The gamecock. (Columbia, S.C.) 1908-2006, February 21, 1995, Page 3, Image 3
T8t
Serving Ul
Lee Gontz, Editor in Chief (
Editor!
Erin Galloway, Wendy Hudson,
Jimmy DeButts, Ryan Wilson, C
Who did}
that was i
Millard Fillmore? You said he
The Associated Press polled s
for presidents, and the wire serv
is definitely a weak area for the Y
"John Adams? He's dead. That's
Carillo, a a student at John Adan
"You mean Cleveland High wa
asked Mildred Monroy, a junior a
always thought it was named aft<
Yes, students' knowledge of pr
phy, too) is very weak. As the nati<
people walked around not knowir
men being honored.
It's certainlv imDortant to know
/ 1 ?
have made dramatic decisions an
of protecting, advancing or glorify
people claim, history repeats its<
again.
* Knowledge of presidential histi
elections, a clarification of why e
trivia for nightly "Jeopardy" mat(
Do you know who Franklin Pi<
Media gn
to compl;
It's kind of funny how fast you
can grow tired of something.
Lhst sumni6tVl remember
watching the Q.J. Simpson chase
on TV, and thinking to myself how
exciting it was. Little did I knew
that six months later I would be
so sick of the whole ordeal, and I
would watch the Barney show before
I would the trial. The media
tend to dtrthpt sor,t of thing to
events thattheydeems newsworI
am net saying that the Simpson
trial is not news. The rule-ofthumb
editors go by is as follows:
A dog biting a person is not news
because it happens every day, but
a person biting a dog is news because
it's not an everyday occurrence.
There are exceptions to this
rule: if the person being bitten by
a dog is famous, the story transcends
rational thought and therefore
becomes newsworthy. This is
exactly what has happened in the
QimrwAn /vaca it'a nnt ovorv Hqv
VUI^V iw W 11WK V/ T VI J V4MJ
that a major celebrity is accused
of a double murder.
The media believe that the public
holds "such an interest in the trial
that they have interrupted several
of my favorite shows to give
live footage of the trial. I don't understand
this. You see, the parts
of the opening statements that I
did catch were very hard to follow.
CNN had a legal .analyst on during
each intermission to give a briefing
of what happened in the last
hour. After these briefings, I could
more or less tell what was going
on.
I think they should form the
Simpson Trial Channel (STC),
which would free up my TV from
having the same camera angle on
every channel. STC could cover the
trial OA Vinnrfl a rlav fnr t.Via novt
three months or whenever the trial
is over, whichever comes first.
The truth is that I am sick of
the media, mostly TV, giving so
much time to the evils of this world
Every so often, the evening news
will throw a story up about a true
hero or good public servant; this
is done to give viewers some hope
for the human race.
But most of the time, the news
tells stories of murder, robbery,
and destruction.
Again, this is news, but wouldn't
it be nicer to hear of the progress
our state Legislature has made?
Would it not be better to hear of
the good acts that occur every day
in our community? I am sick and
tired of just hearing the bad stuff.
Another subject I hear too much
"ISnffcod? ?
Lee Clontz Susan Goodwin
Editor in Chief Allison Williams
Chris Muldrow Features Editors
Viewpoints Editor Jimmy DeButts
Carson Henderson Ryan Wilson
Radhlka Taiwanl Sports Editors
Copy Desk Chiefs Ethan Myerson
Erin Galloway Ryan Sims
Wendy Hudson Graphics Editors
News Editors Gregory Perez
Kim Truett Design Editor
Photo Editor Jason Jeffers
Cartoonist
The Gamecock is the student newspaper of the
University of South Carolina and is published Tuesday
through Friday during the fall and spring semesters, 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
<;outh Carolina.
ffeock
SC Since 1908
Zhris Muldrow, Viewpoints Editor
lal Board
Susan Goodwin, Allison Williams,
'arson Henderson, Radhika Talwani
rou say
lamed for?
was president of what country?
tudents Monday at schools named
ice found that White House history
worth of free advice to Student
Government hopefuls.
Next year, when you pick a platform,
try to stray away from the
norm and design a platform that
is different from the other candidates.
It is difficult to vote when everyone
is promising to produce the
same results.
During the past two weeks, some
candidates have put me to sleep
because their proposals are identical
to their opponents.
I would immediately vote for a
candidate who promised to:
1. Abolish 8 a.m. classes.
2. Reunite Led Zeppelin and
bring them to campus for a twoday
music festival.
3. Stop the rainy weather the
South has had lately.
These demands might sound
impossible, but we elect these officers
to make campus life better.
Now back to complaining.
Oh yeah, I am really tired of
people complaining about complaining.
___ . Chris Carroll
vs: Ill-Ill6 Director of Student Media
yertising: 777-4249 Laura Day
X: 777-6482 Creative Director
Jim Green
Art Director
TlefTa Harper Elizabeth Thomas
Zi. ZIT Adv- Graduate Asst.
James Ponce Renee Gibson
Asst. Photo Marketing Director
Ben Pillow Christopher Wood
Stephanie Sonnenreld Asst. Advertising
AsstPeatures Manager
Larry Williams Erjk Co||jns
KeUhKBoSr?.ux FaCUlty Advis0r
Circulation Editor
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 333.
The Gamecock reserves the right to edit all letters for
style, possible libel or space limitations. Names will not
be withheld under any circumstances.
rebuilding of our campus. It is already
in such a horrible state of
ruin.
I don't want to sound like a nag,
but have we learned anything new
about the abortion issue over the
past couple of weeks? I appreciate
the fact that people have deep-rooted
opinions concerning this issue,
but whfeh Whs' thfe last tirrife y6ii' ' ?
changed someone's mind using the
tools of debate? The cold, hard facts
stay the same no matter how you
lay them on the table ? it's just a
Question of Dersonal morals. I Der
sonally don't believe that abortion
is the answer to an unplanned pregnancy,
but I am so tired of the controversy
that I have little energy
to speak my mind.
Other parts of my body besides
my mouth are tired and ready to
complain. My eyes are tired of seeing
students' campaign posters covering
the campus. Maybe next year
the candidates will be a bit more
sensitive to our senses and pick
colors a little easier on the eyes.
While we are on the subject,
perhaps I might offer a nickel's
L1UO*
j all I know," said 14-year-old Nazrio
is Middle School.
is named after a former president?"
t Grover Cleveland High School. "I
zr that city in Canada."
esidential (and apparently geogra>n
celebrated President's Day, many
lg a shred of information about the
' about presidents of the past. Many
d monstrous mistakes in the name
ring the United States. If, as many
elf, the same mistakes could occur
ory serves as a guiding light during
vents occured and a rich source of
:hes.
srce was?
res much
ain about
RANKIN
about is the state's proposal to cut
the university's budget. I sure hope
that the state finds some other portion
of the budget to cut. It would
be a shame to have to postpone the
o
* VUHCI
\
Oiioti Unquote
"I get embarassed a lot when everyone is
means a lot to
Police should 1
Three months after the Republican triumph
in the 1994 elections, many columnists and oth
er political pundits are STILL trying to figure ou'
why America has become more conservative.
What these geniuses fail to take into account
is that more people than ever are convinced thai
America needs less government. The problem is
not that Americans are uninformed about theii
government. The voters just do not like the in
fornjatipn. th.Q^r.^e.Qejying about what their gov
ernment is accomplishing.
For example, as I settled onto my comfortable
couch last Friday night to await the start of "Stai
Trek: Voyager," I watched a "World News Tonight'
story on welfare fraud. In Cleveland, the police
had conducted a sting operation that nabbed aboul
700 fugitive felons. More than half of those ar
rested were receiving welfare benefits, sent di
rectly to their homes under their real names.
You may be wondering why the criminals ir
America are really that stupid. They're not. Un
der federal privacy law, information about peo
pie on welfare cannot be provided to law enforce
ment authorities, even if the welfare recipient is
a fugitive from justice. Even if welfare recipients
are wanted bv the law. thev do not lose their el
igibility for benefits. It is estimated that 150,00(
felons are legally receiving welfare checks.
So, while one branch of the government is spend
ing millions of your tax dollars to track down want
ed criminals, another branch of the governmeni
is sending millions of tax dollars to the crooks jusi
to make things interesting.
Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum is intro
Don't patron
In the final journalism class I will take at USC
"Freedom, Responsibility and Ethics of Journal
ism," discussion always seems to shift to wha
role the media should play in monitoring an<
shaping public action. I subscribe to the view tha
since I can't control if you act wisely or foolish
ly, there's no reason for me to waste my time plot
ting grandiose schemes. So you can tell whicl
aii-lo T'm fin Hnnnff ploeorAnm avmimonto
OIUV A AAA W1I V1U001 Will UlgUlUVlilWl
Lately, the topic has been advertising and th
sometimes nonbeneficial results brought abou
by same. The classroom censors who will air thei
thoughts, all of whom are white, by the way, thin]
certain groups ? minorities, children and the el
derly ? should be protected from advertising be
cause they aren't capable of defending themselves
However, I say don't regulate advertisers just be
cause some irresponsible citizens blow their mon
ey on ripple, lottery tickets or sharp-edged G.]
Joe figures that hurt like hell when you step 01
them in the dark.
What especially irks me is the talk about shielc
ing minorities. This is not only patronizing, bu
it's indpfensihlp fnr rvnnlp whn in the samp hreat.V
* w ~ ? ? r? j ? ?
will tell you they support racial equality. Why i
it OK for "smart" people (read: white Honors Co;
lege students) to know what's best for "dumb
people (read: inner-city blacks who waste thei
scarce resources on malt liquor and menthol cig
arettes)? My friends, this is just as ludicrous a
past social engineering schemes based on racia
stereotypes.
However, let's picture this same scenario wit'
a twist: Suppose I come to class one day wearin
Klan garb and jackboots. I talk about how black
aren't as smart as the rest of us and propose
new set of policies to "help" them. I say it's m
b loral responsibility to change the current situ
ation.
77 v "
I
??. rn: H^ww AM X ...?"
so complimentary about my being named a finalist,
me ? being able to try to improve the academic rep
Steven Burritt,
Truman Scholarship finalist
liave access to we
t . PAT-MCNEILL ^
j ducing legislation later this year to change this SI
* sorry state of affairs. ar
You would think that no sane human being ?
- ~. .Q.wl4.pp.s.?.i,bly' p.ppp^e^hanging these ridiculous
rules. _ +
i Think again. ABC News trotted out Kevin nc
* Berman of the Cleveland Legal Aid Society, who
" pointed out the possible negative aspects of stop- fa
? ping welfare payments to these people: so
: BERMAN: What happens when you're the head W(
of the household and receiving aid to dependent
children and you're a fugitive? You've got-three-*children
at home. They're not fugitives. They didn't
1 make mistakes. And are you going to cut off their
- food stamps? Who are you going to punish? pe
Mr. Berman's arguments rely on some inter- pr
esting assumptions. rpj
s TKn firof ooonmnfinr* i a fUof f V-?ck fal nr\ (on nnmA/l
7 iiiv. in oi/ aoouiii^uvii 10 unat uic iciuii vou iicuucu
5 because he/she has committed a "felony") will 0
- spend the welfare money on the child's food, shel- m
) ter and Snoopy lunch boxes.
Many of you out there in Nicey-Nicey-Land w<
may be shocked to learn that wanted felons are cr
- not always the trustworthy people depicted in
t Hollywood productions like "The Fugitive." ^
t In fact, some of them are rapists, armed rob- "
bers, child mobsters and even killers. These sit- a*
- uations do not guarantee a stable home environize
minorities
.......... i
t Cm?# CARSON HENDERSON c
i Copy Desk Chief
;- Imagine the outcry. Harassing phone calls. 1
It Apologist editorials about sensitivity in The State.
ETV staking out my Horseshoe apartment. Fifty j
? lashes with a copy of the Carolinian Creed. The t
' public outrage would be unbearable.
^ But there is no punishment for "enlightened"
I- whites. Because they understand. Because they ]
!- care. Because they're from the Office of Student i
? Development, and they're here to help you. But 1
it's like one of my mentors told me: "Look in the J
Yellow Pages under 'I,' and you won't find too ,
much demand for intellectuals." <
n 1
Humorist P.J. O'Rourke wrote in last year's
I- "All the Trouble in the World" about how mi- 1
t norities should think twice before going along |
with government fiats written by whites designed (
8 to advance blacks in society. He said: "...the U.S. t
'* government is an institution that wrote human t
bondage into its Constitution, enforced slavery *
r. laws until 1865, and then approved and encour- . (
s aged legal discrimination according to race right ]
il up to the Civil Rights Act was passed more than <
a century later." Like O'Rourke wrote, be "wary 1
^ of legislative might" when it comes to race.
g Regarding the white advertising censors, it f
makes you wonder: What's the difference between
y oeing a slave in the held and a slave in the inner
I- city?
Carson Henderson is a journalism senior.
r
' * " --- t
I
L
but I know it's important to USC. That reail
u tat ion at U SC." n """
r*Ao 'rrt <
slfare records
. ~ ??? ?
ent.
Next, we have to uflg fli&atghai&il Mpar!
its who are the sole support of their children are
tal to their family's survival and should not be
nt to jail. I will pass this argument off to Mr
lapiro and Mr. Cochran, who are looking for
lything that they can get right about now. Finally,
there is thd asstlfltptiofi that'6hte'the
irent is sent off to theslammer,th? children wjj]
) longer receive the government assistance.
While I am not a social services expert, I am
irly certain that these kids will be eligible foi
me sort of help. If you can't get yanked from the
elfare rolls for committing a felony, it seems urn
tely that a child who actually needs welfare will
i removed from it. .r m T'.mrt. . , _ , ,'J
The voters in America are outragedthat75
ircent of the money budgeted for our welfare
ograms are eaten up by administrative costs
ley are enraged when they learn that millions
their tax dollars go to provide welfare for crimals.
The conservatives are listening.
For those of you who still don't get it, , heed the
ords of a former baby boomer prophet: "Don'i
iticize what you don't understand...Your olc
Drld is rapidly fading/So get out of the new one
you can't lend a hand. Cause the times they ar
changin." .. ....
Pat McNeill is a third-year law student
Letters to the Editor
Students pawns in fund game
I am writing to you with regards to an article
printed on Thursday, Feb. 9 entitled "Stulents
rally to save higher education budget."
It is highly unfortunate that as students we
ire being used as pawns in a game of political
:hess between the Legislature and the adminstration
of the University of South Carolina.
The Legislature (and specifically the House
Ways and Means Committee) has asked all state
agencies to make a "good faith effort" in attempting
to cut their budgets by 5 percent. Almost all state
agencies have made this effort, with the exception
of the university.
In an attempt to win this stalemate with the
legislature, the university has perpetuated the
llusion that the only way a budget cut can be
nade is through raising student fees and cutting
vital educational programs. This is a blaant
falsehood. The university can cut in many
areas without touching student fees and programs.
The university could start by cutting the aparoximately
$30,000 they spend each year on 48
tellular phones or the $61,000 on a lobbyist. They
:ould eliminate some of their 155 fax machines
>r some of the $1.8 million they spend for faculty
and staff to travel around the world. Finally,
they could eliminate the profit they make on uniergraduates
paying out-of-state tuition rates,
four total cost of education for the 1993-94 acaipmir
vpar was 61 fv The legislature aDDro
Driated $1,376 toward this figure, leaving $4,240
)f unreimbursed cost that the university should
Dass on to the student. Yet, the out-of-state tution
fee last year was $7,808. So, let us not alow
ourselves to be pawns. The university has
i nan rial waste; let's ask them to account for it.
Daniel E. Griffith
First-year law student