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tSaffoock Serving USC Since 1908 Lee Gontz, Editor in Chief Susan Goodwin, Viewpoints Editor Editorial Board Keith Boudreaux, Lupe Eyde, Steven C. Burritt, Jimmy DeButts, Kim Truett Come out and play Nature vs. Nurture: Violence sole reason for children's violent acts f | ^he recent death of five-year-old Silje Marie Redergard of no o roonlt r\f 4-V*/-* r? ofi An a rtf rtlotrm olao Vina 1 nfV nn ?ao a icouib wi uic avuv/iio ui iici piajmai^o iiao icit ail niuci disturbing mark on those who have heard the sad story. 1 six-year-old boys and one five-year-old boy could beat and sto friend and leave her outside to freeze to death is certainly an fortable thought and one that raises many questions about oui society. ? However, the response the Scandinavian network TV-3 had t< uation has been puzzling as well. When word of the girl's death pals involvement reached the network, they immediately canci popular children's TV shows: "Mighty Morphin Power Rangers" animated "Transformers," both U.S. imports. While all four child] said to be fans of "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles," their conn< the other shows was unknown. Since then a dialogue has ensued over the effect violence in cl TV shows has on their young audience. Throughout this discussi ergard's name has popped up, the assumption being the boys' ac suited from their exposure to shows like the ones TV-3 felt nece cancel. Peppered around this subject is a child's difficulty in di ating between fantasy and reality and whether or not the child] ly knew what they were doing. While Redergard's death is a sad and pointless one, the imp] TV-3 has made are rather extreme. Though studies have been d mating that children who watch violent television are more like gage in violent behavior, the'direct connection between Nirga Tui murder remains to be seen. The Power Rangers' fanciful advent shown in over 80 countries. If such shows truly had the power their viewers into killers, then stories like Redergard's would be e: prolific. That the wqrld has taken such an interest in this unfc event is testimony to the contrary. All this is not saying that the concern over children's progr; is without just cause. It seems entirely plausible that children constantly exposed to violence on TV will see and use it as a way their problems. However, yanking shows with a shred of action off the networks is not the answer. They will only be replaced bj If those who object to the content of children's shows are truly with their allegations, they should work from within, pushing form of content. In getting upset about the state of television today, everyoi consider the fact that violence in children's television shows is new. Wil E.Coyote and the Road Runner have been dropping e er off cliffs for 50 years now. That citizens aren't barraged by A namite sticks at every turn leads to the conclusion that TV al( the culprit In pointing fingers of blame, society should also take a good, 1 in the mirror. Though many children watch an exorbitant amour fV?ov oro nvrv\oo^ fn r\fVior fa^nfa nf 1-ifo qq u/nll Pnmmnnifiaa n Itll&J U1 V V-A^A/IJVU W VUXvi 1UWW VI U1V fcUJ T?VU. VA/HHIIUIlliaVIJ VXAJ1 XI by appalled without considering the role the environment plaj lives of their youngest members. Since TV-3's ban on the two shows, the possibility of cultun ences has been raised as an explanation. Because Scandinavij much less violent than its American counterpart, some have p that the network, already weary of the two shows, was leaning canceling them anyway, and any possible link between the Power and Redergard's death was enough to push them in that directi Whatever the reasons behind Redergard's death, it cannot sidered as anything but a horrible tragedy?one that has left mar swered questions. But in attempting to answer these perplexiti ety cannot simply offer a TV scapegoat. As convenient an excuse as it might be, society will have to < tie deeper than animated characters to explain away its atrocit Powell better soldier th presidential candidate 1 Al education), and support for I ^ | rvdon wane once he states his pos I JAMES ofthese issues. Powell I Columnist er written a budget or even L volved in the budgetary pro L?ft J can't expect Powell to fairl "President Powell, Vice-Presi- the budget pie as it pertair dent Campbell is on line two." fense spending. If you really think that will ever The point I think is n be said, you need to be working on portant is race. Even thougi the Joe-Pinner-for-Governor cam- in 1994, racism is alive am paign. the United States. More imp Some political pollsters and pun- it survives in the South, wl dits say if Gen. Colin Powell ever balance of presidential poli ran for president, he would be a Re- swayed. There is no way Po publican, and he would win. I beg win Republican support or c to differ with the Republicans on in the South or even the | several fronts. conservative West. Gen. Powell is a military man Even though General F with no nnlitiral pvnpripnnp and is a Well-SDoken and dutiful used to things being done at his com- some pundits say he is more mand. That is not so in Washing- to receive a vice-president ton, where the president is behold- tation to join the Republic; en to Congress and Federal Reserve idential nominee. Board. Things will not move as he . t s.ee as ^ wants them, and this will irritate ' 8 or P' and confuse Powell. The former head of the Joint Chiefs of Staff has never articulat- Byron James is a political ed his views on issues of the day (i.e. senior. His column appea abortion, taxes, the economy and ^ tSnffood; W-S- % Student Media Russell House-USC* Columbia, SC 29208 J"" Lee Clontz Allison Williams Robert Wertz ? ^ Editor in Chief Features Editor Asst. News Grego Susan Goodwin Jimmy DeButts Wendy Hudson Viewpoints Editor Sports Editor aT^ ? ? . r. T M lanjaKropf Adv. On Steven C. Burntt Kim Truett Asst. Coot Desk Renee Copy Desk Chief Photo Editor Ryan Wilson Marketii Keith Boudreaux Ethan Myers on Asst. Sdotu Chris News Editor Graphics Editor 8,1 Hope Asst. Advet _ Asst. Photo _ . Lupe Eyde Enn Galloway Jason Jeffers Enk Features Editor Asst. News Cartoonist Facukj The Gamecock is the student newspaper of the LottSIt PollCV University of South Carolina and is published Monday, Wednesday and Friday during the fall and spring semes- The Gamecock will try to print all leu lets, with the exception of university holidays and exam Letters should be 200-250 words and mui periods. name, professional title or year and major Opinions expressed in The Gamecock are those of the Utters must be personally deBwred by &uKobam DOt ^ ?f UDiVCrSity ?f Gamecock newsroom in Russell Hou* The Board of Student Publications and Communications The Gamecock reserves the right to edit is the publisher of The Gamecock. The Department of style, possible libel or space limitations. N Ct'irVnt Media is its narent nrnniv The Gamecock If I P" Ifflf P ^ ^\aJhe? Ijli buRVl tUg 04. t>*i -weau , 1 JUSTICI m j K& FR XT in or way lible and rhat two uncom- -VjMM S r violent w S86 PI d the sitand her eled two and the ren were jl iction to r\ tiildren's ?,Bed" tions relications * one stip- Al lATCf liJflf IfliTr Jy to en- xwvi*iV^MW??? -ties and "You can't expect to change sc ures are ? ?. . . to turn think about tl (tremely >rtunate r: Politically to solve in them One of the highlights of the USC / others. ule has always been the annual Law serious ical School Halloween Party. Last yet for a re- inspired costumes ranging from Moni< plete with a knife in her back) to a 1 ne must David Koresh impersonator, nothing However, this innocuous Hallowee ach oth- dangered, as is the entire Halloween 1 cme dy- problem? Halloween is not a political! >ne isn't iday. Halloween was originally a contr ong look Hallows Eve," which is the day befor it of TV, (All Saints) Day, a traditional Roman ot stand day which takes place on Nov. 1. Sir ra in the pie believe that religion has no place i many schools have changed the nan il differ- bration from Halloween to Harvest ] m TV is not to offend, iroposed And then there are the costumes. ; toward kids' costumes began last year after Rangers publicized declaration from Iowa Ci on. ministrator Marian Coleman. Ms. C( ; be con- note home to the elementary school p ly unan- ing them to make sure their children les, soci- any "offensive" costumes to school. I'm sure you're asking, "Pat, just dig a lit- fensive Halloween costume?" Appa ies. fensive costume is any costume that as making fun of a minority. Indians ar QH and hoboes are out, since they poke fur LETTERS liberals jusi him will rition on First, let me make it clear that my has nev- beliefs are not like those expressed in been in- Jeffrey Turbitt's letter to the editor. I cess. We was amazed, however, by the letters y divide written by Tige Watts and April Bolinis to de- Chan in response. Considering the diversity of relilost im- gi?n and how diverse those who do not h we are profess any religion are, anyone's coni well in victions will find opposition from mulortantlv titudes of others. Both Watts and Bolinhere the Chan repeatedly condemn Turbitt for ... , his views and lack of concern for oth1Cfj ^ ers* opinions, but they show no diverwell will sity, open mindedness or respect for ega his beliefs. They are the epitome oi growing what they preach against! The actions of liberals, "diverse" gay rights, free'owell is dom of speech, "free you mind," "I'msoldier, offended-by-everything" groups prove inclined that they are more intolerant, insenlal invi- sitive and offensive than those whom an pres- they adamantly condemn. Bolin-Chan arrogantly informs us that most of us le VP to are "a slight better than what Mr. Turbitt is." Maybe Bolin-Chan and Watts should realize that persuasion is much more effective than hypocrisy, arrol science gance and persecution in winning conrs every verts for their own beliefs, whatever Monday. they may be. Further, Bolin-Chan alludes to our Sr Do action-oriei e Director Green :uon Asst. on they iduate Asst. gap ^ % ag Director Collins 'Advisor "A little bit. The: p mm Then they think ers received. PnPW it include full if a student. the author to ^ c room 321. all letters for ames will not . . >s 'PINTS Monday, Oc * A$KgP IN A H6CENT sy IF THEY THOUGHT THE ?11^ tflc.rkk.1 r aCC Lixn Lii IDT KOUfl nvm i :0\6vurt\ OP "WE U b. & SYSTEM because OP R IVOCOOSKItbi... L PERCENT swo THEY 'D LIKE k I S06KUTW6 ATTORNEY LARK. QMUCE THE vlA?A&Atfr.'| >mebody's opinions or ideas that they I lie gay and lesbian community. If they i BGLA President correct Hall social sched- I jOsHST" r School/Med- P ir, there were f ^ PA za Seles (comDullet-ridden _ '* in party is en- jeg8 Ninjas are out, since tradition. The which denigrates Japanes ly-correct hoi- gypsies and absolutely nothi be permitted. action of All Dressing up as an old pei e All Hallows we must show respect for o Catholic holy dress up as Captain Hook c ice some peo- a wooden leg. (It pokes fun in our society, differently abled among us. le of the cele- forbidden because there an Festival so as pers who have their own ho If von ara a hnv von mav The fuss over cause you may offend a tr a nationally skinny you may not dress t ity school ad- youll offend the Weight W )leman sent a right. Throw away those Bill >arents advis- baugh masks. Shame on yoi did not wear ja Turtles, X-Men and mon lent or too scary for the PC what is an of- think about sending your k rently, an of- son, O.J. or Nicole Brown S could be seen Now, there are some uni ? out Tramps threw up their hands andi i at the home- suggestion on appropriate t as intolerant government, which was instituted to i reflect the will of the majority. The re- < ality is that the majority of the popu- < lation is offended by many alternative < lifestyles and behavior. Also, 62% of ] South Carolinians are Christian ad- 1 herents, which does not include those ] who consider themselves Christian < but are not on the rolls of a church, according to a Glenmary Research Cen- < ter study. That, for the mathemati- < cally challenged, is a considerable ma- i jority. 1 Dean Branham ] Engineering senior 1 i i Military inexperience ] weakens candidate i . .. i After leaving school for ten years ] and then returning to USC, IVe seen 1 an interesting change in politics on i campus. As an undergraduate, I saw 1 students backing individuals or issues 1 in politics. Today I see students, in- 1 eluding your columnists, backing par- 1 ties and labeling all candidates. < Until the close of the two primary ] ited TV shows encc ive an influence. Kids see something to do it." Peter Gibbons Journalism freshman hero fights 10 guys and gets out of it. they can do it on the street." Sudip Mukhopadhyay First-year MIBS student I k tober 24, 1994 ...<o PERCENT OF AMERICANS VfcKEN'T SURE... /qj^ -aw "wewEMMmHfe HZ THOUGHT PBFWbe LAWtt bVWRD W\P vW0RP F< lave (but you can try to) open peop see them, talk to them, it will (help J.C. Moblay loween sea came up with 1) Dress y J MCNEILL Abe Lincoln! I Columnist Marquis de S J 2) Dress y vegetable! they are a stereotype Before yoi e people. No Arabs, no sew that "frie ing with a sombrero will a potential d around trick-son is not allowed (since CHILD # ur elders). You may not' Park!" Growl >r any other pirate with CHILD of the disabled..! mean phin Power F ) Devils and witches are CHILD 0 j actual Satan worship- ENTS? I'm i tline to the local ACLU. (The chile not dress as a girl (be- the sidewalk ansvestite). If you are CHILD is a fat person, because CHILD #5 ratchers crowd. (That's CHILD 0 I Clinton and Rush Lim- ENTS? I gol ll) Power Rangers, Nin- So, there; sters are either too vio- Monday. You ! crowd. And don't even funniest or b< id out as Michael Jack- out paying at! Simpson. or you can be maginative parents who asked Ms. Coleman for Pa s Halloween wear. She as groups th< campaigns, it has not bothered me enough to respond. When one candidate emerged, I became deeply concerned. There are many students who have part-time careers in the S.C. National Guard. The election of Major Hendrix would be a disaster to those cf us dependent on this second career. In just the last few years, USC students have left school, called to active Guard duty for Desert Shield/Storm and Hurricane Hugo. As guardsmen, we have done our jobs. We only ask for the quality leadership, support and proper training required to do this duty. We have not deserted you, don't desert us for ignorance, convenience or "party politics." Tom Hendrix was forced to retire from the Guard for failing to meet pro motion requirements. An inactive member of the Ready Reserve, a paper or jjanization, he was given the rank of lieutenant colonel. He often falsely advertises himself as a full colonel. He is the only statewide candidate in South Carolina history to be sanctioned by the State Ethics Commission. In the recent primary, he initiated an extremely negative campaign against Ceneral Tuten, a well-respected guardsman. Ironically, his campaign rhetoric mrage kids to be i HTes, because they act They don't know the c "Yes, because what yoi 3 t V"*4*? ? smdihby | ~ retcEMT sll|\ tie's minds and start to let them them) think." riest of all i two great ideas: our child up as a historical figure, like [Or Hitler. Or Soon-Yi Previn. Or the ade or...) rou child up as your favorite healthy 11 mothers break out the patterns to d okra" costume, I would like to point rawback that could ... ah ... crop up or-treat time: 1? Look I'm a raptor from "Jurassic I I? I'm Kimberly of the Mighty Mortangers! Go, go Power Rangers! >F POLITICALLY CORRECT PARa carrot. Iren hit the first house, then stop on to examine their loot.) L? I got a Snickers bar! I? I got a lollipop! 'F POLITICALLY CORRECT PAR: sprouts. you have it. Your choice is clear next can either come up with the scariest, est looking Halloween costume withtention to the politically correct crowd, ... a vegetable. tMcNeill is a third-year law student His column appear every Monday. ey criticize has been for "ethics in the Guard. General Stan Spears is currently the deputy adjutant general. He is also a USC graduate and former football letterman. He maintains the highest ethical standards, is running a positive campaign and is a leader we can honestly follow. He is already qualified for the job with the civilian anc military education required. He is i Carolina graduate in whom we can al toke extreme pride. Hetore much ot our student bodj goes to the polls for the first time, il is important for each to understanc the magnitude of his/her vote. Knov the individual and issues, not just the party line. If you are unsure, ask one of the hundreds of USC students 01 14,000 South Carolinians in the Guard Please don't wait for the next emergency to recognize the magnitude oj your vote. In the past, South Carolina has relied on the Guard. Those students who depend upon the Guard now rely on you. Barry Bernstein Second-year law studenl more violent? out what they see on television, lifference." Rozena Byrd Electrical engineering freshman 1 fill your mind with is what you Michele Harritt Bwlogy freshman