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Duke Racist 'politician' once again seizes the national spotlight David Duke,former founder and president of the National Association of the Advancement of White People, announced his inten? T.IAO/Inif ?Ua D AMiikllnon DrAoi/larifial n/\minoflAn UU11A 1 UCSUajr lu lull 1U1 U1C I\tpuunvaii x ivaiut-iiliai iiuuiiiiauuii. With his announcement, Duke virtually crippled the reputation of the Republican party, and made the United States the laughing stock of the world. David Duke, in his attempts to gain voters and funds, will have a profound and humiliating effect on President Bush's re-election campaign, and in the process of doing this, will bring the South crumbling to its knees. In the past year, Duke has become the focal point of the American political scene and has proved that any type of prejudice in America will find its way into the public scene. So, the question comes down to this. Who are we to blame for this mess? The voters of Louisiana? The American political system? David Duke? Tige Watts? Nope. None of the above. The only blame for this matter should be directed toward the national media. As print and broadcast publications, the media created a vims that spread so quickly, it became inevitable to stop. Granted, the job of the media is defined as the nation's watchdog. But, in retrospect, it seems too incredible that the media nAAnA nnllnno nf Ami FIllVo'c firo luitVinilt aiton tVli nlri n CT r\ f tVlO auutu gaiiuiis Ul 1UU lU i^uivv o mv, rr luiuui V/fV/U uimnuig v/x uiv consequences it would bring. Yes, the Duke story and others like it should be presented as prominent and recognized issues, mainly so that citizens of this country may be educated and well-informed mammals. But in the future, as the former Ku Klux Klan leader begins his road and campaign to the White House, the nation's media watchdog should be prepared and leary of once again becoming David Duke's personal pet. ( mw m L /WHELP ^ IGAMECOCKl News: 777-7726 Advertising: 777-4249 Chris Silvestri Editor in Chief T\ . n^v?*mn%T Tlrv * urni T /\%T/1 L>AVID DUWLU^m 13 KAN 1 I^UFNU Managing Editor/Viewpoint Editor Copy Desk Chief Tige Watts Tracey Davis News Editor Carolina Life Editor Aaron Sheinin Teddy Lepp Sports Editor Photography Editor Patrick Villegas Gordon Mantler Asst. News Editor Asst. News Editor Amy Barcomb Rich Taylor Asst. Carolina Life Editor Asst. Sports Editor Virginia Marshall Greg Rickabaugh Asst. Copy Desk Chief Asst. Photography Editor Wayne Williams Eric Glenn Comics Editor ^ j g rjtt Darkroom Technician Staff Cartoonist , Renee A. Gibson Laura S. Day Asst. Media Coor.IAdvertising. Manager Production Manager Stacie Lewis . ray Burgos Asst. Advertising Manager Asst. Production Manager Erik Collins Carolyn Griffin Faculty Adviser LARA CHAPMAN Business Manager Asst. Classified Manager Letters Policy: The Gamecock vd.ll try to print all letters reaeiwed. letters should be, at maximum, 250 to 300 words long. The writer must include full name, professional title if a USC employee or South Carolina resident, or year and major if a student. An address , and phone number are required with all letters sent. The Gamecock reserves the right to edit letters for style, possible libel or in case of space limitations. The newspaper will not withhold names under any circumstance. - 1 V^Uilgl J Over the Thanksgiving holiday folks talk about politics and say vs blame for the sad state of the econo tion, AIDS crisis, etc., etc. Now I know this is going to sc strange coming from me, but I don't ident Bush deserves all of the flack 1 for the state of things. A lot of people are saying he proi of things during his campaign thai hasn't done or done the opposite c said he would do. Well, since when tician supposed to tell the truth? I'i t doning it, but they almost always lu ^ ways will. It's our fault if we believ* - voted for him. The point I've been slowly gettin have a Coneress which has the dow and enact laws, but they sure don't i doing anything except bouncing che | themselves pay raises in the mid ^ night, playing politics, and pointing tl at President Bush for not showing th I run the country. And I bet they w Greek column unfair, wrong To the editor: After Wednesday's Viewpoint piece on Sigma Chi's Derby Days, I feel obligated to write in and correct the inaccuracies that were printed. First and foremost, I take offense to the statement that the sororities "spend the week kissing up to Sigma Chi's to earn points toward winning Derby Days." This is simply not true and is an insult to the sororities that work so hard during the week. Points are awarded to the sorority that wins each event during the week, not by kissing up to Sigma Chi's. Sigma Chi has always recognized and appreciated the hard work and effort that the sororities put forth during the week. Thousands of dollars are raised for local and national charities thanks to t leir participation. The writer of Wednesday's niece was comnletelv wrong in saying "The winning sorority gets its name on a check to Sigma Chi's philanthropy." The fact of the matter is that the top three sororities get a check in their name donated to the philanthropy of their choice. Thirty percent of all the money raised goes to charities that the sororities choose. Derby Days would not happen every year without the sororities, but to go so far as to say that "Sigma Chi hardly deserves credit for most of the week" is ridiculous. The brothers spend the entire semester planning, organizing and running the week's events. The writer said "alcohol was easily accessible to those underage." That person was obviously not at the events to see the doormen at Pug's and B.L. Rooster's card people at the door and mpke iCagpMwne. a mM(, i las to shari I listen to ry,Xa? DENNIS >und really ? think Presle's getting . wipe for them, too. raised a lot I would like to see t he either some effort into dome )f what he caught up in foreign pol was a poli- then he is. Regardless < ra not con- doing, Congress has a ji ive and al- the power to do it, so wl "d h*m ^ Mostly, it seems like getting themselves re-e [g to is we politics. But in a fai er to make wouldn't it be nice if th< seem to be (Democrats and Republic cks, giving plans for education, A die of the (like leaving them then heir fingers homeless and the saggi em how to see why they claim they ant him to dent as a leader. If a dc LETTERS TO follow-up checks through the crowds. The comments about the event aorority reua are wen taicen, however, some things need to be cleared up. In the survey that was asked to the sorority members it was made clear that if they deemed any question inappropriate, answer it "offensive." Several of the questions were left out of the event because a few people answered in this way. Finally, it is important to remember that participation during the week is entirely voluntary. Nobody is twisting the sororities' arms to compete. If the week was truely degrading or insulting to women why would they keep competing? I believe that the vast majority of sorority members see the <imni. ?? ? i?> ~r r r..11 ?e w a 1UI UI 1U11, lUil U1 healthy competition and most importantly for a great cause, charity. I hope that in the future the writer will get his/her facts straight before criticizing an event that so many people work so hard to make a success. Brian Williams Derby Days Chairman IT7 ?a writer wrong about shuttle To the editor: I would like to write in response to Greg Rickabaugh's editorial about the Carolina Shuttle. There are many things in Mr. Rickabaugh's article that I strongly disagree with. The first thing I wish to address is his comment on the lack of organization within the system. As a resident of Bates House I use the shuttle all week long. This year the system is much quicker and definitely more reliable. I used to wait ??1 Messages ^ c e blame for ~ dressing, ther what Bush congressman/ HEALY . yhc"lher: it. I realize th of any new p be that hard and get it pa the president really put needs to be 1 stic issues, but if he's issues look ] icy or golf or whatever, take them lor 3f what the president is i certainl) ob to do, and they have congressmen/ iy aren't they? who have the they're concerned with 310 probably lected, but hey, that's cemed about ry tale sort of way, met. Conpes jy actually got together president's j< ;ans) and came up with policy. Even IDS, the environment basically all i 5 wetlands alone), the his job. It see ng economy? I fail to start asking ( need to have the Presi- and remind t imestic issue needs ad- the real work THE EDITOR" 30 minutes for a shuttle. Once they arrived, they were always full because everyone had waited so long. Now I only wait 10 minutes with no problems of overcrowdedness becuase the routes take such a shorter amount of time. Since the reorganization of the routes, the efficiency of the shuttle is great! I'd like to bring to Mr. Rickabaugh's attention that most schools do not even offer such a service. Next I'd like to address the safetv issue he brines un. The inci -j - _ GJ- i dent where a girl's arm was stuck in the door last year was charged to the girl, not the shuttle driver. I do not have any question in the ability or safety of the shuttle drivers. I believe they do a fine job and are always very friendly. Maybe Mr. Rickabaugh forgot how friendly one of the drivers was when he saw him waiting for a bus after operating hours. The driver gave him a ride to his destination in his own vehicle. The last issue I'd like to raise makes me irate. Mr. Rickabaugh should apply for a job with the IN QUlKfcK, I'm sure they'd appreciate his ethics. The things he wrote about certain drivers could easily hurt individuals, not the shuttle system. He personally attacked people by telling bits of other people's conversation. I'm sure he knows that it is a journalist's obligation to let people know what they are saying will be printed. After invading conversations, he chooses to print what will serve his purpose. I'd like to close with a personal message to Mr. Rickabaugh and anyone who agrees with him. If you don't like the Carolina Shuttle, you can walk. It is here to give students a service that is for our benefit, not to be criticized by an unethical journalist Lisa M. Jordan Education senior troubles 1 it needs addressing, regardless of is up to or what party a woman belongs to. e's a job to do, they should get to le need to debate the pros and cons iece of legislation, but it shouldn't to reach a reasonable compromise conH ouAr\;r\nA in ^nnrrrAOC JOVAi. lTiaJ UV V/fVlJVllV 111 WllgIVOO lypnotized so imperative domestic like pay raises. I bet it wouldn't ig to get some things done. ' don't think this applies to all 'women; there are probably a few nation's interest at heart, but there a lot more who are more conmaking sure their own agendas are s' job is to run the country and the 3b is primarily to handle foreign if I don't like George Bush and of his policies, at least he's doing ;ms like more of America needs to Congress what they're waiting for hem of what happens to loafers in 1. Honor society not to blame To the editor: In response to Lori Crowe's letter of Wednesday, Dec. 4, the USC chapter of Gamma Beta Phi is not to blame for not receiving Lori's dues on time. Out of 1,200 USC students who received invitations to our Society, hers was the sole incident of its kind. Prospective members were asked to mail their dues to Gamma Beta Phi's campus post office box. Instead, Lori left her check on the desk of the chapter adviser, Patsy Tanner, who was not out until after the deadline because of a medical emergency. Obviously, this lack of blame on .1 I. _ i. ^4-11.. J ~ ? tne cnapter s pari toiaiiy uiiucimines Lori's assertion that USC Gamma Beta Phi is irresponsible. However, as a representative of the many satisfied Gamma Beta Phi members, I feel an obligation to address her claim. The USC chapter was recently asked to provide the marshals for USC-Columbia Commencement ceremonies. This great honor, and the enormous responsibility it entails, demonstrate the esteem and trust which Gamma Beta Phi commands on the USC campus. In addition, USC Gamma Beta Phi received the Distinguished Chapter Award this year. This recognition of diligence was preu.. fk/t vr~ acaiiou iaj liic ciidpici uy uk national Headquarters of the Gamma Beta Phi Society. Those who are involved in our many service projects and educational activities know that the chapter is worthy of the honors it receives. Summer Smith President, Gamma Beta Phi