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Viewpoint Issues n /-?! 1 /) 1/* J/1 /) 1/lf /I/KM 1 /7 /y//> r KJUVKI furuzru uunuiuuLZj ignore constituency Just out of curiosity, who do you plan to vote for in the student government election? Perhaps a more pertinent question is, why do you plan to vote for that person? If you found the second question more difficult than the first, you're not alone. Thus far, it can safely be said that no candidate has gone out of his/her way or out on any particular limb to get students' votes. This year's campaign has been ... well, boring. Rather than a fight for votes, the candidates seem to think that their time is better spent by trying to outdo each other in flier design. Fancy fliers may be nice looking, but we'd probably all be happier with a candidate who'll tell us their ideas, not their past experience. Voters want platforms, not platitudes. Maybe we should bring the mudslinging back; at least the candidates were saying something. Yes, there are debates, and a few candidates have been so bold as to make a speech or two, but why should we have to go to a formal debate or hunt down a candidate for a sneech? If thev want our votes, they should be hunting us down to make us want to vote for them. At least the United States presidential campaign has some issues, some scandal, some fun, for crying out loud. In our Battle of the Blands on campus this year, the candidates seem to think that their most important political leverage is the color of their fliers or catchy last-name puns. These things do not make a campaign. How do the senators expect us to choose? Do they really want their office to begin with? If they did, they'd all be fighting a lot harder to get it. It's awfully noble of them to spend $400-$600 on posters, but they could save themselves a lot of money if they'd simply focus on the issues. Unfortunately, this is typical of the turn Student Government is taking. Senators seem to have no interest in addressing their constituents, and official business takes such forms as political correctness debates, joke bills, and a mass rally to oppose (!) a bill that would help to strengthen drunk driving laws for minors. Student Government is more than that, or at least should be. Hopefully, this year's presidential winner takes more action in office than he/she took to gain it. The USC Student Government needs to come out of it's glass office and involve the students, or it will never be taken seriously. Evidence? In an average year, 10% of the Student body votes in the election. Come to think of it, the homecoming queen used to get a similar turnout, and where is she now? BjWB imi in in MM Mrw twcoutm-? w CJ$LV I'M foo ^ /foo Y WWk/FLLr viy besides, zdvcakdJ) UjSSJS^ A ^ iyi Af^p f"If q n eluded the lollowing: MLK IIIUI C limil Celebration, Recycling, p0jjQ0^9 Homeless, Fire Safety Coo RAs are also respons I o the editor: counseling other students an* We, the RA Training and Advisory emergency situations. RAs Committee members, annreciate the ar- ~ .1? ? * - ? avuuauic tu MUUCllli llldll ticle that appeared in the Feb. 5 issue members of the Carolina c of The Gamecock concerning Resident ? faculty and staff included. Advisors. Because of their many contributions to enhancing the quality of With the increased drinkin life for students living on campus, they more rigid visitation policies are certainly worthy of attention in our are most visible as discip student newspaper. However, we would They arc much more than tha ike to clarify and expand upon the re- RAs because they want to sponsibiiities of RAs. students. Often students do 1 lb addition to enforcing university the positive impact RAs have policies (the "hall police" image) we move out of the residence hal provide a variety of programs and activities that suit residents' needs. Dur- RA Training and Advisory ing the month of January, RAs spon- Resident Student Developm sored 103 progams for USC. Topics in- Campus Studen Question: How do you fe classroom? - * , ' I Amy Harrell Carla D Humanities major Ad/PR i "It's a good idea to have "I thi them there, but I think there's in the c a more effective way to adver- can kr tise the candidates." That w * better vote foi iPErosi Dry Sundays f So you cannot buy alcohol at any store nor can you go to a bar and buy a beer on a Sunday. Welcome to the Bible Belt. That is the only reason why the Blue Laws exist here. We are in a region where alcohol and sin are synonymous, and Sunday is the day to go to church and spend time with family. So why should the Columbia area and the college-age population within obey this law? Once again, it is our culture. Kind of trite, huh? But does anybody know why they close all museums in Paris on Tuesdays? Also, why do students at women's colleges get reallv neeveri when their 0'~ o"- - ?y i ** ,,v"' 1"v" administrations decide to allow males to enroll? And why don't vendors serve hamburgers at baseball and football games instead of hot dogs? It's culture. It may seem strange and even a little absurd. But it's here, and nothing should change that. Let it be. Bars and liquor stores are open the other six days and nights, anyway, though some may close Saturdays at midnight. NonetheBlue Laws viola With passion are those with religious convictions trying to set our country on their perceived path of Tightness. In the spirit of tolerance, there is nothing negative to be said for any particular religion's doctrine. But in the spirit of America, there is much to be criticized in attempts at legislating one. Understand the concept of separation of church and state. It is required by law, by our Constitution, the most powerful governmental document in the history of the world. When one violates the concept, he or she has broken the law. This is black and white. It's simple. There's no arguing. The problem is defining when it hap-, pens. Outlawing the sale of alcohol on Sundays is a quintessential example. The lieutenant governor of South Carxt:ti i _ .11 .1 umid, meouore, once toia nie mis state is proud of its revolutionary heritage, being the first to secede, and continues to perpetuate its historic traditions of morality, e.g. Blue Laws. Well, this is the 20th century, and many of those laws, including dry Sundays, violate the Constitution. Separation of church and state is something we've grappled with since our beginning, and undoubtedly contraditions exist ?our money, our pledge of allegiance etc. But those don't justify blue laws. If you have an Is you would like to see addressed in < drop it in a Suggestion Box or Call The \ Heipte Election fliers kou and safety hazard %/ iible for 1 hanrilinir Eo the c(,ltor: are more Shine Brooks> Andrew Jack anv other Young, Tom Young, Sam Sammai ommunity Eric Del1' Matl Alford> Beth BanSs Lisbeth Bossheart, Ashley Derr Owen Donley, Carl Maas and Eliza g age and Mims. , the RAs As 1 was walking home from dinarians. CPU Candidate Debate on Feb. 1 t. RAs are took a shortcut through the Human help other Classroom Building and was disgu lot realize with what 1 saw: Campaign signs to until they ceiling, all over the walls, floors, eli 1. tors, etc. I also saw three women f the maintenance staff struggling Committe clean up after you. I stopped ent & Off helped them clean the four floors of it Services classroom building. e\ about Student Governr antzler Carter White major Undeclared maj nk they should be put "I don't pay :lassroom so everyone them, so they d tow who's running, when I'm in clas ay, tney can make a decision on who to r." 5 Fire^ )art of culture less, there is plenty of time to buy alcohol and to go to Five Points with friends and have a good time. Also, with-the Blue Laws, there are less opportunities for ignorant people to get behind the wheel while under the influence of alcohol. That happens too many times already, thank you. Finally, any owner or employee of a bar and liquor store appreciates one night off. Sure, they could make more money working seven nights a week, but they need a little rest, too. Dry Sundays should stay a part of our culture. The Blue Laws not only show some respect for the strongholds of church and family in Southern life but also provide some small, unheeded blessings: Less drinking and driving accidents, more quality lime at home and, thank the Lord, no Monday-morning hangovers. ?Brian Garland Brian Garland is Secretary Historian for the Baptist Student Union. tte Constitution The very religious argument behind banning Sunday acohol sales is contradictory. Wine was a staple in biblical times, and not just Monday to Saturday. Furthermore, the Bible advocates obeying the laws of the land, the laws of the Constitution. Legislators in this state have taken it upon themselves to subscribe to a certain religious ideology and institutionalize it through laws. What hypocrits. This violates everything our country stands for. Did you know you can't rent movies from 12 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Sundays in this state? Did you know the government is interfering in the free marketplace by regulating the operating hours of businesses on Sundays? Notice the time of 1:30, which corresponds to the time when people get out of afternoon church service. That's insane, and it's more insane that we tolerate it. Where is the federal government? Why isn't it setting things right, as it forcefully did with integration. They have absolutely no right legislating their morality. How would reciprocation feel? Change it, before we make you. ?Eric Ward Eric Ward is the Editor in Chief of The Gamecock sue or question Cross Fire or USC Voices, Please Gamecock Newsroom at 777-7726. The above mentioned candidates want to be elected so badly that they are willing to risk my safety. Elevator doors were sealed shut by tape and flyers, call buttons and floor indicator lights were also covered by tape and flyers, exit markers and stairways were son covered, creating a hazardous turo environment. ' ck' I am aware that there are regulations , cuiicti mug me pusuiig ui capaign flyers (i.e. no bulletin boards in the hallways, not on the glass or windows ^ or on the outside of the buildings, etc.). . ! 1 am angry that those candidates who ilics wish to represent the student body s ? showed so little concern for those same 'a c students. I also challenge them to fulfill "va their campaign promises of removing rom and recycling their posters. The stuand denls w'" watching, the Laurie Kay Snelson English senior nent campaign posters in the**: Rahshaan Abrams jor Biology major ' attention to "They should not be hung on't bother me up in the classrooms. There 5S." must be some other form, like a forum, for the candidates to express themselves and their platforms." Columnist visits ailing freedom ' ?* * i " * * - Octavia Wright ? ; : v I visited an old acquaintance of mine the other*-' day at the State Hospital. He was wearing a straight-, jacket because he had been caught beating up on himself. He seemed to be in pretty bad shape. Here's a little summary of our conversation: "Well, Freedom, what's up?" Freedom trembled as he sputtered, "W-W-WeH,y-y-ya' see, l need to be redefined." "Oh," 1 said, "But don't you already have a definition? In Webster's dictionary, your definition is, 'being free ? not under the control or power of another, having liberty, independent.'" I watched him as he shook at ? my recitation of Webster's de- . finition. "Y-Yeah. But, I need to be RE-defined. I need a ctmnnrpr HAfinitiAn!" iHiliv juv;nc,vi uviiiiinuii. "What? What do you mean?" mr"1 mean people are abusing. me all the lime! That's why I'm - in this place! You've gotta' help me!" he pleaded. "Me? What can I do? 1 didn't put you here." ; "I know. People are messing up my definition. Oh, how 1 miss those simple days of long ago, when people acted like they had sense! You know, those days when I was a relief to things like racial boEndage and captivity. But these days, my definition's.;being strung out beyond any limitations! I've gotten all the crazier!" "What do you mean?" I asked. "People get me confused a lot. They act as if 1 have NO bounds, which is absolutely ludicrous!. Sure, I'm a Tight.' But, I'm not supposed to be abused. I wish people would see that there IS a difference between pure, sensible freedom and freedom. "The former is the kind that 1 like because it requires law and proper delegation. The latter is more of a fr u-for-all, non-restricted definition. 1 tell you, when people debate my true meaning, things r haywire! People act as if they can use me as an excusefor anything! Well, it's NOT fair, and all of the abuse that's been occurring throughout the ,/enturies has put me in this place!" "Well, what do you want me to do?" "Somehow, the world has got to see that I NEED restriction! 1 can be taken away if not treated properly. With people debating about topics extending from What is :al art?' to 'How far can we com- . pare the nature of animals to man?', I've gotten completely out of control! I want people to see that I'm not something to play with. They should respect me! But no, they drive me crazy right along with themselves!" "Well, what should we do?" "Tell the world that I want to be redefined as being the following: a liberty given to those who don't abuse it; sustained by law and plain common sense ? NOT debate." "Oh, okay," 1 replied, as I headed out the door. "Makes plenty of sense to me. Well, sec ya' later." ' " "PLEASE, be sure to tell the world what 1 said! I m telling ya' this 'cause I'm on a thin line now. If this misuse keeps up, I'm going to crack. Things are getting chaotic, and if they don't change, I'm going to die!" UGamecock Editor in Chief Eric Ward Managing Editor Tige Watts Copy Desk Chief... Kathy Heberger Asst. Copy Desk Chief Jennifer Jablonski. V/io\A/rv-iint Prlitnr Mntfpp News Editors... Patrick Villegas/Gordon Man tier Asst. News Editor Kim Everitt Carolina! Editor Greg Rickabaugh Asst. Carolina! Editor Lee Clontz Graphics Editor Ryan Sims Photography Editor Virginia Marshall Asst. Photography Editor Eric Glenn Sports Editor Chad Bray Asst. Sports Editor Sean Ryan Faculty Adviser Erik Collins Asst. Advertising Manager Melissa Owenby Asst. Classified Manager Amy Taylor The Gamecock will try to print all letters received. Letters should be 200-250 words. Full name and professional title, or year and major if a student, must be included along with address and phone number. The Gamecock reserves the right to edit letters for style, possible libel or space limitations. The Gamecock will not withhold names under any circumstances. *