The gamecock. (Columbia, S.C.) 1908-2006, November 09, 1994, Page 4, Image 4
T
nffcock
use Since 1908
Susan Goodwin, Viewpoints Editor
rial Board
pe Eyde, Steven C. Burritt,
iutts, Kim Truett
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Serving
Lee Gontz, Editor in (Thief
Edtto
Keith Boudreaux, Lu
Jimmy Del
Crowded h
New arena would b
provide more space
The proposal to build a new ai
bia and USC has many heads spir
million price tag is one of the more
er, if such a plan can be instigatec
mics, it certainly would be a boost
USC athletics would certainly
arena. The new cite would be slal
Hopes of holding NCAA regional ba
be within reach, whereas the Coli
seats to hold such games. The plan
olina Coliseum for possible use t
provements in local sports activit
clined member of the Carolina and
have noticed, sports are a money-i
The plan does not focus entire
athletics department would be th<
maiy fund-raisers, city and state coi
as well. Such cooperation in fundin
the plan will encompass all membe
iseum could use its main hall as a i
al role it plays in holding ice shoM
tainment. A new arena seating ab<
on concert life, drawing those musi
for places with larger indoor facilit
In all the bustle of ideas being
school life and community, one grc
soccer team has been ranked natic
tion it deserves. Surely while all of 1
should get its fair share, perhaps i
In considering these plans, if s u
been set in stone, nor will it for aw
ings and renovations are on paper i
thaf s OK In carving out a fiiture 1
have to start, somewhere
Thurmond,
constants o
WILSON
The other day I was wading
through spring's master schedule,
trying to find a suitable set of classoa
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time and also fulfilling my GINT requirements.
(Every GINT major
knows how hard that is.) Well anyway,
my roommate comes in, sees
what I am doing and simply says,
"You know, I am going to graduate
this spring, and the only thing I have
really learned is something that I
knew before I started college: it all
depends on how much money you
have or who you know."
This got me thinking about how
many things are constant in the
world. Some people say the more
things change, the more they stay
the same. Whoever said that must
have had South Carolina in mind
because things here are about as constant
as they come.
My foreign policy professor stated
the other day that voting citizens
have the power to change the way
:l> guvenimeui is uecause me turnover
rate in Congress is high. When discussing
the Senate, South Carolina
is the great bastion of consistency.
Both of South Carolina's senators,
Strom Thurmond (R) and Fritz
Hollings (D), have been in office since
before I was born. This does not represent
the rapid turnover rate in
? Congress by any means.
Sen. Thurmond's recent hospitalization
scared the hell out of the
powers that be in this state. The state
was faced with the fact that Strom
will not be in office forever, and sameone
needs to be ready to replace him.
The only person who probably
wasn t scared was Sen. Hollings who
chafes at the feet he is the junior senator
though he has been in office almost
30 years. I am not one to make
political predictions, but if s a known
fact that Gov. Campbell salivates at
the thought of having Strom's Senate
seat.
Another constant in this state is
that the public education system will
always be near the bottom in the na"IBafffcock
IS
Student Media Russell House-USC* G
Lee Clontz Allison Williams
Editor in Qnef Feature* Editor
Susan Goodwin Jimmy DeButts
Viewpoints Editor Sports Editor
Steven C. Burritt Kim Truett
Copy Desk Chief Photo Editor
Keith Boudreaux Ethan Myerson
News Editor Graphics Editor
Lupe Eyde Erin Galloway
Features Editor Asst. News
The Gamecock i* the student newspaper of the
University of South Carolina and is published Monday,
Wednesday and Priday during the fall and spring semesi
lets, with the exception of university holidays and exam
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 fte publisher of The Gamecock. Tlx Department of
Student Media is its parent organization
ouse
enefit Columbia, USC,
for concerts, games
ena in a joint venture between Columming.
The estimated $35 million to $45
i sobering aspects of the project. Howevl
without siphoning money from acadeto
USC and the local community,
benefit from the construction of a new
ted for men's and women's basketball,
isketball tournament games there would
iseum currently does not have enough
a also calls for a revamping of the Car>y
minor league hockey. All these imies
will affect even the least sports-inColumbia
community. As most schools
aaker, and the more money, the better.
ly on the sports world. While the USC
5 primary beneficiary and also the priltributions
to the project would be made,
g highlights a basic understanding that
rs of the community. A rejuvenated colcivic
center in addition to the traditionvs
and other traveling forms of enter3ut
20,000 would put a whole new spin
cal talents who usually shun Columbia
ies.
thrown around to improve sports life,
tup shouldn't be forgotten. Though our
rnally, it still fails to receive the attenhe
favors are being doled out, this sport
in the form of better practice facilities,
nportant to remember that nothing has
hile. Right now, all the proposed buildEuid
in the minds of their planners. But
for USC and the surrounding area, we
stereotypes
if life in S.C.
tion. I am a product of the state's education
system, but I came from a
district better off than most. There
are many schools in the poorer counties
screaming for aid. Until the government
makes a strong attempt to
allocate large sums of money (from
a lottery perhaps?) to improve the
education system the state will stay
at the bottom.
One of the more noticeable con
stants in this state is the fact that
stereotypes still control the thoughts
of most people, while others will live
up to them. The Gamecock ran a picture
Monday of the flag rally at the
State House. It appeared to me, as
it probably did to most people, that
probably every third person in the
picture was named Bubba, Billy or
Hank. I just proved my own theory.
I was controlled by a stereotype, while
others were living up to it.
On that same note, everyone must
understand that South Carolina has
constantly been one of the most conservative
states in the union. Because
of this, any national news is
going to be skewedln the public opinion
of this state. It seems every time
President Clinton sneezes wrong,
someone in this state is going to complain
about the job he is doing. This
state has the keen ability to make
things out to be worse than they are.
I can only urge everyone to be completely
aware of whaf s going on in
the world before buying into the negativity
in this state
A constant closer to home is the
reality that any person could walk
through campus, pass hundreds of
people and not say a word to anyone
of them for the simple reason that
they didn't see anyone they know.
Is saying "Hello" or "Hi" to someone
you don"t know such a crime? In
Monday's Gamecock, there was a
question of campus unity, and most
people asked said there wasn't a problem
with campus unity. If there is
not a problem with campus unity,
why is acknowledging the people
around you such a hard thing to do.
"Hi" is not a hard word to say, in fact,
a simple exhale will produce the
sound you want. Try it some time.
What cnnlri it noasihlv hurt?
Ryan Wilson is a political
science junior.
777 777A Chris C&rroll
.. it- Director of Stude&t Media
srtising: 777-4249 Laura D
: 777-6482 Geatire Director
Dlumbia, SC 29208 Jim Green
Ait Director
Robert Wertz Gregory Perez
Asst. News Production Asst.
Wendy Hudson Elizabeth Thomas
Copy Desk Adv. Graduate Asst
Tanja Kropf Renee Gibson
Asst. Copy Desk Marketing Director
Ryan Wilson Christopher Wood
Asst Sports Asst. Advertising Manager
Jason Jeffers Erik Collins
Cartoonist Faculty Advisor
Letters Policy
The Gamecock will try to print all letters received.
Letters should be 200-250 words and must include full
name, professional title or year and major if a student.
Letters must be personally delivered by the author to
The Gamecock newsroom in Russell House room 321.
The Gamecock reserves the right to edit all letters for
style, possible libel or space limitations. Vames will not
be withheld under any circumstances.
he Gamecock viEvgpSr
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QUOTEUNQUOYE
"We're all pre-med, w
Just about everyone around campus regurgitates the
sort of political trash MTV airs. Since when has MTV
been capable of the reliable moral evaluation of anything?
MTV is an entertainment industry that ultimately
appeals to the hedonistic impulses of its audience.
The truth is popular music has never been so
trite or so devoid of talent. On the top 40 stations, most
of the good love songs played are from the '80s, while
new music is dominated by sexual themes. We are livEating
at Grand fl
My next door neighbor in Wade Hampton, Joy Wilson,
and I were having a relaxing ? if repetitive ?
dinner at the Grand Marketplace, when Joy's eyes
suddenly went huge, and she put her hands on her
throat, waved them around and gasped for breath.
"Joy, get hold of yourself," I said calmly, taking control
of the situation. "Just point him out, and I'll get
you his name and number."
"No, Ashley!" she wheezed. "I'm choking!"
"Oh, hey! So thafs the international choking sign!"
I cried in amazement. "Hang on, Mary's gonna want
to see this," I said, standing up to look for Mary.
Just then, Joy took a drink of Ramblin' Root Beer
and set the glass down with a slam.
"Ashley! Don't you know what to do when some
Generation neet
To those who can no longer tell the difference between
irrational hate and righteous indignation, this
column will make no sense whatsoever. But to those
who are willing to listen, I ask for a moment of your
consideration.
I have long been puzzled over why the children of
Martin Luther King Jr.'s generation do not seem to
have learned anything. Why are the children of our
day so cynical, so without hope? Why are we like this
wnen our parents were such morally courageous people
who rejected the evil of racism so unanimously?
Instead of six- and seven-year-old kids enjoying their
youth, they are murdering their playmates. I have
counted at least seven instances of this in 1994 alone.
We'll not even go into all the drug-related murders
and crimes of which only some make the paper.
Child abuse was never known to be as widespread
as we know it to be now. Last week, a woman confessed
to killing her own two children by driving them
into a lake. This notion that unwanted children are
disposable pervades our entire culture. This is evidenced
by popular support for the abortion industry.
People don't seem to be any better now than they were
50 years ago?they seem worse. Were the great strides
made by our fathers and forefathers for nothing?
A friend of mine told me that 90 percent of individuals
today cannot think for themselves. If s true.
one is choking?" she gasped.
"Well," I explained "I guess the only emergency I
really know how to deal with is the one where you
throw the person a life preserver... you know, being
on fire."
Joy quietly resumed her meal, probably just contemplating
her good fortune to have had such a levelheaded
friend as me around to take charge when she
needed help.
"So how were your classes today, Joy?" Tasked.
"Actually, something interesting happened for a
Does Col
?1 "Yes, because the Carolina Colisei
Mr old. We need to have concerts anc
make USC look better in the SEC
^ "The Coliseum's good. It suits ever>
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( we're
all in the Honors College and we thir
but we can't do it all alone."
Honors College biology major Eva Imperial
is new focus on
ANDREW MATTHEWS
ing in cultural dark ages. Hardly anyone seems to
mind this state of affairs. Most don't care.
The fact that 50 percent of all marriages fail and
that singles sleep around constantly indicates that
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once did, if it ever did. The point is, we know how things
should be, yet either lack the will or cannot do anything
about it.
On Oct. 26, there were some older men in suits
passing out New Testaments to students all around
campus. I couldn't help but notice students acting rudely
to them, while others, barely more politely, refusing.
Just in case your literature or history teachers
failed to mention it, I'll explain a fraction of that book's
significance to you.
First, the Bible contains some of the most moving
and powerful pieces of writing ever to be produced.
The themes and events described therein belong alongside
the best of those that the "great books" have to offer.
They have changed the lives of millions and have
been highly influential for many centuries. If you don't
have a copy of the most translated book ever, if s your
fault and your loss.
Second, the moral truths we have today can be
traced back to biblical morality. Lef s just say that our
understanding of right and wrong, equality, true love
and the rest of it wouldn't exist if it weren't for the
Bible. This world would be a lot worse off because injustice
would be prevalent. Our moral understanding
didn't come from nowhere; we didn't just make it up,
Marketplace an a
ASHLEY BALL
change," she said, still clearing her throat. "This guy
came to my history class and gave out brochures about
a study-abroad program. It somided really neat."
"Well, a guy came into my history class today and
told us to read two chapters and take notes."
"Ashley!" Joy sighed. "That was your professor!"
"Anyway," I said, getting back to Joy's history class,
which seemed a lot more interesting than mine. "Tell
me more about the brochure. I've always wanted to
study abroad in someplace really exciting... like New
York City!"
"Here, Ashley, look this over. Fm going to get another
brownie," Joy said, handing me the study-abroad
brochure.
Wow! I thought, looking at all the places where the
program was being offered: England, England... England!
"But, Joy!" I whined after she wove her way back
across the dance floor to our table (every time I eat at
the Grand Marketplace, I have the urge to clear all
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life, spirituality
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it came from the past. Without the Bible there would
still be slavery, women wouldn't vote and the strong
would rule the weak. That many do not recognize this
is due to their lack of knowledge of what the Bible says
and of the world culture of 2000-plus years ago..
Finally, the Bible is the text of a rather significant
religious group called Christians. Today, they as a
whole are much criticized because of what some Christians
have done. While it is wrong to discount the good
intentions and achievements of socialists because of
what has happened in Russia and China (communism
is a form of socialism; they are at the very least related),
it is also wrong to hate all Christians because of
Jimmy Swaggert and the Inquisition. Christians make
up a sizable part of the population of the United States
and are heavily represented in non-European countries.
Any well-informed person should be aware of
and understand the Christian presence and place in
the modern world.
I am suggesting to you that despite modern disaf
fection with Christianity, the Bible has much to offer.
I am also suggesting that if you are tired of the empty
and vain attractiveness that this world offers (i.e.
money, sex and power) and are dissatisfied with commercialized
causes and animal rights rather than the
rights of unborn children, I suggest you pick up a Bible
and read it. I also ask that you take time from your
busy and pointless life to consider the possibility that
if God exists and created us, that he might possibly
have some kind of interest in us; and more, that he
would want to communicate with us. I am convinced
your quality of life would benefit from some genuine,
soul-searching prayer.
Andrew Matthews is a history senior.
dventure in itself
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me tauiea uui 01 me Dig middle section, nooK up my
portable disco ball and start line-dancing). "What about
the language barrier?"
"There's no language barrier between the United
States and England," Joy explained as she unwrapped
her soft and chewy Dunkin' Donuts brownie in front
of me. "Except for a few words like 'elevator'."
"They call that a biscuit," I laughed knowingly.
"That's a cookie," she corrected me.
"No, thafs a brownie," I reminded her.
"Anyway, Ashley, you really should think aju.it
studying abroad. Are you taking a foreign language?"
"Yeah," I shrugged "But I cant think of any countries
that actually speak pre-cal. Can you?"
Suddenly, Joy's eyes went huge again, and she began
grasping at her throat with one hand and with
the other she beeran motioning Hesneratelv haplr and
forth from me to the door.
"Joy," I soothed in my calm, rational mode as she
flailed away. "Joy, listen to me so I can help you. Is
that the international sign for 'get me another brownie'
or for throw me a life preserver'?"
Ashley Ball is a journalism freshman.
Her column appears every Wednesday.
arena?
cause I think sports are too emphasized on colmpuses
and society in general. I think more
and resources should be put into academics."
Shelley Echerd
Graduate student in student personnel services
t that's a good idea. It would give on opportumore
people to participate."
Toria Davis
Political science freshman
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