brought on by the beer bust being held in the cafeteria. I have nothing against drinking, but the results enmasse are nauseating. As we walked in the dorm we were confronted with vile odors, drunk guys, filthy floors and tables, etc., as well as noise pollution. Not only were we con fronted with these things, but open P ALEX H Restaura 988 Km Stude I8Mi For Res 796-517 house was cancelled (without previous notice). This last blow was not appreciated since jay boyfriend had driven 200 miles to visit me that weekend. Is Capstone supposedly representing the capping stone of education, the proper place for a beer bust to be held? I say no. These beer busts should be held in the Russell House, in some other dorm (maybe a men's dorm - since they seemed to be the majority at the bust), or off campus. Today, I find out we are to be submitted to another of these beer busts - and I object! I find it disgusting and infuriating that we are to undergo these insults again. HAVE the beer bust, but NOT in this location. I would like to see something done to stop these beer busts from being held in Capstone in the future. DEBORAH GUSTAFF Term paper ad violates values DEAR MS. MILLER: I am told that certain govern ment agencies open files on citizens who have the interest to write to newspapers. I do not know if this is true - I am concerned enough to take a chance. I will try not to sound like the usual outraged idealist who seems to feel that if he does not cast aspirations on everything he will be accused of impotence. I feel something is wrong when Term Paper Arsenal, Inc. ad vertises in the GAMECOCK. I realize that the bit that each student pays for the newspaper does not defray all costs of its operations. Surely the GAMECOCK should have its ad vertising but somehow the mail order term paper ad violates my value system. Somehow, I feel, this sort of ad does the school as much or more harm than the drug fiasco of last week. I believe that the newspaper could take a different tack. Sure - people have been using drugs and buying term papers ever since Adam and Eve. Possibly I am a bit old-fashioned but I am just proud enough of what goes on here ACADEMICALLY to really hate to see such dirty linen aired. Should the GAMECOCK need filler - why not publish the Dean's list? ROBERT C. LEOPOLD AWKINS nt & Lounge x Abbott Dr. nt Special n- Tues $2.50 z. Sir., Sal, bread choice of pot. -