University of South Carolina Libraries
1 4 ^iBaiffeock Serving USC Since 1908 Wendy Hudson, Editor in Chief Matt Pruitt, Viewpoints Editor Editorial Board Lucy Arnold, Jamie Clark, Erin Galloway, Stephanie Sonnenfeld, Allison Williams, Larry Williams, Ryan Wilson Don't let silence become second campus tragedy Any community that is accustomed to living in security is prone to be taken aback by tragedy. When a community faces only those problems that are relative to its size, larger problems become quite disturbing. The possibility of tuition hikes, lack of state funding, insufficient time for study or socializing and inadequate parking space are problems that are proportional to the size of the USC community and ones which students deal with on a daily basis. The loss of one of our own to suicide, however, is a much larger, much more infrequent andrnuch more demoralizing Droblem. Possibly even more demoralizing is the reticence that has overtaken the campus since this past weekend's tragedy on McBryde Quad. Administrators and students alike seem to have very little to say about the incident, and the community as whole seems to be surviving on fragments of fact while trying to piece together a legitimate account of the events. A silence of this sort opens the campus up to several potential problems. One is that without a complete set of facts, the human mind tends to fabricate bits of information in order to fill in the gaps. Rumors can run rampant in a dormant period such as this. Silence also prevents healing. Discussion has a therapeutic effect and is an effective tool in overcoming tragedy. Silence only breeds further problems. Furthermore, the unwillingness of university officials to talk to the student body about the incident represents an incomplete education. Learning to cope with problems such as these are essential to adult life. The silence of university administrators means that they fail to recognize students as adults. The possibility always exists that the little bits of information that the community is receiving are the only ones known. Even so, the problem has not been properly addressed. Please, do not be afraid to discuss the subject in a tactful and tasteful manner. It can't be disregarded or necessarily explained, but it can be resolved. Popular GOP candidate won't make best president iuc IICAU pi coiuciiuai cicv/tiun is only 14 months away. The pri- TOMMY TOUCHBERRY maries start in February. It looks ~pr~, as if the race will be a duel between o umnxs President Clinton and Majority , , Leader Bob Dole. But is Bob Dole ^ ?"the ab"rtlon ,ss"ethe best possible candidate for the ?ther Republicans (except for GOP? I believe not Keyes) have tried to avoid this isIt's not that I don't like Bob fe-1 believe thT^t *** a stake Dole. Ifs not that I dont agree with ,for ra^er Bob Dole on most issues. In fact, I lose mth firm P ciples than lose do agree with Dole about 95 per- ^hout them. Second, I believe cent of the time. The problem is ?at position motivates that Dole does not possess the per- Christian voters, while it does not sonality to motivate the American influence the votes of the Perot people. If the race does end up as crowd. In other words, the aborDole vs. Clinton, there is a good tion issue divides true conservachance that many voters will stay fives and liberals, but the indehome. This could allow Clinton to pendent voters tend to favor the be re-elected to a second term. F<>-life position or ignore the aborAs for the other candidates who tion issue altogether, have already declared, one stands 1 originally had planned to supout plainly as the best of the bunch, port Bob Dole for the GOP nomiThat candidate is Pat Buchanan, nation, but my mind has changed He is the only candidate who pos- over the past several weeks. I have sesses the charisma to woo the av- become convinced that these "freeerage voter. He is rock solid in his trade" agreements are really hurtconservative beliefs and has con- ing the U.S. economy. I think it is sistently pounded away at his po- time we start looking out for the sition for several years. He also average American. We need to quit gave the incumbent president sending millions of dollars overGeorge Bush a good race in 1992. seas. Instead, we need to balance Pat Buchanan has taken a the budget, grow the American strong stand against the so-called economy and reduce the tax bur"free-trade" agreements which most den on all Americans (regardless conservative Republicans support, of their economic class). I believe Buchanan and Perot are the onlv Pat Buchanan would be the best viable candidates who have pub- possible choice for the Republican licly opposed these treaties, nomination and for the President Buchanan will have no problem of the United States. However, I winning the support of the Perot will support Dole if he receives the voters, who were the key to the Re- nomination, although, in my opinpublican landslide in 1994. ion, he is the second-best candiBuchanan has also taken a date. ?l5aifftcock SS?-4249 ~ Student Media Russell House-USO Columbia, SC 29208 Chris Carroll Director of Student Media Wendy Hudson Lucy Arnold Martha Hotop Laura Day Editor in Chief Stephanie Tina Morgan Creative Director Matt Pruitt Sonnenfeid Asst. News JefT A. Breaux Viewpoints Editor Features Editors Ben Pillow Art Director Chris Winston Larry Williams Chris Dixon Gregory Perez Copy Desk Chief Rvan Wilenn ASSt'Features Design Editor Erin Galloway Sports Editors Robbie Meek Kim Golden Allison Williams lamie Clark Asst. Sports Asst. Advertising Manager News Editors P ,o Lor Jason Jeffers Erik Collins Keith Boudreaux Cartoonist Faculty Advisor Circulation Manager ... _ .. Letters Policy The Gamecock is ihe student newspaper of the University of South Carolina and is published daily during the fall and Gamecock will try to print all letters received, spring semesters, with the exception of university holidays Letters should be 200-250 words and must include full and exam periods. name, professional title or year and major if a student. Opinions expressed in The Gamecock are those of ihe editors Letters must be personally delivered by the author to or author and not those of the University of South Carokia. The Gamecock newsroom in Russell House room 333. The Board of Student Publications and Communications is the publisher of The Gamecock. The Department of Student The Gamecock reserves the right to edit all letters for Media is its parent organization. style, possible libel or space limitations. Names will not be withheld under any circumstances. VIEWPO] 'Women are uf Senio Republicans use The Republican Congress has taken up the mantra of less government with a zeal that would suggest they want to give up their jobs. Alas, the targets for elimination have been superficial absurdities; substantive problems are to be solved by handing over responsibility to states and corporations. These actions pander to the most base inA1 AA Url^A VtAlTA AAmA f A ui uicu cicvwji aico, nnu nave VA;UIC IAJ cajjcli little more. This Congress- with its megalomaniac Speaker of the House and posturing Presidential candidates has gone so far in arguing the popular theme of less government that it seems to suggests there is no other role for government than providing for the common defense. My reading of the preamble to the Constitution counts five other purposes of our government. Surely, there are some things that the federal government can and should do in spite of all arguments. Most obviously are ares of "commons." Commons are used by everyone, but are not in the best interests of individuals to protect because freeloading is preferable. The environment is a common concern whose protection must be a group effort for the benefit of all. While blasting extremist Liberal tendencies to ascribe to government the capability of universal salvation, the Republicans have practiced their own extremism, putting that role onto the shoulders of private industry. Not only does this incorrectly presume that industry will act in the common interest, but it suggests that the American electorate should be given no vote on these issues except the largely ineffective boycott. For shear absurdity, the Congressional effort to eliminate the national speed limit is surely my top nomination. This issue is part of the Republican theme of States' Rights. Even after 200 years and Let's start campi I expected some friends of mine to be excited that I had a column in The Gamecock. After all, they are always telling me to find something to do besides lay on the couch and watch television. However, to my dismay, last Wednesday as I ate lunch in the Russell House many of them laughed. My friends said, "Why should you write about anything, nobody cares! Everyone that writes for The Gamecock only writes 'stuff that no one really cares about." As a result, I decided to write and give my opinion about several things I know the majority of students on this campus care about. Is there anyone who does not know that our tuition has been increased for the past four years? Well, I sure as hell do. Are we getting better services for our money? Should we have to pay tuition increases just because the president of our university and members of the Board of Trustees can not communicate and work with the S.C. Legislature? Should we have to pay higher fees because our Legislature does not see the need to give financial assistance to higher education? Should we have to pay higher tuition because our university decided to spend an exorbitant amount on an organ? Would a less expensive one have sufficed? Yes! Marriott food services have been very respon sive to the needs of students. We have seen many new and welcomed additions to various areas of campus and the Grand Marketplace. However, why do two hot dogs, with chili, cost $4.89? I can get two, with chili, for 99 cents at the Circle K. Furthermore, those people who check the parking meters. They really are nice people with just a very ugly job. But why do they have to give out tickets when I am in the middle of class or unloading my car and can't feed the meter? Why do we have meters throughout this campus when we pay so much money to come to school? We should have the freedom to park where we please. Does it seem like the university has not only charged an arm and a leg for a parking garage sticker but also oversold the garages? I am not even going to touch the outrageous subject of the monopolizing bookstores. Many students, and even more parents, ask the question, "How can they get away with this?" The answer is very simple...we let them. We may write an occasional column about these prob [NTS i against a wall to prove themselves, and tha r Trevor Spencer on the U.N. conference on worm speed limit for eas LAURA HALL Guest columnist m tl a civil war, apparently that balance is still ques- a' tioned. n( The call to raise speed limits is a perfect politi- U] /*ol rfomKif Tf rtaolo wa mawait* if ??aaiiii*aa via fv?aii gCUUUXW. lb WOW 11U 111U11CJ) 11/ ICVjUll CO UU l/I UU- "" bling moral debate. And best of all, it would affect ai everyone, appealing to those who do not care to explore the intricacies of theory or federalism. It is cc amazing the resonance this suggestion has with people. But aside from the cynical, political impe- d< tus for this "reform," there are more concrete reasons to oppose this absurdity. sc Maybe the idea of a shorter drive home is at- y( tractive, but remember the driving habits you see }e on our interstates before you decide that you'd like ft, those cars any faster. The fact that more dangerous driving conditions would result is a much more important argument to advance than that of less te government interference in our self-centered lives. To anyone from Nevada? OK, go ahead and drive 75 when there are miles of straight, empty road ahead. To South Carolinians? let's not jump on , this bandwagon. I frequently drive 1-26 between here and Cc Charleston and every time I am amazed at the horrible driving of my fellow travelers. Clairvoyance m should surely be designated as the state sport. No a one in this state seems to think seems to think that a turn signal is a necessary tool, making driving a w constant game of guessing the other guy's inten- P1 tions. Since he doesn't always convey his intentions es well enough, sometimes the only thing to do is to get really close behind you as to suggest that 65? al or even 70? is just not his speed at all. If that doesnt of rattle you, remember that a large percentage of th rswide protests TP All DflDCDTCnU iiinv iiuukii vvii Columnist lems. Someone may make an occasional phone call about these problems. However, we as students merely bitch and complain to ourselves and peers ... and do nothing. Well, do not fret because I have a solution that comes straight from the radical '60s. Four years ago, when I was a freshman at this great institution of higher learning, my very first English professor suggested that we, as students, accomplish three * things. He argued that every person should get a ' ticket for jay walking, get arrested and participate in a protest. I once recommended to Dr. Palms that he emulate the chancellor at LSU. The chancellor was afraid the Legislature was going to cut funding for the school, so he canceled classes and led the faculty and student body in a protest to the state capitol. Dr. Palms merely stated, "Sounds good, let's call the press." Would our tuition have gone up if we had 5,000 students ascend on the Statehouse or the president's office? I don't think so! The individuals in power simply believe that we as students dont care, therefore we are susceptible to anything. If the students at this university wanted two hot dogs for less then $4.89, let's protest. What would haDDen if the entire student hodv bovcotted the bookstore in order to demand fair prices. Could we do this? Yes. Contact the president of Student Government. Ask the president of SG not only to be the voice of the students in a board meeting but to be the person who will lead us into action. While there are those who have the power to s= make decisions about these issues that affect our ^ daily lives, we have power in numbers. We have the ability to change many things on this campus. I would dare to argue that when we as students have decided that enough is enough, someone better watch out. Unfortunately, some of us have not realized this, or simply have fallen into the trap of our generation: cynicism. Wednesday, September 6, 1995 M\ HitJsjjffJ1 t's not fair/ ten >y political gain ucks have faulty brakes. With these sorts of habits, it's a wonder I ever take it here intact. My blood is chilled by playing le game at higher speeds?which would be way aove the posted 75, don't kid yourself. It is really 3t about of anyone's right to drive at breakneck, ncontrollable speeds. It is about innocent people sing put in danger through others' indifference id irresponsibility. This argument is not always effective, so I have ime up with a few that appeal to self-interest: Higher speeds increase the number of accisnts and that raises everyone's car insurance. If you are involved in accident in which you hit imeone from behind, chances are it will be deemed )U fault. Most such collisions could be avoided by aving more space between cars and therefore more me to react to situations. The same is true for accidents that could have ien averted had both parties signaled their inmtions. The first question asked at the scene is hether turn signals were used. Another good argument is the simple one of ilf preservation. Imagine the times a lack of sime signals could result in a major accident: two irs simultaneously changing to the center lane om the outside two, opposite cars moving into the edian to make opposing turns, a car turning into lane which you are moving into. A simple reminder: you may be a fine driver hen conditions are normal and there are no surises, but the fatal accidents happen when the unacted is too sudden for you to react. Increased speeds would shorten reaction times ready dangerously on the edge of disaster because bad driving habits. And that is more important lan any political argument. 1 closer look