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Viewpoint m 2 Wednesday, December 3, 1986 gamec0ckmhmimiihi' >*?mm i irhiimmmmmmmmmmammhbsmmmammmmmmsbmbmmwimmim Just reward f* * - ? ? * m m tiapist sentenced to lite in prison, but parole may reduce time served Eighteen-year-old Anthony Leroy Brown was convicted and sentenced to life for kidnapping and 30 years for the rape of a USC student last September. But that doesn't really mean he'll serve all his life plus 30 years. He may not pvpn rpmain imr?ricr?n#?H nil <^f hie lifptimf Xhfrr* ic that potential monster called parole, and, if Brown behaves, he may be out in a matter of a few short years. He is awaiting trial for charges in two other rape cases involving another USC student and a 14-year-old girl at Dreher High School. If Brown is responsible for any rapes, he is a definite threat to society. Such a threat should be kept behind bars, not allowed to walk the streets after a relatively short time. Does anyone change in a few years? There is much debate among those in the criminal justice field as to whether time spent in prison does anything to change the convict's attitude and behavior for the better. Some argue the prison experience only embitters the convict. Others say once convicted and imprisoned, criminals are more likely to repeat the offense. Prison life for repeat offenders can become a way of life: parole, another crime, a new sentence, parole, yet another crime. New victims are constantly added to the cycle of the repeat offender. It is better to ensure that the offender is restrained from being able to attack new victims at all. One way is prohibiting parole for serious crimes such as rape. That's the clincher. Under the present laws, Brown might get parole, and be out in a few years. niai a 11 iguiciiiiig. Guest editorial j3g|?^ By Mirni McDonald jl' -T deieciion process xor queen is fair to all I have been a member of the than "a pretty face" or "a Homecoming Commission for great personality." They felt four years and treasurer of the that title should be awarded to a commission for three of those student who demonstrated ycaiu. i iiuug" 1 was nui a icuuciMiip, cumiuuiuiy invoivemember of the task force that ment, and acadcmic ability, studied the Homecoming Therefore, the current proQueens election process, I sup- cedure was decided upon. port their decision and would This procedure is a good, like to defend the current solid, carefully conceived plan, queens selection process. It gives people from smaller Before 1985, the Homecom- groups a chance to win while ing Queen was chosen by giving people from larger popular vote. The queen was groups the same opportunity, selected from a field of equally The restructuring was meant to qualified attractive women. make the whole procedure more Typically, problems with defac- fair and more sensible. We feel ing of posters, abuse of voting we've done that. Two elections procedures by supporters of the have gone off relatively hasslecandidates, and generally free. The late night sessions disgruntled candidates were with bitter candidates and their common in every election. friends are history. The defacHours were spent trying to ease ing of individuals' publicity ill will and smooth over hurt posters is over. This is a better egos. The entire procedure solution. became more of a problem than the Homecoming Commission This year's Homecoming had ever imagined; therefore, Queen is a real winner. Kim we decided something had to be Mangum was chosen from an done. There were two major initial field of 20 applicants, alternatives: fix the current pro- She won based not only on cedure or do away with the looks, but because of outstanHomecoming Queen election ding academic and leadership altogether. We decided on the performance. The people who f . U? I.,. . U ? ?l lUllIltl . 1 L-1 V.1 lilt: Ul II1C LiteA task force of Homecoming tion have not only disregarded Commission members, student their responsibility as officials, leaders from a cross section of but dimmed the glow of the trustudent groups, and ad- ly worthy person who won the ministrators, was formed to title. look at the problem. Surveys were sent to student leaders to Mi mi McDonald is a finance get feedback. Calls were placed and marketing senior and to major universities across the treasurer of the Homecoming country to explore a wide range Commission from 1984-1986. of possibilities. From this incredible research project, the Editor's note: Results of the task force compiled the best Homecoming Queen elections alternatives. The task force felt are public information accorI the title of "Homecoming ding to the Student GovernQueen" should recognize more merit election codes. \ Write us a letter Tell us what's on your mind. Letters must There is a limit of be typed, double-spaccd and no more than the same writer. 250 words. Include name, address and We reserve the rigl telephone number for verification. Names on outdated topics will nut be withheld. Guest editorials arc topics. limited to 500 words. Indicate whether you Write to: Vic are a student, USC staff member, or com- Gamecock, Drawer , munity member in letters and editorials. Columbia, S.C. 292( Man bites dog There's been a lot of criticism of The Gamecock, and I thought I might rise up to defend the paper. In a letter to the editor, a student called the staff "Yankee-minded" yellow journalists. At a meeting of the now-defunct Student Organization Licensing Commission last year one of the members said "The student licens- < ing commission is not susceptible to the k yellow journalism of The Gamecock." Though 1 am not in any way empowered to speak for other members of the newspaper staff, and am not entitled to express the opinion of this paper, 1 still feel it necessary to respond to both of these accusations, with my own opinions. It's true. I plead guilty, your honor. We have many aspects of the past publica11 Anc f i m r* /\ f r\r tinll/Mtt Im at o 1 I UWII.l IUIIIV.U IUI J? V- 11 w V* JIJU1 liailDlll, UUl Ull those who say yellow journalism was something bad obviously haven't bothered to check their facts, or all the facts. The sensationalism of the yellow journalism period was pretty awful, but yellow journalism was not just sensationalism. It's like that old math axiom: a square is a rectangle, but a rcctanglc is not necessarily a square. What was yellow journalism? The period takes its name from the first successful comic strip, the Yellow Kid. Comics and The Gamecock go hand in hand, and we are always speculating that the comics are more important to most readers than the news. Letters to the A ^ ^ t? 8 irn V onL'o <1 Action wasteful concerned b Furtherr regarding Sadat the south ** u truths abc sincerely b To the editor: responsibly This letter is directed to the Holdermai gentleman who is obviously ig- The Game norant about President Holder- rate job in man's actions in regards to Jehan Jehan Sad Sadat. The nex If it #?virlr?nflu r?l/?ar th'it HapIHoc ?* ?-? V ? IMVIIIIJ VIVMI I IIUl UVVIUVO IVi Holderman was wastcfully ex- Gamecock travagant on spending close to think (if t $350,000 for Sadat. By the way, about wha Sadat is about as qualified in teaching a course on how to spend USC's money wisely. President Holderman's ridiculous notion to bring international acclaim to our school is l admirable, but the fashion in sifto** which he chose to do this was a Q I lUI jo. e. In regards to the accusation of To the edi "Yankee" journalism corrupting We're st Southern attitudes, they are The las statements that were made by a becoming young man with his nose out of was a greai joint. 1 would appreciate it if this election of man practiced his idea of impar- should be tiality before he blatantly accuses contest. T the "Yankee" journalists for sent the mocking Holderman's actions. sonality, I They are questioning Holder- ment, and man's actions not because they If anyone The C hditor in Chief two letters per month by Linda Taylor Managing Kdilor it to stop printing letters John Boyette co make room lor new %^y,e Assistant Copy wpoint Editor, The Desk Chief A, Russell Mouse, USC, Wendy Helen 38. News Kdilor Buddy Moore t NOERGUtSSffl I Tilt K\rU1VADVT?K nuntlN lUiMV l IV ISSMNGOT S YOU!!.. ; ^ 9 * - and other sen K?i Stephen Guilfoyle WW*/'* m n** .* .* * The period was known for crusades on behalf of its readers. While we don't announce that what we are trying to do with an editorial, they are for the students' benefit. We like to think we are doing our small part to make life at USC less of the hell it can be. During the period, artwork in papers became economically feasible, and was widely used. At the paper, artwork is being used on a regular basis now that we have a staff artist. And it was very feasible economically since we didn't start paying him until last week. Shall I go on? I think I shall. The investigative reporting techniques used by The Gamecock and every paper worth its salt in the country were developed during this period. Hearst developed the first electronic flash, at great cost to himself. In 1907, after a flood in Galveston, Texas, Hearst helped the people of New York raise :s, but because they are problem with the metf individuals. queen's election, he sh( nore, 1 do not believe express his opinion p i" is convinced of half- her election or hold his >ut Sadat's salary. I do not believe it is fair c elieve the "South" is make complaints abou / questioning President tion once it has been c i's actions. I, also, feel because that is the tim< cock has done a first- queen should feel mos explaining the issue of and proud. The Game at to it's readers. seriously in printing tli t time this gentleman article by Stephen Guil write a letter to The 12. he should clearly his is at all possible) Katt t he is writing. Freshman, Hone Mich Gcralyn McDonough Freshman, e Freshman, history Si Freshmai complai: the fact Teacher cai tor: r?ime we chccKcd, Spell, 0^11 Homecoming Queen t honor. We believe the To the editor: a Homecoming Queen I am writing in prot more than a popularity ing unqualified gradua his girl should repre- teaching classes. I an students by her per- enrolled in a class in w ler academic achieve- the case. It infuriates n her campus activities. I am paying my ha on this campus has a money for a course in < yamecock Assistant News Kdltors Sports Kdltor Amy DelPo Jeff Shrewsbury Maria h rat us Assistant Sports Kditor Viewpoint Kdltor Wayne Washington Juliet Nader Photography Kditor Money Kditor Jennifer Steib Wendy Lden Assistant Photography Kditor Features Kdltor Thomas Humphrey r' la Wethington Assistant Features Fditor Kathryn Jeffries t sational things * relief money and send it down to Texas. So what if he printed on the relief trains that his paper acted while the other papers slept? It's American to use what you've got. And The Gamecock has urged students to donate blood to help a severe depletion of this vital resource. It has questioned the actions of the administration, the faculty, and even Student Government when it seemed they were doing something the paper felt was not in the best interests of the readership. ^ Joseph Pulitzer admitted he used sensationalism during the yellow journalism period to attract readers, and while he had the readers, he hoped to educate them. Sensationalism was merely a tool of the period. A tool The Gamecock chooses not to use. But I think we are very much a part of the other aspects of yellow journalism. ? We try to protect the students' rights. ? We crusade (in quiet ways) for worthy causes. ? We have comics. ^ ? We have artwork, and gobs of it. ^ ? We are economical with our art, although Robb has to work two other jobs to pay the rent. ? And we, like Pulitzer, hope to educate in some way. So yes, all those who accuse The Gamecock of being a yellow paper, you're right, but not for the reasons you think. Sorry. Stephen Guilfoyle is copy desk chief of The A Gamecock and a regular columnist. lod of the getting nothing out of, except, of )uld either course, the reading I do on my revious to own. I give my money to this peace. We school and expect to get the best >r polite to education I can. But, if this is the t her elec- best the school can do, then my letermined respect for it has definitely been 2 when the lowered. I am not against ^ it honored graduate students teaching, w cock erred however, I do expect them to be le uncouth capable of spelling words and foyle Nov. labeling the axes of a graph correctly. I also expect them to be organized and present ideas in ?y Boackle complete thoughts and sentences. >rs College How can one be expected to ipIIp ^nnrh unHprctnnrl n mnrent ujVipn a ngineering teacher is not clear on how he indi Maize wants to present it, and keeps n, business changing his notes? I find it very ther Koval hard to have respect for a teacher i, business of this kind; and how can anyone ^ learn from someone they do not even respect? I feel I could have nnot saved a lot of time, money and frustration if 1 had just bought II7P the book, read it on my own, and ' not even signed up for the course. Maybe there is a shortage of teachers and this is all the school est of hav- could find at the last minute, te students Well, if this is the case, my advice I \n 11 ly iu lilt .1V.1IUU1 1 r> IU Mclll a IllllC hich this is earlier and try a lot harder. ne to think rd earned Lisa Camp -vhich I am Sophomore, pharmacy A Staff Artist Director of Student Media Robb Lane Hill Clements Dalebook Kdllor Production Bobby Jones Mark Armstrong Kickoff Kdltor Lewis Covington John Boyette Advertising Manager Advisor Margaret Michels Bill Rogers Assistant Advertising Manager Graduate Assistant Jan Hodges Margaret Renkl ^ ft