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A Somalia U.S. troops attempt to provide political stability, feed millions Operation Restore Hope in Somalia is unprecedented in the history of the U.S. military and the history of human civilization. Usine machines of war to eo into a country to nrovide political c ? ? J r ? r stability and feed its people offers a new role for the world's armies. It has been commonly viewed by several world hunger organizations that there is enough food on the planet to feed everyone and have food producers make a profit as well. The problem of feeding the world and the human race as a whole has always been a question of distribution. Inadequate roads, infrastructure and remote locations have caused the main barriers to this goal. The number of countries with dissimilar modes of transportation and differing politics has also contributed greatly to the world hunger problem. More than 30 countries inhabit the continent of Africa, each spending *a considerable percentage of their Gross National Products on defense rather than the internal security of their people. The so-called "developed" countries have done nothing to assuage their fears of external conflict so they can in turn focus on their people's needs. The monies handed to "developing" countries Q C frirpinn oirt ore* er*e*nt an ii7e?ar*r*r*o ta anonra the* nm/arnmantV uo IVIVI^U U1U tuv opvill VII v vupviio IV VIIOUIV UIV WilililVlU d control of political groups and does not reach the people. Whether we can feed people in countries with similar problems will be determined by Operation Restore Hope's success. If we are able to stabilize the political situation and get the food to the people in an organized manner, it wiii pave the way for future operations and a newly expanded role for the military. With a formidable force now entering Somalia, it seems our short-term goals will be secured. The boys at the Pentagon, usually apprehensive at such undertakings, have given an optimistic prognosis to the outcome, and U.N. Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali has guaranteed the involvement of other member countries within the coming weeks. The Question remains of how we mieht leave with our nsnira tions of good will intact. More than one million Somalis have been chased into neighboring countries and refugee camps. Should we stop at the Somalian border or should we go into Kenya, Ethiopia and Djibouti to repatriate refugees and alleviate problems in these other countries? It's not a bad idea, but it was obviously not considered if U.S. troops are supposed to vacate Somalia by Jan. 20. "SOWN TO BE A LITTLE LATF WITH THE CHAWS ?HOWPlPTHESfWCHOO?" i Asst. Sports Editor Rob Rodusky Asst. Photo Editor Lea Clayton Asst. Graphics Editors Gregory Perez Chris Muldrow Asst. Copy Desk Editor Brian Garland Student Media Coordinator Jim McKellar Production Manager Laura Day Asst. Production Manager Jim Green Cn/M il4n A <-4% ZIOAM' ^ J? ? i ciuuiiy nuvioui df IK V^UIIIflS Advertising Manager Renee Gibson Graduate Asst Brian McGuire Darkroom Technicians Erin Galloway Rika Hashimoto The Gamecock will try to print all letters received. Letters should be no more than 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. The Gamecock is the student newspaper of the University of South Carolina and is published three times a week on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays during the fall and spring semesters and weekly during both summer sessions, with the exception of university holidays and examination 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 Student Media Department is the parent organization of The Gamecock. Change of address forms, subscriptions, requests and other correspondence should be sent to The Gamecock, P.O. Box 85131, The University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208.. Subscription rates are S46 a year. First class postage paid at Columbia, SC. The Gamecock is a registered student organization of the University of South Carolina and is partially funded by student activity fees. " ?5*2 "(Rnrifrrnrfo Editor in Chief Greg Rickabaugh Managing Editor Patrick Villeqas Copy Desk Chief Jay King News Editors Chad Bray J.T. Wagenheim Viewpoints Editor Jack Dunn Features Editor Lee Ciontz Sports Editors Nancy Salomonsky ' Tim Thorsen Photo Editor Stephanie Newlin Graphics Editor Kristin Buehlman Cartoonist Paul Jon Asst. News Editor Melissa Tennen Asst. Viewpoints Editor C.E. Holman Asst. Features Editor Jennifer Fuller /iewpc Homecoming bill Last February. 79.9 nercent of students . who voted in the student government elections voted in favor of having a Homecoming queen. The senate will vote on whether student's request for a Homecoming queen will be fulfilled. The Homecoming queen was taken away because many believed the voting process for the queen was unfair because students were voting for candidates because of their race or club affiliations rather than the candidates' qualifications. It was also believed the Homecoming queen did not serve a purpose. Our legislation going through the senate this week solves these problems. We propose having a panel of judges to select the queen, just like in any other contest. The judges will solve the problem of the large voting costs and the controversy over the queen being the winner of just a popularity contest. The panel of judges will consist of two faculty members, a representative from the Alumni Association and six delegates Flaws in legisla As the senators who broke the quorum of the Dec. 2, 1992 senate meeting, we like to give our version of the proceedings of the meeting and secondly clarify the Homecoming bill and what it actually entails. In regard to walking out of the senate, we make no apologies and furthermore don't feel apologies are necessary. Sen. Elam, intent on passing the bill, politically should thank his lucky stars that those of us who walked out did so. At the time of the reading, his presentation was at most premature and would not have held up to question-andanswer or debate. Secondly, Sen. Elam wanted to read the bill and table it. Had we wished to do so, we could have moved in the reading to previous questions and gone directly in a vote. Considering Sen. Elam did not have anv one from thp cnnnoseri mandated members of support to represent the Homecoming Queen Selection Committee, we predict that the bill had a strong chance of being voted straight out of the senate. Due to the fact only 8 percent of the student body actually voted for the reinstatement of the Homecoming Queen, it would not be uncalled for to withhold support from this particular bill. The argument that this poll actually represents more students is hog wash. As far as the senate walkout, the reading was pointless, and the senate was on its second hour of debate concerning more important issues. For Gays deserve e< With all the talk about people trying to keep homosexuals out of the military, I don't believe our "lame ducks," President George Bush and Vice-President Dan Quayle, can say equality (of course, Mr. Quayle can't even spell potato). I don't believe General Colin Prm/f?ll Qpfrptorv rvf Hpfpncp Hipt C*honor r\r * unvti) uvvivuu J v/l 1/VlVllOV V^UVJIVJ V/i the other members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff ' can either, along with the Christian fundamentalists (who are probably already whipping their pens and paper out to write and tell me how I don't know Christ and how all gays will bum in hell). As you have probably already figured out, I support the recent reinstatement of a gay officer and I whole-heartedly believe homosexuals should have the same rights as everyone else. This includes being allowed to serve their coun try. My argument for this is the fact that the Constitution stresses equality and that Jesus Christ stressed equality in God's eyes when he walked this earth. Plus, I believe it is the only moral and ethical thing to do. I mean, come on people! Just think of how you would feel if you were on the other end of the stick? It is always easier to be the top dog, and I've always rooted for the underdog. In addition, I have the utmost respect for men like President-elect Bill Clinton and VicePresident-elect A1 Gore who have the guts to stand up for minorities like homosexuals. I chasHi - HHi - JHHIH Editorial r ? n tors, "we si misintorms stents W? want to se< students defe ied 01 quorum at t! The Gan To the editor: diligent in I As a student senator, I would ^ VY WllVlll^O \J like to respond to the editorial y^y may . regarding the walkout on the home- piaC( coming bill. It is unfortunate that Wednesday your op-ed portrayed the senate ^ ^ sen walkout as childish. Quite the con- t0oether." trary, walking out on a piece of Gamecock unfavorable legislation is an old stan(j p^^ and accepted technique of parlia- niques des mentary procedure. introduction There is a great opposition inside ^ill the senate to Mr. Elam's homecoming bill. There are flaws that were even obvious to Dr. Palms. More importantly, there is great opposi >ints I picks Queen with( GUEST COLUMNIST from different campus organizations. The judges ^ will represent the different groups throughout the student body. Qualifications such as commm nity service, campus involvement and leadership skills will be looked at by the judges. The Homecoming queen will also serve a ^ purpose. The queen will be available to make a ^ minimum number of appearances for charitable causes and campus organizations throughout the year. H Our legislation will also create revenues from ^ application fees and tickets from Homecoming ^ queen events to fund future Homecoming queen w ition oromot sena 1 1 GUEST COLUMNISTS us to sit around to hear a bill that is to be imme diately tabled is a waste of our time. Now in regard to the bill itself. Technically, pi Senator Elam's bill is unsound in the following respects: The bill mandates that the president's a( office of USC is to select one representative al from the faculty to be on the Homecoming Queen Selection Committee. This is, according c11 to the Attorney General, out of the senate's ll< jurisdiction and power. In other words, we can't do it. 01 The Association of African-American st Students has indicated they do not support rein- H stating the Homecoming Queen, and they are ta also one of those that are mandated to select one q representative for the Homecoming Queen Selection Committee. ( The bill requires there be 20 candidates to jQ appear in the Homecoming Queen extravaganza. What will be done if the minimum 20 candi- a dates don't run? Will female senators have to P( run in order to meet the quota or will the clerk ac of the senate, if female, to expand her job dt jual chance to sei fCSh columnisti \ v^jr i tise all those military leaders who are threaten- w; ing to quit if gays and lesbians are allowed to ^ stay in the military. I say go right ahead and jlc quit you bunch of discriminating, hypocritical, W( Marge Schott wannabes. Go ahead and do your country the greatest dishonor you can by turning your prejudiced back on the people who over the years have brought you freedom and the al very institution that, if anything, has given you the means to feed your families! If you guys do quit, I won't miss you and I don't believe that m any decent American citizen will either, because pe basically I hate what you stand for. di And since I am now the man the military leaders and the good "Christian" people on this tie campus love to hate, I'm going to go ahead and cay this. I think that the military's argument of Qv whv homosexuals should he kent nut of the mil itary is as lame as the fundamentalists' argu- . ments toward my previous columns. They L claim if homosexuals are granted the right to ^ freely express their lifestyles, corruption will follow and discipline will be destroyed. They're ; the students at large. n ' n [y pointed out, as sena- 1111 J? U tniilii f\r\ \i/haf Anr r*r\r\ "1 mt." If our constituents disgraces 5 che homecoming bill ;ni|rnQi:cm ie means is to dissolve a JUltl lldlldlll he appropriate time. lecock should be more To the editor: xying to understand the jajj j have anxiously t the student senate so e(j each edition of The Ga iccurately report what s0 t^at j may rea(j 0f ^ 2 in the senate last Thorsen's (a.k.a. The Sj I he problem is not pool) latest opinions of mys ate needs to get its act various other individuals Ihe problem is the sports world, editors did not under- Thorsen js very m mentary procedure tech- yOU tQ s^t a COmpute igned to prevent the air-conditioned office an of an obviously flawed judgment upon people and i stances you know absolutel % ing about. You are a disg Christian Adams journalism, Mr. Thorsen. Student senator jt ^jy sa(j ^at a out controversy %/ events. In putting our program together, we looked at the selection processes of other schools in the SEC and modified their ideas to meet our needs. Currently, USC and Tennessee are the only schools in the SEC that does not have h queen. An overwhelming number of students and campus organizations have shown support for le Homecoming queen. When students make a :asonable request, it is our duty as student seniors to try to fulfill their request. We have the leans in student government to provide USC ith a Homecoming queen, and we should use 10m Wo tKo cnnotArc nooH t/-\ boor* in m inrl IWU. Tf V, U1U Otliaiuid, 11V.LU IU ill 1111IIVJ iat those who placed us in office voted for the istoration of the queen as well. The alumni who come back to OSC for homecoming were unified enough to select a homecoming .queen without controversy. I slieve with this plan we can also select a queen ithout controversy. torial walkout description? There are major conflicts within the support of the bill concerning the eligibility of the candidate like the minimum GPA requirements. Dr. Palms doesn't think that a 2.5 GPA is fair, so in that respect the ?: i . nuiitcLuiiiing v^uccii uccumes an oui-an-oui beauty contest. This of course is not the purpose of Senator Elam's bill, we're sure. If a bill is technically unsound and lacks sup3rt from either those mentioned in the bill self or student body support, then why should ie senate vote to take $1,500 out of the student Uivities fees to fund something that nobody is >solutely in support of, whose responsibilitieis e already covered by other student organiza3ns? Finally, may we remind the student body that jr university was disgraced by members of the udent body and the community at the omecoming Game in the past because of blant racist reactions to a black Homecoming ueen and, furthermore, that other than a queen )ing a few nice PR services for USC, the botm line is that the queen is based on what you ok like and not based on how accomplished as female student of USC. Just like not funding 3litical organizations, why shou}d studept rtivities fees go to something many stuj.r i ;ins icei is sexisi: rve in military acting like the homosexuals are the ones that are not disciplined, but, in actuality, it's the men who would beat gays in their sleep and do other horrible things who need discipline. I believe a homosexual in the military would already know the word discipline from his or her training. It's not like these people to go sneaking around the bunks trying to sleep with everybody. They're not animals ith uncontrollable urges, they're people with e self-control that God gave them. Even if >mosexual acts do occur, it's no worse than a oman officer sneaking around v/ith a male ficer against their orders. I have the utmost respect for the military, but the same time I have to say homosexuals ive my full support, and I admire them for tnding up for who they are. They and other inorities who stand up for what's right in a :aceful manner are who I think make this verse society in our country great. In closing, I'd like to say to the other minori:s that you may think this is not your problem, it it really is. Once homosexuals are kicked it of the military that leaves the door open for her minorities, such as blacks, women, and ws, to be ousted from the military as well. If is happens, this country will be taking a giant ip backward and we all know that can only id to trouble. inl 351 ^tl'e c*ass as y?urself *s given '"1 access to print so that he may voice his inane comments to the public. Until you play athletics, and judging from your picture I doubt you have, don't you dare criticize the talents of others. , Wrieht Mitchell ciwanmecock Business senior r Tim Former USC Quarterback portin' ;elf and in the The Gamecock will be printing its final issue of anly of the semester on :r in an Wednesday. All letters d pass must be submitted by :ircum- noon Tuesday if thex are y noth- to be considered for race to Wednesday's publication. 3n with